696 - It’s Official!

[CH4]

I am now officially a member of the 696 club. Been looking for a clean no dash for a long time. Thanks to CarNDvr, my long search is over.

How many have filled out a 4473 and taking possession of a gun while having dinner at a Mexican restaurant?

 

[Ruger 13]

Good lookin pistola!

 

[dsf]

Nice grips on yours - where did you get them?

I went with service types and BK Grip adapter.



I can't get to liking the new style cylinder thumb latch and swapped out for an older style.

 

[zeke]

Congrats! Am appreciating the 696 providing 45 acp power in an L frame. While others use heavier bullets, have mine sighted in for 200 gn. Plus the older style style trigger parts smooth up real nice.

 

[CH4]

Nice grips on yours - where did you get them?

I went with service types and BK Grip adapter.

View attachment 638804

I can't get to liking the new style cylinder thumb latch and swapped out for an older style.

Thanks!
These are factory target (bananas) I found on eBay. I have a set of bananas from Thailand on my 686-4 plus. I agree with the cylinder release. I'll likely swap it with a traditional style.

 

[75Vette]

Great catch and the factory banana grips are a nice compliment. Sooo, your Mexican restaurant is also an FFL?

 

[Shoebox1.1]

Congrats! Bananas look fantastic on there!!

 

[radar tech]

DO NOT ever sell that S&W. I bought one in 1996 when they first showed up and it has been my every day carry since then. The 696 was the best idea S&W ever came up with but it did not sell in the numbers they want to see. I use a 200 gr. bullet at 900 fps that does not stress you or the gun but will blow a bowling pin off a table. Speer makes a very good 200 gr. JHP in .44 cal. You will love this gun when you find "the load". The .44 Spl. recoil is just a big slow push compared to other caliers - very similar to the .45 ACP round. You're a lucky man.

 

[Kingspoke]

S&W 696 - 5 shots of 44 Special o/o a 3" L frame FL Barrel!

Very nice! Welcome to the club!

 

[Jim Watson]

Would an L frame hold 5 x .45 ACP/AR?
I was attracted to the Taurus Stellar Tracker .45 but just couldn't bring myself to it.

 

[Paul105]

Shoulda had a banana daiquiri rather than a strawberry margarita. Very nice pistola. Congrats.

 

[CarNDrvr]

I am now officially a member of the 696 club. Been looking for a clean no dash for a long time. Thanks to CarNDvr, my long search is over.

How many have filled out a 4473 and taking possession of a gun while having dinner at a Mexican restaurant?

Glad I could help you out. Easy transaction. Super cool guy to do business too. Enjoy it!!

 

[dsf]

Thanks!
These are factory target (bananas) I found on eBay. I have a set of bananas from Thailand on my 686-4 plus. I agree with the cylinder release. I'll likely swap it with a traditional style.

I have a set of the factory banana grips. They're checkered and for some reason don't look nearly as nice. Occasionally used on an older Model 646 -



I haven't quite found the right gun for them for me. Too big for a 19 or 66 and too small for the 4" K frames.

 

[Doug M.]

Would an L frame hold 5 x .45 ACP/AR?
I was attracted to the Taurus Stellar Tracker .45 but just couldn't bring myself to it.

*
I have seen this question asked many times, and the answer is always"no". The difference in diameter of the two rounds is too great for the 5 shot L frame. I am not mechanical enough to know the answer from my own research, just from reading what was said by people more savvy than me.

 

[CH4]

I have a set of the factory banana grips. They're checkered and for some reason don't look nearly as nice. Occasionally used on an older Model 646 -

View attachment 638925

I haven't quite found the right gun for them for me. Too big for a 19 or 66 and too small for the 4" K frames.

I've always thought the smooth bananas look nicer than the checkered. I agree that they're too long for 2.5" K frame. They look good on my 3" 13/65s and not bad on my 2.5" 686.

 

[radar tech]

There' s really no reason to chamber the gun for .45 ACP when .44 Spl. gives you a wider range of loads and power levels. The .44 Spl/ was an extremely popular target cartridge when it was introduced. With handloads it can be very effective. The amount of steel in the cylinder will be reduced for .45 and it's already pretty thin for .44.

 

[CH4]

Luckily I have a range here at work. Had a few minutes(literally) between meetings to bust a few primers - 16 to be exact. Five 240 gr lead and three Hornady 185 gr Critical Defense. All shot to the same POA at 7 yds.

One way to make your 696 feel small is to shoot it after shooting your 24-3.

 

[zeke]

DO NOT ever sell that S&W. I bought one in 1996 when they first showed up and it has been my every day carry since then. The 696 was the best idea S&W ever came up with but it did not sell in the numbers they want to see. I use a 200 gr. bullet at 900 fps that does not stress you or the gun but will blow a bowling pin off a table. Speer makes a very good 200 gr. JHP in .44 cal. You will love this gun when you find "the load". The .44 Spl. recoil is just a big slow push compared to other caliers - very similar to the .45 ACP round. You're a lucky man.

Another fan of the Speer gdhp ay 900 fps. Complemented by 200 lrnfp at 800 fps and same poi to about 25 yds. Easy to do with commonly available powders, and not beating the **** out of the very thin exposed forcing cone (a weak point in the revolver). Another possibility is 180 jhp at 1000 fps, and all three loads have very similar poi. Bought the 3 of mine when nobody else wanted em for around $350 per, but have since sold one.

 

[notsofast]

Several years ago I bought one off the GB site. I put square butt conversion grips on it, still have the Uncle Mike originals. Don't shoot it much with worsening orthopedic hand problems.

 

[Kingspoke]

Six Ninety Six - 3" barrel - SS, & chambers 5 rounds of 44 Special

Several years ago I bought one off the GB site. I put square butt conversion grips on it, still have the Uncle Mike originals. Don't shoot it much with worsening orthopedic hand problems.

Very nice! Looks great with those grips!