Rossi 720 vs. S&W 696

[chickasaw_hunter]

I consider Taurus a crapshoot. Sometimes you can get a bad one and when that happens my experience has not been great with their customer service. That said, I have 441 with a 4" bbl and adjustable sights, it has been a great revolver for me. I don't try to hotrod it. I keep my loads at a reasonable power level. One of my favorite revolvers to shoot. But for me I wouldn't buy a new Taurus in today's world, just don't want to roll the dice.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

I’m a large advocate for the 44spl
More than sufficient in my opinion.
I’ve got S$Ws - 624,296,696…. And 2 extra cylinders like new with a extra 696 barrel just in case.
My 696 is my favorite- if I only had one handgun it would be my 696 no dash or a close second…My 686-5 Mountain gun (Very Tempted to convert into a 44spl yet can’t bring myself to do that)
A Marlin Jm 1894 compliments these fine firearms… I’ve got a Rem 788 44mag w/Detachable scope I’ve been thinking would be neat to set up open sites for a quiet 44spl, if it will cycle from mag.

Ok sorry for rambled post- Yet I’m a Big fan of the 44spl.
I’d certainly say if you can find a 696, proceed so. If you research-Brian Pierce did a article that has some high charged specials running through one without issue. I look at it like 357 k frames. Shoot lower pressure rounds, Rarely use hot- Yet You safely can. Forcing cone- Keep
It clean. I’d say just a tad less than Skeeters pet charge of 7.5 unique (*Use Manuals-Always) The 696 is not heavy-Just rite for a 900fps 44spl harder cast or powder coated 240grainer that can handle most problems. It carries very well and a 3” is compact enough In a cross draw holster.It Is probably my favorite of all that I own.Oh of that’s not enough a 255gr at about 1000fps in my 624 3” will do the job, or Move up to a Mag.
Depends how much you shoot and what pressure you want…. Yet im sure the 696 is expensive now a days- as is most everything,Yet worth it.