Disappointment and then great happiness,

[Professor Frink]

So I went into one of my local shops recently. It's not a shop I like, mostly caters to the polymer/black rifle crowd, but my mother-in-law was visiting so I decided to stop on in.

I was surprised to see something I might be interested in, at first I thought I was seeing a 686 CS-1, which I would like to have. The shop was quite busy and I couldn't see it well. When I was able to get a bit closer, I noticed it had a 5 shot cylinder… "Bummer "I thought. I figured it was some kind of Taurus, very disappointing.

Well, once I got closer I saw the tag said it was a 696, no dash. Holy-smokes, the tag also said $350! It seemed like forever for the clerk to stop showing some guy a glock and come to where I was standing, doing my best to look like I already owned it. The clerk told me they put it out an hour ago and that he himself considered buying it, but he didn't want a 44 special.

Anyhow, when I got to look it over I discovered it was quite tight and had porting just like one of my Performance Center pistols. Anyhow, long story short, I believe I have the Lew Horton version of a 696. I never planned on owning a 44 Special but it's time to learn all about the round.

I'm really happy to have picked this up. Goes to show you even a blind dog finds a bone sometimes espically out here in California.

I have not had the time to clean it up, but here it is.

 

[epj]

I hate you!!!

 

[Frank46]

I hope you had your getaway engines in warp 10 when you paid for it and all the paperwork had been taken care of. Cause you literally stole that 624. 44 Special is what I would call a fun caliber. All the fun of shooting a 44 without the pain and bellowing of the 44 mag. Nice revolver, enjoy. Frank

 

[Dale53]

Well, if you want your money back, give me a call (I'm serious). That should be a VERY nice piece. Glen Fryxell has an article you may find interesting at:

The .44 Special is renowned for being the source of Elmer Keith's inspiration, for giving rise to the .44 Magnum

Dale53

 

[Elmer]

Well, if you want your money back, give me a call (I'm serious).

How about double your money back......

 

[papajohn428]

$350 for a 696 that includes both a barrel and a cylinder is just insane. My gun pusher found one a year or two back for $550, and I'm still miffed at him over it. The last one I saw for sale here in St Louis was used, kind of scuffed up, and they wanted $900 for it with NO wiggle room. I hope they choked on it.

 

[SEVN3]

There's one on Gunbroker starting bid at $1599...

 

[Maximumbob54]

You just listed the best reason why I love shops that specialize in black rifles and poly guns. Most of the help knows next to nothing about anything else. Your situation is close to the same way I found my 625-3 three inch. I paid more than you did but still not as much as most would have elsewhere. I load my .44 Special ammo to about the equal of a .45 ACP and I love it. I cast my own SWC's at 240 grain and they shoot like laser beams. I think it's HP38 that I'm using.

 

[carl3989]

Great story.

I love these success stories. I wont wish you luck, you have that in spades already. Oh on second thought perhaps you owe your mother-in-law a dinner out.

 

[fyimo]

You just listed the best reason why I love shops that specialize in black rifles and poly guns. Most of the help knows next to nothing about anything else. Your situation is close to the same way I found my 625-3 three inch. I paid more than you did but still not as much as most would have elsewhere. I load my .44 Special ammo to about the equal of a .45 ACP and I love it. I cast my own SWC's at 240 grain and they shoot like laser beams. I think it's HP38 that I'm using.

+1 on what he said plus most of the help in those gun shops look at revolvers like they are antiques.

We had some good buys and a few steals up here lately but this may be the winner.

 

[yogiboobooranger]

I am so jealous..wow..what a find!! Let us know how it shoots.

 

[luangtom]

Kudos on the find! Y'all have a fine piece there. Shoot it and enjoy.

I guess that in the case of the shop and its help, "ignorance is bliss." All the better for you......

 

[glenncal1]

Were you wearing a mask when you stold, I mean bought that gun?

 

[Dennis The B]

$350 is an absolute steal for a 696. I paid more than double that for mine.

It's one of the best revolvers I've owned. The 3" barrel balances perfectly, and the L frame weight makes the recoil feel like mild .38 Spl wadcutters.

Mine is now my primary concealed carry revolver. I carry it in a Don Hume J.I.T. slide holster and two HK speedloaders.

'Tis a shame that S&W no longer makes this one.

PS - Send Lew Horton an email. They can tell you for sure, that your revolver is one of theirs.

 

[ENGINE18]

GREAT SCORE!

 

[feralmerril]

my mother-in-law was visiting so I decided to stop on in.

Well, that will certainly take care of MIL if you do your part.

 

[2hawk]

One heck of a deal- that one will give you enjoyment for a long, long time!

 

[Bob L]

I hope that you took your Mother-in-law out for dinner as a Thank You for drivin you out of the house. Great Find!!

 

[pwhphd]

No problem. If you learn that it is not a Lew Horton version and become disappointed: I'll gladly reimburse you for a miserable mistake, forgive you for not cleaning it up, pay all the shipping and transfer fees, AND by your mother-in-law dinner!

 

[amazingflapjack]

The .44 SPL is a very questionable revolver. I know because I have 2 of them. But you didn't know, so, because you are fellow forum member, I'll cure what is obviously a serious case of buyers remorse, as evidenced by your thread, and take this foul thing away from you, and end your angst. I'll even pay you what it cost you, and pick up the shipping!

Maybe one of the best revolver rounds-ever. Flapjack.