Model 696 Question

[Boge]

Recently, I picked up a great 696 "no dash" for a good price. I had always wanted one & kicked myself for passing one up used in 2001 for $400. The forcing cone was rougher than a cob but I cleaned that up and she shoots perfect.

The 696 for me is neither fish nor fowl. By that I mean it is IMO too heavy to be an ideal CCW all day and yet it is not as strong as my Ruger .44 Specials that eat the Skeeter Skelton load like M&M's. FWIW, I sometimes pocket carry a Charter Arms DAO .44 Spcl. that shoots dead nuts on to 15 yds. and is a delight to carry and shoot IMO. Far easier to conceal. Too bad S&W won't make one this size.

I ask as I have a gunsmith buddy who after seeing my 696 has been all over me like a cheap hooker on a just paid sailor to sell it to him. I relish in the fact that I finally have one, but as with many things in life there is more joy in the 'hunt" than the "kill."

My question for 696 owners is just where does this revolver fall into in your arsenal? CCW? Truck gun?

 

[murphydog]

I think the 696 is big for regular concealed carry, unless in a belt holster under an outer garment.

 

[diamonback68]

Mine is seeing primarily house defense duty. I somewhat agree about the weight.

 

[laytonj1]

For 10 years it was my nightstand gun. After the prices shot up for them I sold it for a $300 profit.

Jim

 

[Hondo44]

Agree. I'd much rather carry my 296 .44, same size but 2" barrel and MUCH lighter.

 

[florange]

Agree. I'd much rather carry my 296 .44, same size but 2" barrel and MUCH lighter.

I also love my 696 but just picked up a 296 for the same reason...as you say MUCH lighter.

 

[rburg]

Its a cult gun. We all love them when we shoot them. But its a pain to carry all day. So it means its a house gun (as suggested above), or a range gun. The better gun for carry purposes is a 396 no dash. Yes, there actually are a few floating around. Its the same gun as the 696, but lighter. Sure area a bunch of folks who would like to relieve you of the burden. My suggestion is that you keep it.

 

[Dennis The B]

My Model 696 is my #2 carry gun; right after my Model 65 with the 3" barrel. Is it heavier than other revolvers? Yes, but not terribly so.

I carry it in a Don Hume J.I.T. Slide holster, and carry three extra speedloaders. It's stoked with Winchester 200gr STHP's. They're not a "Skeeter Skelton" load, but it's what I prefer. No excessive recoil or flash.

I fall back on the adage, "It's supposed to be comforting, not comfortable."

 

[papajohn428]

It's heavier than some, lighter than others..............I wouldn't have a problem carrying it once in awhile. I have a Rossi 720 3-inch in 44 Special I carry now and then. But the truest joy is in the shooting.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

It's heavier than some, lighter than others..............I wouldn't have a problem carrying it once in awhile. I have a Rossi 720 3-inch in 44 Special I carry now and then. But the truest joy is in the shooting.

I too bought the Rossi 720 when they first came out long before the 696. Bought the 696 when they were first announced......Lots of guns are neither "fish nor fowl" as you say but serve a purpose but never the less. My 696(no-) gets carried and used in rotation with all the others and is a fun shooter that I'll never sell. My CARRY GUN is a 642. it has lived in my right front pocket since 1996.

 

[papajohn428]

I don't have anything to base it on, but I think someone at S&W saw the neat little Rossi 720, and decided that they should make something similar. The Smith 696 feels a little beefier, and weighs a bit more, but shooting them side by side shows they're not that much different. Both are 5-shooters, but would require different speedloaders, as one is an L-frame, the other a bit smaller in diameter. Both are a hoot to shoot, regardless. Prices on the 696's are getting pretty steep, but I managed to snag the Rossi for $225 from a buddy, who was sick of paying for overpriced 44 Special ammo. The R-720 makes a nice companion to my 24-3. EVERYONE needs a 44 Special or three!

 

[copasj]

I realize I may be a little late to this conversation, but I am considering picking one of these up for hiking and general woods stuff. I noticed a lot of people are saying it's too heavy for a carry gun, but how much does it weigh? My everyday carry gun is about 34 oz. unloaded and about 40 oz. fully stocked. I don't really think these things can be that much heavier, although I can see it being bulkier.

 

[yooperpat]

I carry a 624 with 4"brl sometimes in the woods. This gun is approx 40 oz. It carries nicely in an El Paso #77 Tortilla OWB. Conceals well with an un-tucked shirt or vest.

For all day carry, I prefer my 23 oz 396 Night Guard. I almost forget it is there when carried in a Simply Rugged pancake OWB. I just ordered a Lobo IWB for it.

 

[357larry]

I just acquired a 696 which I intend to use for concealed carry since my wife commandeered my 3 inch model 66 for herself. I use horizontal shoulder holsters and have no beef with the weight. As a matter of fact I prefer a heavier gun as I find them easier to shoot fast.