696 a novelty?

[bigshep85]

Ok fellas. I have a chance to pick one of these up for a good price. What should I know, What should I look for?
Forcing cone? Check
Anything else?

Maybe there are better options out there, i dunno, I dont know if I am sold on the 696 yet.

I am attaching a picture. I havent seen it in person. Could be the light. The only thing I worry about is the top behind the cylinder, looks weird. Scratched or dented or something.

I have been wanting a 629 for the longest time. Maybe this would fill that need? I dunno

It would be a fun gun to shoot.

Everybody's thoughts?

 

[CH4]

Novelty or not, if it’s in good shape for anything less than a grand, it’s worth snagging.

 

[chiefbob81]

Not a dent, cutout for sight, normal. A grand is a lot for a 22.

 

[Fishinfool]

I don't see any issues with the top strap in the photo. Just my personal opinion, but because of some reports of weak forcing cones in that model, I would probably lean towards a model 69 instead. Still a five shot L frame, only capable of firing magnum rounds if wanted, and obviously an improvement in the forcing cone area. Or for that matter, why not a 629 like you said you wanted? Lots of them out there with proven reliability. The "forcing cone issue" with the 696 may very well be overblown, I don't know, but why take the risk when a model 69 offers the same basic package without the baggage?

Larry

 

[steelslaver]

Why a 696? No lock, classic lock up, 1 piece barrel. If kept in good shape should increase in value as it was limited production. 44 specials are all you need for a 3" barrel.

Why a model 69? Heavier barrel shank, fires 44 mags, improved lock up, 2 piece barrel.

The added safety of the interlock??????? or added baggage?

I have an 696 no dash and an early model 69 with 4 1/4" barrel, both fine guns. But the older (wiser???) I get the less I care to shoot 44 mags.
Its not the recoil, I have a 500, I shoot a 325 and a 396 and they recoil. I am just not locked into the mystique of the "44 magnum" anymore. The 45 colt is another story for me.

 

[NMPinNYC]

I'd be on that like white on rice!

 

[bigshep85]

I didn't mean on top. I was talking more on the inside of the cylinder housing. On the bottom of the top strap. Top right corner of the square.

Compare Snapping Twig's photo in post #62 here:

S&W model 696 .44 spl
in the area I am discussing and the photo I posted above. It definitely looks different but I guess I would have to look at it in hand to be sure.

I think it would be a good discussion piece and a good addition to any collection really.

 

[dr. mordo]

To me, a 3" L frame is an oddball. It weighs something like 3 oz less than a 629, carries one less bullet, and is still big enough it has to be belt carried. Also, for some reason the L frame trigger seems to be heavier than every other Smith revolver.

I'm just not a fan of the L frame.

Conversely, my 3" M629 Deluxe is my favorite gun, and I own a bunch. I carry it everyday.

There's a 3" 629 for $665 in the sales forum here (no affiliation). They are $727 Shipped from Grabagun, so that's not a killer deal, but you could offer him $625 shipped.

 

[22hipower]

I'd suggest reading through the comments at this earlier 696 post;

S&W model 696 .44 spl

Not many complaints and lots of praise. I have one and it would be one of the last guns to go. Where I shop anything under $800 would be a great price although they don't come up for sale all that often. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[kraynky]

I looked for a 696 for a while until I finally found one here on the forum, a ND for $800 seemed fair to me at the time. I think for $650 you should buy it and then decide how you like it. I'm past my magnum days pretty much as well (.357 & .41 excetions) and absolutely love a 44 special and the 45 colt. Only having 5 rounds never bothered me with a J frame, certainly not a problem with 5 44's at the ready.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Great gun - .44 Spls are the best. However, while it is a little hard to tell from your photo, there are several marks on the gun that would make me question if Bubba has been at it.

The mark that you note plus those on the frame just above the top of the crane. Wonder if somebody had it in a vice and used something through the cylinder window to try and correct a barrel cant - or change barrels if the original had forcing cone issues. Secondly, there are marks on the end of the extractor rod like someone was holding it or turning it with pliers.

I don't mean to put you off this gun, but if it were me, I'd want to examine it in person before I made a buying decision.

Just my $.02

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[bigshep85]

Great gun - .44 Spls are the best. However, while it is a little hard to tell from your photo, there are several marks on the gun that would make me question if Bubba has been at it.

The mark that you note plus those on the frame just above the top of the crane. Wonder if somebody had it in a vice and used something through the cylinder window to try and correct a barrel cant - or change barrels if the original had forcing cone issues. Secondly, there are marks on the end of the extractor rod like someone was holding it or turning it with pliers.

I don't mean to put you off this gun, but if it were me, I'd want to examine it in person before I made a buying decision.

Just my $.02

Adios,

Pizza Bob

All of this. These were my thoughts exactly. I just wanted to make sure that I was not just being overly cautious. Thanks for the help for sure.

I will check out the classifieds here. See what I find.

 

[shocker]

Why an L frame 44? Those of us with smaller hands get a better fit. Lower bore axis reduces muzzle flip.

 

[oink]

I really can't see any flaws based on the picture that couldn't just be image artifacts. Priced correctly I'd readily buy the gun. It should be a great shooter.

As for the comment about the model 69 having to be belt carried I have to strongly disagree. I have the 2.75" barrel 69. I bought a relatively inexpensive Don Hume H715 MS NO. 7-3 for it and put Hogue Bantam Boot Grips on it. I was afraid the small grips would make shooting it harsh but that's not the case. Aesthetically I don't like the grips but they work very well, and are cheap. With those grips and that holster I carry it IWB appendix in comfort and WITHOUT showing. I don't tuck my shirt but I'm in hot humid S. FL so clothing is light. The only issue is the clip is a bit high so I bypass my belt and clip it on my jeans. It has a strong clip so it holds well. It is as easy to access as most any gun carried IWB appendix. My 629-4 3" Trail Boss is not near as easy to carry. The Trail Boss is noticeably more pleasant to shoot but not by much. The Trail Boss is ported.
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IMHO the 696 is not a 629 replacement but is a very nice gun. I'd be inclined to buy it, shoot it and enjoy it but keep the 629 on the wish list.
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PS: I wonder if any of the holster makers on this forum could duplicate the Don Hume H715 MS NO. 7-3 holster but with a slightly higher clip. If not I can live with it the way it is.

PS#2: I wonder if any of the grip makers on this forum can duplicate those Hogue Bantam K/L frame round butt Boot Grips out of something else, a little better material, but also grippy like G10 or something. I guess my biggest complaint about these grips is that you have to pry them on and off. How many times will they survive that?

Sorry, I wandered off topic like usual.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

696 -vs- 69

If all you need, & want, is the power of a SAAMI spec 44 Special, then grab a 696.

If you want the option to up the power to something between a 44 Spcl & a 44 Mag (or higher) then a snubby M69 would be my suggestion.

The 396/696's have thinner forcing cones that are subject to damage if you try to make a magnum out of them. I've loaded my 396NG 44 Spcl to 22K psi handloads, & a little higher, without issues, but I reserve hot loads for the stronger 44s.

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[jwk]

While I don't own one due to price v perceived need issues (While they were in production I didn't appreciate the 44 Special like I do now) I think the 696 is a fine general purpose revolver especially if you handload. There is probably a 696 or a 69 or a GP in 44 Special in my future when some other "I wannas" are taken care of first.

Next it isn't hard to carry a 3 inch L frame. Good IWB holster and a good belt. Buy pants that fit YOU and the gun.

As for condition of this 696 I'm working on a tablet and the limits on photo size keep me from an opinion. In general though I could and would use a 696 as a carry gun assuming weather appropriate for a covering garment.

 

[diyj98]

PS#2: I wonder if any of the grip makers on this forum can duplicate those Hogue Bantam K/L frame round butt Boot Grips out of something else, a little better material, but also grippy like G10 or something. I guess my biggest complaint about these grips is that you have to pry them on and off. How many times will they survive that?

Sorry, I wandered off topic like usual.

I'm with you on the grips. I have several sets but thik it's the dumbest design ever with the pry on pry off system. I like to remove my grips for cleaning every so often.

 

[shocker]

This is an old debate: If you forego the power of anything hotter than SAAMI 44 Special, why not just go 357? The choices of guns and ammo are so greatly numerous in the latter.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

This is an old debate: If you forego the power of anything hotter than SAAMI 44 Special, why not just go 357? The choices of guns and ammo are so greatly numerous in the latter.

Muzzle blast, recoil impulse and an extra 10 decibels from the 357 Mag.

 

[rogerwnuss]

I passed one up ten years ago for 400.00, wish I had bought it. Bet the next one I see will be double that, or more. Unless it's stupidly big money, I doubt you would get hurt , if you didn't like it and wanted to move it along. Might even be a desirable trader- better than mere money- for future reference...