S&W 696 steal for $350???? (UPDATE on Status)

[JoeReed]

Hickock 45 is shooting a 696 this week on his site, and that little gun...three inch barrel 44 special and he does not miss his first 15 shots, not until it is a very very long shot to a small target. I have one and it is a very nifty very accurate gun that shoots like a 45 with moderate special loads. Only downside is that load is hair shirt punitive for pricing unless you reload, but it is easy to reload it.

I think I heard once that a downside of 696s is the ancillary parts, such as cylinders, are no longer available. That might be why the price was lower. Obviously a collectible no dash has to be in good condition. As a shooter though this revolver is just top drawer.

 

[hkcavalier]

Most of the highly desirable guns on this forum no longer have ancillary parts...that's what makes them so valuable (if complete). Weird logic. I guess to someone just starting to buy guns, they want stone reliable, easy to maintain guns. Plenty of plastic fantastics and ARs out there for those guys.

 

[tlr16]

Here is the current condition it cleaned up nice. Shoots a little high at 25yds but was using cowboy loads. Recoil felt like a .38

 

[Dennis The B]

Here is the current condition it cleaned up nice. Shoots a little high at 25yds but was using cowboy loads. Recoil felt like a .38

The .44 Special is a kitten in the L frame. I've owned one for about five years, and it's a fine gun. If you reload, you can attain velocities approaching the .44 Magnum, but the gun is perfect with standard .44 Special loads. I use 200gr and 240gr flat nose SWC bullets, and they work perfectly.

The stocks in your earlier pictures are standard to the gun, and they are much more comfortable than the Magnas in the last. You could also consider some Ahrends round-butt combat stocks. I have those on mine and they fit my hand perfectly.

Congrats on a great buy!

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Those hi viz sights can shoot high. You can go with a higher blank sight Good job. Me jealous

 

[tlr16]

Surprisingly the Magnas didn't feel bad. I know the Butler creek were stock but they aren't in the best of shape. I want round butt combats but then I'd need 2 sets. It matches my 66-3 3" with Magnas but I use Hogues on it mostly which I prefer. These were at the local shop we threw them on to check out and for carry the wood slides easier and is smaller

 

[tlr16]

I may look into the cylinder n slide rear sight they make

 

[Shark Bait]

I really like the smooth VZ grips on my 696. I also have them on my 686-4+. I got this 696 from another forum member. It's a keeper!