S&W model 696 .44 spl

[Joed49]

Following along with Bill's comments, I have never figured out why S&W can't build a 44 Special on an L-frame and have a thick enough forcing cone when Charter Arms manages it in what is essentially a D-frame (Dick Special) Colt size revolver. Charter is still building them but S&W insists they can't manage a K-frame, 5-shot 44 Special. Baffling!

Dave

I had a Charter .44, the forcing cone was almost non existent on that gun, one of the reason I sold it.

The 696 really was a dud as I remember looking at L frames when these came out. No one wanted them. I passed on it one and went with a 686+ instead. Every once in awhile I would come across a post where someone tried to feed the 696 a hot load and killed the forcing cone.

Stick to standard Spl loads and the 696 is a nice gun. Try to mimic Elmer Keith and you can kiss it goodbye.

I agree that the price of this model has been driven up by collectors. I've picked up a few 624's and 24's cheaper and have been happier with the savings.

 

[JNewell]

Here's a 696 and a 396 to whet your appetite for these great guns.

 

[hsguy]

I have a 696 and I use mild loads. I find it one my more enjoyable guns to shoot. We don't have concealed carry so it is a range queen, but a fun one.

 

[peyton]

JNewell thanks for posting the pictures, which do you like shooting more? I am in the process of buying a 696 and thought hard about the 396.

 

[JNewell]

JNewell thanks for posting the pictures, which do you like shooting more? I am in the process of buying a 696 and thought hard about the 396.

Well, you could guess...even with "just" .44 Special loads, the 396 has pretty sharp, spike-like recoil. The 696 is easier shooting, the 396 is easier carrying. Pretty much the same as my M60/M342 pairs.

 

[Pappy1911]

There seems to be lots of second-hand anecdotal info on the interwebs about 696s suffering split forcing cones. Anyone have FHE with this?

I have a 696. I made up a SS collar for an interference fit over the O.D. of the forcing cone.

I'm pushing a 205 gr cast bullet at approx 1000 fps.

No problems yet, but then again I haven't shot it that much.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have a 696 and like it very much

Me too.............

 

[Chaosrob]

CT.
I consider myself more of a shooter than collector. From that perspective.
I had one and sold it within a month. I have a serious dislike for the gun.
It is a poorly thought out engineering disaster.
It has one positive quality and that is, it shoots the .44 Special. Plus 1
It has a thin walled L frame barrel bored out to .44 caliber. Minus 1
It has a reduced capacity L Frame cylinder bored out to .44 caliber. Minus 2
It has a round butt K frame grip on it. Minus 2
It has an over inflated price on it. Minus 1
If you add up the plus and the minus count, it is not a good gun for a shooter.
When that gun came out , stores could not sell them to shooters. They quit making them because no one was buying them. They were a marketing Dud. Now that they are scarce, Collectors have started a price war over them, but only for their collectors value.
As a shooting gun, it is funny. It starts out with a big hole in the muzzle and as you move to the rear the gun keeps getting smaller. You end up with grips that are more appropriate on a 38 snubbie.
It is factory Bubbatized Frankengun.
You can buy a 4 inch 624 for 60-75% of the price of 696. A 624 is N frame from the front to the rear. Wonderful engineering.
There are many folks that like them. That is good. I am one of a few that does not. This is AMERICA, I get a choice.
I consider the 696 to be a good ladies purse gun, if it is not loaded with hot ammo.
Bill@Yuma

Lol, I just spit coffee all over the screen of my computer. You should learn not to hold back, and speak your mind on a subject every now and then .

 

[LostintheOzone]

I traded my 696 for a Colt Commander. I made sure I had more than one before I did that however. Jim

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Alot of people love the "N" frame, same amount love the "K/L" frame, Then the little "J" has just as many loving it. That is why they build 4 frame sizes. Myself if it is bigger than a "L" Frame I have no use for it, you take a model 27 and a 686 - the 27 weight is 2X that of the 686. Now to the meat of this mile long "BS" is that the 696 is a great gun and will be around for a long time, I have two 696-0 one is the Queen and the other is for the woods. The 696 is like a model 19 - not made for hot loads. You eather love them or hate them.

 

[Chaosrob]

I know I have plenty of options, but still wanted one of these so badly I paid a premium for it. Now the issue is since I bought a nib example should I buy a used one, and keep the other a safe queen lol

 

[semperfi71]

All the above and few pics, what's wrong with us?

As to the "five-shot-only" concerns...........here's one of the guns which "Won the west." It was-and-is carried as a "five-shooter".

 

[mc5aw]

If five rounds of .44 Special isn't enough to do the job, it's time to drop the revolver and find a rifle.

 

[mag318]

As a 696 owner I have to agree with Bills opinion. When S&W came out with these they were a poor seller and it seemed like they couldn't give them away. At the time, as Bill points out, there were many valid reasons for it's lack of popularity.
Look at the lowly Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special, when it appeared it was hugely popular though nowhere near the quality of the 696. But that Charter Bulldog is to this day still selling well. It's a 5 shot, very small and very concealable option for those who like the calibre.
The 696, with it's short production run is now a very collectable revolver and it has a "cool to own" factor. I enjoy shooting my no dash from time to time and had I known what they'd be going for years later I would have bought several of them for an investment.

 

[DCWilson]

All the above and few pics, what's wrong with us?

OK, I'll play.

This came to me with the combats on it, but I have the original grips in the box.

I don't shoot this as much as I ought to.

 

[ladder13]

Count me in and I love the goodyears.

 

[semperfi71]

I'm thinking I might go back to the "Goodyears".

Today I shot 105 rounds from the bench with my M696 utilizing the stocks pictured with it. Darn thing bit me in the web of my thumb!

 

[lawandorder]

I sure do enjoy mine.........

only pic I have of it, with its 3 inch 66 cousin.

 

[5532JWK]

I love my 696 no dash. It is a very accurate gun.

 

[HamHands]

I'm an "N" and "J" frame nut... I'm kicking myself for not picking up a 696 when I had the chance. I instead opted for a vintage Lew Horton 3" M29... Of which has become my favorite handgun/revolver because well... it's pretty great & I love the .44Special round. I carry hot Keith Hard Casts running 950+ out of that 3" barrel for my woods load. I don't think that's too hot for a 696 though. 1050fps is pushing it for sure. The 696 just might be the perfect sized revolver. I'm happy with my 3" M29 and M629 but I'm going to start looking for a 696 especially now since I'm into hand loading I can tailor a hard cast .44Special that will still put the big hurt on anything in Appalachia all the while with the comfort of an "L" frame...