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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 02-26-2024, 09:49 AM
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Erocksmash Erocksmash is offline
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Cool 386PD added to the rotation (soon)

Well I got ahold she will be on the way shortly. I'm pretty excited about it at 18.3 oz that comes in a little less than my J-frame 642.

The inspiration behind this is a light weight summer (constantly summer here in Fl) carry. My J filled that void but I was caught off gaurd when the neighbor left of some shots in the middle of a screaming match. I train regularly with the J but something got into my head about being underguned...

I'll get her in and see what she's like, but I have no clue about titanium guns(I know certain chemicals can't be used to clean them) some guidance would help...

Also looking to add a bobed hammer, TK custom possibly ? And or a fixed sight (gotta figure out how to measure that as well).

Anyway when she lands ill post some pictures up...


Thanks
Erik
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Old 02-27-2024, 10:59 AM
Hawg Rider Hawg Rider is offline
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Looking forward to seeing some pics. Years ago I purchased a 386PD (Sc-Al frame, titanium cylinder, 2-1/2" bbl., 7-shot, metal carrying case) thinking that it would be a great carry revolver. That was until I shot a few cylinders of standard .357 Magnum rounds. It kicked like an old army mule and was extremely uncomfortable. I'm almost 70 years old and not recoil averse, but that thing was ridiculous! I had no regrets about trading it for a 327-5 with 2-5/8" bbl. the following year. The 386PD was just too much for me...hopefully you'll be happy with yours.

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Old 02-27-2024, 06:50 PM
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Some days I'm ok with recoil some days not so much thats ok I'm thinking a magnaport job is in order and some other upgrades...

Yes she will be used, well carried alot.
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Old 02-27-2024, 07:18 PM
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LOL. I can't WAIT to hear about your range report shooting full magnum loads. Brother, you are in for ride! Consider what Erocksmash is suggesting - a magnaport job - but do some research on whether that would help or not.

Enjoy!
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Old 02-27-2024, 07:57 PM
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It's fun to shoot. And the comments make no sense because you can load it as soft or hot as you want. The whole idea of revolver rounds. Light .38 specials, standard pressure .38, +p, light loaded .357 all the way to Buffalo Bore maxi loads! Great carry revolver. One of the best ever. You can tell who shoots and carries all the time and who doesn't.

Just never use anything but a toothbrush on the face of the Ti cylinder.

Enjoy.
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Old 02-27-2024, 09:09 PM
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I hand load so yea I can make em super spicy or soft, I'm more concerned with accuracy than anything.

Guess I'll find out what she's all about... .357 out of an 18oz gun I'm sure will be a handful...

I'm ok with keeping spicy. 38s in the gun also so no worries eather way.

@joebuck thanks for the cleaning tip I knew there was something fancy with it.
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Old 02-27-2024, 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by ImDrRichard View Post
LOL. I can't WAIT to hear about your range report shooting full magnum loads. Brother, you are in for ride! Consider what Erocksmash is suggesting - a magnaport job - but do some research on whether that would help or not.

Enjoy!
You don't think a quad port job would help? I've shot some "factory ported" guns and they are certainly less snappy than the non ported guns...
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Old 02-28-2024, 10:48 AM
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I recently found this 386 Night Guard at a local gun show.
It has a stainless steel cylinder, so at 24.5 Oz, a little bit heavier than your PD.

Years ago I had an unpleasant experience with a model 337 lightweight J frame.
Even light loads of .38spl made that little revolver difficult for me. It was just too uncomfortable to practice with and I ended up trading it away.

I only mentioned the prior experience because at 11.5 ozs. It was just too light.

The Night Guard is a pleasure to shoot though. Everything from .38 wadcutters to heavy magnum defense loads was a walk in the park. My grips are old Barami Hip Grips, not known for a hand filling grip.

I hope that you are going to have a pleasant experience with your PD. You'll know after the first shot.

As another point of reference, I paid 800 bucks for my Night Guard. Maybe not the best deal but I'm very pleased with the Night Guard.
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Old 02-28-2024, 03:44 PM
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Well thats nice to hear I know the PD is a bit lighter but with "magna style" grips don't think I even attempt that....

I would give 800$ all day long if I found a Night gaurd.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ingramite View Post
I recently found this 386 Night Guard at a local gun show.
It has a stainless steel cylinder, so at 24.5 Oz, a little bit heavier than your PD.

Years ago I had an unpleasant experience with a model 337 lightweight J frame.
Even light loads of .38spl made that little revolver difficult for me. It was just too uncomfortable to practice with and I ended up trading it away.

I only mentioned the prior experience because at 11.5 ozs. It was just too light.

The Night Guard is a pleasure to shoot though. Everything from .38 wadcutters to heavy magnum defense loads was a walk in the park. My grips are old Barami Hip Grips, not known for a hand filling grip.

I hope that you are going to have a pleasant experience with your PD. You'll know after the first shot.

As another point of reference, I paid 800 bucks for my Night Guard. Maybe not the best deal but I'm very pleased with the Night Guard.
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Old 02-28-2024, 11:08 PM
John Patrick John Patrick is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ingramite View Post
I recently found this 386 Night Guard at a local gun show.
It has a stainless steel cylinder, so at 24.5 Oz, a little bit heavier than your PD.

Years ago I had an unpleasant experience with a model 337 lightweight J frame.
Even light loads of .38spl made that little revolver difficult for me. It was just too uncomfortable to practice with and I ended up trading it away.

I only mentioned the prior experience because at 11.5 ozs. It was just too light.

The Night Guard is a pleasure to shoot though. Everything from .38 wadcutters to heavy magnum defense loads was a walk in the park. My grips are old Barami Hip Grips, not known for a hand filling grip.

I hope that you are going to have a pleasant experience with your PD. You'll know after the first shot.

As another point of reference, I paid 800 bucks for my Night Guard. Maybe not the best deal but I'm very pleased with the Night Guard.
That’s a great deal, imo.

I have one, but carry the 386PD more often.
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Old 02-28-2024, 11:18 PM
John Patrick John Patrick is offline
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I swapped the original Uncle Mike’s type exposed back strap grips for Pachmayr Diamond Pro grip, made a world of difference.

357s are still unpleasant, but no longer painful. I carry BB +P 158gr SWCHP-GC ammo in my PD, and pretty much in all of my K and L frame revolvers. At ~1,060fps out of a 2 1/2” barrel, I think it’s about perfect.

I hand load to the same specs as the BB 38spl +P load, but in 357 cases since I can’t find a recipe for 38 cases I think is reasonable.

Edit to add: You can get the bullet BB uses from Rim Rock.

Last edited by John Patrick; 02-28-2024 at 11:20 PM.
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Old 02-29-2024, 12:22 AM
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Erocksmash Erocksmash is offline
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That's great I'll check them out... I ordered this am some Underwood 158. 38s and 2, 357s, their extream hunter and their 158 soft hollow point...

Yes I hand load but prefer to keep factory loaded stuff in the gun.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Patrick View Post
I swapped the original Uncle Mike’s type exposed back strap grips for Pachmayr Diamond Pro grip, made a world of difference.

357s are still unpleasant, but no longer painful. I carry BB +P 158gr SWCHP-GC ammo in my PD, and pretty much in all of my K and L frame revolvers. At ~1,060fps out of a 2 1/2” barrel, I think it’s about perfect.

I hand load to the same specs as the BB 38spl +P load, but in 357 cases since I can’t find a recipe for 38 cases I think is reasonable.

Edit to add: You can get the bullet BB uses from Rim Rock.
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Old 03-02-2024, 06:01 PM
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Well she has landed in a pretty "performance center" style case. MAN she is lite. .357 ought to to be fun.
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