Newbie Info Needed -- 386PD Info Needed Badly

[USMCsilver]

I have nearly 20 pistols. I've never been a revolver fan, but I'm coming closer to the light. I just got a 360Sc from Bud's and I have another desire...

I've never held the 386PD nor have I ever looked at it in person.

This is something, if I got it, that I would want to carry concealed. Is this a practical thought? I'm 5'8 and ~215. Stocky, not fat. I can carry a 1911, Glock, etc. in the winter and be fine with it. In the summer, I usually carry a P32, Bobcat, or Tomcat. Every now and then the G23 or 36 rides SOB.

Anyway, the pistol is kinda sexy. I like the way it looks, and again, I'm not a revolver guy.

Can anyone give any insight as to whether or not this gun would be a good carry gun or not? Also, any +/- about the gun would be nice, too.

Thanks very much.

 

[USMCsilver]

I have nearly 20 pistols. I've never been a revolver fan, but I'm coming closer to the light. I just got a 360Sc from Bud's and I have another desire...

I've never held the 386PD nor have I ever looked at it in person.

This is something, if I got it, that I would want to carry concealed. Is this a practical thought? I'm 5'8 and ~215. Stocky, not fat. I can carry a 1911, Glock, etc. in the winter and be fine with it. In the summer, I usually carry a P32, Bobcat, or Tomcat. Every now and then the G23 or 36 rides SOB.

Anyway, the pistol is kinda sexy. I like the way it looks, and again, I'm not a revolver guy.

Can anyone give any insight as to whether or not this gun would be a good carry gun or not? Also, any +/- about the gun would be nice, too.

Thanks very much.

 

[Paul105]

I have the 3 1/8" version. I bought it as an understudy to my 396 (.44 Spcl version)-- because I have a permanent Dillon SDB setup to load 357s. These guns are "L" frames, and are bulkier than the "J" frames (i.e your 360). For me, the 386 (remember mine has the 3 1/8" bbl) with .357 mag ammo is a lot easier to shoot well than my 340/360 pd -- also has two more rounds. I can even shoot the 386 with the Hogue Batam grips and 357 mag ammo. On the minus side (bulk not withstanding) the rubber grips have a tendancy to grab your shirt and ride it (the shirt) up over the gun causing printing/exposure problems.


I'm about your size, but not necessarily your configuration (wouldn't descripe myself as stocky, but not fat

. Because of where I live, I don't have to worry about "printing", or accidental exposure. My all day, everyday carry gun is a 4" S&W M329 .44 Mag. Sorry, I digress -- I have a Milt Sparks Versa Max II inside waistband holster for the 386/396. The VM II is the most comfortable concealed carry rig I've ever used. Can't imagine a situation that combo would not work for you. I'm sure there are other holsters that will work as well. This is not a gun you will want to pocket carry however.

Personally, I like the 386 but, once again, this is a very subjective observation.

My 340 has a set of crimson trace laser grips and never sees a holster -- nightstand or pocket carry (NY reload).

FWIW,

Paul

 

[USMCsilver]

Paul, thank you.

I'm torn b/t something like that, or the M&P 360 or the Performance Center 327 like this:

Money really is not an issue, but I just want to be happy. I DOUBT I'll ever find a PC 327 around here I can toy with, and the tought of paying $1000.00 for a gun I can't even handle does not settle well.

The M&P looks like it will fit every qualification I seek, but that 327 is dead sexy.

I have no realistic idea of how large the 327 is. It seems small, but I read somewhere it is an "N" frame. What the heck size is that? Could I carry it IWB or is it a OWB only?

I wish I had more selection around here...

 

[dak109]

I too am looking at the 386PD or Sc/s. I currently carry a Taurus 617 Total Titanium in a Simly Rugged Sourdough ( great holster) and want to upgrade. I am not sure how much bigger the Smith will be. The Cylinder is about .100" bigger than the Taurus. If I knew the whole package would conceal as nice as the Taurus I wouldn't hesitate. Just hate spending more and not being as happy

 

[Nanook 450]

I carry a 386pd every day, along with my 360 M&P. I like www.mernickleholsters.com. My Kimber Pro CDP and Springfield TRP have not been fired in two years.

 

[ENH]

I have both. I pocket carry the 327 allot. It shoots wonderful little groups, much better than seems right with the short barrel.
My wife has confiscated the 386PD and it is now her house and walk the property gun. She has a M60 Lady Smith but prefers the light weight weight of the 386PD. She shoots it better than I. You'll be happy with either, but probably should just buy both and then add a 325PD and a 396NG and....

 

[rburg]

As for the shootability of the 386, I attribute it to the larger frame and the full size handle. Most of us have discovered we can shoot the larger frames better and a little more often. They're not fun with wood grips, but at least you can hold on to them when they go off. Try a 360 sometime with tiny little slivers of wood for grips.

My 386 isn't the PD flavor. Its the white metal with the longer barrel.

 

[sparkman10mm]

I'm about your size and build-5'10", 200lbs, size 46 jacket and 36in waist I carry my 386PD in a galco speedmaster
behind my right hip (along with my 340PD on my ankle), with no problems. I ususally carry this all winter long
with a sweater over it. the 386PD is a great pistol, light, powerful and very handy.

Originally posted by USMCsilver:
I have nearly 20 pistols. I've never been a revolver fan, but I'm coming closer to the light. I just got a 360Sc from Bud's and I have another desire...

I've never held the 386PD nor have I ever looked at it in person.

This is something, if I got it, that I would want to carry concealed. Is this a practical thought? I'm 5'8 and ~215. Stocky, not fat. I can carry a 1911, Glock, etc. in the winter and be fine with it. In the summer, I usually carry a P32, Bobcat, or Tomcat. Every now and then the G23 or 36 rides SOB.

Anyway, the pistol is kinda sexy. I like the way it looks, and again, I'm not a revolver guy.

Can anyone give any insight as to whether or not this gun would be a good carry gun or not? Also, any +/- about the gun would be nice, too.

Thanks very much.

 

[Fondasmith]

386PD circa 2002; has the 'pimple' (but I think they all do); Segal boot grips; C&S combat rear site and Big Dot tritium front; Wolff reduced power main and rebound springs; winter carried often in a Kramer IWB; light, accurate and far more controllable than any J .357…

You can indulge in 9 vs. .40 vs. .45 semi-auto debates until the cows come home; there's something very warming, perhaps even erotic, about a .357 under your fleece.

Thanks,
John

 

[ENH]

Very nice John. You did well with your customization.

 

[Frankie_fast]

I just bought a 386sc and I'm a little bigger than you. 6ft, 235lbs ex powerlifter and have been a competitive shooter since age 10, my dad made me wait a few years and trained more. I was an Olympic alternative in Biathlon. AMU, presidents 100 etc, 21 years in the military. I tell you this because these scandium guns are what people call expert level pistols. You can shoot them as a novice but need to adjust your shooting schedule for them. They shoot very different than steel or polymer. Scandium pistols are very stout in recoil, even for guys bigger than me (I consider myself small to medium in the units I worked in.) I carry my 386 a bit more than my alternatives. I have literally hundreds of options to carry but carry it more and more. As I get older I notice my 3.5in 1911 I had Wilson make for me is carried less. The 38Super it's chambered in is also more work to buy when I'm lazy and don't feel like loading. Yes, I carried reloads. I know it's an issue in a shoot and have been involved in 2 of those already, once was the victim shot at, the second I talked the guy down. The 386 or any sc pistol will work well but it requires work on your part. I'm not saying it won't work, it just is something you should train with. It's not a run of the mill 36 or 342. The bigger frame and size of the 386 helps, of the sc pistols, it's the easiest to shoot actually. The 44spl version is 2nd easiest. The 340sc is the hardest. I haven't shot the 45acp so I don't know about it's shootability. I have 2 1911 E scandium pistols but they are a different animal. Prepare to shoot it a bunch is all I'm saying.

 

[petepeterson]

OP may not even be the same size 14 yrs later. Something to consider.

 

[CJH]

Paul, thank you.

I'm torn b/t something like that, or the M&P 360 or the Performance Center 327 like this:

Money really is not an issue, but I just want to be happy. I DOUBT I'll ever find a PC 327 around here I can toy with, and the tought of paying $1000.00 for a gun I can't even handle does not settle well.

The M&P looks like it will fit every qualification I seek, but that 327 is dead sexy.

I have no realistic idea of how large the 327 is. It seems small, but I read somewhere it is an "N" frame. What the heck size is that? Could I carry it IWB or is it a OWB only?

I wish I had more selection around here...

I'm 175, 5ft 10 and I can easily conceal my 327 in an OWB holster with a t shirt. I carry the 2 5/8 version. Love it and would recommend

 

[CJH]

OP may not even be the same size 14 yrs later. Something to consider.

Damn lol didn't notice how old this thread was