whitecoyote
Member
696 no dash. One of my favorite revolvers. 
pro's con's 696
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I tend to like five-shooters, and I have two L-frame .44s: a 296 and a 696 no-dash. I like them both. A lot.
Here's the latter, which looks pretty good with wooden RB combats on it.
Here's the latter, which looks pretty good with wooden RB combats on it.
Sportsterguy
Member
696 no dash. One of my favorite revolvers.
That is one BA/beautiful looking revolver sir! Love the C&S sights and the staghorns.
.357 mag ammo is much cheaper and readily available than .44 special loads. Handloads are a big no/no for me when being used as a self defense weapon. It is a proven manstopper and easily managable even with 158 gr. Speer Gold Dots and a good set of grips. If I need to bump the power factor up I pack my 3" 657 with the extra round for good measure. I always wear double hearing protection when shooting and am not worried about the extra noise if I ever need to use it in a life or death situation.
Great round and revolver but love my .357's and .41 mags as they can do everything the .44 special can and then some. Both are also easy to handload for, just like the .44.
JMHO
Round about '96 I took a drive away from the city to a favorite family owned gun shop. When I walked in the owner's son was unpacking a half dozen 696s. I'd not heard of the 696 previously. The son had a nack for picking oddballs that I'd take a fancy to. I picked the one with the thickest forcing cone and took it home for a shade under $400. It's been a great revolver during those years when I had time and wanted to do a lot of casting and reloading. Our O.P. did not write whether he reloads, but a fan of 1940-1950 big bores probably does. If so and he doesn't mind current 696 prices he likely will love a 696 too.
Best Regards;
Gil
Best Regards;
Gil
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Tslepebull
Member
Taurus builds their Tracker line in a 5-shot .44 mag. The frame size and forcing cone thickness are the same as an L-frame. I'm just saying!
+1 on that.
I wholeheartedly agree!!
oldbanker
Member
I also am a lucky owner of a 696 no dash that is my main carry gun from Sept. thru May or until it gets too hot to conceal it and then I switch to something smaller. I have always found the 696 to be very accurate with 200 grain Gold Dots and see no reason to change. There is something quite comforting about a .44 special when you realize that you may need it for protection at some point in time. One of those guns that will never be sold.
oldbanker
oldbanker
Daimler1989
Member
great gun
Hi,
my wife recently got a no-dash 696 NIB and loves it. I do handload mild ammo for the range (200grs lead bullets), but it shoots quite comfortable with Magtech Cowboy ammo as well. With handloads in the 220/240 grs range (7.5 grs of VV N340) you get the recoil feeling of a 357 Magnum "lite".
Only con I see is that the L-frame is a little too small for my N-frame acustomed hands - but it's my wife's gun, and not mine.
regards
Ulrich
Hi,
my wife recently got a no-dash 696 NIB and loves it. I do handload mild ammo for the range (200grs lead bullets), but it shoots quite comfortable with Magtech Cowboy ammo as well. With handloads in the 220/240 grs range (7.5 grs of VV N340) you get the recoil feeling of a 357 Magnum "lite".
Only con I see is that the L-frame is a little too small for my N-frame acustomed hands - but it's my wife's gun, and not mine.
regards
Ulrich
Sixgun Southpaw
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I had a 696 no dash and loved it. Used it for carry. The only thing I didn't like was the speed loaders from HKS didn't work very well with it. Got rid of it along with a bunch of guns to afford a move and my new 29 which I love even more.
Stainz
Member
An honest evaluation:
When I first noticed the 696, I liked it. It was $439 then (2001-2) at a store. I would eventually buy a 629MG for my first .44 - $519 (11/2002). It would not see a Magnum for some time - just my wimpy .44 Russians and midrange Specials - and the 200gr GD Blazers. I really wanted the Ti atom bearing 296 AirLite Ti - ever since it graced the front cover of A.R.. I traded two AMT .45 DAO Backups towards both a new 296 and the new 696. The 296 was closeout priced - $359 - they took another $10 off for buying the pair on the same day in early '03 - to be my my biggest S&W expenditure for years (My 2 5/8" PC627 topped it this year!). I left the two AMT's and $427.40 for the pair - a bargain!
My 629MG grew cobwebs... the 696 gained constant rangebag status. Wood grips were fine. It's rounded UM's Combats went on the 296, insulating my palm from that backstrap. The combo was carried, admittedly infrequently, in an OWB holster. It saw mainly Blazers - until one split it's case in the 696 - then either GA Arms new brass loaded 200gr Gold Dot - or my homebrews with that bullet. All three 200gr GD variants circled 805 fps from the 2.5" 296 & 830-835 fps from the 3" 696.
Ultimately, I traded the 629MG, actually it's remains & some moola, for a new 4" 629 (Thank you S&W!). I am much happier... larger hammer & trigger - OR frt/WO rr sights in lieu of the MGs blk/blk - and it's additional 2 oz is out front at the muzzle (non-tapered tube). Oddly, I put some .500 Magnum Hogue monogrips on the 4" 629 - and launched real Magnums. Back to the Ahrends wood grips, and it my favorite .44 Special/.44 Russian launcher. Now the 696 has cobwebs! Keep in mind that the 4" 629, SKU 163603, weighs 6 oz more than the 696 - not bad when you consider the gains - another inch of barrel, another round in the cylinder, and real .44 Magnum capability. I love my 696, but that 4" 629 will be here when it's gone.
Oh... the 296. Nowadays it sports it's OEM boots and rides in >2/3 of my front pockets in a R. Mika pocket holster. Normally loaded with 200gr GD's from GA Arms, it carries a first shot of a 240gr LSWC making 790-800 fps when I am in the boonies. It'll be here forever!
Stainz
PS The most fun with the 696 is loading up my 240gr LSWC over 3.5 gr Titegroup in cute little .44 Russian brass in it and handing it to young & old, novice & veteran shooter alike. It is uncannily accurate, mild, and polite. And... at 692 fps, it makes 'major' power factor!
When I first noticed the 696, I liked it. It was $439 then (2001-2) at a store. I would eventually buy a 629MG for my first .44 - $519 (11/2002). It would not see a Magnum for some time - just my wimpy .44 Russians and midrange Specials - and the 200gr GD Blazers. I really wanted the Ti atom bearing 296 AirLite Ti - ever since it graced the front cover of A.R.. I traded two AMT .45 DAO Backups towards both a new 296 and the new 696. The 296 was closeout priced - $359 - they took another $10 off for buying the pair on the same day in early '03 - to be my my biggest S&W expenditure for years (My 2 5/8" PC627 topped it this year!). I left the two AMT's and $427.40 for the pair - a bargain!
My 629MG grew cobwebs... the 696 gained constant rangebag status. Wood grips were fine. It's rounded UM's Combats went on the 296, insulating my palm from that backstrap. The combo was carried, admittedly infrequently, in an OWB holster. It saw mainly Blazers - until one split it's case in the 696 - then either GA Arms new brass loaded 200gr Gold Dot - or my homebrews with that bullet. All three 200gr GD variants circled 805 fps from the 2.5" 296 & 830-835 fps from the 3" 696.
Ultimately, I traded the 629MG, actually it's remains & some moola, for a new 4" 629 (Thank you S&W!). I am much happier... larger hammer & trigger - OR frt/WO rr sights in lieu of the MGs blk/blk - and it's additional 2 oz is out front at the muzzle (non-tapered tube). Oddly, I put some .500 Magnum Hogue monogrips on the 4" 629 - and launched real Magnums. Back to the Ahrends wood grips, and it my favorite .44 Special/.44 Russian launcher. Now the 696 has cobwebs! Keep in mind that the 4" 629, SKU 163603, weighs 6 oz more than the 696 - not bad when you consider the gains - another inch of barrel, another round in the cylinder, and real .44 Magnum capability. I love my 696, but that 4" 629 will be here when it's gone.
Oh... the 296. Nowadays it sports it's OEM boots and rides in >2/3 of my front pockets in a R. Mika pocket holster. Normally loaded with 200gr GD's from GA Arms, it carries a first shot of a 240gr LSWC making 790-800 fps when I am in the boonies. It'll be here forever!
Stainz
PS The most fun with the 696 is loading up my 240gr LSWC over 3.5 gr Titegroup in cute little .44 Russian brass in it and handing it to young & old, novice & veteran shooter alike. It is uncannily accurate, mild, and polite. And... at 692 fps, it makes 'major' power factor!
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JNewell
Member
Nice - will have to make a note of that!
My 696 shoots better than I have any right to expect. I generally stick to 200gr bullets, either cast bullet handloads or the Blazer JHP's. Mild & fun to shoot but still packing a reasonable punch. Not too heavy or too light, whats not to like? I sold my 296 as I just never warmed up to it, but the 696 is not for sale 
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I continue to find it amusing that virtually every post about the 696 mentions (less and less however) that it has a forcing cone problem. I recall knowing about and witnessing numerous K-38's, model 19's and 66's having split forcing cones back when the revolver was the primary weapon of choice for LEO's. Each and every one was caused by ammuniton that was reloaded over pressure for design, or fired with old military ball ammo and other similar types. I submit, probably any and all Smith revolvers will have this problem or similar damage when users or owners over load or don't pay attention to the ammo they are using in them.
The solution is to use new, quality ammo and ammo they were manufactured for. Just like the other guns described above, a 696 will last forever when used in the manner for which it was designed. 800/900 fps with a 240 grain Keith type semi-wadcutter with handle most any defensive situation when the shooter does his/her part. Let common sense prevail.
My 696 is a fast handling, easy carrying, relatively compact, accurate, reliable revolver chambered in the perfect cartridge for self-defense. It has only modest recoil and very light muzzle blast.......two major benefits for a self-defense weapon. I too have a 629 MG which I love.....but it does not carry as well as my 696.....six ounces or not. I have one and wish I had more of them.
Perhaps posts like this and others will be read by Smith executives and they will at least manufacture a run of 5000 or so. It worked with Ruger. I recently acquired one of the very first cataloged Flattop Blackhawk 44 Specials after Lipsey's ordered a run of 5000 (?). Ruger saw the sell out and demand and decided there was sufficient interest to make it available in the 2010 catalog. I imagine there are as many or more Smith fans who might be interested in doing the same with the 696 or similar design.
The solution is to use new, quality ammo and ammo they were manufactured for. Just like the other guns described above, a 696 will last forever when used in the manner for which it was designed. 800/900 fps with a 240 grain Keith type semi-wadcutter with handle most any defensive situation when the shooter does his/her part. Let common sense prevail.
My 696 is a fast handling, easy carrying, relatively compact, accurate, reliable revolver chambered in the perfect cartridge for self-defense. It has only modest recoil and very light muzzle blast.......two major benefits for a self-defense weapon. I too have a 629 MG which I love.....but it does not carry as well as my 696.....six ounces or not. I have one and wish I had more of them.
Perhaps posts like this and others will be read by Smith executives and they will at least manufacture a run of 5000 or so. It worked with Ruger. I recently acquired one of the very first cataloged Flattop Blackhawk 44 Specials after Lipsey's ordered a run of 5000 (?). Ruger saw the sell out and demand and decided there was sufficient interest to make it available in the 2010 catalog. I imagine there are as many or more Smith fans who might be interested in doing the same with the 696 or similar design.
I dis agree, I am not hoping S&W makes the 696 again.
That is of course only my opinion, don't pay to much attention to it.
One thing the makes the 696 special is that there are not many around.
When S&W makes an additional 10.000 or so, how special are the ones proudly owned now?
For those who do want one: On GB there are always a few for sale. Used, NIB, they are there. You are Lucky in the US for that.
Reading previous posts about the 696 I became very interested in the gun. I started looking for them in Holland, Germany and after not finding any, whole Europe.
I finely found a NIB no dash in Switzerland. It was the only 696 for sale in Europe. At a high price I did bought it since that change would not come again.
I have the 696 not yet in, goes trough a lot of customs and paperwork. The waiting is troublesome !
That is of course only my opinion, don't pay to much attention to it.
One thing the makes the 696 special is that there are not many around.
When S&W makes an additional 10.000 or so, how special are the ones proudly owned now?
For those who do want one: On GB there are always a few for sale. Used, NIB, they are there. You are Lucky in the US for that.
Reading previous posts about the 696 I became very interested in the gun. I started looking for them in Holland, Germany and after not finding any, whole Europe.
I finely found a NIB no dash in Switzerland. It was the only 696 for sale in Europe. At a high price I did bought it since that change would not come again.
I have the 696 not yet in, goes trough a lot of customs and paperwork. The waiting is troublesome !
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Hello Jeroenw114,
I'm glad to read that you found your 696 no-dash.
I remember you writing that you wanted one last spring.
I also don't need another 5,000 696s, one is enough, but since I won't be selling mine, changes in its value don't affect me and other people would enjoy them. Any new ones would not be quite the same as your no-dash from a collector's point of view so yours will still be special one way or the other.
Best Regards,
Gil
I'm glad to read that you found your 696 no-dash.
I remember you writing that you wanted one last spring.I also don't need another 5,000 696s, one is enough, but since I won't be selling mine, changes in its value don't affect me and other people would enjoy them. Any new ones would not be quite the same as your no-dash from a collector's point of view so yours will still be special one way or the other.
Best Regards,
Gil
Gil, that's true too.
I would not want to keep others from having their 696 fun.
I think when S&W would make 10.000 more I doubt any of them would find there way to Europe. Here there is hardly any demand.
Jeroen
I would not want to keep others from having their 696 fun.
I think when S&W would make 10.000 more I doubt any of them would find there way to Europe. Here there is hardly any demand.
Jeroen
Thanks guys
I really appreciate the honest feedback and hopefully debunking of issues with the 696. I have not even held one yet, but I do like the big bores, and 44spl is an old trusted round. I do handload, but don't load or shoot much anymore. Looking forward to doing more in retirement ...soon.
Charlie
I really appreciate the honest feedback and hopefully debunking of issues with the 696. I have not even held one yet, but I do like the big bores, and 44spl is an old trusted round. I do handload, but don't load or shoot much anymore. Looking forward to doing more in retirement ...soon.
Charlie
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