My 696-1 was $439 new at a local pusher's lair four years ago. Some time back, after the prices started creeping up, he had a LNIB no-dash for $350 - I called a friend - he got it for $300 OTD. Bargains exist. Of course, I saw a -1 dolled up at the last show for $895, too. Neat shooter. fine for the 200gr Gold Dots or 240gr LSWC's at 720-750 fps - even with Ahrends square conversion f-g cocobolo stocks, which feel and look great. Don't use 'Keith' level loads, if you expect a long life... it's forcing cone is small.
A better shooter - and only four ounces more mass - is a 629 Mountain Gun. Points better, too - and, with Ahrends wood stocks, even milder recoil with the same level ammo. Of course, you get a sixth round, too - and Magnum capability. You can buy a regular 4" 629 new for $620 or so - and it weighs only six ounces more than the 696. To be blunt, once the newness of my 696 wore off, it started resting, while the 4" 629, first the MG or now the newer regular version, gets the ride to the range far more often. The last firearm I cleaned yesterday was my 4" 629. It has the same sights as the 696 - but a larger hammer and trigger. Put a Hogue .500 Magnum grip on it, like I did mine, and that 4" 629 is really a Magnum.
No, I won't sell my 696 anytime soon... unless a huge wad-o-cash appears, of course. It is a fun shooter - but limited in it's use. The 4" 629, MG or regular, is just more useful - and not that much bigger - and a better purchase, if you, like me, have more time and shooting interests than money.
Stainz
*csa*
