Will a 296 work in a coat pocket? Other options?

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I am looking for a gun for coat pocket carry. I want it to be larger than a .357 magnum and possibly be able to fired from inside the pocket. I want the larger calliber for protection from animals. What is similar sized to a 296?

Is a 296 smaller than the night guard series. Also looking at this

How does a .44 special compare to a .45 acp and .45 LC?

Will they ever make a hammerless night guard?
Product: Model 329 Night Guard?

 

[RattleSnake.Jake]

I had a 296 and let it go for some obscure reason.

To answer some of your questions;

Yes it will fit into a coat pocket and into a larger than normal pant's pocket... but in my opinion, it's to large for the latter.

Size wise, it seemed to fit my hand (medium size) better than the NG's do. This is do to the size of the different grips they use on each model.

Ammo; Shooting the .45 ACP is going to be less expensive than the .45 Colt or .44 Special. I like all 3 mentioned (along w/the .41 Mag). I shot Corbon .44 Specials HP's in both the 296 and a 696. A couple of cylinder's of that ammo in the 296and I was done for the day. It had pretty good recoil in such a light handgun... The 696 was pleasant though.

IMHO, the Smith 296 is an ugly brother that you love. I wished that I still had mine.

 

[IkenI]

I am looking for a gun for coat pocket carry. I want it to be larger than a .357 magnum and possibly be able to fired from inside the pocket. I want the larger calliber for protection from animals. What is similar sized to a 296?

Is a 296 smaller than the night guard series. Also looking at this

How does a .44 special compare to a .45 acp and .45 LC?

Will they ever make a hammerless night guard?
Product: Model 329 Night Guard?

The 296 is a 5 shot L frame .44 Special. The 329 NG you reference is a 6 shot N frame .44 Magnum (which, of course will shoot .44 Special.) Apples and Oranges. The 396 NG is a 5 shot L frame .44 Special and, as far as the grip is concerned is exactly the same as the 296. The rubber grips from each are different and give a different feel. I didn't like the ones that came on either of mine. My favorite rubber grip was the Hogue bantam but I prefer wood on those guns. The 296 is a hunchback similar to a Centennial. The 396 has a hammer. The 296 has a titanium cylinder and the 396 a stainless one. Thus, the 396 is an couple ounces heavier. The recoil of the 396 is much more tolerable to me than the 296 was. I enjoyed my 296 but did not like to have to baby the titanium cylinder nor to restict myself to 200 grain loads (although the 200 gr DPX is my favorite .44 Special load.) I also can shoot a box of 50 rounds thru the 396 but generally didn't with the 296.

I like Centennials and have a 640-1 and 340 M&P but, my choice in the .44 Special was the 396 NG. I also prefer the look of it over the 296.

The 396 NG is, I believe, no longer in the S&W catalog but there are plenty of them around new. Just gotta look. I saw one the other day at a LGS. Hammerless Night Guard? Probably not.

 

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How much larger is the night guard 44 magnum overall than a 296? How about the 627 compared to these?

I think I should have a hammerless so I can fire all the shots from my pocket. Can you rank the 627, 296 and night guard .44 magnum from smallest to largest?

 

[WC145]

How much larger is the night guard 44 magnum overall than a 296? How about the 627 compared to these?

I think I should have a hammerless so I can fire all the shots from my pocket. Can you rank the 627, 296 and night guard .44 magnum from smallest to largest?

The 329NG and 627 are both N frames and the same size, the 296, as mentioned, is an L frame and is a bit smaller overall and has a smaller K frame size grip.

IIRC pics were posted showing the differences between the different frame sizes in your last thread about this. You might refer back to it.

 

[peyton]

Off topic, how do you know where your shots are going from inside the pocket? Not trying to be smart @ss but a hammerless will draw quick and with a laser on it I think the accuracy and speed will be there. I have handled a 296 and should of bought it. It is a handful but I to like the 44's.

 

[Stainz]

It seems we have had this dance before - with the OP - and just days ago. Okay, firing from a pocket is new. After firing a pocketed 296, I fear it will be rapidly unpocketed... and you will be taking off the smoldering coat or pants you fired it from. Do-able in a dire emergency, but not a suggested scenario of choice.

Stainz

 

[peyton]

So now I am still kicking my self for not buying the 296 ;(

 

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Would the 296 light me on fire if I fired it within a coat pocket with 200 grain speer gold dots?

Are the night guard .44 mags impossible to pocket carry? I would like more power in the 44 mag but if the 296 is easier to pocket and put in my coat maybe I should go with the 296.

How are the ballistics of a .44 special compared to a .45 Long colt out of a taurus snub? I want something for a big bore back up gun that I can fire inside my coat pocket without lighting myself on fire...

 

[P&R Fan]

The 296 could be pocket carried if you have a BIG pocket. Carrying a gun loose in the pocket without a holster is not a good idea, which I would assume is your intention if you're planning to shoot through the pocket. I have read magazine articles about shooting through the pocket. They all showed a destroyed garment. It might not set it on fire, but it's not going to be a pleasant experience either. I would think it would be appropriate only in the direst of conditions. It's going to be hard enough under stress to hit the target, exponentially so through a pocket. My advice would be to try it at the range with an old coat, it might open your eyes.
The 296 is an interesting revolver. I ordered one from my dealer as soon as they were announced. I haven't shot it for years. It's not too pleasant to shoot with even standard pressure loads, and it just plain hurts with the hotter ones. Plus it's ugly as sin. That being said, I'm glad I bought it, and will keep it. I'll let my heirs sell it.

 

[RattleSnake.Jake]

The 296 could be pocket carried if you have a BIG pocket. Carrying a gun loose in the pocket without a holster is not a good idea, which I would assume is your intention if you're planning to shoot through the pocket. I have read magazine articles about shooting through the pocket. They all showed a destroyed garment. It might not set it on fire, but it's not going to be a pleasant experience either. I would think it would be appropriate only in the direst of conditions. It's going to be hard enough under stress to hit the target, exponentially so through a pocket. My advice would be to try it at the range with an old coat, it might open your eyes.
The 296 is an interesting revolver. I ordered one from my dealer as soon as they were announced. I haven't shot it for years. It's not too pleasant to shoot with even standard pressure loads, and it just plain hurts with the hotter ones. Plus it's ugly as sin. That being said, I'm glad I bought it, and will keep it. I'll let my heirs sell it.

What "P@R Fan" said, "DITTO'S." It needs to be in a holster.

 

[Stainz]

Here are my 642 and 296, both in a proper sized Robert Mika pocket holster:

Peyton, don't kick yourself too much - they get close to the 360 with hot CorBon .357M's on the recoil-meter, even with 200gr Gold Dots. Tempermental, too - <200gr bullets - and clad, only. The 396NG's SS cylinder fixed a lot of 'problems' the 296 had.

Stainz

 

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Is there anything special I have to do to take care of a titanium cylincer or scandium frame?