How popular is the S&W model 696(.44 Special)revolver?

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boa2

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1)How popular has the S&W model 696(.44 Special)revolver been? :cool:

2)Which do most people find to be the most desireable, the model 629(4").44 magnum or the model 696(3") .44 Special revolver? I'm including the Model 629(Since it can also fire .44 Special ammo)! Why? : :confused:

3)Is it possible to find reasonably priced .44 Special target ammunition(Factory loads)as I do not wish to do any reloading at all? :eek:
 
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1. Hardly at all, a five shot low velocity gun is not much good except to write magazine articles about.

2. The MAGNUM.

3. No.

Get a nice .38/.357 like a 686.
 
Hardly at all...
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Well that certainly explains why they are such a hot item on the used gun market, i.e. nobody wants them.

If any of you have one of these peices of junk and want to get rid of it, just post that on the S&W Forum, then prepair for your computer to melt down (LOL).

Like so many things, these were not appreciated until they went out of production. Now they're hot!

Dave
 
I respectfully disagree with Jim. Although I only have a 296, which I consider nearly the perfect carry piece, a 396 short barrel would be perfect. The only downside of the 296 which the 396 doesn't share, is the restriction on bullets heavier than 200 grains, for some weird reason. Of course my big ole heavy model 21 & Model 24 don't have any restrictions ( quality manufactured blued steel 696's).
That said an over .40 caliber bullet of 180 grains or more has quite a better track record for downing both man an beast than any .35 bore. OK an eargesplitenloudenboomer .357 mag load can be pretty effective but I haven't seen anyone yet control one in rapid fire from an under 30 oz gun!Also don't even shoot one inside a confined area!
We are both on agreement on the limited usefulness of a 329- Too light for control with any full magnum loads. But a 396 can be loaded fairly hot (although control goes to heck) and a 696 could be loaded with low end mag loads -like 300 grains at 950fps or 240 grains at 1100. These loads cannot be matched in game performance by any .35 load I've found. Besides the big hole in the business end is down right comforting :DI do have a MTN Revolver 629 for outside belt carry when I want mag loads in Bear country.
Scratch everything I've said if you have not already put your time in with a .38! ;)
 
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I far prefer the M29 or the M24. I like the lines and the weight. If I were to lose my mind and had plenty of money, I would buy the 696 44. It is a nice target capable, defense capable and does have resale value. If I had my wits with me and plenty of money, I would grab every M58 M&P I could find. The 696 is everything the TR21 isn't.
 
the 696's biggest advantage over the 629 is size. both its smaller frame/cylinder for CCW and its smaller gripframe (K-frame size) which fits more hand sizes. for all this you give up one round of ammo.

i've owned a couple of m-29s and just never found enough use (i don't hunt) for them to keep them in the collection...either that or the outragous sum i was offered for them.

my 696 has replaced my m-58 as my bedside wheelgun. i have it loaded with blazer 200gr gold dot JHP rounds...which are also what i practice with. mine came mag-na-ported, an recoil is on par with .38spl +p loads.
 
1-not very popular , when being produced. Now is very popular. Got 3 of em. Feel very comfortable with Speer's 200 GD at 900 fps. Very accurate pistol, and easier to control. Current asking prices seem to be rapidly escalating. Practice loads are 200 lrnfp at about 800 fps range. Very close to self defense loads, and don't have to change the sights. Any of the 3 owned, could sell at good profit.

2-If limited to picking between 629 and 696 (and could keep other handguns owned), would be picking 696. Have Ruger SA's for the heavy hunting loads. If didn't have the selection owned, would probably pick the 629 Mt. Gun for it's increased versatality. The 696 is a L-frame, which for me is considerably more accurate in DA mode, due to hand size. It has 3 inch full lug barrel and less bore height, both of which help to moderate recoil some what. Has replaced a 45 auto, as bedside pistol.

3-Am handloader, don't keep track uf inexpensive loads for practice. Believe the selection might be limited. Also not aware of cheap practice loads for the 44 mag. With it's very thin forcing cone, ain't about to put low end magnum loads through a 696.
 
I was likely too terse, I will amplify.

1. Popular? I still say no.
What we have is a relatively few guns of unconventional type avidly sought after by a relatively few enthusiasts.

2. I failed to ask Cooper's Embarassing Question. What is it FOR? Your desires must be informed by your needs.

3. Still no. .44 Special is a low demand, low production cartridge and there is nothing to get the price down. I think too many people seize on the caliber of the month without regard for how they are going to supply it. I handload and once the dies and some brass are bought, there is no real difference. But down at the general store, there sure is.
 
1)How popular has the S&W model 696(.44 Special)revolver been? :cool:
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Not popular enough to avoid being discontinued. It has, however, achieved "cult gun" status with folks looking for a relatively compact, yet durable, big bore.

2)Which do most people find to be the most desireable, the model 629(4").44 magnum or the model 696(3") .44 Special revolver? I'm including the Model 629(Since it can also fire .44 Special ammo)! Why? : :confused:
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Well, one remains in production while the other was discontinued due to lack of interest. Still, the L-frame five-shooter has a following, due to its greater "toteability" vis a vis the 3" or 4" N-frame.

3)Is it possible to find reasonably priced .44 Special target ammunition(Factory loads)as I do not wish to do any reloading at all? :eek:
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Define "find" and "reasonably priced".
If you mean "Can I go to Wally World and pick up WWB for $9.99/100?", then no, there isn't any. On the other hand, most any gun shop should have Winchester Silvertips, Federal LSWC-HP's, and/or CCI Blazer 200gr Gold Dots in the caliber. The Gold Dots are actually fairly reasonably priced when one considers that one is getting a 50-rd box of defense-grade JHP's.

As for the caliber, well, I've never heard any reliable reports of someone feeling better after being tagged with a 200gr bullet at ~900fps.
 
I like the caliber and, having several examples of .44's, this is the only one I feel capable of concealing effectively. My Mountain gun carries well ON the belt, but my 696 fits pretty well in IWB carry. A tad heavy, but certainly comforting, having a big bore low pressure self defense gun.
696.jpg
 
I bought a 696 when they first came out. Was looking for a HD gun in a large caliber. Already own a .44 Mag but live in a populated area, so a more controllable round was needed. This revolver turned out to be the best option.

Have been keeping Glaser Safety Slugs in it but have a shipment of Hornady 180gr. XTP on the way. Want a round I can shoot & keep in the gun. Going to see how those work out. I enjoy shooting this gun very much. For close range the 696 works for me.

If you feel you can control a .44 Mag, get one.
 
When the 696 came out I was hoping it would be more in line with the smaller bulldog, which was a really nice pocket gun, and a pretty cool alternative to a .38 J frame. The 296 was a little more in line but still, a tad too big.

Some people like the .44 in a snubby over the .38/.357 because they doubt a hollow point will work at snubby velocities but at least a .429" SWC makes a decently large hole.

Dug out a 5 shot taurus 445 .44 special out of the safe sunday and shot an IDPa match with it. Nice little piece, but not quite a pocket gun either.

Ted
 
I'll take all the 696's that Jim passes over.

And that's coming from a .45 ACP kind of guy.

I bought my 696 with the intention of selling it later if I didn't like it. Problem is, I still like it, and I find myself packing it more and more often, leaving my 1911 variants at home.

I wasn't even concerned about the "cult gun" status, I found that little tidbit out well after I spent my 200 clams on the 5-shot L-frame. I just knew the darned thing was accurate, sent a big honkin' 200+ grain slug downrange at a respectable velocity, and rode well on my person, especially compared to an N-frame. Not all of us suffer from Magnumitis, either.

I run the Federal 200gr LSWCHP as my carry load in my 696. I don't feel undergunned at all.

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As for cheap target ammo for the non-reloader, www.cheaperthandirt.com lists 200gr CCI Blazer .44 Special that sells for $16.92/50 rounds.
 
The 696 is a very desireable gun. If you can find one for a reasonable price, you won't go wrong at all. Relatively compact and excellent for defense. Not a hunting caliber or pistol, however, if that's what you want, then .44 mag is the way to go.

Smith & Wesson Model 696-1 .44 Special 3" barrel
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.44 Special Cowboy reloads can be purchased from specialty ammunition makers for decent prices, but not inexpensively. When it comes to .44 special and .45 Colt calibers, you'll be best off getting into reloading so you can custom make anything your heart desires. That said, there are a number of excellent factory loads -virgin and reloaded- being made, you just won't find them in every corner sproting goods shop. Do a little internet ordering and you can have excellent loads in these calibers.

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.44 magnum ammo is plentiful and found pretty much everywhere. Still, though, the handloader will really benefit from this caliber by being able to make "starting" load .44 maggies which are a real pleasure to shoot, easy on the shooter and the gun.

M629_Right.jpg
 
If you think it's not popular then put one up for sale on the internet and watch how fast it sells. It's highly sought after now that it's been discontinued and some of the prices advertised now are rediculous. First everyone were looking for the no dash models and even though they are the most wanted models the -1 and the -2 models are no longer being passed over.

While it won't compete with the N-frames for shooting comfort it has it uses because it carries well.

As to ammo you may or may not be able to find some locally and prices do vary, but the internet brings most any store within fingertip reach. You can order most any ammo on the market and have it delivered to your door.
 
I looked for a 696 for several years at all the local gun shops. I finally found one and i love it. As far as the 44 special being under powered I say that is BS. Have you looked at modern ammo? Double tap ammo :180 grain JHP has 529 ft pounds of energy and sports 1150 feet per second.Hornady XTP 180 gr is 1000 fps. I feel very comfortable with these loads to protect myself and family.Some old 200 grain bullets were around 800 fps but that is not defensive ammo .Elmer Keith was not wrong. He had some stroking rounds and his loads helped to develope what we know today as the 44 MAGNUM.So If a 44 caliber 696 is what you want feel comfortabe with it. I say buy both ,the 696 and any varient of the model 29also remember what Keith said ."Elmer Keith's 250gr/1000fps rule for taking big game in the US. IE, given proper placement, a 250gr bullet at 1000fps would take down any American game animal. "
 
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S&W 696 is my favorite revolver. 44SPL is about equal to 45ACP and everybody knows that a shot of 45ACP can put your eye out.
I'm not likely to sell my 696 anytime soon.
Bought in 1996, it is the gun that got me into handloading.
:cool:
 
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