Gunsmith Saves the day

I had been looking for a 3” Mod 696 in 44 spl for a while and found one on GB. Missing the yoke was the only advertised problem. Bought it right and really had my bubble busted when it came in with a ruined cylinder. Hidden from pictures was several cuts in the steel. Looked like saw cuts. Could have lived with that for a shooter but the cylinder had also been dropped or hit and one hole was slightly flattened. Of course seller stated you bought it as is. Filed a complaint with GB which turned out to be a 3 month waste of time. To make matters worse, there is not a 696 cylinder to be found anywhere in the USA. Was about to trash it when I did find a model 69 cylinder at S&W. Same 5 shot and in 44 caliber but being a magnum, it was slightly longer. Bought it on a chance and took it to my friend, Master Gunsmith Jim Kelly. He was able to machine the barrel and forcing cone and fit the Mod 69 cylinder. Looks like it came from the factory. To sweeten things, now I have a 3” 44 Mag. The only negative is the new Mod 69 cylinder had a much heavier glass bead finish than the 696 but a little polishing and I’ve about got them to match. A little more time and it will look great. Sure did pay off having a great gunsmith for a friend that was up for a challenge. Saved the day and I actually got a slightly better gun.

edwardware said:

And this is where you name the seller so we know who to avoid.

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I can't find the old GB like where I purchased the gun, but they did tell me at GB he was suspended pending outcome of the investigation which I guess is still ongoing. I have heard anything from them in several months.

460Shooter said:

Gun looks great, but this is my initial thought as well. Even with a M69 cylinder, you wouldn't want to shoot 44 magnum rounds out of it without the heavier forcing cone.

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My gunsmith told me that mags would be fine, but he would do them in moderation. He did do all of his test firing with 44 mags, but I doubt it will ever get another mag shot through it.
I have a great top end 44 special load that I will use when I carry the gun. It has a 190gr lead bullet with a very wide and deep HP. Pushed at about 1000 fps it would be a great defense load if ever needed.

ArchAngelCD said:

Good outcome and very nice revolver.

IMO the "buy as is" does not hold water here. The seller chose to share there is damage to the cylinder but leave off the worst of it. That is an intentional act and not covers under "as is sale" claims. It's fraud straight up.

I hope the buy and shipping costs plus the parts and labor costs are worth it.

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I agree 100% and the GB fraud protection should have covered the deal at least up to the $500 that they promise. I'm probably more disappointed in GB than I am the crooked seller.
Thankfully the initial cost was cheap enough that after all of the parts, shipping and labor, I'm in it for what most Model 696 sell for in good condition. I'm not hurting financially at all and did wind up with as good if not better gun. What I went through was aggravating to say the least and of course it puts a bad taste in your mouth when thinking of buying another gun online. I really didn't keep up with the cost when I found the cylinder and other parts and let him do the work with no clue as to what the cost was going to be for labor. He is not cheap, but his work is always fantastic and if I didn't get it fixed, it was just going to wind up in the parts box. I'm just glad it was able to be saved.