Posted: 4/26/2026 6:57:03 PM EDT
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Well life the past years has been a little like I imagine surgery without anesthesia would feel. That being said I have emerged scared but victorious, without having to explain my whereabouts or cell phone history with major case detectives . I have decided on a present for myself, and am considering a Smith 386 Nightguard. Share any experiences thanks. |
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I think that’s a great choice. JM Custom Kydex makes a holster. I have not had that model but have had other very similar.357’s and a 329PD which is a beast if you don’t load it down. The 386 has the 7 shot cylinder so cylinder stop cuts lay between chambers …that is a stronger design than 6 shot L and lots stronger than K frame. The 3 in gives the full length extractor rod. No need to worry about 10 round mag limit states. .357 loads like Silvertip Winchester are very effective. Wise Choice |
They are quite excellent. There is the possibility of needing to send it back to Smith if you get one with spotty QC. Unfortunately mine did. I cycled it out of time in 1,317 trigger actuations. It was a combo of janky ratchets and a hand that was a bit too soft I believe. The turnaround was quick and it came back with the issue corrected. It's far more precise than I am. In comparison I also grabbed a 396 (the 44 special) which has been perfect.  
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Originally Posted By Simms13: They are quite excellent. There is the possibility of needing to send it back to Smith if you get one with spotty QC. Unfortunately mine did. I cycled it out of time in 1,317 trigger actuations. It was a combo of janky ratchets and a hand that was a bit too soft I believe. The turnaround was quick and it came back with the issue corrected. It's far more precise than I am. In comparison I also grabbed a 396 (the 44 special) which has been perfect. https://i.imgur.com/hTu05HM.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YhiPpng.jpg Yeah, I wanting a 386. I just can’t pull the trigger on the over priced ones. Hopefully prices normalize when more get released. BTW, what grip are you running in the pics above? |
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Originally Posted By Yojimbo: ... Hopefully prices normalize when more get released. ... |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
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Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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Well, I got an email today that the 386 Night Guard in stock at Guns.com for $1219. I bought one and it will be going to a local gun store for the transfer. I actually have one free transfer with them so we’ll see how it goes. This is the first revolver I’ve purchased since 1990. I sure hope S&W QC doesn’t let me down.  I never got anything from Guns.com but it seems like reviews say they are GTG. We shall see… |
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Originally Posted By Simms13: They are quite excellent. There is the possibility of needing to send it back to Smith if you get one with spotty QC. Unfortunately mine did. I cycled it out of time in 1,317 trigger actuations. It was a combo of janky ratchets and a hand that was a bit too soft I believe. The turnaround was quick and it came back with the issue corrected. It's far more precise than I am. In comparison I also grabbed a 396 (the 44 special) which has been perfect. https://i.imgur.com/hTu05HM.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YhiPpng.jpg Which red dot sight mount is that? Sweet setup. |
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I'm not 100% sure but I believe it's the Checkerboard Creek Customs mount. I was interested in one too but it looks like just recently they put the whole thing on hold. Really a shame since it's probably the lowest mount you can get for a revolver. I've been looking hard at getting a revolver a narrowed it down to a 386 or TRR8, but I just don't want to gamble on Smith's QC. |
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Originally Posted By Simms13: They are quite excellent. There is the possibility of needing to send it back to Smith if you get one with spotty QC. Unfortunately mine did. I cycled it out of time in 1,317 trigger actuations. It was a combo of janky ratchets and a hand that was a bit too soft I believe. The turnaround was quick and it came back with the issue corrected. It's far more precise than I am. In comparison I also grabbed a 396 (the 44 special) which has been perfect. https://i.imgur.com/hTu05HM.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YhiPpng.jpg Shit happens, S&W is a good company that even if something is messed up I’ve had good luck with them taking care of it. Found your IG a few weeks back. Your one of my favorite to follow as I’ve gone down the revolver rabbit hole lately. |
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I've been wanting one of these for years, so I was super excited when they announced them at SHOT. I got on the list at my local Lipsey's dealer, but I hadn't heard anything. They started popping up on Gunbroker and I couldn't wait any longer. I paid a little bit more than MSRP and got it last Thurs. I went and shot it this weekend, and it's not right. With the sights pushed all the way to the right, it still hits left at 10 yards. At 25 yards, its even worse obviously. I can't see anything with my naked eye, but I'm guessing the barrel is canted. I tried 8-9 different loads and they all hit left. I am going to call S&W and send it back to them. I have had a 586 for about 10 years and I shot them back to back just to make sure I wasn't crazy. Another thing that really pissed me off is that there is a bunch of crap in the channel under the barrel that the ejection rod lays in. Like finish missing and maybe some rust. It's pretty disappointing for a brand new $1300 pistol. Hopefully this is helpful to anyone else on the fence. I'm sure they will get it taken care of, but I shouldn't have to send it back at all. I love the way it looks and feels. It did put up some nice groups, just left. It would be good for shooting around corners or something. |
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Mine hasn’t shipped from Guns.com yet. I am hoping I can pick it up some time later this week. Fingers crossed…sounds like I picked a hell of a time buy a smith a Wesson revolver. ETA 5/5/26 - Got the shipping notice and tracking number email from Guns.com. 5/7/26 - Got a call from my local gun store that my Night Guard 386 was ready for pick up. Picked it up after work and everything went pretty smoothly. It looked good with no obvious flaws in my initial inspection. I probably won’t be able to shoot until Memorial Day weekend but I’ll post some pics tomorrow. So far Guns.com appears to be good to go with pretty fast shipping. They also had good price for NG 386 when I was notified about it being in stock. |
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Originally Posted By akethan: I picked mine up tonight. Barrel is canted. I'll go shoot it with irons this weekend and see what it does. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2815-3758890.jpg |
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Originally Posted By MORifleman: Dammit, that sucks man. Mine just got delivered back to S&W today. We'll see what they say/how long it takes them. They told me 3-5 weeks I entered this agreement expecting to be disappointed.
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"I miss the days of being able to shoot all commies" G.B.
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Originally Posted By akethan: I picked mine up tonight. Barrel is canted. I'll go shoot it with irons this weekend and see what it does. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2815-3758890.jpg Let us know. That really doesn't look bad |
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| I think this is interesting considering they have a locking index pin machined into the frame and barrel cover. Open the cylinder and look at the underside of the barrel where the ejector rod rides when the cylinder is closed. I'm not doubting you. It's the bad kind of interesting. Like, what went wrong with fixturing and CNC cutting the forgings to make it canted. |
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Originally Posted By Simms13: I think this is interesting considering they have a locking index pin machined into the frame and barrel cover. Open the cylinder and look at the underside of the barrel where the ejector rod rides when the cylinder is closed. I'm not doubting you. It's the bad kind of interesting. Like, what went wrong with fixturing and CNC cutting the forgings to make it canted.  The front sight does appear straight even though the lines on the barrel appear canted. Lol. Fuck it. 
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"I miss the days of being able to shoot all commies" G.B.
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Originally Posted By akethan: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2850-3761628.jpg The front sight does appear straight even though the lines on the barrel appear canted. Lol. Fuck it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2865-3761895.jpg Nice! What red dot mount is that? |
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I'm really hoping to get one this year, seems like a great " do most anything" carry gun for those of us in the suburbs and/or who spend time in the woods. the QC seems to suck so I'm not rushing, I imagine these sell well for a while. I shot a 329 and it absolutely cured me of wanting a scadnium 44 but after shooting a 360 and not losing any fingers I think the 3" and full grip will make all but the spiciest 357 relatively tame. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
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I just got my revolver back from S&W, see post #9 above. They were really fast, they had it right at a week and did 2 day air to them and back to me. The repair order said: - repair / evaluate - replace barrel - repair yoke - passed range testing It looks great now. This barrel assembly is really clean. The first one had all the shitty finish/rust inside the ejector rod channel. I am not sure what the problem was with the yoke. I will shoot it soon, but I'm sure it's good now. How it should have been the first time. |
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Originally Posted By MORifleman: I just got my revolver back from S&W, see post #9 above. They were really fast, they had it right at a week and did 2 day air to them and back to me. The repair order said: - repair / evaluate - replace barrel - repair yoke - passed range testing It looks great now. This barrel assembly is really clean. The first one had all the shitty finish/rust inside the ejector rod channel. I am not sure what the problem was with the yoke. I will shoot it soon, but I'm sure it's good now. How it should have been the first time. That's great |
"I miss the days of being able to shoot all commies" G.B.
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Originally Posted By akethan: That's great Originally Posted By akethan: Originally Posted By MORifleman: I just got my revolver back from S&W, see post #9 above. They were really fast, they had it right at a week and did 2 day air to them and back to me. The repair order said: - repair / evaluate - replace barrel - repair yoke - passed range testing It looks great now. This barrel assembly is really clean. The first one had all the shitty finish/rust inside the ejector rod channel. I am not sure what the problem was with the yoke. I will shoot it soon, but I'm sure it's good now. How it should have been the first time. That's great good they fixed it but don't love that they are using customers for QC |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
@MacManus
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I went to my local outdoor range about 25 minutes before closing today. I put 50 rounds of .38 158gr through it to sight in the dot. It shot very well but I had one light primer strike. Not sure if it was the gun or the ammo. I had just enough time to try a couple of mag rounds to see how they felt and it wasn't bad at all. Hopefully I'll get more time tomorrow to shoot it again.  |
"I miss the days of being able to shoot all commies" G.B.
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I went and put about 150 round through mine this weekend after getting it back from S&W. It hits dead on now. I shot a couple cylinders at 100 just to check the windage. Trying some new grips too. They don't soak up the recoil as much as the ones that come on it, but I like the way these feel more. We'll see. Attached File |
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Finally put 200 rounds through mine last weekend. It was definitely spicy with full power 158gr, .357 mag ammo. It was still pleasant to shoot but it let you know you're not shooting 9mm. Mine shot point of aim right out of the box so I didn't need to make any sight adjustments. I haven't shot a revolver in a while so my double action trigger pull definitely need's some work. Overall, I like it and I am pretty happy with my purchase. It makes a good combo with my .357, 1854 lever action.  I also just swapped out the Hogue Bantam grip to a VZ Grip. The finger groove placement of the Bantam grip just don't work for my hands. Next, I may get a mount so I can put an EPS on it. 
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Originally Posted By akethan: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2850-3761628.jpg The front sight does appear straight even though the lines on the barrel appear canted. Lol. Fuck it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2865-3761895.jpg That would drive me nuts, especially for what they're charging for them. I really want one but they're out of my price range for another .38/.357 (a reasonable person would say I should sell a couple and buy a 386 )
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Originally Posted By sandboxmedic: That would drive me nuts, especially for what they're charging for them. I really want one but they're out of my price range for another .38/.357 (a reasonable person would say I should sell a couple and buy a 386 )I deal with a lot of bullshit in my life. This is minor |
"I miss the days of being able to shoot all commies" G.B.
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Originally Posted By akethan: I deal with a lot of bullshit in my life. This is minor I swear I'm not OCD and I've got some beat up guns (mostly police trade ins and my hunting guns), I spray paint some of my guns, I've got an idiot scratch or two on 1911s, I've dropped my 640 on concrete and dinged it up, etc. but those are all honest wear or things I've done, not factory wonkiness. I ended up with my Model 360 because when I went in with the intention of buying a 60 Performance Center Pro the ejector shrouds were slightly below the frame curvature (the newer models have a different barrel design). I blame it on years of working EMS, but I notice things that are out of place and it'll bug me- it drives my friends and family nuts too so I've learned to try hard to keep my mouth shut.  More like this though- 
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Originally Posted By akethan: I picked mine up tonight. Barrel is canted. I'll go shoot it with irons this weekend and see what it does. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/14209/2815-3758890.jpg Smith QC has been shit lately. I have a buddy who bought a 629 Mountain Gun the same time I bought my 329PD. It shot 3’ left at 15 yds with the rear sight maxed out trying to correct for it. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By cms81586: Smith QC has been shit lately. I have a buddy who bought a 629 Mountain Gun the same time I bought my 329PD. It shot 3’ left at 15 yds with the rear sight maxed out trying to correct for it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/2980/IMG_2711_jpeg-3771055.JPG Three FEET?? |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: I'm really hoping to get one this year, seems like a great " do most anything" carry gun for those of us in the suburbs and/or who spend time in the woods. the QC seems to suck so I'm not rushing, I imagine these sell well for a while. |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman