S&W 386PD .357 Observations - 02/07/03
Occasionally I work for a large gun distributor at a large local gun show. At the last one I got a great price on a S&W 386PD .357 Magnum. This is the scandium frame/titanium cylinder 2.5" barrel 7-shooter.
Recoil, to say the least, is interesting and this with mid-power .357 loads.
And muzzle flash with Rem Golden Sabre is excessive. 130 grain Fed HS loads kick the most but have virtually no muzzle flash--sort of a dull orange compared to the GS flashbulb like balloon of light.
The frame flexes considerably during firing as evident by the witness marks on the cylinder. According to S&W this is what happens when you shoot the gun.
Accuracy was good when I could control flinching. I fired 28 rounds of .357 and a few .38 +p loads.
There are a couple of logistic issues however. First the CTC Laser Grip that fits the L-Frame is much too large for a concealed carry firearm. Second I have yet to find a holster that fits the 386PD.
Thought you'd be interested.
Recoil, to say the least, is interesting and this with mid-power .357 loads.
And muzzle flash with Rem Golden Sabre is excessive. 130 grain Fed HS loads kick the most but have virtually no muzzle flash--sort of a dull orange compared to the GS flashbulb like balloon of light.
The frame flexes considerably during firing as evident by the witness marks on the cylinder. According to S&W this is what happens when you shoot the gun.
Accuracy was good when I could control flinching. I fired 28 rounds of .357 and a few .38 +p loads.
There are a couple of logistic issues however. First the CTC Laser Grip that fits the L-Frame is much too large for a concealed carry firearm. Second I have yet to find a holster that fits the 386PD.
Thought you'd be interested.