Gun Show S&W 696

[Walkalong]

Strictly Specials. Some folks would rather have a 29 in .44 Mag. They talk about the versatility and the stronger forcing cone. Good points of course, but it just ain't a .44 Spl.

Keep an eye out for a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Spl, or a Taurus 431 or 441. They can be had quite reasonable.

 

[DC Plumber]

Congrats on the 696.

I bought my 696 no dash used in 1998 for $360. I shoot 240g LSWC over 6.5g of Universal. Nice accurate load. My wife loved shooting steel plates with it. Now the kids are taking up a lot of time, but we'll get back out there. Yes it has a thin forcing cone, but with the above mentioned load, I'm sure it will last forever.

I also have a 3" 44 special 24-3 Lew Horton. I paid $550 for that about 7 years ago.

I love the 44 special. Though, I shoot the same lead bullet over 8g of Universal in a 44mag case out of my 6" 29-2. Almost as much fun as the specials.