S & W 296
- Thread starter k9gus
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Welcome to the forum. The barrel is 2-1/2" and it's a round butt L frame. I don't have dimensions and mine's buried, so it's about this big.
Thanks for the help. Compared to the J-frame, is it concealable? I carry a J frame in the front pocket in the summer time. Unfortunately, I live in NJ and hollow point ammo is not allowed for civilians. I'll be retiring from police work in 2009 and looking for something that will pack a punch in swc ammo.
bronco45
Member
K9Gus: Congrats twice. First of all for reaching that time of retirement from LE. You'll find a lot of retired and ex cops on here. Seconly, this is a good forum, much to learn and appreciate here.
The L Frame 296 is halfway in size between the K frame as in Model 10 or 19 and the N Frame which is the 44 Magnum.
If you can stuff in your front pants pocket you might make some new friends but it's not a practical approach. IWB would be what most use to conceal in summer.
They (296s) are hard to find so good luck.
The L Frame 296 is halfway in size between the K frame as in Model 10 or 19 and the N Frame which is the 44 Magnum.
If you can stuff in your front pants pocket you might make some new friends but it's not a practical approach. IWB would be what most use to conceal in summer.
They (296s) are hard to find so good luck.
Landric
Member
I had a friend that pocket carried a 242 (the .38 Special version of the 296). It is significantly larger than a J-frame, but I tried it in my pocket. With the right pockets, its doable, but it not nearly as easy as pocket carry with a J-frame.
I expect the Charter Arms Bulldog with a bobbed hammer would be easier to pocket carry, but with the maybe yes, maybe no QC of Charter Arms products, I think I'd go 296 if I could find one.
I expect the Charter Arms Bulldog with a bobbed hammer would be easier to pocket carry, but with the maybe yes, maybe no QC of Charter Arms products, I think I'd go 296 if I could find one.
Revolver King
Member
Take it from me it is not a pants pocket gun. Maybe a jacket pocket.
I am not generally too recoil sensitive. I shoot my 329pd with .44 specials, 200gr, and enjoy the recoil OK. But, after four rounds with the same ammo in my 296 I am debating about shooting the fifth. I have put the 500 grips on my 296 and it still hurts. Love the gun---hate the pain. Am I the only one?
K9gus,
I like the 296 design and the .44 round, so there is probably one of these in my future -- not for carry, just as an item in the collection.
But for your purposes, I have to ask: could the best answer be a J-magnum revolver? Five rounds of .357 ought to offer stopping power enough even if the rounds are not hollow point, and I can't imagine .357 recoil in an all steel gun would be any worse than .44 special recoil in a light one.
I have a current production 649 Bodyguard that takes .357. I don't know if you have any feelings about SA vs DA, but the Bodyguard has a shrouded hammer rather than a completely enclosed one like the 296. If you want SA capability with a snag-free design, this would be worth looking at.
David Wilson
I like the 296 design and the .44 round, so there is probably one of these in my future -- not for carry, just as an item in the collection.
But for your purposes, I have to ask: could the best answer be a J-magnum revolver? Five rounds of .357 ought to offer stopping power enough even if the rounds are not hollow point, and I can't imagine .357 recoil in an all steel gun would be any worse than .44 special recoil in a light one.
I have a current production 649 Bodyguard that takes .357. I don't know if you have any feelings about SA vs DA, but the Bodyguard has a shrouded hammer rather than a completely enclosed one like the 296. If you want SA capability with a snag-free design, this would be worth looking at.
David Wilson
You see the 296. N frame on top, two J frames on the bottom.
A J frame and an N frame with pocket holsters.
A J frame and an N frame with pocket holsters.
I see you have a good reference photo comparing a 642 to a 296. Pretty much what everyone else described. My take on the recoil: A steel 640 with full power .357's is brutal. I started bleeding on the 3rd round. The 642 with plus P's hurts quite a bit. No blood though. The 296 with Gold Dot HP's is much more comfortable than either. Sort of similiar to a steel Commander .45 with plus P's. Just my take...
I have a few revolvers. The 296 is my favorite.
I have a few revolvers. The 296 is my favorite.
Thanks guys. You've been great with the info. I get the dimensions as I started in police work with the NYPD. I carried the Model 10 with serial number x911x. Wound up being at ground zero in NY on 9/11/01. Unfortunately, New Jersey is way behind the times with the prohibition on hollowpoint ammo for civilian carry. With all the good advice, I still think I'll go for the 296. The less than 200g ammo in a semi-wad cutter should be a good defensive round. How about some suggestions on ammo. I'd be interested in hearing what you guys carry. Thanks again.
K9gus
K9gus
RobO
Member
I plan on getting one this year, and trying the aluminum cased blazer gold dots, to maximize the lightweight aspect.
The 296 might have been designed with 200-grain Winchester Silvertips in mind. Recoil is not at all bad with them, at least in my experience.
But when I tried a hotter, 185-grain load (from PMC), that was a different story. I see no reason to make the gun jump and bark like that again.
But when I tried a hotter, 185-grain load (from PMC), that was a different story. I see no reason to make the gun jump and bark like that again.
Doug M.
Member
I find my 296 far less troubling to shoot with the 200 grain GDHP (Blazers) than an airweight 38 snubby with anything but wadcutters. It is my default fanny pack gun for the gym and dog walking.
That said, the better answer is to move as far from Jersey/Maryland as you can. Idaho has a lot of nice areas; Chandler AZ if you need heat would work.
That said, the better answer is to move as far from Jersey/Maryland as you can. Idaho has a lot of nice areas; Chandler AZ if you need heat would work.
I plan to get out of NJ as soon as the kids are through school. I've talked to many state legislators about the danger of FMJ bullets. I've shown them reports about over-penetration and shooting through suspects, all to no avail. It's hard to find a good non-hollow point bullet in the 9mm and 38 special calibers. I tried the RBCD in my 342Ti and the gun shot it 4 inches low and left. The bullets keyholed in the target. How about some non-hollow point ammo suggestions?
tulsamal
Member
The light weight is the primary attraction of the 296. I really like my HK P7M8 for CCW. I occasionally decide to carry my P7 again and then I start doing it. I usually last less than six months. Then I take it off and go back to the 296. And the deciding factor is always that weight. Or lack of it!
As far as ammo, I can't help you with any non-HP's. I started out with the CorBon 165 grain JHP. That load really did develop some twisting, snappy recoil. I developed a 180 grain Sierra JHP practice load that was maybe 85% of the velocity. Let me practice with something that was at least close without the high cost per round. Then CorBon came out with the DPX line. And a 200 grain Barnes all copper bullet load for the .44 Special. Amazing looking bullet and Mr. Camp did an excellent review and test of it. I put them in my 296 and that is what is in there now.
Gregg
As far as ammo, I can't help you with any non-HP's. I started out with the CorBon 165 grain JHP. That load really did develop some twisting, snappy recoil. I developed a 180 grain Sierra JHP practice load that was maybe 85% of the velocity. Let me practice with something that was at least close without the high cost per round. Then CorBon came out with the DPX line. And a 200 grain Barnes all copper bullet load for the .44 Special. Amazing looking bullet and Mr. Camp did an excellent review and test of it. I put them in my 296 and that is what is in there now.
Gregg
