S&W 296 impressions?
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S&W44
Member
I'd be interested,too.
I just picked one up today.Any preferences in ammunition and anyone know who makes a good OWB holster?
I just picked one up today.Any preferences in ammunition and anyone know who makes a good OWB holster?
Ruger Redhawk
Member
I bought one about a year or two ago.I've never shot it. I bought it for an investment.From what I was told S&W didn't make many of them.My friend who works at a gunshop told me after I bought it there was several calls looking for one of these 296's.He said that they were offering quite a bit over list price if they could locate one for them.Why? I don't know . It really doesn't impress me.I forget if it's 180 grain or 200 gr maximum weight bullets.It's stamped on the side of the barrel.My local dealer has the identical gun (model ?) but chambered in 38 SPL..It's light enough but IMO to bulky.
Ruger Redhawk
Ruger Redhawk
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
It's a very funky gun; lots to hold on to, and a very intimidating profile. Easy to carry due to its light weight, although the weight makes it necessary to use a maximum bullet weight of 200 grains to aviod crimp jump.
I think it's a sweet carry revolver for those who love big bores. It's not much more bulky than a Taurus 450, and has the benefits of the enclosed "humpback" design.
I think it's a sweet carry revolver for those who love big bores. It's not much more bulky than a Taurus 450, and has the benefits of the enclosed "humpback" design.
Tamara
Senior Member
Any L-frame holster w/o a thumb break should work fine.
I carry mine in my purse, as it's the perfect gun for that job:
1) It doesn't weigh too much. In a purse already full of heavy stuff like cell phones and PDA's, this is a Good Thing.
2) It can be shot from inside the purse in an emergency without the hammer fouling on the lining of the carry pocket. Unimportant? Well, just this past weekend at Blade Show in Atlanta, I hung out in the "pit" (the hotel bar at the Waverly) 'til way past my bedtime. I wound up having to walk back across the street to my hotel by my lonesome. This is a fair piece of a stroll, and the last part involved crossing a deserted mall parking lot, and then an elevator ride in a parking garage. All through the walk, I had my hand discreetly in my purse and on my 296. To the guy who joined me on the elevator, it looked like I was just holding my purse with two hands. If he had been an attacker, I wouldn't even have needed to draw the gun; as it was, he was just a pleasant conversationalist, rather than a Bad Guy. I've always thought that having a hand unobtrusively on the gun before an incident even starts is a big, big advantage.
3) A .44 Special 200gr LSWC-HP is less dependant on expansion than any .38/.357 load, so the hollowpoint cavity getting clogged with leather from firing inside the purse is less of an issue.
I carry mine in my purse, as it's the perfect gun for that job:
1) It doesn't weigh too much. In a purse already full of heavy stuff like cell phones and PDA's, this is a Good Thing.
2) It can be shot from inside the purse in an emergency without the hammer fouling on the lining of the carry pocket. Unimportant? Well, just this past weekend at Blade Show in Atlanta, I hung out in the "pit" (the hotel bar at the Waverly) 'til way past my bedtime. I wound up having to walk back across the street to my hotel by my lonesome. This is a fair piece of a stroll, and the last part involved crossing a deserted mall parking lot, and then an elevator ride in a parking garage. All through the walk, I had my hand discreetly in my purse and on my 296. To the guy who joined me on the elevator, it looked like I was just holding my purse with two hands. If he had been an attacker, I wouldn't even have needed to draw the gun; as it was, he was just a pleasant conversationalist, rather than a Bad Guy. I've always thought that having a hand unobtrusively on the gun before an incident even starts is a big, big advantage.
3) A .44 Special 200gr LSWC-HP is less dependant on expansion than any .38/.357 load, so the hollowpoint cavity getting clogged with leather from firing inside the purse is less of an issue.
Stainz
Member
For some crazy reason, I had to have a 296 after reading the write-up in American Rifleman years ago. My local dealer found a great deal - I drooled over the <$400 bargain for too long and they both were sold. After a year and a half, another one appeared - and that 696 that had graced his shelf was still there. I watched them for months - even the 696 had been axed by the S&W bean-counters. Several months ago, I ridded myself of my AMT DA 'Backups' in .45ACP and bought both the 296 & 696 for $359 (Yes, less than half it's retail!) & $439.
I feed my 296 CCI Blazers .44 S&W Specials, a nice 200gr (The maximum, according to S&W, for the 296 - and clad, only!) GDJHP. I chrono-ed them at the range yesterday and they averaged 793 fps from the 2.5" barreled 296, picking up to 840 fps in the 3" 696 and 872 fps in my 4" 629MG. They supposedly will open quite well, even from that 296's barrel. I wouldn't shoot through flammable clothing, however! Oh... did I mention that those Blazers were $13/50 and the only thing available in a discount store locally? I also chrono-ed my 200gr Nosler JHP over 5.8gr of W231 in Remington brass and they yielded only 654 fps. That needs further development... I'll keep them loaded with Blazers for CCW use. The 696, all SS, is like me - it'll eat anything. Also like me, it weighs in at a bit more than it should - 36 oz empty. The 296 with blazers tips at 21 oz and hits point of aim at 12-15 yd - I can pop five shotgun clays at 15 yd - not bad for fixed sights.
Firing a stock 296 will whack your hand's web with that 'hump' - ouch! I ordered two pair of grips from S&W Accessories - using my 'new gun $25 off' coupon - a #21993 Dymondwood boot set ($30) and #22662 U.M.'s square conversion ($27). The dimunitive Dymondwood grips look great on the 296 - even improve the grip over the two groove U.M.'s that came stock... still a whack, however. Nice for 'dress-up'! I then replaced the 696's OEM grips with the slightly bigger - and squared bottom - #22662's - great! They, like the OEM's, covered that backstrap - tried the 696's OEM's on the 296 - voila - great fit - no more whack. They are also available as #23744 ($26). It is a bit bigger grip than those supplied boot grips - but it covers the backstrap and is much more comfortable. The 696 feels like a larger revolver now as well.
I carried my 296 in an 'Old World Leather' belt slide holster, the few times I have 'carried' it. Nice fit - and so light, it is hard to believe it is there. I even found my spare HKS CA44 speedloader full of those Blazers while counting out change in the grocery store the other day... need to watch that! I think that the low-velocity big bores are great CCW's - and that 296 is one of the best. I have seen them in stores new recently - running from $400 -$500 - and in a sale flyer for <$400 (CDNN, I think.), so they are still 'around', despite having been axed two years ago.
Stainz
I feed my 296 CCI Blazers .44 S&W Specials, a nice 200gr (The maximum, according to S&W, for the 296 - and clad, only!) GDJHP. I chrono-ed them at the range yesterday and they averaged 793 fps from the 2.5" barreled 296, picking up to 840 fps in the 3" 696 and 872 fps in my 4" 629MG. They supposedly will open quite well, even from that 296's barrel. I wouldn't shoot through flammable clothing, however! Oh... did I mention that those Blazers were $13/50 and the only thing available in a discount store locally? I also chrono-ed my 200gr Nosler JHP over 5.8gr of W231 in Remington brass and they yielded only 654 fps. That needs further development... I'll keep them loaded with Blazers for CCW use. The 696, all SS, is like me - it'll eat anything. Also like me, it weighs in at a bit more than it should - 36 oz empty. The 296 with blazers tips at 21 oz and hits point of aim at 12-15 yd - I can pop five shotgun clays at 15 yd - not bad for fixed sights.
Firing a stock 296 will whack your hand's web with that 'hump' - ouch! I ordered two pair of grips from S&W Accessories - using my 'new gun $25 off' coupon - a #21993 Dymondwood boot set ($30) and #22662 U.M.'s square conversion ($27). The dimunitive Dymondwood grips look great on the 296 - even improve the grip over the two groove U.M.'s that came stock... still a whack, however. Nice for 'dress-up'! I then replaced the 696's OEM grips with the slightly bigger - and squared bottom - #22662's - great! They, like the OEM's, covered that backstrap - tried the 696's OEM's on the 296 - voila - great fit - no more whack. They are also available as #23744 ($26). It is a bit bigger grip than those supplied boot grips - but it covers the backstrap and is much more comfortable. The 696 feels like a larger revolver now as well.
I carried my 296 in an 'Old World Leather' belt slide holster, the few times I have 'carried' it. Nice fit - and so light, it is hard to believe it is there. I even found my spare HKS CA44 speedloader full of those Blazers while counting out change in the grocery store the other day... need to watch that! I think that the low-velocity big bores are great CCW's - and that 296 is one of the best. I have seen them in stores new recently - running from $400 -$500 - and in a sale flyer for <$400 (CDNN, I think.), so they are still 'around', despite having been axed two years ago.
Stainz
Stainz,
Back when I had my first 696 I bought two of those from Brownells as they were advertised as fitting the S&W. When I got them there was no way you could feed five 44 Specials into the sylinder from the HKS.
I'm about to pick up another 696 (after trading the first one) and would really like a speedloader. Has HKS modified the CA44 so it now works for the 696/296 S&W?
V
VictorLouis
Guest
Dave, I have UM's boot-grips on my 696
that dag-blast-it loader is the only one available for the 5-shots.
I do get it to work, though it is by no means as fast as it would be if it were properly sized for the L-frame cylinders. I think that proper clearance with these grips is certainly part of equation.
I would, however, dearly LOVE a Safariland Comp series loader for this gun.
that dag-blast-it loader is the only one available for the 5-shots.
I do get it to work, though it is by no means as fast as it would be if it were properly sized for the L-frame cylinders. I think that proper clearance with these grips is certainly part of equation.I would, however, dearly LOVE a Safariland Comp series loader for this gun.
VictorLouis,
Since both the 696 and 296 have been discontinued I guess the chances of anyone introducing a workable speed loader for these L-frame 44 is about the same as the politicians in Washington starting to follow the Constitution.
Oh well, I was hoping something had changed. Maybe the Hogue grips that are on the used 696 I'm getting will acomodate the CA-44 a little better.
Since both the 696 and 296 have been discontinued I guess the chances of anyone introducing a workable speed loader for these L-frame 44 is about the same as the politicians in Washington starting to follow the Constitution.
Oh well, I was hoping something had changed. Maybe the Hogue grips that are on the used 696 I'm getting will acomodate the CA-44 a little better.
Stainz
Member
Dave, V-L, etc;
My Brownell's sourced CA44's work as well with either the 296 or 696 as the # 25 works with my 625 (.45 AR's), 625MG (.45 Colt), and SRH .454 (also .45 Colt). In fact, the problem may be me - I have only used the HKS units. Keep in mind that both my 296 & 696 wear Uncle Mike's grips - the 296 has the 696's OEM grips while the 696 has the slightly longer squared version. Perhaps there was a change in the grips over the years to improve the speedloading. BTW, the Dymondwood boot grips were almost too thick - the speedloading was slower with them on.
Stainz
PS For speedy reloads, you just can't beat moonclipped .45 ACP ball ammo and a 25/625.
My Brownell's sourced CA44's work as well with either the 296 or 696 as the # 25 works with my 625 (.45 AR's), 625MG (.45 Colt), and SRH .454 (also .45 Colt). In fact, the problem may be me - I have only used the HKS units. Keep in mind that both my 296 & 696 wear Uncle Mike's grips - the 296 has the 696's OEM grips while the 696 has the slightly longer squared version. Perhaps there was a change in the grips over the years to improve the speedloading. BTW, the Dymondwood boot grips were almost too thick - the speedloading was slower with them on.
Stainz
PS For speedy reloads, you just can't beat moonclipped .45 ACP ball ammo and a 25/625.
ExMachina
Member
Speed loader
It looks like hks makes a speed loader for the 696...
http://www.pistoleer.com/hks/revolver/index.shtml
-Dave
It looks like hks makes a speed loader for the 696...
http://www.pistoleer.com/hks/revolver/index.shtml
-Dave
T
tomthel
Guest
Speedloaders
They do but I suspect the "cartridge jiggle" is loose enough to fit the different diameter cylinders. From what I gather a Rossi 720 cylinder is somewhat smaller than the Taurus cylinder which is smaller than an L frame cylinder.
Another thought. At one time Dillon handled "Jet Loaders" that were made in Germany I think. Did they ever make one for the 696?
There was also a manufacturer in Ohio (the best I recall) that made speedloaders that looked like HKS for limited production guns such as the 627 8 shot. I don't know if they made them for the 696 or 296. They had an ad at one time in Combat Handguns.
Tom
They do but I suspect the "cartridge jiggle" is loose enough to fit the different diameter cylinders. From what I gather a Rossi 720 cylinder is somewhat smaller than the Taurus cylinder which is smaller than an L frame cylinder.
Another thought. At one time Dillon handled "Jet Loaders" that were made in Germany I think. Did they ever make one for the 696?
There was also a manufacturer in Ohio (the best I recall) that made speedloaders that looked like HKS for limited production guns such as the 627 8 shot. I don't know if they made them for the 696 or 296. They had an ad at one time in Combat Handguns.
Tom
S&W44
Member
I tried 2 different loads in my 296 yesterday.The Winchester 200 grain Silvertips work great.Recoil and blast are minimal and the load shoots to the point of aim.
The 165 grain Corbons were a different story.Severe recoil and blast,shot low and to the right,and worst of all,they popped the cylinder open with every shot!
I think I'll reserve the Corbons for my 3' 624 and just use the Silvertips in the 296.
The 165 grain Corbons were a different story.Severe recoil and blast,shot low and to the right,and worst of all,they popped the cylinder open with every shot!
I think I'll reserve the Corbons for my 3' 624 and just use the Silvertips in the 296.
S&W44,
The reason those Silvertips are so pleasant is they only go an average 730 fps out of the 696's 3 inch barrel. The shorter 296 is going to give even less (I'd guess 690-700 fps).
Of course, shooting to point of aim and being able to control it (that's a very light gun) are big selling points for any carry ammunition.
The reason those Silvertips are so pleasant is they only go an average 730 fps out of the 696's 3 inch barrel. The shorter 296 is going to give even less (I'd guess 690-700 fps).
Of course, shooting to point of aim and being able to control it (that's a very light gun) are big selling points for any carry ammunition.
Stainz
Member
Try those 200gr GDJHP CCI Blazers, available at Academy Sports chain stores for $12.99/50. They generally are less than a 20 rd box of 'defensive' ammo. The Al cased rounds are lighter in weight, too. They yield ~795 fps while hitting POA at 12 yd from the 296 and 840 fps in the 696, reaching their advertised 875 fps in my 6.5" 24 and 4" 629MG. The Speer Gold Dot JHP is often referred to as a 'flying ashtray' and has excellent lower velocity expansion properties. Plus... it is all I can find in a discount store on a Sunday afternoon! Of course, I can't reload them...
Okay - some negatives re the 296: It is difficult to shoot with those stock boot grips - the 696's grips (Available from S&W.) are far better, as they are both longer and cover that backstrap/hump. Cleaning is not fun - don't use anything abrasive on or in that Ti cylinder - just lots of scrubbing with a patch & cleaner on that cylinder exit face. Some even suggest nylon bristles only in the cylinder bores (The SS barrel is fine for brass/bronze bristles.). Sadly, not much metal protrudes at the blast shield to catch the cylinder during spent case ejection, so careful use is required (No Hollywood/TV 'whacks' of the extractor. The Al cases fall out.). No blast shielding steel plate at the topstrap over the cylinder a la the Ti/Sc magnums, so care in ammo selection (Sorry, CorBons!) and accepting some fire/lead etching is to be expected. No lead unclad ammo ( a la S&W Customer Service call), no .44 Russians, nothing over 200gr,.... very ammo sensitive. Definitely a CCW - not a range 'fun' gun. The 696 is both, of course, and - like me - has a voracious and unfettered appetite.
All of that considered, I still feel that the 296 will always have a place in my home - and on my person - for some time. It is so damn ugly, it has to be a CC. That 696 will have a place, too... in my range bag everytime I head that-a-way! Both are keepers.
Stainz
Okay - some negatives re the 296: It is difficult to shoot with those stock boot grips - the 696's grips (Available from S&W.) are far better, as they are both longer and cover that backstrap/hump. Cleaning is not fun - don't use anything abrasive on or in that Ti cylinder - just lots of scrubbing with a patch & cleaner on that cylinder exit face. Some even suggest nylon bristles only in the cylinder bores (The SS barrel is fine for brass/bronze bristles.). Sadly, not much metal protrudes at the blast shield to catch the cylinder during spent case ejection, so careful use is required (No Hollywood/TV 'whacks' of the extractor. The Al cases fall out.). No blast shielding steel plate at the topstrap over the cylinder a la the Ti/Sc magnums, so care in ammo selection (Sorry, CorBons!) and accepting some fire/lead etching is to be expected. No lead unclad ammo ( a la S&W Customer Service call), no .44 Russians, nothing over 200gr,.... very ammo sensitive. Definitely a CCW - not a range 'fun' gun. The 696 is both, of course, and - like me - has a voracious and unfettered appetite.
All of that considered, I still feel that the 296 will always have a place in my home - and on my person - for some time. It is so damn ugly, it has to be a CC. That 696 will have a place, too... in my range bag everytime I head that-a-way! Both are keepers.
Stainz
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
Discontined???
Hadn't heard that previously.
Just received the current CDNN catalog today. They offer the 296-Ti, 2.5" bbl, for $389.99. www.cdnninvestments.com Their website does NOT show firearms, but you can order a catalog on line. Or just call 800-588-9500 and ask for one.
Uhmmm - -- 19.5 oz. Almost makes me wish I hadn't given up on buying new productions Smiths. Yeah, I KNOW "the agreement" is not being implemented, but it still hasn't been voided or refuted by the company. Durn!
Best,
Johnny
Hadn't heard that previously.
Just received the current CDNN catalog today. They offer the 296-Ti, 2.5" bbl, for $389.99. www.cdnninvestments.com Their website does NOT show firearms, but you can order a catalog on line. Or just call 800-588-9500 and ask for one.
Uhmmm - -- 19.5 oz. Almost makes me wish I hadn't given up on buying new productions Smiths. Yeah, I KNOW "the agreement" is not being implemented, but it still hasn't been voided or refuted by the company. Durn!
Best,
Johnny
Stainz
Member
The 296 has been discontinued for two years - but, as it didn't sell well at it's original nearly $800 list, it is still 'in the pipeline' and offered at less than half price. I bought mine from a local dealer at $359 - and he found another one to put in his case for $349! He also has the J airweights at a good price, as do others; 637 $339, 638 $349. They are still available from S&W, unlike the 296 which hasn't graced a catalog since 2001.
Stainz.
Stainz.
Tamara
Senior Member
Johnny,
CDNN is a closeout dealer. They probably bought the remaining stock from S&W for dimes on the dollar.
They did it with the less-than-spectacularly selling "Heritage Models", too.
CDNN is a closeout dealer. They probably bought the remaining stock from S&W for dimes on the dollar.
They did it with the less-than-spectacularly selling "Heritage Models", too.
Tamara
Senior Member
Here's some 296Ti gun porn:
I use HKS CA-44's with mine, and they work okay. I think of them more as "ammo carriers" than "lightning quick reload aids", though.
The knife is the similarly short-lived CRKT Lightfoot "Urban Shark", an ill-fated design, as it was an attempt at an airline-legal, Boston/NYC-legal knife that came out right before 9/11. Whoops.
I use HKS CA-44's with mine, and they work okay. I think of them more as "ammo carriers" than "lightning quick reload aids", though.
The knife is the similarly short-lived CRKT Lightfoot "Urban Shark", an ill-fated design, as it was an attempt at an airline-legal, Boston/NYC-legal knife that came out right before 9/11. Whoops.
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
Well, gee whiz!
Tams, thanks for the explanatory note about the little knife - - I was getting ready to ask. - - Though I'm sorry to know it's a discontinued model.
Best,
Johnny
Tams, thanks for the explanatory note about the little knife - - I was getting ready to ask. - - Though I'm sorry to know it's a discontinued model.
Best,
Johnny
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
I wonder if the recoil from the 296 would be greater than with my Glock 27?
(I have to be a little careful now with arthritic fingers.) The Glock's recoil doesn't bother me at all. Could be that the "frame flex" of the Glock is helping me out though.
KR
(I have to be a little careful now with arthritic fingers.) The Glock's recoil doesn't bother me at all. Could be that the "frame flex" of the Glock is helping me out though.
KR
Stainz
Member
KR,
Yes, the 296 is a good 'whacker' - in fact, painful! If you cover up the backstrap, a la the 696's grips - available from S&W, it improves dramatically - but still whacks you quite well with the 200gr CCI Blazers. Not a 'fun' piece - but a great lite-weight big bore CCW.
Stainz
Yes, the 296 is a good 'whacker' - in fact, painful! If you cover up the backstrap, a la the 696's grips - available from S&W, it improves dramatically - but still whacks you quite well with the 200gr CCI Blazers. Not a 'fun' piece - but a great lite-weight big bore CCW.
Stainz
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Well, I made one call yesterday...
And NIB 296's are still available in Louisville. I don't think they're ugly! My 638 (other than the cylinder) looks just like a smaller version.
KR
And NIB 296's are still available in Louisville. I don't think they're ugly! My 638 (other than the cylinder) looks just like a smaller version.
KR
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