Model 696 - Not Quite A Snubby

[TheTinMan]

2001 production 696-1 with a 3” barrel. L-frame cylinder holds 5 rounds of 44 Special. It came with the original Pachmayr grips plus these wood grips. The fit isn’t quite perfect but they feel great.

Before I got home with it I was already thinking of a photo with my 3” 66-2 (top) and 624 (bottom):

Comparing the cylinder flutes on these 3 revolvers is interesting to me. The 5-shot L-frame has the shortest, shallowest flutes of the group. I need to measure the cylinder diameters.

P.S. I bought the 696 to shoot so the rub marks on the trigger and hammer don't bother me (much). Shims will take care of that getting any worse.

What's the best place to get replacement side plate screws? Bubba buggered up the yoke screw just a little bit... Would someone please get him a set of good screwdrivers?

 

[Grayfox]

I have an addiction to the .44 Special and the guns made for it.
The 696 is one of my favorites. My no dash model is a favorite for camping/hiking in areas where critters that bite are know to roam.
I'm not a fan of round butts on the larger frame guns. I found a set of the old Uncle Mikes round to square conversion grips to put on mine. I love it!

 

[TheTinMan]

I’m not about to buy a holster for every pistol I own but this 696 might need one…

 

[LEO918]

Safariland off e-bay.

 

[RdrBill]

S&W Model 696

OP
Very nice.
I put some round to square grips on my 696. They make the gun.
Grips by KB
Bill@Yuma

 

[TheTinMan]

OP
Very nice.
I put some round to square grips on my 696. They make the gun.
Grips by KB
Bill@Yuma

Those grips are awesome! Thanks for sharing.

 

[dsf]

I went a different route regarding grips - a 696 "no dash" and a Model 24.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I had a 696 ND with box for years but never shot it. I traded it to a friend last year straight across for a 5" 27-2 NIB. He now wants to trade back. Your post makes me slightly tempted because I love .44sp.