Thoughts on M386 PD

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John Patrick

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I’ve been carrying a 386 PD lately and wanted to share some thoughts.

The M386 PD is a scandium frame, titanium cylinder, 2 1/2”, 357 magnum, seven shot L frame which weighs 19oz.

With the factory stocks it’s a pita to shoot with 357s, and unpleasant with even typical fmj 38spl range ammo.

With the Pachmayr’s I added it’s pleasant with standard 38spl range ammo and really pleasant to shoot with wadcutters.

I carry it loaded with Buffalo Bore 38spl +P 158gr SWCHP gas check ammo (which is 357 light magnum in performance spec.)

Its light weight makes it a relative joy to carry. I also carry a vertical 7 round speed strip holder loaded with the same ammo.

I’ve been carrying it at work (gun shop and a second gun shot/range at 3:30 in a relatively cheap OWB Triple K thumb break holster which I’ve been pleased with, especially given the price. Keeps the gun way tighter to the body than I expected.

The combo is easy to hide with winter weather with a fleece or jacket.

S&W ought to get scandium frame K and L frames back into production!

ETA: Lobo Gunleather made the vertical speed strip holder for me, the typical speed strip holder is horizontal, which takes up to much room on the belt, imo.

Some photos below.
 

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That’s one of the many guns I “always wanted” but never got around to buying. I’ve only seen one. The owner said it was vicious to shoot and that may have scared me away. I probably should have ordered one to go along with the rest of my guns that I almost never shoot. Maybe I’ll see one some day and weaken. :rolleyes:
 
Light weight is a priority for me for a carry gun.

I’ve picked up the 386 PD, a 386 Mountain Lite (3.125” barrel, titanium cylinder, also 19oz,) 386 Night Guard (seven shots, steel cylinder, 25oz,) and a 315 Night Guard (K frame steel cylinder 38spl +P, 24oz) so far.

ETA: The Night Guards have night sights.
 
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John, about what should one expect to pay for a nice condition, used 386PD? In addition to recoil, I think the FO front sight discouraged me a bit. I’m not a big admirer of those, though as I get older I do appreciate being able to see the dot. I never thought the three-dot sight arrangement that everyone but me seems to just love is good for precisely indexing either windage or elevation. :o
 
Googling, I found one for sale with an asking price of $1,795 and another for $1,400. I think $1,400 is closer to a fair price.

Other options include the ~24oz, 7 shot, 2 1/2”, scandium L frame 386 NG and S/Sc, both of which have black stainless steel cylinders (and so the extra ~5oz of weight.)

The Night Guard has night sights, the S/Sc has a ramped blade with a red insert.

I think the NG would sell at a premium to the PD and the S/Sc at a discount. The 3 1/8”, ~18oz Mountain Lite should have a premium to every other model of 386, I think. Seems they are hardest to find for sale.

But there weren’t a lot of any of them made so prices are kind of scattered.

The K frame 315 NG typically is significantly more expensive and even harder to find.
 
Thank for the info. At ~$1400 that makes for a pretty expensive carry gun, equivalent to about three P365s, give or take, but I know folks walk around with guns a lot more costly than that. I appreciate the rundown on the other models but the 386PD is the only one that ever got my attention.
 
As the famous poet Rudyard Kipling wrote, "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din". 10+ years ago I bought a used 386PD (manuf. 2001), complete with a nice PC aluminum case, from my local gun store, thinking it would be an excellent EDC. That was until I put a few cylinders of .357 Magnum through it. It kicked like a mule, and was extremely uncomfortable to shoot. I am not recoil averse (I routinely shoot N-frame .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, and .44 Magnum revolvers), but that lightweight revolver was just too much for me. I almost immediately traded it back in to the lgs for a used PC Model 627-5. I think that there are better revolver carry options if you're just going to shoot .38 Specials...why have a .357 Magnum revolver that you can't shoot .357 Magnum cartridges. To me, the 7th round isn't worth the pain! Same goes for the larger lightweight .44 Magnums. Just my 2 cents.
 
I will put in my 2 cents, tried different small type guns, holsters, grips to carry, autos, M60 25 oz, M642, M637 15 oz., best for me, M637, low recoil loads, or wadcutters, factory grips, IWB cloth type holster, type that sets low under my belt, not above the belt, under the belt keeps the gun secured, in the right or left front, right by your front pocket, after a couple of weeks, you will forget that you are carrying, I put my speed strip in my other front pocket, but that's only 5 shots in the gun, 5 rounds in your pocket, most IWB holsters sets the gun high, above the belt, feels like the gun is going to fall out when your moving around a lot, Long Story, you might give it a try..
 
Hawg Rider,

I don’t carry 357 magnum ammo in my M13s, M19s, M65s, M66s, Colt’s King Cobra either. I carry the same Buffalo Bore +P 38spl SWCHP-GC ammo, which provides >1,050fps out of a 2 1/2” barrel, >1,140fps out of a 3” and >1,160fps out of a 4”. That’s 357 lite territory with today’s factory ammo and has historically proven sufficient.

Also, the Pachmayr’s really do change the character of the perceived recoil, though heavy bullet, full power 357s are still unpleasant.

Scott024, don’t overlook a 386 Mountain Lite if you run across one in your search. 3 1/8” barrel rather than 2 1/2”, butt essentially the same weight. For some reason, the perceived recoil with the factory grips is noticeably less with the same ammo than the 386PD. Just to change things up I’ve been carrying my Mountain Lite for the past week in a Triple K 3” holster, and it’s the same relative joy to carry.

M29since14, when concealment is more critical and I’m not working at the range or gun shop, or at the hunting club, I often carry a P365x. When concealment is really critical, a P365. Both AIWB, with a tuckable Galco holster. They’re great guns.
 
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I got a 386pd years ago as I consider it to be the ultimate full size carry gun. I find 357's to be doable in the gun. The weight makes it seem like I don't have a gun on. I like it well enough that I went out and got a second one as a spare.
 
I had one when they first came out.
When I realized all I was going to shoot out of it was .38 special,
I sold it and purchased two J frames for the same money.
 
I've been carrying my 642 alot lately(by alot I mean house carry and around the property)and once again I've been reminded that I feel under gunned with my little J(neighbors had a domestic and fired off some shots) caught me outside with the kido so my search for a 386PD has begun! Spicy 38s out of my J are no problem at all but I feel 7 of them or train enough with 357s I feel would be a step up.... unfortunate they are hard to find at the moment.
 
Erocksmash said:
I've been carrying my 642 alot lately(by alot I mean house carry and around the property)and once again I've been reminded that I feel under gunned with my little J(neighbors had a domestic and fired off some shots) caught me outside with the kido so my search for a 386PD has begun! Spicy 38s out of my J are no problem at all but I feel 7 of them or train enough with 357s I feel would be a step up.... unfortunate they are hard to find at the moment.
Click to expand...

I just googled and found one for sale for $1,795.

I got dinged for posting in an open thread trying to help a member find a 3” Model 65, so I’ll shhot you a PM.
 
scott024 said:
A buddy has one. We both have 329PD's and 360PD's. I'm now on the hunt for a 386PD. All things considered, it's easier to handle than the 329 or the 360.
Click to expand...

Above is so true. I love the 386PD. Shoots great and almost comfy with magnums compared to the 329 or 360PD's. Awesome gun really. One of my favs. I got them when they were cheap.
 
Howdy
As of this morning, I am the newest member of the 386PD club. I swore that I’d never buy a Smith with an IL, but knowing what they are selling for and what they were asking for this one, I figured I could afford a plug. $830 shipped to my FFL.
 

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Several years ago I p/u a no lock 340PD and it’s been my EDC ever since. Magnum loads are a bit much for me but the 110 grain +P tame it right down.
 
Why no love for the 386XL? The 6" barrel and scadium frame is a joy to shoot. The longer barrel keeps the muzzle down even with snappy .357 mags.
 
CH4 said:
Howdy
As of this morning, I am the newest member of the 386PD club. I swore that I’d never buy a Smith with an IL, but knowing what they are selling for and what they were asking for this one, I figured I could afford a plug. $830 shipped for o my FFL.
Click to expand...

For that price I would get a 3rd one to go with my other 2. That is a good deal you got.
 
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