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629shooter
Member
I didn't see the appeal of the 696 at first but, a few years ago I shot one...
Congratulations on your latest!
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Congratulations on your latest!
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Loyaljeeper
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The only appeal to the 696 to me is the 3" prelock quality. Otherwise, I would take seven rounds of 38 or 357 over 5 44specials.
I have a 396NG and really wish it was one of the other models.
I have a 396NG and really wish it was one of the other models.
Great find Bill. i hope you can hang on to this one. I've only had one close call. The Model 696 I found was bought right in front of me at a show about seven years ago.
Few detractors on this forum, but there are a lot of fans.
I saw my first one quite a while back and was sold on the idea immediately.
Took me several years to locate one that suited me. What I bought was a like new in the box. I shoot it 2-3 times a year and carry it at the ranch occasionally.
I think of the 696 as being somewhat like the 58. A niche gun. You either see value in it or you don't.
I saw my first one quite a while back and was sold on the idea immediately.
Took me several years to locate one that suited me. What I bought was a like new in the box. I shoot it 2-3 times a year and carry it at the ranch occasionally.
I think of the 696 as being somewhat like the 58. A niche gun. You either see value in it or you don't.
I like 44 Special, but the weight difference between the 696 and the 24-3 (3") is very little, and both are large enough they are most comfortable in OWB holsters. I'll just stick with the 24-3 with 6 rounds.
Nemo288
Member
You can tell by looking at the gun and it's box it's a no dash with case hardened forged hammer and trigger with hammer mounted firing pin.
Nice find.
I happen to be one of those fans mentioned above and carry these or the 396 quite often.
They are quite a bit more accurate than the 624's in my experience probably due to the smaller chamber throat and bore dimensions.
The 696-1 is actually better than the no dash in this regard and is my current favorite S&W revolver.
As you can see I like the Altamont Altai conversion grips on these.
This combination point shoots well at least for me.
I don't know of any detailed study of the L frame 44's other than what's in the Standard Catalog.
There are some subtle changes even within the models that have been noticed here in the forum.
I'd be highly interested in such a study and would contribute if anyone is interested in putting one together.
Nice find.
I happen to be one of those fans mentioned above and carry these or the 396 quite often.
They are quite a bit more accurate than the 624's in my experience probably due to the smaller chamber throat and bore dimensions.
The 696-1 is actually better than the no dash in this regard and is my current favorite S&W revolver.
As you can see I like the Altamont Altai conversion grips on these.
This combination point shoots well at least for me.
I don't know of any detailed study of the L frame 44's other than what's in the Standard Catalog.
There are some subtle changes even within the models that have been noticed here in the forum.
I'd be highly interested in such a study and would contribute if anyone is interested in putting one together.
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HamHands
Member
I feel exactly what you are saying LoyalJeeper... There is certainly a particular luster to a Pre-Lock 696... However, with Original Precision making bad *** lock deletes that I have somewhat extensive experience with between 2 (.44Mags) and 1 (.45acp/Super)... if I came across a Stink Hole version "M696" for the right price I wouldn't hesitate to snatch one up especially in the 3" variety...
btw, I'm a loyal Jeeper too!
This is my wife's every day driver... our 15' (6 speed) Rubi...
Gone but not forgotten... I built her in my parents garage when I graduated college as a gift to myself in 03'... She was totaled coming home from work while sitting on I-75/85 right at 14th street in downtown Atlanta... when a commercial truck loaded with ductile iron pipe, and fire hydrants hit me while at a complete stop @ 50mph...
Back on topic... I must admit OP. I like your M696 and I'm on the hunt for one myself on GB. I only hope the wifey doensn't find out!
Nemo288
Member
The only 696 with a lock is the -2 but I have never seen one.
I am sure they made them but in perusing the online gun stores for a couple of years I only saw the -0 and -1 for sale.
Oddly enough my -1 has the hammer for a -2 with the lock cut-out but no other lock parts or cuts.
It also has a button rifled barrel that has to be from an early -0 (my -0 has an EDM barrel) so an end of the run junk-box special?
After sending the -1 back to S&W for a new extractor star and re-timing is is the perfect frankengun.
The 396-1 did have a lock but after experiencing the magnum grade recoil I took it out and put a stainless filler in the lock Hole.
Probably should have been aluminum but it looks ok and I don't shoot that gun but a couple times a year to check the sights with the ammo loaded.
The 696's are way fun to shoot with standard 44 special ammo (15 KPSI).
Brian Pearce says you can go to 20 KPSI with them too as they are very strong and well built.
I myself have no problem going to 17-18 KPSI or "44spl+p" in the 696.
It weighs within an ounce of the 3" 624 due to the underlug but carries easier as it's thinner.
Points and shoots better too.
I am sure they made them but in perusing the online gun stores for a couple of years I only saw the -0 and -1 for sale.
Oddly enough my -1 has the hammer for a -2 with the lock cut-out but no other lock parts or cuts.
It also has a button rifled barrel that has to be from an early -0 (my -0 has an EDM barrel) so an end of the run junk-box special?
After sending the -1 back to S&W for a new extractor star and re-timing is is the perfect frankengun.
The 396-1 did have a lock but after experiencing the magnum grade recoil I took it out and put a stainless filler in the lock Hole.
Probably should have been aluminum but it looks ok and I don't shoot that gun but a couple times a year to check the sights with the ammo loaded.
The 696's are way fun to shoot with standard 44 special ammo (15 KPSI).
Brian Pearce says you can go to 20 KPSI with them too as they are very strong and well built.
I myself have no problem going to 17-18 KPSI or "44spl+p" in the 696.
It weighs within an ounce of the 3" 624 due to the underlug but carries easier as it's thinner.
Points and shoots better too.
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Snapping Twig
Member
Great revolvers!
I drove to Bakersfield twice to get mine from a guy that was selling it in L.A.
Once to buy, the second for the ten day wait/pick-up.
Put Hogues on it.
I enjoy this meem.
I drove to Bakersfield twice to get mine from a guy that was selling it in L.A.
Once to buy, the second for the ten day wait/pick-up.
Put Hogues on it.
I enjoy this meem.
Nemo288
Member
Yep that's a classic I have used as computer wallpaper in the past.
Somewhere along the line the Telegraph online newspaper ran a gun story and used this picture as the headline graphic.
I was amused as it's a pretty rare gun to be used as a generic revolver.
They even look good in Black and White!
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Loyaljeeper
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Isn't the forcing cone really thin on a 696? I have researched the strength of my 396 and thought I saw some concerns about hot loads in the 696. The 396 has a slightly larger forcin come. The two-piece barrel and unique lockup of the 69 is supposed to address the 696's thin forcing cone.
Nemo288
Member
No one is advocating shooting magnum loads in the 696.
According to Pearce, S&W tested the daylights out of the gun and it is as strong as any 44 special needs to be and then some.
If there were more than one or 2 cracked forcing cones ala some .357's we would have heard about it.
Obviously shooting 35-36 KPSI in what amounts to the same gun required a lot of re-engineering and that they did with the 69.
I seriously doubt the 396 frame is as strong as the 696 just from the weight.
I could be wrong about that but the recoil limits what you can do with it anyway.
They once limited loads in the 396 to 200 grains and printed a warning to that effect on the barrel but gave that up on later versions.
Aluminum, even alloyed well, will crack before most good steel will, even stainless.
I do like the 2 piece barrel and my 396-1 shoots almost as well as my 696-1 which may be my most accurate revolver
along with the Redhawk and Dan Wesson 7445 (which has a 2 piece barrel).
Bottom line is the 696's are not falling apart shooting standard loads some 20 years after they were made.
Maybe they don't get shot a lot due to their scarcity.
I know I shoot mine almost every other time I hit the range and have developed about a dozen loads for it from mild 650 fps numbers
to 900+ fps using N105 which is the absolute most productive powder (available around here) for the 44 special while maintaining normal pressure.
If I ever crack a cone I'll Shirley let everyone know. S&W as well.
The demand for the 696 certainly hasn't gone away over the years as a result of those cone concerns, real or imagined.
Didn't mean to ramble, denigrate or insult anyone but I keep hearing that concern every so often and I personally just don't believe it.
According to Pearce, S&W tested the daylights out of the gun and it is as strong as any 44 special needs to be and then some.
If there were more than one or 2 cracked forcing cones ala some .357's we would have heard about it.
Obviously shooting 35-36 KPSI in what amounts to the same gun required a lot of re-engineering and that they did with the 69.
I seriously doubt the 396 frame is as strong as the 696 just from the weight.
I could be wrong about that but the recoil limits what you can do with it anyway.
They once limited loads in the 396 to 200 grains and printed a warning to that effect on the barrel but gave that up on later versions.
Aluminum, even alloyed well, will crack before most good steel will, even stainless.
I do like the 2 piece barrel and my 396-1 shoots almost as well as my 696-1 which may be my most accurate revolver
along with the Redhawk and Dan Wesson 7445 (which has a 2 piece barrel).
Bottom line is the 696's are not falling apart shooting standard loads some 20 years after they were made.
Maybe they don't get shot a lot due to their scarcity.
I know I shoot mine almost every other time I hit the range and have developed about a dozen loads for it from mild 650 fps numbers
to 900+ fps using N105 which is the absolute most productive powder (available around here) for the 44 special while maintaining normal pressure.
If I ever crack a cone I'll Shirley let everyone know.
S&W as well.The demand for the 696 certainly hasn't gone away over the years as a result of those cone concerns, real or imagined.
Didn't mean to ramble, denigrate or insult anyone but I keep hearing that concern every so often and I personally just don't believe it.
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The Norseman
Member
S&W Model 696-1 44Rem Spl
No Problem yet with my S&W Model 696-1 44 Rem Spl,
I found last year, it was New In The Box, Factory Fired
only. About every other week it goes into my Shooting
Range Rotation.
Currently I'm using my long time go to 44 S&W Special
reload;
.431dia. 240gr Lead SWC Semi Wad Cutter or
RNFP round nose flat point works also.
4.6 grs Alliant American Select, S&B LP primer
Brass is Win, or R-P.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately just under 800?
Bullets tumble lubed with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers no where near flat.
I'm a single stage, small batch Reloader anyway.
The thing about American Select is it has enough bulk,
that it is easy to visually see a double charge.
Also if you were to over charge it fills the case.
Other powders I've used and like are; Bullseye, Unique,
and Long Shot (not much info out there on this one),
and Trail Boss (no good luck with TB).
Good luck and always think safety.
No Problem yet with my S&W Model 696-1 44 Rem Spl,
I found last year, it was New In The Box, Factory Fired
only. About every other week it goes into my Shooting
Range Rotation.
Currently I'm using my long time go to 44 S&W Special
reload;
.431dia. 240gr Lead SWC Semi Wad Cutter or
RNFP round nose flat point works also.
4.6 grs Alliant American Select, S&B LP primer
Brass is Win, or R-P.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately just under 800?
Bullets tumble lubed with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers no where near flat.
I'm a single stage, small batch Reloader anyway.
The thing about American Select is it has enough bulk,
that it is easy to visually see a double charge.
Also if you were to over charge it fills the case.
Other powders I've used and like are; Bullseye, Unique,
and Long Shot (not much info out there on this one),
and Trail Boss (no good luck with TB).
Good luck and always think safety.
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Loyaljeeper
Member
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I have always thought the forcing cone on the 696 looked just as thick as the one on my 60-10. With that said there was a picture floating around here about a 60 with a destroyed forcing cone and barrel on a range rental.
I like my 396NG and have shot 240gr bullets through it. I don't find it extremely accurate with the three different loads I have shot which is a bummer. I don't find the recoil bad at all.
Jade
Member
Model 60's Big Brother
Picked a 696 up several years ago from an estate sale lot for small money. Had a timing issue, which doesn't sound like the only one. Sent it to Randy Lee at Apex, back when they were still doing revolvers, for the timing issue and a trigger job. Came back a silky smooth sweet shooter. Even loaded up some 240 grain 1150 FPS "Elmer Kieth" loads using Blue dot. Nice tight group at 15 yards. Gave it to my son a couple of years ago as a back-up gun for hunting in bear and big cat country. Miss it, but still know where I can find it.
Picked a 696 up several years ago from an estate sale lot for small money. Had a timing issue, which doesn't sound like the only one. Sent it to Randy Lee at Apex, back when they were still doing revolvers, for the timing issue and a trigger job. Came back a silky smooth sweet shooter. Even loaded up some 240 grain 1150 FPS "Elmer Kieth" loads using Blue dot. Nice tight group at 15 yards. Gave it to my son a couple of years ago as a back-up gun for hunting in bear and big cat country. Miss it, but still know where I can find it.
75Vette
Member
IIRC I paid around $900 for this dash 1 a few years ago. I sure wish the factory would start making em again, They make for a perfect carry gun. (Nemo, good looking crossdraw rig. Who's the maker??)
I had a 696-1 up until this last weekend.
I liked it so much I commissioned these three from Jack Huntington.
Top 686-3 with a 396 Cylinder and shroud
Middle 686-1 with rebored 686 Mountain gun barrel and the cylinder from the 696.
I also have a Ti cylinder fitted for this one.
Bottom roundbutted 681-2 with a shortened 396 shroud and a 396 cylinder.
I liked it so much I commissioned these three from Jack Huntington.
Top 686-3 with a 396 Cylinder and shroud
Middle 686-1 with rebored 686 Mountain gun barrel and the cylinder from the 696.
I also have a Ti cylinder fitted for this one.
Bottom roundbutted 681-2 with a shortened 396 shroud and a 396 cylinder.
Nemo288
Member
That's a Mernickle crossdraw size L3 I got from a forum member here.
I have several others by them.
Their design is a little different than most as they have an almost completely flat backside that then wraps around to hold the gun.
This makes them very comfortable to wear but also makes them stick out from your waist slightly more than a traditional pancake.
The crossdraw is not ideal for concealed carry but just about perfect for everything else like driving and woods bumming.
Doesn't get in the way of my major carry side (right) while possibly schlepping a long gun, or just hiking.
I will use it for CC in the winter under a heavy coat or parka.
Here's another Mernickle in size N4 without the safety strap (which I should have gotten).
