The 696 Club

[wproct]

Great pictures guys, keep them coming! The 696 is the neatest S&W revolvers ever made, IMHO.

 

[Jeroenw114]

My 696 no dash. With a few parts exchanged.

 

[luangtom]

Here is mine that I sadly let get away....

 

[Frank237]

Both of mine are -1's. The top one is LNIB the bottom one I bought just before the Factory dropped the model from pproduction. It gets carried and shot occasionally.

 

[johnny3]

696 no dash

 

[bobcat]

OK, I'll play, I'll be the kid nobody picks to play on their team at recess, here's my -2, with the, ahem, lock...

 

[jag312]

Here's mine.

 

[tmoren]

As an aspiring member to the club, what is the difference between the no-dash and -1 versions?

I can see a difference on the frame by the cylinder opening...what other differences are there and is one more desirable than the other?

 

[TAROMAN]

The -0 has hammer mounted firing pin and forged (I think) parts.
The -1 has frame mounted firing pin and MIM parts.
that said, my -1 runs just fine and has a very tight "precise" feel. Very well fitted and so slick that no smoothing was necessary.

 

[smokey04]

I could show a set of grips but,alas I have no 696 to put between them. I can't find one I can afford and asking for my firstborn is out of the question....He ain't worth that much anyway! Nick

 

[mike from st pete]

I took mine out for Gun Appreciation Day! Shot the 696 and 17, as I couldn't get to the state capital.

 

[oldgunclub]

thought I would share a picture of my .696-1 enjoy shooting it

Just learning how to post pictures sorry for size.
Sam

 

[Berserker]

Got a 696-0. I carry it in the woods with Buffalo Bore, not the best for black bear, but hopefully I never test it.

I bought it for concealed carry, and do once in awhile, but have bought smaller since. The problem is it just drags my pants down, and gun is visible.

It is a nice shooting gun. So much easier to shoot then my snubbies.

Got a Simply Rugged pancake style holster.

 

[suppress-it]

Here's mine.

Good Lord Jag - that is one beautiful revolver! If you don't mind me asking, who did the engraving? The grips are exquisite as well - where'd you come across them?

Frank

 

[WPWarhawk]

My 696

and it's cousin the 396 Mountain Lite

 

[WCCPHD]

I bought a no dash earlier this year. It has been my only companion on my deer hunts this year. In the past several years I have carried a 29 Mountain Gun, a 625 (45 Colt) Mountain Gun, a 1956 pre 29, a 28-2, a 19-5 DSS, various 1911's and several Model 66's.

Since I got the 696 I have not carried any other gun on the farm. I carry it to shoot and/or finish off deer, for bear protection (as we are beginning to see them) for coyote and feral hog issues. It is everything all those listed above are and more. Lighter than most, more powerful or as powerful as most (as I usually carried 44 special in the magnums), easier to shoot than an N frame (due to my small hands) and as it is stainless I don't have to baby it.

I can't understand why S&W discontinued it. I know people said that it did not sell well, but how could that be? It is a great all around companion.

 

[P&R Fan]

Here is my no dash. This is the only gun that I purchased new that was on the cover of Shooting Times in the same month.

Jim Wilson wrote that article. I still have my copy.
After I read it I went to my LGS and bought one for my birthday present in April of 1997.
Jim

 

[Snapping Twig]

Here's another no dash.

Got mine a few months back. Been shooting 250g SWC over 6.5g W231.

Fantastic!

 

[Nemo288]

My newest Smith: a 696-1 with Altamont grips.
I got both from forum members here. Y'all rock!
Also the first targets I shot after cleaning out the chambers.
I also would like to get a 396 and maybe a 296.
I was surprized by how much the 696 weighs.
I don't think it's much less than the 3" 624 if any at all.
That big barrel sure helps shooting it though.

===
Nemo

 

[cochise]

I love my no dash. Wrote about it a few times.