696 Came home today! (and range report)

[leviathon]

Just brought the 696 no dash home today...I first off want to sincerely thank Forum Member Gunny4053 for helping me find this rare piece.
You are the man.

I took it to the range and it is outstanding. The front sight seems to be canted slightly to the right, however it doesnt seem to be affecting accuracy one bit. (are sights canted accidentally from the factory??) I started off at 5 yards and hit the 8 ring twice. Not used to the double action pull quite yet on this little 44. I actually thought I had an FTF on the 6th round and got the rangemaster, turns out I forgot the gun only holds 5...he didnt realize it either until after releasing the cylinder..

THe single action pull and accuracy are amazing. On my first shot at just under 10 yards I hit dead center bullseye. VERY impressed. Now I just need to replace these uncle mikes with some hogue rubber grips and some woods for dress up.

Lock-up seems great, cant even fit a piece of paper in between the forcing cone and cylinder, timing is good, rough hammer cock is fixed. (strain screw wasnt tight)
I did notice that it looks like there is some build up in the forcing cone, but that might just be where the cone was welded to the barrel? Not sure exactly what a forcing cone does, but the rifling seems to wane off so I figure it is just a breach of some sort...

BTW- Is there a standard accuracy test I can do with the firearm, for instance, a set distance, ammo, and only on single action or some such thing? I'd like to do a real test if one exists. In my opinion it is incredibly accurate.

Also, are the typical jacketed reloads available at ranges ok for this L frame 44 special? The counter guy said they are all factory spec using old federal machines..

More pics to follow...The above pic is a sorry pic but I needed to post one the day I got it.

 

[mc5aw]

The 696 reportedly experienced some forcing cone problems which were probably attributable to hot loads. Watch what you feed your revolver ... a cracked forcing cone = 696 hood ornament.

 

[NFrameFred]

Some know-it-alls cannot help themselves - we've heard and seen them here before . . .

"You know the factory builds in at least a 10% (or 20 thru 50, take your pick) "safety factor" over the recommended load, so I make mine hot!"

"A lot of the loading manuals were written before we knew better and they're too conservative; why I've loaded 'so & so' (insert ill-advised over max blue pill load here) for years and never had any problems!"

"The loading manuals are for old women and written by companies scared of lawyers so I know I can always add another grain or two over what's listed!"

We've seen and heard it all before from those manly types that have so much more testosterone than us wimps who blindly follow those sissy loading manual recommendations.

Ahhhh, macho, macho men . . . .

The 696 is a great gun - just don't try to turn it into a magnum, keep it clean, and you'll be fine.

 

[bamabiker]

Congrats on the nice gun and good shooting.
The forcing cone is part of the barrel and is not welded to it so you may have some build up in there.
I've never used one but a Ransom rest can be used for accuracy testing. I think most guys just use something to rest the gun on while firing single action. I have used a small sand bag on top of an ammo can for a rest. It would help to know what grain bullet and the distance S&W uses to test that gun.

 

[ladder13]

The first time I shot my 696 I was amazed by IT'S accuracy. The 696 is the most accurate of all my handguns, even with the 3 inch barrel. I let a -1 get away about a year ago,that I very foolishly sold ,but recently picked up a no dash that's never being sold.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Now we are both smiling. You now have one of the best modern revolvers that Smith ever built. Congratulations.

I have two. A -1 and a -2. The -1 is like new and unfired by me. The -2 is well used and has had trigger work. I have a 20 yo new condition M19 and the trigger isn't nearly as good as my 696-1. I'm not sure why S&W gave up on this model and continued the 686. All I know is all of the series have excellent triggers, good balance, good accuracy, light recoil and move large chunks of lead. Sort of like a 1911. Must of been the antique caliber I guess. Jim

 

[gunny4053]

Leviathon, Glad to see it finally got to come home. My gosh, what a time consuming and painful process. I'm just happy I could help.

Now, about those grips. Is the 696 classified as an L Frame or an N frame?

Congrats and good shooting.

 

[peyton]

The 696 is an L frame.

 

[leviathon]

LostintheOzone! Thanks man! You were a great help as well.
I'm glad to be a part of the club.....THese 44 specials are really great and Im just glad I was able to find one again! After years apart, we are reunited.

I will post some new pics just as soon as I get it cleaned again, (went to the range once more) and get some better grips on it.
Gunny- THose are definately L frame, however I dislike the bantams so Im looking for the older hogue L frame rubbers..

The forcing cone looks fine to me, just a little bit of build up, which I believe is making the rifling look less pronounced.

Anyone know if generic reloads at the local range would be ok for this gun? Ive heard of problems on the 696 with High pressure loads, and jacketed bullets...I understand the high pressure but not the jacketed bullet bit...

 

[peyton]

I think I read that it was best to stay to 200 grain bullets.

 

[Lenny_D]

I use 240 gr lead SWC in front of a light charge of 5.5 grains unique and my 696 is much more accurate than I can shoot! I use the Hornady Critical defense load for carry SD. I've seen a post by Taroman using a 200 LRN and showing targets that look like yours.
In my opinion you should practice with the lead and use the SD loadings sparingly. I do know that my forcing cone is thin but have never heard that a forcing cone on a 696 has cracked. I tend to believe its blown out of proportion as most things on the internet.
Good luck with your 696,
Len

 

[TexasArmed]

I been wanting and searching for a S&W 696 44 Spl for a long time. Only other gun I want to buy. Let me know if you grow tired of it.
How much did it run?

 

[Daimler1989]

Congrats on your 696. My wife owns a no-dash one and she is very happy with it (mee too as she allows me to use it regularly). In the hands of an experienced shooter it's accuracy is such that you can hit your target at 50 yards without problems - even if it is far away from being a barn door

regards from Germany
Ulrich