JollyJerry
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I would love to see S&W bring back the 696! I need something to keep my CA Bulldog, 624 Lew Horton, and Flattop Blackhawk company.
Smile often and shoot straight.
696 44 S&W Special
- Thread starter JollyJerry
- Start date
I would love to see S&W bring back the 696! I need something to keep my CA Bulldog, 624 Lew Horton, and Flattop Blackhawk company.
Smile often and shoot straight.
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696
I agree...bring it back, but this time also offer it in a 5" for us deer hunters in Ohio,(Ohio requires a 5" barrell)...what a whitetail gun that would be...WOW!!!
I agree...bring it back, but this time also offer it in a 5" for us deer hunters in Ohio,(Ohio requires a 5" barrell)...what a whitetail gun that would be...WOW!!!
jwk
Member
I would like to see the 696 reintroducted.
three-five-seven
Member
696 resurrected its only a dream...
I would also like the 696 brought back with a 5 or 6 inch barrel. An interchangeable front sight would be nice. I myself prefer Patridge front sights. For deer hunting in Ohio where I live I have a 629 PowerPort for magnum power. I find it hard to believe but Smith may be hesitant about bringing back .44 Specials due to the hotrodding of this cartridge. Of course they have the model 24. I have one too along with a Thunder Ranch. It also could be they dribble Specials out because they have a "cult following" or its a matter of simply selling what sells. Maybe if some of us Special fans would contact Smith maybe the 696 will be reintroduced. I would truly order/buy one immediately. I also desired the Model 14 with a 6 inch full lug barrel. Remember those? Stainless would be an interesting twist too.
I would also like the 696 brought back with a 5 or 6 inch barrel. An interchangeable front sight would be nice. I myself prefer Patridge front sights. For deer hunting in Ohio where I live I have a 629 PowerPort for magnum power. I find it hard to believe but Smith may be hesitant about bringing back .44 Specials due to the hotrodding of this cartridge. Of course they have the model 24. I have one too along with a Thunder Ranch. It also could be they dribble Specials out because they have a "cult following" or its a matter of simply selling what sells. Maybe if some of us Special fans would contact Smith maybe the 696 will be reintroduced. I would truly order/buy one immediately. I also desired the Model 14 with a 6 inch full lug barrel. Remember those? Stainless would be an interesting twist too.
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Eminence
Member
Don't want to burst your bubbles but check the post on page 2 of this section of the forum dated 2/16. I too would like to see it returned in different configurations but according to the folks from S&W at this year's shot show, as related to me, they do not intend to reintroduce it. We can keep hoping for a change of heart.
three-five-seven
Member
696 in the future?
Eminence Did Smith happen to give any reasons why at this time they do not plan to re-introduce the 696? Over 20 years ago I wrote a letter in simpler times to Ruger and suggested they bring out a Model 77-22 in 22 magnum. They responded and said no at this time. We now know that this did become reality. I did not buy one because by the time it came to fruition I was sick of Rugers and did not want to tangle with any of them. I have owned 4 and they always seem to need a little refining to make them decent. I apologize to all the Ruger fans reading this. I hope I do not cause conflict it is not my intention. I just have my experiences (4 times) . A good friend of mine bought a used 29 and fell in love with Smiths after he shot it the first time. Lets hope smith does bring it out. I still have faith. Things change in corporate America especially when marketing gets involved.
Eminence Did Smith happen to give any reasons why at this time they do not plan to re-introduce the 696? Over 20 years ago I wrote a letter in simpler times to Ruger and suggested they bring out a Model 77-22 in 22 magnum. They responded and said no at this time. We now know that this did become reality. I did not buy one because by the time it came to fruition I was sick of Rugers and did not want to tangle with any of them. I have owned 4 and they always seem to need a little refining to make them decent. I apologize to all the Ruger fans reading this. I hope I do not cause conflict it is not my intention. I just have my experiences (4 times) . A good friend of mine bought a used 29 and fell in love with Smiths after he shot it the first time. Lets hope smith does bring it out. I still have faith. Things change in corporate America especially when marketing gets involved.
Eminence
Member
As related to me, the reps stated that they would have to make a run of at least 500 pieces and they did not believe there was a market out there for that many which might languish on distributors and dealers shelves. I can see their point and might disagree but they know their business better than I.
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three-five-seven
Member
A run of 500 too much....
I think thats the BS they are told to hand persons. I spend 17 years in the autoaftermarket and then worked for a firearms distributor. We sold Smiths. Years ago Smith beat their chests about the CNC machining and CAD/CAM designing and manufacturing and MIM techniques and what have you . We know they can sell 500 revolvers easy. WE all there are at least 500 already sold. I will buy 1 maybe 2. Heck I already bought 2 44 Specials new in the last 4 years and a 1 or 2 696s would be fine. This forum has 200 sold right now I bet! My previous careers at times had "answers" like that to frequently asked questions. We were told what to say as this was "company policy". Just hold onto to shorts I wouldnt be surprised to see a 696 come back. Too much written in the usual gun magazines about what they should bring back and t he gunwriters insists they will talk to factory. Its the factory talking to them "Hey build a market and test the water at the same time-We will make a bunch of money!" Even this forum is loaded with persons salivating over a re-introduced 696 and especially with the current administration..get em while you still can! They (s&w) do know what they are doing. Since 1852!!!!!
I think thats the BS they are told to hand persons. I spend 17 years in the autoaftermarket and then worked for a firearms distributor. We sold Smiths. Years ago Smith beat their chests about the CNC machining and CAD/CAM designing and manufacturing and MIM techniques and what have you . We know they can sell 500 revolvers easy. WE all there are at least 500 already sold. I will buy 1 maybe 2. Heck I already bought 2 44 Specials new in the last 4 years and a 1 or 2 696s would be fine. This forum has 200 sold right now I bet! My previous careers at times had "answers" like that to frequently asked questions. We were told what to say as this was "company policy". Just hold onto to shorts I wouldnt be surprised to see a 696 come back. Too much written in the usual gun magazines about what they should bring back and t he gunwriters insists they will talk to factory. Its the factory talking to them "Hey build a market and test the water at the same time-We will make a bunch of money!" Even this forum is loaded with persons salivating over a re-introduced 696 and especially with the current administration..get em while you still can! They (s&w) do know what they are doing. Since 1852!!!!!
balldboy
Member
I bought a 696 and a new 686 4" barrel to be rebore and fitted to the 696.
I would have bought a 5" barrel if I had thought about it.
Bases on what I am willing to spend on this project, I would buy a 5" tomorrow.
I would have bought a 5" barrel if I had thought about it.
Bases on what I am willing to spend on this project, I would buy a 5" tomorrow.
three-five-seven
Member
converting a 696 to a 4 inch
I have to admit it sounds like a neat idea. I am going to wait before I do something like this. And you are correct the cost becomes high for these ideas. Maybe some market momentum is being generated and the Smith & Wesson Company may take the plunge. It happens when you least expect it. I would only say one thing get a real gunsmith to do it otherwise the experience will be rotten. I have dealt with persons claiming to be custom gunsmiths and they can be as right as rain and black as sin. Good luck.
I have to admit it sounds like a neat idea. I am going to wait before I do something like this. And you are correct the cost becomes high for these ideas. Maybe some market momentum is being generated and the Smith & Wesson Company may take the plunge. It happens when you least expect it. I would only say one thing get a real gunsmith to do it otherwise the experience will be rotten. I have dealt with persons claiming to be custom gunsmiths and they can be as right as rain and black as sin. Good luck.
OP
JollyJerry
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I have enjoyed reading the thoughts of like-minded men. It seems to me that some outfit like Lipsey's ought to try to bring back the 696. They got Ruger to make an initial run of 2,000 Flattops in .44 Special last year. Now the Flattop .44 Special is listed on the Ruger internet site as a regular item. Maybe they can convince Smith and Wesson to do the same??? One can always hope!!
Smile often and shoot straight.
three-five-seven
Member
Re: Jolly Jerrys comment...
Yes Lipseys did this and perhaps the next course is to contact a few distributors like Lipseys, RSR, Accusport and Davidsons to name a few and put the bug in their ear. Perhaps a big order or 2 would plut the pin to Smith as money talks real loud. thanks reminding me of this as it gives me more hope!
Yes Lipseys did this and perhaps the next course is to contact a few distributors like Lipseys, RSR, Accusport and Davidsons to name a few and put the bug in their ear. Perhaps a big order or 2 would plut the pin to Smith as money talks real loud. thanks reminding me of this as it gives me more hope!
THE GUNSMITH
Member
I have recently finished a 5"686 conversion to 44 special, shoots great, but not much handier than my 4" 24.
NFrameFred
Member
The conventional wisdom with S&W is "never say never" . . . like years ago when I asked a S&W sales rep "when is S&W going to come out with semi-auto that has a correct safety on it like a 1911, or better yet, a S&W 1911 ?"
His answer . . ."it'll never happen".
We see how long never lasts . . . .
His answer . . ."it'll never happen".
We see how long never lasts . . . .
DrDremel
Member
Well somebody pick somebody to bug, post the contact info and lets start calling. I would buy two new 696s. Make em with a 3 inch mountain gun barrel and I might have to make it 3. I'd buy a few in an L frame centennial as well ala 296 in stainless with a 3 inch barrel. Can you tell I like 44 special?
three-five-seven
Member
Im still campaiging...
If there are any Smith and Wesson execs reading this at any level in the company please reintroduce the Model 696 .44 Special L-frame with a 3 inch barrel and a 5 or 6 inch model for those of us (me ) who did not like the 3 inch revolver when it was first introduced.
Bring back the 696 with at least 2 or 3 barrel lengths and a smooth combat trigger. I have bought 2 N-frame classics and I would buy 2 L-frames. Please bring it back.
If there are any Smith and Wesson execs reading this at any level in the company please reintroduce the Model 696 .44 Special L-frame with a 3 inch barrel and a 5 or 6 inch model for those of us (me ) who did not like the 3 inch revolver when it was first introduced.
Bring back the 696 with at least 2 or 3 barrel lengths and a smooth combat trigger. I have bought 2 N-frame classics and I would buy 2 L-frames. Please bring it back.
Add me to the list of people that would like to see the 696 come back. This is one of the guns on my short list and I would grab one in a heartbeat!
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