696 Question

[hudlow]

I liked my 696-1 so much that I went in search of another. I found a 696 (no dash) and it will be my shooter and part time carry gun. I wish it was the other way around, but the -1 is in much better shape than the "no dash." The first thing I want to do is get a new set of grips for my carry gun. As far as I know all 696s came with the Uncle Mike's rubber grips. I've never been a fan of the rubber and have always preferred wood OEM type grips on my Smiths. I ordered the grips on the gun in the photo from S&W to put on my carry gun along with that old Tyler T Grip.

The problem is that the grip screw is about 3 threads too short of grabbing the escutcheon nut on the other grip panel. This is the screw that came with the new grips. I measured the width of a model 10 grip frame and it seems to be the same as the 696. Are my new grips too thick??? They fit up nicely to the frame. Is this a common problem? Am I missing something?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

hud

 

[ladder13]

Are those Altamont grips? Do the grips fit the M10 ok?

 

[hudlow]

Are those Altamont grips? Do the grips fit the M10 ok?

The grips seem to interchange OK between the 10 and the 696. I'm not sure of the mfr. of the grips. I ordered them from S&W. They were described as service grips. I'm beginning to wonder if the escutcheon nut is bad...

Thank-you.

 

[ladder13]

The grips seem to interchange OK between the 10 and the 696. I'm not sure of the mfr. of the grips. I ordered them from S&W. They were described as service grips. I'm beginning to wonder if the escutcheon nut is bad...

Thank-you.

Or the grip frame of the 696 is a tad wider than the 10. Can you tighten the grips on the 10 and not the 696?

Send em' back for another pair, they should also pay return shipping. They may even just send a new pair and tell you to keep the ones you have.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Long ago I put S&W smooth banana grips on my no-696 and never looked back.

 

[murphydog]

Any K frame RB stocks "should" fit your 696, but if these don't there is probably a minor dimensional variation in the stocks that is not allowing the screw to engage. There are plenty of other options from inexpensive (like older RB Magnas) to moderate (banana style) to pricey (Combats) that will fit.

You can also call the factory to see if they have a slightly longer screw, like the one meant for Target stocks, to see if it works.

 

[SmithMarine]

Because there can be a slight variation in either grip frame width or grips, Altamont sends three different length grip screws when you order their Smith grips to cover the problem. You can get longer screws from S&W.

 

[Rapidray]

I am sure it will be an easy fix. I went with stag grips myself. I now S&W will take care of it for you.

 

[hudlow]

SUCCESS!

Longer screw, to me this is what a "working" revolver looks like...and shoots like.

Thanks for the help!

hud

 

[mc5aw]

That's a great looking carry gun. Enjoy and hang on with those grips!

 

[butchkent]

I kinda like the looks of these from Craig spegel.