Stainz
Member
I bought both a new 296 and a 696 six years ago - $349 closeout ($789 MSRP when discontinued!) and $439 regular new prices then. I got another $10 off for buying them both. The 296's were discontinued 12/2001 after only two years, the 696 ran six years 12/96-12/02. The 296 was clean inside - but dry as a bone - greatly improved with just some lube (I left the OEM springs alone on this and my 642 - pocket protectors.). The 696 has lite Wolff springs - and only feeds on Federally-primed homebrews. It has one distinction... the only QC issue I've experienced in a new S&W - a scrunched ejector rod spring end - made tightening the ejector rod - and keeping it tight - a problem. A call to S&W got me a new spring in a couple of days. It evidenced itself by a weird, scrunchy feeling when pushing the ejector rod in - and a loose ejector rod. Too late for the OP by six years, always check under the ejector star for not only crud - but a thread from a cotton swipe - or even a broken bronze brush bristle can find their way to the rod attachment/star juncture and keep the star ever so proud of the cylinder's back. Always check that rod by turning CCW while holding the cylinder - that LH threaded rod does come loose. No, I don't blue Loctite mine - just tighten them carefully.
If the rod is loose, forcing the cylinder open can but a bend/kink in the ejector rod. Try to turn that rod CCW - by pushing from the lower exposed part of the rod's circumference up - using a non-metallic stick of sorts. When you get it 'close', the cylinder will open - tighten that rod by turning the rod CCW as tight as you can by hand - wrapping it in a piece of rubber for friction enhancement.
Oh - want a 'hoot to shoot' load for the 696? Get some Starline .44 Russian cases, 240 gr LSWCs, and 3.5gr Titegroup. This 'popper' is an all day load for the most squeamish - makes a whopping 692 fps. It'll drop any falling steel plate - and makes 'Major Power Factor', ie, over PF of 165! Plus, the .44 Russian round just looks neat. I use the 4-piece Lee .44 Special carbide die set for .44 Russians, Specials, and Magnums in my Dillon 550B. I did grind the rounded steel end on the sizer, so it would size more of the Russian's case.
Stainz
If the rod is loose, forcing the cylinder open can but a bend/kink in the ejector rod. Try to turn that rod CCW - by pushing from the lower exposed part of the rod's circumference up - using a non-metallic stick of sorts. When you get it 'close', the cylinder will open - tighten that rod by turning the rod CCW as tight as you can by hand - wrapping it in a piece of rubber for friction enhancement.
Oh - want a 'hoot to shoot' load for the 696? Get some Starline .44 Russian cases, 240 gr LSWCs, and 3.5gr Titegroup. This 'popper' is an all day load for the most squeamish - makes a whopping 692 fps. It'll drop any falling steel plate - and makes 'Major Power Factor', ie, over PF of 165! Plus, the .44 Russian round just looks neat. I use the 4-piece Lee .44 Special carbide die set for .44 Russians, Specials, and Magnums in my Dillon 550B. I did grind the rounded steel end on the sizer, so it would size more of the Russian's case.
Stainz
