386PD .38 +p

The S&W tech i spoke with said 2008 when i asked him when it left the factory.

As murphydog mentioned, the "5290" by the serial number on the box label says it was ready to leave in 2005. It possibly sat there for three more years though.

The second, smaller (vendor?) label, says HIVZ (front sight?) but the S&W Feature code "SR" means red ramp front sight, which it clearly has.

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It is a little surprising that S&W would "downsize" an L-frame .357 Magnum revolver to shoot only .38 Spl., but perhaps one of the above explanations solves the mystery for this rare revolver. A few years ago I owned a 2001 7-shot Model 386PD, complete with the PC aluminum carrying case. But I didn't own it for long. It was easy to carry, but shooting .357 Magnums in that feather light revolver was extremely punishing and made follow up shots almost impossible. That forced me to only carry and shoot it with .38 Spl., which defeated the purpose of a .357 Magnum L-frame. I finally decided to trade in the 386PD for a slightly heavier N-frame, a PC 627-5 8-shot with 2-5/8" bbl. I'm much happier and so are my hands!
 
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