S&W 696

[feelinducky]

Last week I asked about a 696 in .44spc. I saw it today. Original owner has fired approx 150round in it. Original box, owners manual, a "no dash" serial number. Can someone help me with the value of this? I'm no gunsmith but it looked very clean.

[kurac]

$800-$900 seams to be the going rate, if you can get it for less, obviously that would be a good thing

[greybeard]

From the blue book
MODEL 696
Add to Collection- .44 S&W Spl. cal., L-frame, 5 shot, 3 in. barrel with full shroud, Hogue rubber (disc. 2000) or Uncle Mike's Combat grips, satin stainless steel, adj. rear sight, 36 oz. Mfg. 1997-2002.
Grading100%98%95%90%80%70%60%$485$315$250$195$165$ 140$120

[rgs1975]

From the blue book
MODEL 696
Add to Collection- .44 S&W Spl. cal., L-frame, 5 shot, 3 in. barrel with full shroud, Hogue rubber (disc. 2000) or Uncle Mike's Combat grips, satin stainless steel, adj. rear sight, 36 oz. Mfg. 1997-2002.
Grading100%98%95%90%80%70%60%$485$315$250$195$165$ 140$120

Those prices are wildly unrealistic, especially for California. Actual retail prices here would easily double those prices.

[MrOrange]

There's four listed at GB right now.

The two with reserves have BIN prices of $1100 and $1200.

The other two have starting prices of $1099 and $1599.

I'd say they're out of the shooter category and into collector territory, where you don't dare shoot it. If you want a shooter, there are other, better options.

If it was cheap enough, I might buy it just to sock it away for a rainy day.

[Andy Taylor]

I have found that blue book prices have zero basis in reality.

Frankly I can't imagine letting mine go for less than $1K, but it is not for sale.

[Mickey D]

I have found that blue book prices have zero basis in reality.

Frankly I can't imagine letting mine go for less than $1K, but it is not for sale.

^ Yup! If you can get it under $1000, go for it. It's a great and fun gun to shoot or CCW.

[giants_fan24]

I'll tell you what I wish I could buy guns at blue book value and sell them at California value. I would be rich, have you seen what a Colt Python goes for? Very unrealistic.

[feelinducky]

I looked at gunbroker and have seen the ones listed there. However if you do a search with completed items the 696 usually sells for 800-900. The blue book seems low.

[SGGear]

44 spc or 44 mag?

I d get the 44 mag so I can shoot both.

[9mmepiphany]

They don't chamber a L-frame in .44 Mag

[SGGear]

I was stating in general. Generally speaking, 44 mags seem to hold better value than the 44 special and they can shoot both 44 mag and 44 special. Is it just me or do others prefer 44 mag over 44 special?

[shansei arsenal]

I was stating in general. Generally speaking, 44 mags seem to hold better value than the 44 special and they can shoot both 44 mag and 44 special. Is it just me or do others prefer 44 mag over 44 special?

N frame 44 mag would be my choice.
I didn't think the "L" frame could handle 44 spec.
learned something new today

[9mmepiphany]

While many folks like the .44 mag, it is only available in the N-frame and there is a world of difference between carrying a N-frame and a L-frame...I've carried a M27 and a M586 as duty guns. The is also a lot of difference in their handling qualities when shooting quickly in competition...M627 and M686. The heavier gun is slower to start and stop between targets...that is why many competition M627s use titanium cylinders.

The N-frame .44 spl (M24) for many years commanded higher prices than the .44 Mag (M29)...because they were harder to find. The M696 (.44spl) has attained the same collector status as the L-frame M646 (.40) and the N-frame M58 (.41 Mag), and is usually more desirable than any M629 (.44 Mag)