696 vs 696-1

TheTinMan · Apr 23, 2023

Every once in a while … ok more often than that … a particular gun catches my attention. I hadn’t heard of the 696 until recently but a 5-shot 44 Special with a 3” barrel appeals to me.

Everything I’m seeing for sale now seems to be a 696-1. Is there anything better about the 696 (no dash)? Is it more rare?

I came across a reference to ported 696s made for Lew Horton. Were those done by Magnaport for the S&W factory?

What would be a reasonable price range for a 696 or 696-1 in very good condition without any box or extras?

lppd4 · Apr 23, 2023

I gave $1300 for my 696 no dash. Thought I got a reasonable deal. My 696 has a hammer mounted firing pin. I believe a -1 has a frame mounted FP and MIM at that.

Brian Parrish · Apr 23, 2023

Mine is a no-dash.
The 696-1 has a frame mounted firing pin. Why this is considered inferior to the hammer mounted firing pin of the no-dash is beyond me.
There was a time when the no dash commanded a significantly higher price, but now all the L-frame defense guns are running at similar prices to what that was. I think of it as simply that the 696 was first to climb to 1500 bucks and now all the rest have followed to that price.
Mine is not for sale at any price. Period.
I am sure I would be happy with a night guard in 44, model 396.
I would prolly also like the 296 humpback, but I would still dream of the 696.
I spent a lot of hours and dollars getting good with 3" and 4" smith revolver triggers.
I want the round to be big heavy and slow. 200 grains 900 fps.
I want a 3" barrel.
This is the best available that checks the boxes for me.
I would buy one for $2000 and be happy. If I got it for the same price as a 686 I would be happy. On a certain auction site I see one with a BIN price under $1500. I would look no further. But that is gonna be an important weapon for me.

murphydog · Apr 23, 2023

If I recall, the 696-1 also has the integral frame lug instead of the separate part. There was also a 696-2 with the lock. My guess is they all work the same.

THE PILGRIM · Apr 23, 2023

My 696.
Need a longer message!
Did I ever tell you about the time I pulled a pickup out of a water hole in Nevada?

pantannojack · Apr 23, 2023

Back in the day: when these were available, at a retail store, I looked over the 696 for $389.xx before I ever knew of the dash thing. My mentor asked if it had a hollow trigger? A what? The yoke closed so sloppily on a NIB gun, I never considered SW again until I discovered such things as M58 Nickle, M57 in presentation, M41 5.5". I would seriously like to posess a 696 if I could find a quality assembled one.

rkrcpa · Apr 24, 2023

All things being equal, the M69 offers an improvement to the 696 inasmuch as the forcing cone is thickerer. That seems to be the one concern with the 696, whether that is warranted or not is still up for debate.

That being said, my 696 no dash is one of my favorite revolvers.

Pizza Bob · Apr 24, 2023

Brian Parrish said:
I am sure I would be happy with a night guard in 44, model 396.
I would prolly also like the 296 humpback, but I would still dream of the 696.

They are like potato chips - you can't stop at one...

Adios,

Pizza Bob

ladder13 · Apr 24, 2023

I have had both a ND and a -1. Other than the ugly elongated teardrop on the left side of the -1 it was a great shooter.
I sold it because someone wanted it badly.

Now, left with this ND

Marshal Tom · Apr 24, 2023

I had a ND with box and the works that i got in a trade for my .357 Mtn Gun. I never even shot the 696 in the several years that I owned it. I traded it straight across to a friend for his NIB 5" 27-2. He regrets the trade now and wants to trade back.

steelslaver · Apr 24, 2023

I have the full set also a 296, 396, 69 and a 696 the 69 has the 4 1/4 tube. They are all good guns, but for actual carry guns the 296 and 396 are best. None of them beat out my 325 snubs though and will probably be heading down the road,

Nemo288 · Apr 30, 2023

The L frame 44's are like the famous potato chips.
It's almost impossible to stop at just one.
I have been a big fan for years but have never seen a 696-2 or even a picture.
I know they have to exist as my 696-1 has the hammer meant for a -2.
Maybe cancelled early in production?
Does anyone have one?

The 696-1 may be inherently more accurate than the 696 due to more correct chamber throat dimensions.
The 696 has it's fans because it was one of the last "traditional" S&W revolvers made
with hammer mounted firing pin and forged hammer and trigger.
As stated above, the 396Ti is way nicer to carry but kicks like a magnum because it weighs half as much as the steel versions.

The grips I like on these are the Altamont "Altai" conversion grips.
For me, they point very naturally and are super comfortable.
They are somewhat similar in design to Jerry Miculek's grips but less rounded or "bulbous"

These days if you are really wanting a 696, I'd take what you can get and afford.
The supply is limited and the demand stays solid.
Or just get a new 69.

696 vs 696-1

TheTinMan

Member

lppd4

Member

Brian Parrish

Member

murphydog

Moderator

THE PILGRIM

Member

Attachments

pantannojack

US Veteran

rkrcpa

Member

Pizza Bob

SWCA Member

ladder13

Member

Marshal Tom

Member

steelslaver

US Veteran

Nemo288

Member

Attachments

Similar threads

Latest posts