The S&W 696 “Heart Attack Special”

Exchipy

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During the GunBroker.com auction for this Smith & Wesson Model 696 "no dash" .44 SPL revolver in June 2014, I had my heart attack and was hospitalized before it was time to place my usual last-minute bid. So, my good friend CH4 bid for me and, upon winning, informed the seller of my circumstances. I then telephoned the seller from the Cardiac Care Unit, requesting his patience in waiting for me to be released before we finalized the purchase.
Upon receipt, the 696 looked to be in unfired condition, with a bright, polished finish rather than the usual dull, brushed finish. But, while performing the initial cleaning and inspection, I discovered a huge burr at the right rear edge of the forcing cone, apparently left over from when the cylinder gap was set by course filing after the forcing cone had been cut. I removed the burr with a light touch of my Brownells forcing cone cutter. But, the forcing cone then gauged slightly oversized. (I still believe I had not cut enough to cause that.) The revolver went back to S&W for a replacement barrel, for which I offered to pay because of my cutting. I got a phone call from a factory smith, breaking the bad news that new 696 barrels were no longer available. After some pleasant gun-guy chatting, he offered to look for a 696 barrel in their "discard bin." A couple hundred bucks later, the 696 had a new barrel, expertly installed and fitted, which gauged perfectly and had a very tight cylinder gap, too.
 
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I'm glad to hear your doing well. That revolver will always have a story to go with it for future generations. I'm also happy to learn about another revolver I've never heard of.
 

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