Four years ago, I just couln't stand it anymore... the 296 and 696 had been canned for a while. My local pusher's new pair had faded price tags... $439 for the 696, $5-something for the 296... then it changed - $349! I took my two AMT Backups in .45ACP and traded for the SS 696... got out the plastic for the 296, not knowing that the 296 was closeout priced... I just thought it was a super deal. Fortunately, I am the only idiot who had regularly fondled them, drooling excessively at times (Thankfully, they are SS, Al, etc... the drool would have dissolved blueing!). They already had what I considered their .44 Special sibling at home - then a few months from new 629MG.
The 696 is fun, but at only four ounces more, a 629MG is much more fun - add another two ounces for a standard 4" 629 - with bigger hammer & trigger, too. Honestly, while cute, I wouldn't sell the farm to get a 696... a 4" 629/629MG is a far better, at least to me, choice - and cheaper new than used 696's are running now. But, the 296 is alone... and, to me, much more desireable.
Some caveats re the 296... lead will try to jump, even my well-crimped 200gr LRNFP's, not to mention my 240gr LSWC's. In all fairness, every cylinderful I have discharged had the fifth round beginning to uncrimp. S&W insists that the revolver should only fire 200gr or less clad-only rounds - and no short, ie, .44 Russian, cases. The 200gr GDHP Blazers, or similar loads by myself or Georgia Arms using that same Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot, which reliably opens to .76-.79" by 800fps, hit to POA at 12-15yd - and will group well enough to hit a 16" steel plate at 100yd two of five times handheld. For a better grip, the backstrap-enclosing Uncle Mike's Combats, like the newer K-frames came with, rounded or square conversion, offer better recoil control. It is still a do-able CCW with it's original boots, but a holster rider with the UM's. Whenever you take off the grips, watch for the little lanyard pin - a drop of CA glue will keep it put - hind sight here, of course. Also, watch that cast-in-place cylinder stop - a 'Hollywood' rap or two of the ejector can cause the Ti cylinder's edge to pare it away, dumping the cylinder itself into your hand.
Now... mine was always wearing the UM's and went to the range regularly - I am up to 1,800 of the Blazers and GA Arms rounds, and several hundred of my own reloads. I was told I 'needed' a pocket gun - a 642. I recently put the boots back on the 296 and am using it in place of a 642... like I originally intended. Not all guns are target/fun shooters... some have a dedicated purpose - the 296 being an excellent such example... which I recently 'learned'! Enjoy your 296.
Stainz
PS The HKS CA-44 Speedloader, designed for the Charter Arms Bulldog .44, fits the 296/696 quite well.