696 questions

[sureshotbob]

I just saw a nice pre-lock 696 with a 3" bbl. and uncle mike's rubber grips with the box for $699.00 is that a fair price ? Also I remember some thing about a recall on some S&W .44 specials was this one part of it ?

 

[peyton]

That is a good price, there was a recall, there should be a mark of some kind on the box. Buy it, they are hard to find.

 

[Stainz]

I bought mine, a 696-1, new seven years ago for $439. I also bought a new 296 the same day on closeout for $349 - they gave me another $10 off for buying the pair. S/T was 5% then. I've watched the 696's 'value' increase - and offer the standard production 4" 629 as a better alternative for a .44 Special you can shoot with abandon. It weighs 6 oz more - has a 1" longer barrel, another round capacity, and is certainly .44 S&W Special +P rated! Seriously, consider the 4" 629... you can likely find one cheaper, too. That said, my 696 still has a loving home, even if Herr Keith would be embarassed at the wimpy .44 S&W Specials - and .44 Russians - mine launches.

Stainz

PS I believe there were 'recalls' on .44 S&W Special 624s, but I don't 'recall' any on the 696.

 

[spearcrow]

That's not a bad price on the 696, especially since it has the box with it. These little guns have risen in price the last few years. I am with Stainz on the recall, there was a recall on the 624's that had to do with bad quality materials on the cylinders I think...but I can't think of a recall on the 696 offhand, though there may very well have been one.

 

[m657]

In my on-going frenzy to obtain a 44 special I stumbled into a deal on a 3" 629. While not quite the same package, I am quite satisfied by what it does and how it does it.

I had assembled the various length barrels working down from the 8 3/8" version. Each one has it's own 'personality'. And the 4" 629 was about perfect for my intended use.

The 3" had enough bite that I reconsidered and tried some 44 special loads....the results are VERY pleasing.

And my 696 lust has been quenched. For now.

 

[sureshotbob]

I went back this morning and got it for $650.00 otd.It's dirty and need's a good cleaning but here is a picture.

 

[hoppes-no9]

Ya done good.

 

[ladder13]

Looks like a no dash, even better.

 

[SWAT Lt.]

Congrats! You got a good deal. There was no recall on the 696s, in 44 Special it was the 624s that were recalled.

 

[peyton]

You chose wisely.

 

[Wisent]

I went back this morning and got it for $650.00 otd.It's dirty and need's a good cleaning but here is a picture.

Hello Bob,

congratulations from Germany, I use a 696 as my EDC gun and - while hunting - as finisher. I'm very pleased with it, it's as accurate as a 3" Revolver could be, reliable and the all steel construction soaks up recoil much better than the scandium or night guard .44 Special can.
I just changed the rubber grips and now use combats produced by Nill in Mössingen, Germany.
I'm sure you will not be disappointed with this gun.
Being a S & W fan for many years I did not hear anything about a recall concerning the 696. A company that imported S&W guns to Germany had a special version of the 696 running only two or three years ago - when the 696 was out of production for years and they ran out of guns as fast as you can imagine.
I wish you all the best - personally and when shooting this cute .44.
Best regards
Wisent

 

[P&R Fan]

Recalls?

Congratulations on the purchase of the 696. I got the first one that came to my dealer in about '97 and then ordered a 296 a few years later. Great revolvers, especially the 696. I'd like to hear more about the recall on the 624. I bought a used 4'' several years ago and this is the first I've heard of it.

 

[sonny]

Watch out for the cops! You stole that gun!
Very nice buy. I paid almost $900 for mine by the time I paid my FFL and shipping charges. But I love it.
240 gr @ 1000 fps is my general hunting load. Brian Pearce has HANDLOADER articles (#236, available from Wolfe Publishing) which praise the 696 for its structural integrity, and he places its strength at greater than 25,000 psi, according to his personal knowledge of Smith factory destructive testing of that gun.
If you want some loads for that gun, that appear to be very safe in mine, you can do a search for my loads on this site, or PM me and I'll give you a link.
Obviously, even though Brian Pearce has published even hotter loads, many 250-255 grain cast @ greater than 1150 fps, you use any web recipes at your own risk. Sorry for the stupid liability statement.
It's an outstanding 5-shot gun, in a smaller, easy-to-carry, L-frame package, that I find as an extreme rarity in today's handgun world.
Sonny

 

[Stainz]

That is a no-dash - note the fp on the hammer. Good deal! Now, forget Elmer Keith's load suggestions... go milder and you and that 696 will have a long friendship. BTW, a 240gr LSWC over 3.5 gr Titegroup in a .44 Russian Starline case (Federal LP primer.) will hit 692 fps (Stand back!!) from that 3" barrel. A true 'Poof!' - all-day shooting load, it makes 'major' Power Factor, although most won't believe it. Whacks the poop out of rebounding steel plates. Sure - you can load it in a .44 Special case - up to 4.8 gr Titegroup max - get close to 800 fps.

The Speer #4427(?) 200gr Gold Dot JHP, made for .44 S&W Special use, fully opens at 800 fps. The CCI Blazer Al cased variant, as well as the GA Arms version over new Starline brass - and my reloads over 5.7gr Titegroup (Midpoint from Speer's data!) - all make 800-805 fps from my 2.5" 296 and 830-835 fps from my 3" 696. I buy a couple hundred of the GA Arms rounds at a time - good brass and cheaper than the Blazers! Having had a Blazer Al case split in my 696, they are a no-no around here now. Impressive on a full 2L pop bottle, too!

Stainz

PS They look and shoot better - especially with my wimpy loads - with Ahrends square conversion non-fg cocobolo stocks:

 

[johnny3]

Good find Bob, those are the factory grips by the way.

 

[DCWilson]

Yes, that's an excellent price. I paid close to twice that at the height of the market more than a year ago, but I got some nice S&W RB combats with it. No regrets. I love the gun, and my pleasure with the configuration prompted me to get a 296 as well. (Which I also paid a little more for than I needed to, but that's another story.)

 

[balldboy]

STOP with the 696 pictures!!!

I have the same gun sitting at my dealer while the snails in NJ process my paper work.

I now get permits 3 at a time even though we got 1 gun a month as a parting gift from C*rzine.

 

[Stainz]

Here is my current production 4" 629, SKU #163603, sporting the Ahrends sporting cocobolo 'retro targets' borrowed from my 627 Pro. They are fine for .44 S&W Specials - until you get up there near Magnum level. At that point I swap them - or whatever wood it sports - for Hogue rubber X-frame grips. They properly pad the backstrap - great recoil aid. As said, with my wimpy 'Specials' and 'Russians', wood is fine for the 696, too.

The 629 also has a larger hammer and trigger, as well as an additional inch of barrel and an additional round of capacity. I've seen new 4" 629s for less than some used 696s - that makes no sense. To be blunt, I'll have the 629 when the 696 is gone. It is fun - and has a steady home - I just hope I have the good sense to find a big spender when it's time to say goodbye!

Stainz

 

[oldbanker]

Bought a 696 no dash about 10 years ago in 98% condition for $395.00 and it has been my favorite handgun ever since. It always goes hunting with me and except during the hotter weather, it is often on me when I elect to carry. Sometimes the weight of the revolver will be a bit too much and require something smaller and easier to conceal but, still prefer the 396. Very accurate and capable of hot loads when desired. I don't reload so my hot loads consist of Buffalo Bore 255gr SWCGC rated at +1000fps. Used sparingly, this ammo is adequate for most big game in the lower 48. You are a lucky man to have found this prize. Enjoy.

oldbanker

 

[sheriffoconee]

here is my 696 no dash

Came with 3 pair of stocks, good bit of ammo, a RH holster I can't use (being a lefty and all) for 850 in a private sale.