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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 12-23-2011, 11:23 AM
mountaintrekker mountaintrekker is offline
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Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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Default Would you still buy a 386PD?

Hello...newbie here.
I recently went into a local gunshop to look at the 351PD .22mag as a "trail" gun. I am more of a hiker/photographer than a shooter and spend a lot of time outdoors doing that, so was looking for something dependable and lightweight.
Anyway, they had a *new Model 386PD .357 with the titanium cylinder for just over $600. I was really intrigued by the light weight, around 18oz, and the way it felt in hand and 7 shot capacity. Apparently this model hasn't been made for a couple of years? The newer Night Guard model is near $800 and a bit out of my price range and somewhat heavier.
I realize that I probably won't want to shoot full .357s out of it, but it would still be good to know I had the option.
Would appreciate any comments on durability, problems with titanium cylinder sticking? overhearting? if any, recoil with .38+Ps. Do you think I'd have any problem getting parts for it if needed?
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Old 12-23-2011, 12:40 PM
P&R Fan P&R Fan is offline
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Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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First off, welcome from Iowa.
I don't have one of those, but I do have a M340PD. That's a J-Frame (The smallest currently made frame) 5 shot .357 Magnum with the Scandium/Aluminum frame and Titanium cylinder. I have never had a bit of trouble with it. These extremely lightweight .357 Magnums are going to recoil significantly more than their all steel counterparts, but unless you are very recoil sensitive it shouldn't be a problem. If you are looking for a revolver to put thousands of rounds through on a regular basis I would recommend something heavier. But for a carry gun these are great.
I would think parts availability would not be an issue with them either.
Hope this helps.
Jim
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Old 12-23-2011, 12:41 PM
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everReady Rob everReady Rob is offline
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Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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I have not owned a 386PD .357 and have only heard good things about them. Try Forum search for 386 PD. Sounds like a very good price. I have NG 8 shot .357 and debated over it and the 7 shot and like it very much although not sure it is worth the extra weight. If you can beat that price i bet it won't be by much, about lunch money. Good luck.
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Old 12-23-2011, 05:18 PM
Paul105 Paul105 is offline
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Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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I have a 386 Ti/Sc (3 1/8", 18 oz, 7 shot), and 360 Ti/Sc (1 7/8", 12 oz, 5 shot). The 386 is a lot less painful w/357 Mags and a lot easier to shoot accurately with any ammo. It makes a great carry gun, and stoked with 38 specials is a pleasure to shoot. I've never had any problems with either gun.

A couple of downsides. First, these light revolvers are much harder to shoot accurately than their standard weight counterparts -- the lack of weight makes them harder to hold steady. Second, some find the V notch rear sight and fiber optic front a handicap -- to me, this combination is a perfect match for the intended use of these guns.

Beginning shooters may find these guns hard to shoot accurately with any ammo.

Paul
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Old 12-23-2011, 08:26 PM
cpeblue cpeblue is offline
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Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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Hi all, I have a 386Sc/S and like it alot. Its not a gun you would what to do a steady diet of .357 but I find 38s to be just fine heck , I don't shoot alot of .357 with my M27 6". The price is right plus I think in a few years folks will be looking for these. My carry gun is a bobbed hammer 360PD, now that will rock your world with .357. The 386 will be fine just don't expect it to be a pussycat.
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Old 12-24-2011, 12:18 AM
rburg rburg is offline
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The thread started with "would you still buy a 386". The answer is no, because I've got one I like a lot, but I really don't need 2 of everything these days. If I didn't have one, I sure would consider buying one. Knowing how nice they are, its a nice gun to own.

The advantages are the 7 shots and the full size handle to hold onto. When I got it I'd also scored a set of laser grips in a trade. So just for fun I put them on the gun. It helped it. Added little or no weight, but it does give you an additional sighting option.

With a lot of these guns, the real problem is finding a good holster that fits the gun and the way you want to carry. Mine currently rides in a belt slide holster, because its the best I've found so far.
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Old 12-25-2011, 03:51 AM
AKAOV1MAN AKAOV1MAN is offline
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I have one of what you are looking at. For a packing gun it is great. I have only put about 50 .357 rounds through mine, but I carry very heavy Buffalo Bore .38 +P loads in it. No problem. Would not want to try to take on a bear or a moose with it, but for anything else you are going to encounter it will do quite well. The best part is you hardly know its there. You will have to do some training with the "v" notch/bright front sight if that is what it has, but once you are comfortable with it you will be able to do some very accurate fast shooting.
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Old 12-25-2011, 01:43 PM
balin balin is offline
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Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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i have a range of light weight revolvers. 340pd 386pd and a 329. i was out shooting the 386 yesterday with 38's and 357 with no problems with recoil and it is accurate as well. i have been carrying it since i got my new Lobo holster. wont be getting rid of it any time soon...
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Old 12-31-2011, 04:58 PM
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I have 2 of the 386pd models and would have no problem in recommending them for daily carry. I use .38 sp nyclads and with 7 rounds feel safe.
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Old 12-31-2011, 09:53 PM
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I absolutely love my 396.....

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Old 04-09-2012, 05:11 PM
vinnyFL vinnyFL is offline
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I bought my 360PD twice. Had it and got seduced by a semi auto so I traded it in. Did not take long for the semi to become uncomfortable to carry and just a little longer before it started to jam. I actually traded in the new gun and bought back my 360PD and could not be happier. It is the lightest powerful gun I own. I easily can shoot the Reminton Golden Saber .357 125 gr. rounds through it. Yes it recoils a bit but much less than any hit I ever took playing football or fast ball/line drive I caught in baseball. I will admit that shooting a cylinder of full power .357 magnums took some skin off of my hand. No blood and no bruises, just the top layer of skin. Web of hand was red but it faded before I got home. Nothing like some posts make it out to be but I have a feeling that few of them played sports everyday like we did in the old days before cell phones and computers. Not pleasent to shoot though. Tried the mild Golden Sabers and they shoot to POA and follow up shots are not a problem. Have all sorts of regular .38 and +P that have been recommended by real and imagined experts alike but every time I go to the range and empty my gun into a target I am reminded that I can handle shooting tht GS out of this gun and putting them all in COM in rapid fire so I always go back to them.
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Old 04-09-2012, 09:21 PM
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Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD? Would you still buy a 386PD?  
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My wife has confiscated mine as her primary house gun and walk about gun. I would not hesitate one minute on buying one if I did not have one. As an audiologist I can tell you to stay away from the 351 22 mag as it will damage your hearing quicker than anything else I own.
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Old 05-20-2016, 11:44 PM
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Yes I would, but favor the short barreled 327 as it is more accurate and an 8 shot gun that is just spectacular. Sorry for the late response
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340pd, 357 magnum, 360pd, m27, model 27, scandium, sig arms, titanium

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