The 696 Club

[dot6]

I kind of like the 696, too. I had nine at one time.

 

[Coastie762]

My 696-1 wearing a set of Hogue Pau Ferros which I refinished using pure tung oil.

Very accurate using a 240 grain cast SWC propelled by 7.5 grains of Power Pistol.

 

[bananaman]

samwood, what are the grips on your 696? Would like to have some like that for my 625 JM! Bob

 

[Bassmanpa]

My 696-1

Here is my 696-1.

 

[mike from st pete]

I Guess a Photo Too

I bought this 696 when I first heard about them, early 1997.
I replaced the rubber with wooden grips from Hougue (sp?)

 

[samwood]

Bananaman,

The grips shown on my 696-2 were made by forum member Schofieldkid81. Don't know if he is still in the gripmaking business.

The grips fit my small hands very well; I also like the looks. I believe that Steve called them his " Compac" style and were sort of a wood version of the Pachmayer Compac grip.

The grips are a little narrow at the web of my hand; recoil was somewhat more noticeable than I like. I installed them on my 617 and replaced my 696 grips with Uncle Mikes Boot grips.

Steve also made some J-frame "skullcracker" model grips. These grips fit my hand better than anything else I've tried.

 

[Nemo288]

Once you get tired of hauling around the 696 which weighs what the 3" 624 does
you will want one of these:

 

[Boge]

"No dash" with Ahrends grips:

 

[75Vette]

Been wanting this one for awhile!
Before and after some elbow grease. (I'm like a lab monkey...I like shiny things!)

 

[S&WIowegan]

I'm pictureless but I bought one of the original 696s when they first came out. I never really cared for it and traded it for something I can't remember. Then I bought a 696-6(I know they never made that) which must be a mis-strike. The dash 6 has factory wood banana stocks I like. Recently I was able to buy a 696 no dash original with box, papers and unfired. Full circle. I only shoot the dash 6.

 

[75Vette]

Bob, take pictures! I'd like to see those banana grips.
Mark

 

[Rapidray]

Been wanting this one for awhile!
Before and after some elbow grease. (I'm like a lab monkey...I like shiny things!)

Oh my goosh, that is like night and day. Well done! I like what you did!

 

[75Vette]

Thanks Ray. It only took a couple of hours with the Mothers during the last ice shut down.

 

[at_liberty]

Count me in with a stock 696-1. Good fit in existing 3" GP100 pancake from El Paso Saddlery. Hunting for custom grips, but I like the rubber that is on there now. Using Hornady SD and will shoot mostly reloads for practice. This is my third .44 Special, counting Taurus 431 and 441...all 3", 5 shot.

 

[jjbrewst1]

My one and only. Boxed 696 No Dash.

 

[chipking]

Through the years I had owned 3 and fooled them away. About a year ago I decided that if I found another one at a reasonable price I would grab it. Not long after a fellow Smith lover that I had dealt with in the past put this 696 no dash up with the box. The price was a little steep so I made him an offer and a couple of weeks later he accepted and it is now mine.
These are absolutely great guns.
Chip King

 

[at_liberty]

Got the new grips today.

SW696-1 w/gungripsupply.com walnut

 

[Smithy]

My Model 696 no dash.

 

[Highseas]

696-1, Crimson Trace® laser grips, action job by Ted Yost of Heirloom Precision, LLC.

 

[conder0289]

I seem to be seeing 2 variants of the 696-1. One has roll markings
and the others (like mine) have laser markings. Is this the case?

===
Nemo

Nemo,
I just noticed this myself while searching on Gunbroker, it seems that the -1 variant came with the marking stamped and laser engraved and all I can assume is that the stamped roll marked versions are slightly early then the laser engraved versions.

Its seems that this model (696) went through several changes before being discontinued in its short life span, from the no dash with hammer mounted firing pin to the dash variety with frame mounted firing pin and MIM parts to the final version with the internal lock.