Price check on S&W 696

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Tom Servo

Tom Servo

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I've got the Jones for one of these, but they're scarce.

I've heard from two folks with different prices, and I was wondering what I should expect to pay, new or used.

Thanks!
 
Because of limited numbers and high demand I would think between $400-700 depending on condition and year made, the 696 No Dash would be the most desirable.
 
$650-900 for a no dash
$600-750 for a -1
$550-700 for a -2

Those prices come from watching the auction sites and the S&W forum classifieds for a few months until I finally got one. You may find one cheaper from someone who hasn't been keeping up with S&W prices.

Oh......and they are worth it!
 
Yes they are definitely worth it and bargains can be found. I lucked into a no dash about 6 months ago for $400 out the door. It is a bunch of fun to shoot, but definitely forced me to start reloading.
 
I'll try to save you some moola. First, I do have a 696-1 - bought new 12-02 for $439, along with a new 296 for $359 - less another $10 since I bought it with the 696. Yeah, the 696 was/is fun... for 'mild' Specials. The L-frame barrel opening leaves little barrel thickness - and a very thin forcing cone. Lose your Keith .44 Special loads - or, better yet - as I do, use wimpy .44 Russians. The 296 is similar. Additionally, many 696 barrels were tightened a tad too much, resulting in a slight circle barely visible in many 696 barrels. So, it's cute - certainly not a CA Bulldog - but not a quantum step 'up', either. A couple years ago, I found one - a no dash - LNIB with a box of ammo missing 5 rounds - marked $350. I called a friend - he got out the door for less.

Why am I deflating your 696 bubble? Simple... I've seen the cult prices at a few shows - from $700-$900 - and they sell! I think a standard S&W 629-6 4"-er, SKU # 163603 & '07 MSRP $869, is a far better 'buy'. You get a 6-shooter, not a 5-shooter; a real .44 Magnum capability - with all of the latest endurance enhancements; an extra inch of barrel; the same front & rear sights; both a larger hammer and trigger; and only an additional six ounces! Any dealer will order you a new one at some form of a discount - or take your chances with a used one. There is always the 629 Mountain Gun - at only four ounces more than the 696. Believe me, you'll shoot that 4" .44 a lot more - with a wider range of ammo (I even shoot my wimpy .44 Ruskies - with careful chamber cleaning before longer rounds, of course.), too.

I don't have to sell my 696 - but, nearly a kilobuck is tempting. It would go long before my 4" or 6" 629's... and, to me, they are mostly .44 Special launchers anyway - especially if fitted with some Ahrends wood stocks. I do have chamber brushes - and a pair of Hogue .500 Magnum grips, should I want to launch real Magnums. Just consider it...

Stainz

PS a 240gr LSWC over 3.5gr in .44 Russian cases makes 692 fps from my 696 - that's a power factor of 166 - 'Major' power factor! It feels wimpy...
 
Well I own a 696 ND and it is one of my favorite shooters, it is not a mod 24 but I knew that going in. I stay within the confines of .44spl data and with some loads I push it a little. I am very pleased with this gun but I would trade it for a Lew Horton 3" 24 or 624
 
I think that Ahrends cocobolo square conversion grips - f.g. or non (Like those below...) - really make the 696:

IMG_0228.jpg

Of course, the 4" 629 and the 629MG (625MG shown - my 629MG left...) are better choices, in my mind. The 629 sports the .500 Magnum grips, the 625MG has f.g. Ahrends:

IMG_0230.gif

Stainz
 
A couple of folks have mentioned the 629, but the thing is, it's the gun itself that I like, not the caliber. I'm a fan of the L/K-Frame.
 
I love the L Frame. I wish there were more options there. I lucked into a 696-1 not long ago very reasonable from a THR member. It's great. The only thing better would be a no dash. :D
 
The 696 was an interesting application of the .44 Spcl. in the L-Frame.
WHen I found out or was reminded of it's 5 shot cyl. I wrote it off....
the 686P with 7 shot cylinder hammers it in terms of
power and # of shots as well as verstaile ammo options.
 
Erik F. - You, sadly, are smitten! Only a 696 will do... but, a 396, the airweight version of the 696, or th 296, shorter barrel, fixed sights, and enclosed hammer, may 'suffice'. They could do - especially if you want a carry piece - my 296 gets nearly as much 'carry' time as my 642 - the R. Mikas pocket holster helps it blend in. They do have their ammo limitations... the 696 is the easiest to feed - just keep Herr Keith's loads elsewhere.

If I hear of an available 696, I'll contact you. Who would believe now that S&W canned them because they wouldn't sell? I could believe that for the 296 & 396 - they had MSRP's of $789 before they were axed!

Stainz
 
Eddie, don't show me things like that! It just makes me cry :)

the 696 is the easiest to feed - just keep Herr Keith's loads elsewhere.
Click to expand...

No worries on that. From the tests I've seen, there's plenty of 180-200gr stuff that matches the .45ACP in ballistics, so I'm happy.
 
I like a .430" 240gr LSWC (or LRNFP) over 4.5gr Titegroup in .44 Special Starline brass - Fed LP primers - ~750 fps from the 3" 696 - and an all day plinker with the Ahrends grip. I can usually hit a 16" plate handheld (The 696... not the plate!) two of five shots... except for the day I was trying some new Magnus Bullets... they made a five foot circle centered on the plate. I mic-ed the bullets when I got home - .426"! Apparently, they were sized tight for even .44-40... I mic new bullets now!

There is something about the milder .44 Russians - don't know what they are good for, but they are mild and fun, yet, they make major power factor (That 240gr LSWC over 3.5gr Titegroup in Starline .44 Russian cases - 692 fps - stand back!). The GA Arms G44SC 200gr Gold Dots in new Starline brass and the Al-cased Blazers both use the same Speer #4427 200gr GDJHP bullet, which is an established opener (.76-.79") at 800 fps. The 835-840 fps they make from the 696 makes them a decent personal defender, too. Yeah, get yourself a 696!

Stainz

PS That 16" steel plate was the rifle test plate - at 100 yd.
 
Last edited:
Why am I deflating your 696 bubble? Simple... I've seen the cult prices at a few shows - from $700-$900 - and they sell! I think a standard S&W 629-6 4"-er, SKU # 163603 & '07 MSRP $869, is a far better 'buy'. You get a 6-shooter, not a 5-shooter; a real .44 Magnum capability - with all of the latest endurance enhancements; an extra inch of barrel; the same front & rear sights; both a larger hammer and trigger; and only an additional six ounces!
Click to expand...

But therein lies the difference, no?

The 696 *is* smaller. It *is* more compact. It *is* lighter. And, for what it is, it shoots ever-so nicely.

That's why the 696 is so sweet. It's a well-balanced firearm in every sense of the word.

The 696 is not a magnum and it was never meant to be one.
 
The 696 is not a magnum and it was never meant to be one.
Click to expand...
"Thar ain't no monorail, and there never was!" :)

Yeah, the point is, I'm not real picky about caliber...it's the gun itself I fell in love with. N-Frames don't fit me too well.

Anyhow, I did in fact get one, LNIB, -1 model for $775. Worth every penny.

Now comes the question: who makes a nice leather OWB for a 3" L-Frame?
 
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