396 Mountain Lite Mods

[44specialfan]

Good Morning...

As a serious .44 Special fan, I picked up a 396 Mountain Lite back when they were being produced but quickly found that for me, it was not much fun to shoot recoil-wise.

Being toying with purchasing a 396 Night Guard but while I'm sure I'd apprecicate the extra weight of the stainless cylinder I much prefer the longer barrel on the MLite version. SO...

Would it be possible, and would it make sense, to acquire & install a stainless cylinder in the MLite?

Of course it would be great if S&W would just offer the NG in a slightly longer length barrel, say 3, 3 1/2, or 4".

As always your thoughts, observations, etc., are appreciated.


Regards From Colorado,


Tony

 

[44specialfan]

Good Morning...

As a serious .44 Special fan, I picked up a 396 Mountain Lite back when they were being produced but quickly found that for me, it was not much fun to shoot recoil-wise.

Being toying with purchasing a 396 Night Guard but while I'm sure I'd apprecicate the extra weight of the stainless cylinder I much prefer the longer barrel on the MLite version. SO...

Would it be possible, and would it make sense, to acquire & install a stainless cylinder in the MLite?

Of course it would be great if S&W would just offer the NG in a slightly longer length barrel, say 3, 3 1/2, or 4".

As always your thoughts, observations, etc., are appreciated.


Regards From Colorado,


Tony

 

[starbuck]

I have a 329PD that I like a lot. Check it out!

 

[Frizzman]

I have a 396 Mountain Lite. I put some rubber grips that cover the backstrap and find its not bad to shoot at all with reasonable loads. If you don't mind the bulk, the grips that S&W makes for the .460 and 500 really make it comfortable. I shoot mine with those for practice and put the compact grips on for carry. That is a lot easier than trying to fit a new cylinder...

 

[chipking]

You may want to send it back to Smith and get a stainless cylinder installed. My 396 started flame cutting and cratering at the lead on 4 chambers with less than 500 rounds through it. At the time I sent it back (2 1/2 years ago) They did not have any replacement cylinders and just recut the chamber a little longer. In fact it was almost long enough to chamber a 44 Mag. By the time I had put around 300 more rounds through it it was starting to show again. I do not reload hot and use primarly Unique. The majority of the factory ammo I shot was Blaser and WW Silvertips so this should not have happened to start with. The 396 is a great concept and a excellent configuration but the Titanium Cylinder is a liability if you plan to shoot it much.
--- Chip King ---