My "New" 696

[Torakan]

Here is a quick pic of the 696 I bought Friday. I'm please with the price: $461 with tax. I'll take it shooting next week and see how I like it.

 

[diamonback68]

Hmmmm, they were having a half price sale on Friday huh?

 

[sheriffoconee]

FWIW, the "cowboy" loads don't shoot accurately in my 696ND.....in fact, the best thing about cowboy loads in mine is being able to save the brass...
GA Arms and Speer 200 grn GD's both shoot very well....I need to try some other ammo, but I am not reloading for it yet...just haven't had the time to put into it.
YMMV, others may chime in as to what loads are working for them

 

[JNewell]

FWIW, the "cowboy" loads don't shoot accurately in my 696ND.....in fact, the best thing about cowboy loads in mine is being able to save the brass...
GA Arms and Speer 200 grn GD's both shoot very well....I need to try some other ammo, but I am not reloading for it yet...just haven't had the time to put into it.
YMMV, others may chime in as to what loads are working for them

That's a real bargain price. Mine likes the 200 gr GDs as well. Enjoy!

 

[palmetto99]

Nice price! Nice revolver.

 

[Allen-frame]

Torakan ,congrats on that. I just found my second one on Wednesday last week and traded for it.
The value placed on the trade was $800.
So you are into yours about $300. less than any I've ever seen.

Any K or L round butt grips will fit, and they sure dress up nicely
with somethimg besides the Uncle Mikes.

Regards , Allen Frame

 

[jag312]

$461 plus tax? That's a steal. My 696 is incredibly accurate with everything I put into it. It ain't fussy. I handload my ammunition, either .44 Russian or .44 Special, both withh 200 grain Xtreme bullets, and either 231 or 700-X powder, depending on my mood. With either of these, it shoots as straight as a laser.

 

[sonny]

Hey Allen-frame, that white one is wearing a Barama Hip-Grip, correct?
I have one on my 696 and I love it. I have Barami on a bunch of them for that matter.
The comment about half-price sale is correct. I have nine in mine. Gosh, I sure would like two of them for 450 apiece.
They are great revolvers and one of my top two or three ever. Probably the nicest "small" revolver I own.
I love 'em. And if you want to carry it "safely" with a 300-grain @ 1000 fps, Brian Pearce has shown us how. Yes, it would kick. Of course.
Sonnytoo

 

[hoser]

This is a gun I'm considering for woods carry against small black bear in CA. When I saw this load from Double Tap, I thought this is good potential, even against my 29, which is a real big handful to conceal.

DoubleTap Ammunition

 

[ENGINE18]

Wow, what a price. I need to get mine out and feed it!

 

[Wisent]

Hello Torakan,

I think it was not quite stolen - but I Think it was 6 years ago when I bought my 696 from a local dealer who took about Euro (€) 900.-- for the gun.
I regularly shoot this snubby using LSWC bullets and I'm quite happy with it (3" off hand in SA mode at 25 meters). What do you use and how accurate is your gun ?
Best regards from Germany

Wisent

 

[DON1937]

I've never even seen a 696 period! I would buy a dozen at that price and make an easy $400 profit on each one.
Thanks for posting the pictures.

 

[kensnra]

That is a fine looking revolver. I'm wondering if you have any trouble sleeping at night with a price like that? I just got my 696 (no dash) a couple of days ago. It was manufactured 1991 and is new, never been fired. I'm not even going to say what it cost, but I wanted it bad. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, rainy weather and other obligations. I know I'm going to like it.

My question is what do you guys use for speed loaders and how do you carry. I will be using mine for Concealed Carry & give my 1911's a rest.

Anyway Torakan made a good steal (buy), probably should have bought a lottery ticket the same time.

Ken

 

[claimbuster]

For speed loaders, I'm using HKS CA44.

You might check them out here, looks like a pretty good price.

HKS Products CA-44 CA-44 / .44 SPEC / Firearm Accessories > Speed Loaders / HKS Products CA-44 HKS Products CA-44 CA-44 / .44 SPEC / Firearm Accessories > Speed Loaders / HKS Products CA-44 [CA-44 ~ SKU 2150196] - $7.59 : Price Insanity Net, Insanely

 

[sheriffoconee]

those are the speedloaders I run for mine, work great

 

[Texas1941]

Bach when I thought I was smarter than I was...

I paid a little less than $400 for mine NIB, in mid '97. It wasn't a great year money wise, but as soon as I saw it, I knew that Smith would never keep it in the catalog. So, I cashed in some stock options and bought the thing. Stock was at $34. Last week it was back up to $7.98. I should have bought a dozen of them.

Good gun at an excellent price!