696 mag-na-port Update in post 9

[redhawk]

Hello,

I purchased this 696 (no dash) a few years ago here in California. Product code 103132, special order code 6347. My understanding is a few earily 696 were a Lew Horton release that were mag-na ported. Anyone know how many done?


Thanks

 

[qballwill]

Cant answer your question, but i have one and love it. Great find.

 

[redhawk]

Guess no one knows. I'll try contacting Lew Horton.

Thanks

 

[Chop]

I have one I bought new. Not sure how many were made. I like mine and shoot it often.

 

[s&wchad]

You can contact Lew Horton here: [email protected]

They've been very helpful providing information to me in the past. Product code 103132 is listed in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson #3 as follows: 3" S RB SG CT RR WO DT, 1996-2000.

The Spec Ord code is a Julian style date code and 6347 represents the 347th day in 1996. The feature code translates as follows: Stainless, round butt, synthetic grips, combat trigger, red ramp (front sight), white outline (rear sight), drilled and tapped. There's no mention of Mag-na-porting. Lew Horton did have some stock guns sent from S&W directly to Mag-na-port for porting, but it's my experience that they add additional character to the product code to distinguish them from standard models. Below is a verified LH 686-4 "Limited Edition" (also done in 1996) that was ported and had the grips upgraded. Let us know what Lew Horton has to say.

 

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

Magnaported 696 & 629

I too have a Magnaported 696 such as yours. I don't remember right now whether I have the box, but I recall that when I got it some years ago, used, I was able to determine that it was a Lew Horton issue of some sort. There were no other features that were "special" about mine, apart from the Magnaporting.

I also have a Magnaported 629-4, that that one I know I have a box for. It has a Magnaport sticker on the box, and as I recall, the word "special" on the end label. It came in the old style two piece bright blue plastic box. The 629 is an early, unmarked (as such), four inch tapered barrel "Mountain gun" style, and has a satin finish and unfluted cylinder.

I was able to pick both of these up some years ago, and they were not recognized as anything out of the ordinary in the gunshops where I found them. Those were the days.

 

[redhawk]

Thanks guys. I have the box and Mag-Na-Port papers included along with a sticker on the outside.
Thank you for the contact,I'l give them an email.

 

[redhawk]

I do have one other guestion. Has anyone found any oil,grease, or Dr. Bob's snake oil to coat each side of the sight and base? When shooting lead bullets the resulting deposits a bit of a PITA to clean.

Thanks
Bob

 

[redhawk]

Hello,
I just received the following reply from Lew Horton.
Dear Bob,

This gun is in fact a Lew Horton's. it was made for us in December of 1996 by Smith & Wesson and is one of approximately 286 we distributed. Hope this helps you out.

Regards,

Tara Alano

 

[KLYDE]

1 of 286. Looks like you hit the jackpot. That fact gives you all the more reason to love it. Looks like that one will be a keeper.

 

[CWH44300]

Good snag, I'd park that in the safe, there's only 285 more of them!!!

 

[k22fan]

[...] I also have a Magnaported 629-4, that that one I know I have a box for. It has a Magnaport sticker on the box, and as I recall, the word "special" on the end label. It came in the old style two piece bright blue plastic box. The 629 is an early, unmarked (as such), four inch tapered barrel "Mountain gun" style, and has a satin finish and unfluted cylinder. [...]

Can you post a picture of your 629-4? I like Mountain Guns and try to keep up on their variations along with "almost Mountain Guns".
Thank-you

 

[alcanhg]

Does this look to be a magnaported 686?

 

[nipster]

Does this look to be a magnaported 686?

It's definitely ported, but probably not a Lew Horton special though, I think they usually just do short barrel stuff.

 

[k22fan]

Does this look to be a magnaported 686?

Yes, it looks like Magna Port's work to me. However Magna Port gets most of its business from individuals sending in their own gun, so don't jump to the conclusion that the 686 is a scarce factory variation. Assuming S&W did not contract with Magna Port to have that particular 686 ported, whether the porting adds to or detracts from value depends on the buyer. To collectors it would be an altered gun and hence worth less than an original 686. There are however shooters who like ports and might pay a premium because of their presence. Personally, I hate ports and pay less for a gun with them whether the ported gun is a NIB rare factory variation or a scruffy plinker.

 

[Nalapombu]

I LOVE these 696's. I don't know much about the 44special, but I do know I want one.

What do these usually go for? The standard 696, not some special version like what the OP posted.

Nalajr

 

[FloridaFlier]

I also have a 696 no-dash, that I bought on Gunbroker. It came to me ported. MagnaPort, BTW, says on their website that there is no loss of velocity due to their ports.
I love this gun! The 696 just feels so balanced. I own and shoot other .44 Specials, but this is my favorite.

 

[cricket77]

I traded for a 696 this weekend and just got the email back from lew horton. Mine was made Dec of 96. Can anybody tell me where I might can find a box got it.