Does S&W Make a .44 Mag of the same size as the 696?

[MikePGS]

The subject is my entire question really. I've noticed that 696's are getting harder to come by, and of course you can load .44 special in a .44 mag. So does S&W make a .44 mag of roughly the same size? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Not that I can find in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson.

 

[Gator]

No. All S&W .44 Mags are N frames, the 696 is an L frame; and the L frame is barely enough for the .44 Spl.

 

[MikePGS]

Ahhh ok. Thank you both very much.

 

[mnrivrat]

Take a look at the Taurus Tracker in .44 mag. A 5 shot, L frame size gun, if you want an alternative .

 

[pinkymingeo]

Or the 329PD. It's an N-frame, but only weighs about 25oz. The large frames are surprisingly easy to conceal IWB.

 

[Stainz]

I bought my new 696-1 nearly five years ago - for the shelf-worn tag's $439. It's fun - but definitely limited to very 'normal' .44 Specials at best, due to it's dimunitive forcing cone. A standard 4" 629, SKU #163603, is a far better choice, IMHO. It has another inch of barrel - another round in the cylinder - real .44 Magnum ability - and only 6 oz more mass. You also get both a larger hammer and trigger. Fitted with similar grips, like the Ahrends wood stocks, the grip feel will be similar, despite the frame size difference. For great recoil reduction, try the Hogue .500 Magnum rubber monogrips - they fit the K/L/N/X-frames - with one grip!

Seriously, the 696 is fun - but here, it'll go long before my 4" 629. Of course, a new 4" 629 - or one of the 3" variants - will likely cost less than some of the 696's I've seen for sale.

Stainz