Tired of trying to find a S&W m-696 in .44 spl.

[The_Shootist]

Hoe Come...

...none of the major gun makers make a new .44 spl CHL piece anymore? Isn't the demand there. That round strikes me as being a pretty effective SD round in the right package.

 

[chaim]

I'm jealous. The fixed sight version, the 431, has been on my wish list for a long time (and you have the 3" in stainless which is EXACTLY what I want).

A few years ago I was looking at them, but had to wait to get the money together. Then I did, I bought one on either Gunbrokers or Auction Arms, and then a big unexpected expense hit. I could have still swung the 431, but it wouldn't have been comfortable. Since the 441/431 seemed to be very plentiful at the time (every time I searched on an auction site, quite a few would come up) I figured they'd be around for a while, and I negotiated with the seller to pay his listing fees and he let me out of the sale. I should have took the hit and bought it even though it wouldn't have been comfortable along with the unexpected car repair.

Then, I stupidly switched gears and bought some other guns when I did have the money thinking these would be around forever (every time I looked, they, and the similar Rossi 720, were there).

Ever since, they don't seem to be as plentiful any more. I can often do a search and find 0. Right now there is only one 431 on either Auction Arms or Gunbroker (and it is currently at $335 for a slightly beat up blued version- I want the stainless, I'm broke after moving, and I owe some money, but it is still tempting). When I do see them, I don't have the money, when I have the money there don't seem to be any around. Even the Rossi 720 has dried up. While there was about a year there that they were everywhere, it now seems people are keeping them. Also, then they were always around $250, now they are about $100 more.

For me, this is definately one of the "ones that got away." When I do finally catch up with one the price will probably be up around $400, and to think, about 3 years ago I had one on Gunbroker (or Auctionarms) for $250 and I stupidly got out of the sale due to repairs on a car I don't even own anymore.:banghead:

Hold on to it. Enjoy it. If you ever decide you don't want it anymore, check with me before selling it to anyone else (please- though with my luck with these guns I won't have the money at the time).


For some nice grips, check out Nill (the 65MD/LG Frame are supposed to fit the 441):
http://www.nill-griffe.com/

 

[chaim]

Quick question: I met a guy who's got a Rossi in the same configuration (.44sp, 3" bbl). Is it the same gun as the Taurus? They look quite similar.

Erik, from what I learned when in the market a few years ago, the Taurus is about the same size and weight as a typical S&W K-frame. That's 33-36oz (I don't remember for sure where it weighed in) for a 3" medium frame .44spl. The Rossi is about the same size, but weighs something like 28oz. A little better for carry, but I would be a little concerned about durability to have a .44spl steel framed revolver that weighs that little.

 

[Stainz]

I have a 696 - bought new nearly five years back for $439 - with a new closeout 296 at $359 - they took another $10 off as I was buying the pair. The 296 is a CCW - in a Mika's holster, it fits most pants pockets as well as my Mikas holstered 642. The .5" longer barrel 696, weighing in at 35.5oz, is not so easy to hide - it needs a propper belt holster.

The 696 has several weakness's. The thin forcing cone lip is the most obvious. Also, many had their barrels overtightened in assembly, you can see a resultant circumference line in the barrel bore. The chamber-chamber and chamber-OD thickness's are not awe-inspiring, although the cylinder stop notch to chamber thickness should not be a problem due to the odd number of chambers. The Taurus likely has similar 'weaknesses', as it is on the slightly smaller K-frame sized frame. I certainly would stay away from Herr Keith's infamously 'hot' loads in either revolver. Mine is fun with 240gr LSWC/LRNFP from .44 Russian & Special cases at 692-780 fps - and the 200gr Blazers/GA Arms/homebrews, all using that Speer 800fps+ #4427 GDHP bullet, at ~840 fps.

I don't understand the allure of the 696. Sure, I like mine... but, given the choice between it and a 4" 629, the choice is obvious. With the 4" 629, you gain another round, longer sight radius, larger hammer & trigger, true .44M rated/sized cylinder, so you can shoot anything from .44 Russian & Special to real Magnums - without fear! Plus, at full MSRP, that 629 will likely be less than someone's used 696 at Gunbroker - or the next gunshow. Add some Hogue .500 Magnum grips, a la OEM .460/.500 Magnums, and you cushion the recoil of stout .44M's, too.The best $35 you'll ever spend at S&W Accessories. I'll have the 4" 629 a lot longer than the 696... even if it is kinda cute:



Stainz

 

[Rexster]

The reason at least some of us prefer the L-frame to the N-frame is the critical dimension of length-of-pull, i.e., distance from backstrap to trigger face. N-frames are just too big for me to hold in a proper grip and still place my finger on the trigger for optimal DA shooting. I do not find this critical, as I am satisfied with the .357 mag, and if I just need a big-bore, the Ruger Redhawk and SRH Alaskan offer me a manageable length of pull.

 

[Stainz]

I just measured the distance from the center of curvature, ie, furthest rearward point on the trigger, to the backstrap on my 696 and 625 MG, with the caliper parallel to the bore. The L frame was longer - by .05"! Of course, the grip on the MG, Dymondwood Combats, was thicker, making it 'feel' longer. A thinner grip - like the non fg-ed Ahrends square conversion cocobolo's on the 696 - helps. The .500 Magnum rubber backstrap-enclosing Hoque I keep on my newest 629, a -6 4" from 4/06, adds nearly .20" to the length, while it's palm swell adds a bit, too. Still, it feels better to me than the usual open-backstrap OEM Hogues. Better still, except, of course, for recoil, would be the newest 'Target' style Ahrends, as they are reportedly 'thinner'. If not, they could be 'made' thinner easily. Then that 4" 629 would be a great .44 Special!

Stainz

 

[meef]

chaim:

Ever since, they don't seem to be as plentiful any more. I can often do a search and find 0. Right now there is only one 431 on either Auction Arms or Gunbroker (and it is currently at $335 for a slightly beat up blued version- I want the stainless, I'm broke after moving, and I owe some money, but it is still tempting).

If you hurry on over to Gunbroker right now, there's a stainless one listed as like new with a buy it now at $310.

The only thing is... do you feel like gambling?

The seller just joined 2 days ago and has zero feedback.

Decisions, decisions.