Sorry, I'm a happy 386 owner, too. The guns are great, but I've never had a NG version. The one I've got seems like a good "go-to" gun. It does everything well. Its got a full 7 shots, its light, but it also has a full size handle. It doesn't have the recoil and pain issues the 360 or 342 has. I attribute that to the full size grip frame.
The 386 and 396 (the only L frame 3's I've got) share a problem. They don't make or I can't find much leather to carry them in. I've got an Uncle Mikes nylon one that fits the gun pretty well. And I've got a belt slide that holds the gun well, but doesn't cover the barrel (the holster will take any length, up to 6" or so.) One of the problems with owning an "off length" gun is its hard to find what you want. Me, I'd settle on an *** made from alligator and a matching belt.