[Kestrel]

I saw a 3" 696 in a store for $499. Perfect condition, with rubber grips. Is this a reasonable price? What advantage, if any, would this have over a 629?

Thanks,
Steve

[yotehunter]

The 696 is a L frame and the 629 is a N frame. The L frame is smaller and easier/lighter to carry. To me that price is alittle high but seems to be about average now adays. The 696 is also a 5 shot and the 629 is a 6 shot.

[LoneWulf]

Neat gun, but that price is about $100 too high in my book.

[BluesBear]

Which version of the 696?

Is it the original version with hammer mounted firing pin and steel trigger & hammer with no lock or the later with the frame mounted firing pin, MIM hammer & trigger and lawyer lock?

[caseydog]

Actually there were very ,very few 696's made with the lock (696-2) , they are by far the rarest of them. Apparently the locks came in as the 696 was phased out. Uncle Mikes rubbers are the stock grip for them all. The 696 no dash also featured a grooved front and backstrap , which was dropped on the -1 (which brought in the MIM parts). Ray

[Kestrel]

This one had the firing pin on the hammer and no key-lockout device. (I wouldn't even consider it if it had the lockout device.)

It also had the rubber grips.

Steve

[BluesBear]

I would consider a NIB 696-nothing at that price.

It's a little high but as the man said, "They ain't making them that way no more."

[Majic]

You can keep looking for a M696 dash nothing in perfect condition for $100 less than $499, but be prepared to wait for a long time. Very few pop back up on the market and $450 to $500 seems to be the going rate for any condition. They also don't stay up for sale very long either.

[sgt127]

I just picked up a 696-1. My first MIM gun. Honestly, theres nothing wrong with it. The action is quite good. The frame mounted firing pin seems a little wierd, but, no different than my Python, Smith mod 18, Smith model 650, Ruger SP-101.... I'm OK with it. For the purest, the no dash is more desirable. For a shooter, I think the -1 will work out just fine. No lock though, I may not be able to get one of those, it just rubs me wrong. Mine was very lightly used for $419. About a month ago.

[caseydog]

There's a no dash for sale over at the S&W forum for $465 shipped , in case anyone is interested. Very good established seller. Ray

http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum21/HTML/007119.html

[VictorLouis]

though I'm not biased against MIM guns, either.;)

[NoTsO cLeAn HaRoLd]

Buy It!

I've seen them go for $525-550 & as much as $725 NIB! I guess it depends on where you live though. Gun's must be very high here because I bought one out of state for less than $400.

These are just plain Fun to shoot!

[Gewehr98]

He's asking $475 + $25 S/H:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62042


You can keep looking for a M696 dash nothing in perfect condition for $100 less than $499, but be prepared to wait for a long time

Majik, I didn't wait long for this $200.00 696 dash-nothing. Just had to be in the right place at the right divorce sale. ;)

http://mauser98.com/696altamontleft1.jpg

[Majic]

For $200 I better start hanging out around the divorce courts. Very nice catch at an outstanding price. Congrats!

[Stainz]

I bought my 696 new for $439 from a local dealer last year - I had drooled over it for over a year then. My 629MG was bought new three months earlier for $499. In retrospect, although the MG will handle magnums and holds six, the 696 is more fun to me... I would gladly have paid more for the 696. It is smaller - can actually be 'carried' - yet will make a great account of itself with decent ammo. If you will be happy with a .44 Special, you cannot beat a 696 - mine has a home. Now... if you want .44 Magnum performance, get a 629!

Stainz