The grip on the 396NG is larger than the boot grip on my 296 - and covers the backstrap, too. Add the 4.6 oz+ additional mass of that SS cylinder has over the 296's Ti cylinder, and the 396NG has got to be nearly friendly recoiling in comparison. The 296 has a pretty good whack with the Speer 200gr Gold Dots loaded by Georgia Arms. These chrono the same from the 296's 2.5" barrel as the same bullet in the Al-cased Blazer - and are actually cheaper. They leave you with a nice Starline brass case, too. Great personal protection. Without the Ti cylinder, lead loads should be fine as well as the shorter case .44 Russians, not that they are easily found.
Of course, the weight of that SS cylinder and the exposed hammer combine to take it out of the pocket carry - you'll need a belt mounted holster. My 296 is like the 642 - just a bit larger - and carries in 3/4 of my britche's pockets in a Mika pocket holster. Corrected for inflation, it's last MSRP - nearly $780 - wasn't far off from the 396NG's current MSRP of ~$1,080. I bought mine once they were canned - closeout price was ~$350 over eight years ago.
As to longevity - I wouldn't consider the 296/396 family as a plinker - they are protection pieces. The SS 696 is a great plinker. All of the X96 family are limited by that thin forcing cone - a design restriction dictated by the use of the L-frame. If you want 'Keith Level' .44 Special capability on a frequent bases, get a 29/629 - they are inherently 'Keith Level' compliant. My 296 has a home - great carry/home piece.
Stainz
