Opinions on 386PD

22lrfan

22lrfan

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The owner of a pawn shop I frequent showed me this 386 that he said he couldn't find any info on. I somehow deleted the picture of the gun but do have one of the label on the box.

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What's confusing him is the .38 caliber marking since these were .357 magnum guns. He doesn't have a copy of SCSW so I looked it up in my SCSW4. Under Engineering and Production changes it says "386-1 PD Chambered in .38+P Spl only for export". Product codes and features by year says "149923 2 1/2" 386-1 PD Variation in .38+P Spl Export only 2008". If I'm reading the date code (5305) correctly it's Nov 1, 2005. This doesn't match the 2008 reference. I don't normally consider buying S&W's this new but if this is a rare version I may need to make him an offer on it. What do y'all think?
 

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I have the 386 PD PC 2-1/2” model , seven shot 357 mag with the aluminum case.


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I was really hoping someone might have some info on this export version of the 386PD, especially how many were made and how common are they in the US.
 
The quoted dates in the SCSW are sometimes estimates or guesses. The product code is correct and it is possible the special order code is really a special order code, rather than a packing date.

It's an uncommon gun at worse and rare at best, so if it appeals to you and is affordable I'd say go for it.
 
I find it interesting, wish you had some pics!! If the price was right, I would have already bought it, since I have the same revolver in 357MAG. Would be nice to have both!! Again, if the price is right, as Murphydog states in his post....buy it.
 

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I'll be near that pawn shop next Thursday or Friday. I'll try to get pictures and a price.
 
As I consider the 386PD to be the ultimate concealed carry revolver, I went out and bought a second one, just in case. As I thought they stopped being produced in 2005. I would guess that a few were converted for a special run in 2008 for a small export order, that may not have been finalized. But that is all mostly a guess.
 
Well, Is the gun actually chambered in .357 or only .38? Either way it's a great gun. Just clean the Ti cylinder only with a nylon brush and I would not shoot too many 125gr .357's in it. Just 158's or 180's. I fried a cylinder in one and it took me 2 years to find a replacement.
 
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