It actually fits in some of my pockets and it doesn't try to pull my pants down like my 3" 686 used to.
No. It's dated 2016. That makes it 17 years newer than the gun.
Yep, I’m officially on the lookout.
It actually concealed very well. I had one for a few years as I am a fan of .44s. The recoil was pretty bad (compared to a 696.) What i didn't like about it, and any other Smith with it, was the titanium cylinder and the reqirement for 200 or less bullets. Traded for a 696 no dash.
I've read of others replacing the cylinder in their 296 with one out of a 696 and shooting heavier bullets. It looks like the supply of spare 696 cylinders dried up long ago.
I would be very tempted to make the same trade that you did.
I had never heard of one either.
I took it to the range on Sunday and put about 3 cylinders of 200gr through it. It's not pleasant to shoot but it's gentler than the 3" 44 mag that I used to own.
Yeah, I want nothing to do with a 3" 44 mag ... not with full house loads anyway. I never really "enjoyed" shooting my 8 3/8" Model 29!
