696-1 question

[wheelyfun66]

Hey All,
I have been offered a 696-1 in trade, and am wondering what your best estimates of overall price should be on a "mint" 696-1?

I haven't seen the gun in person, but am wondering if anyone can give me a basic run-down of 696 basics?

It is a 5 shot, correct?
Were they all 3" barreled?
Any known deficiencies or problems with these?

If you own a 696, how about a pic?

Thank you for any help!

 

[KLYDE]

Wheely
5 rounds of .44 Spl goodness. 3" bbl. Some internet rumor of cracked forcing cones. Don't think any member has actually experienced this. Keep loads reasonable and all will be good. The dash 1 transitioned to the MIM.

no dash

 

[jughed440]

-1 prices are hovering around the $800 range, no dash models like KLYDE's even more.


696-1.....

 

[Dennis The B]

Here's a 696 (no dash). Still carry it occasionally. Great shooter. Replaced the original Uncle Mike's with a set of Ahrends.

 

[quinn]

Wonderful, wonderful. I have 2 but I think my son is about to relieve me of one (so he'll have 2). LNIB I would expect it to go for about $1k in this end of the world. A "shooter" grade gun will bring 750-850 in a heartbeat. I wouldn't let it get away if the price were in the ballpark. They are hard to find and becoming more popular.

 

[STCM(SW)]

My -1 cost me $1K + ANIB.
I changed the grips....

 

[TAROMAN]

Here's my -1.
Purchased from a forum member last year for $700.
Stocks are K RB Target from another member.
Has an amazingly precise feel to it, likely due to the CNC/MIM tolerances and finish.
This little gun is amazingly accurate, better than any of my 624s.
I attribute this to the close bullet fit in the chamber throats.

 

[murphydog]

Just to mention, the other visible difference between the 696 and the -1 is the integral frame lug on the later gun. The -2 has the internal lock.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Here's my no dash.

These are fantastic revolvers and hard to find, so if you can you should buy it.

Very accurate and capable of launching a 250g bullet in the 850 ~ 900fps area without issue.

Stay away from higher velocities and all will be well.

 

[KLYDE]

Here's my -1.
Purchased from a forum member last year for $700.
Stocks are K RB Target from another member.
Has an amazingly precise feel to it, likely due to the CNC/MIM tolerances and finish.
This little gun is amazingly accurate, better than any of my 624s.
I attribute this to the close bullet fit in the cylinder mouths.

TAROMAN,
You are spot on with that statement. Believe it or not the throats on my 696 are tighter than my 629 DX (and those are tight as compared to other .44 guns). Can't give you an actual measurement as I don't have a proper tool. (next on to buy list) Drop a bullet into each chamber. I'm sure this contributes to the accuracy.

 

[WCCPHD]

I bought a no dash earlier this year for $960 OTD without box. It had been fired but not much. It has been my constant companion the entire deer season. I retired my pre 29, 625MG and 28-2 that I had been known to carry while hunting when I got this one. I like it because it is compact, light but still has the power to put down a wounded deer and to drop a coyote at a reasonable distance.