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

My mountain lite 396 has a fierce recoil, but is a dandy carry gun (18oz) and with 180 and 200 gr cast is pretty accurate.

 
I know this is an old thread but this is the dumbest thing I've ever read on the internet.

1. Hardly at all, a five shot low velocity gun is not much good except to write magazine articles about.
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.44 Spl and .45 Auto have about the same balistics and I don't know of anyone who thinks .45 Auto is "not much good except to write magazine articles about".

Only reason I don't care for the .44 spl is because I love the .45 Colt so much. And I do have a 5 shot titanium .45 Colt.
 
I know this is an old thread but this is the dumbest thing I've ever read on the internet.

1. Hardly at all, a five shot low velocity gun is not much good except to write magazine articles about.

.44 Spl and .45 Auto have about the same balistics and I don't know of anyone who thinks .45 Auto is "not much good except to write magazine articles about".

Only reason I don't care for the .44 spl is because I love the .45 Colt so much. And I do have a 5 shot titanium .45 Colt.
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But don't overlook that the single stack 1911, probably a Commander configuration, is a very different carry experience than a compact .44 Special with mild loads. The bulk of the .44's cylinder, frame, and protruding grip, are concerns even with the 5 shot versions. I would carry either one, but the concealment concerns would be different.
 
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[QUOTEIn other words, it's fine as long as you don't have to shoot it. Sounded funny to me...nice gun though.][/QUOTE]

Well, ummm, yeah, I guess that's what I'm saying. 25 rounds and I'm pretty much done.
 
$$$ REDUCED>>NO Lock no mim 696 44 SPECIAL

I own a 686 and it is the 7 round 3 inch one.
If I did not have it I would love a 3inch 696.
There is a 696 for sale by my friend listed on Arms List and S&W forum.
I see they are going over $1100 on GB in LNIB and higher NIB.
I fired 5 DA .44 specials and at 7 yards it was fast and easy to
hit with and less recoil than my 686 with 158 GR JHP loads.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/443632-reduced-no-lock-no-mim-696-44-special.html

696 no dash
SW10.jpg


My 686-6 great primary piece. 7 rounds of .357 are just dandy.

686-6rightside.jpg
 
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So what? It's an old thread. Someone must be interested in it to (1) go to the trouble of looking for it, and (2) others have kept posting on it.

Including me.

I don't know about a 696 S&W. I don't think I've ever even heard of it, so my guess is it wasn't very popular. Now I got something else to look for. ;)

And 44 Special ammo hasn't gotten any more available, or less expensive over the years. I'd say if you don't handload, and don't want to, don't bother with a 44 Special. My LGS does have some high performance ammo for one, but I couldn't find any "target" ammo for one until I stopped in a little gun shop in another town 100 miles away.

I do have a Taurus 431, A K-frame sized, five shot, 3" barrel, fixed sight, blue steel gun. "What for" someone asked? Because I wanted it and I like it. It's a fun gun to shoot. I suppose I could carry it, but it's heavier than I like for that job. An airweight 642 has claimed that spot and I don't see much of anything taking it.

Now, at one time I did have both a 4" Model 29-2 (44 Magnum) and a 4" Model 24-3 (44 Special)...the line to kick my butt for selling the 24 (it had box, papers, everything), forms to the right...no pushing or shoving, you'll all get your turn.

Now I thought the two guns would be very similar in feel, and handling. Not so. The 29 has a heavier barrel, and a slightly longer cylinder, making it feel totally different from the 24. More muzzle heavy. I preferred the lighter, more svelte Model 24. The 29 went down the road first.

A few weeks ago, I saw another of those Taurus 44 specials, this one with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights. I wish I had gotten it, but I already had something else on layaway. It was gone the next time I was in.

The new S&W 69 would probably fill this gap today quite well, plus still have magnum capability, but I kinda like being able to say, "No, it's not a magnum...44 Special."
 
I bought mine new, 396 mountain lite, a few years ago for $500.00 after it languished in my LGS for a long time. Put service grips on it and shot lazer cast 180grs. I hope to find a mold or commercial WC in the 180/200gr range for a true defensive load. It's a beautiful shooter and pretty accurate with nice sights, is coated with some crap that is thankfully flaking off.


 
Personally, I like more steel for .44 magnum or greater cartridges. That means I won't be casually carrying them, even on shorter excursions into the woods. I think there is a place for guns in relatively low-pressure big-bores like .44 special. While the 696 has become a collector's item, there seems to be a lot of love for the more affordable Bulldog on this forum.
 
I bought a new Model 696 back in the late nineties but eventually decided that it was a fairly bulky and heavy revolver to carry only five shots. I ended up trading it "even up" to a friend (now sadly deceased) for his Model 686 Plus; giving me seven rounds in the same size frame. I always liked the Model 696 (not to mention that it's worth a lot more in terms of monetary value in today's market than the 686 is), but I wanted the revolver for self-defense and thought that having two more rounds (even in a smaller caliber-though most would agree that a .357 Magnum is a pretty reliable "stopper" in its own right) on board made more sense, at least to my way of thinking.
 
of anyone who thinks .45 Auto is "not much good except to write magazine articles about"
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I guess I missed the 5 shot 1911s at my local gun shop.

I wouldn't be surprised if I one day own a 44 magnum revolver. I wouldn't be surprised if I shoot some 44 specials out of it(although 44 mags loaded to special loads is more likely). I think it is extremely unlikely I will ever own a 44 special. If given one somehow I might even sell it to buy a 44 mag.

I can't imagine carrying a big bore revolver. Even a 686 or GP100 is pushing it IMO.
 
CajunBass:
"Now, at one time I did have both a 4" Model 29-2 (44 Magnum) and a 4" Model 24-3 (44 Special)...the line to kick my butt for selling the 24 (it had box, papers, everything), forms to the right...no pushing or shoving, you'll all get your turn.'

I'm getting in line now since it was not sold to me! :D
 
Still here, and ain't got rid of any 44 specials. Especially not the 3 696's. If S&W makes 3 inch 69, will consider getting rid of the 696's and 3 in n frames.

Shooting a standard 44 special load through a 696 doesn't even compare to shooting a standard 44 mag through a Mt. Gun, in terms of hurt. You can shoot 44 specials in 696 for hours.
 
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