Pretty excited to have found one!!! I just got it today, and I cannot wait to put some rounds through it on Sat. Smith&Wesson is known for QC issues, but this one is clean, and the timing and lockup are good. The DA is smooth, no stacking, and the single is light and crisp. I have a trigger gauge coming in the mail, and I will have the trigger weight in my next update.
Ammo I will be using
New Republic Training & Range 357 Magnum Ammo 130 Grain Full Metal Jacket Flat Point
New Republic Training & Range 357 Magnum Ammo 158 Grain Full Metal Jacket Flat Point
Today I fired 85 rounds with the 386, testing at 7 and 10 yards using double action onlyâno staging or cocking the hammer, as this will be my EDC. The trigger pull is consistent, and I practiced double drills. Recoil is very manageable for a 24-oz revolver. I should improve my grouping with 100 more rounds before carrying, aiming for 1,000â1,500 rounds by yearâs end. The Hogue grip absorbs recoil well and allows easy follow-up shots.
The best Production Smith and Wesson in 2026.
My defense ammo will be Buffalo Bore:
Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Magnum Ammo
140 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,150fps/M.E. 411 ft. lbs.)
No timer yet- I need some time behind the trigger before I use my shot timer. One of the best revolvers I have shot. It shoots so well, I am going back to the range tomorrow for 50 more rounds. Plus, I am looking into reloading .357.
I have 185 rounds through my 386 NG after my range trip today-I could not help myself lol. After returning from the range, I noticed lines on the cylinder that wonât wipe off; they look like lead deposits. The timing appears fine to me. Any advice would be appreciated.
The blast shield could be the issue, but itâs not loose. I have sent an email to Smith and Wesson. I hope itâs normal and not something that needs to be fixed by Smith and Wesson
Iâve seen those turn/drag lines on some revolvers. My initial impression is that itâs cosmetic.
Copied from one source:
The âapproachâ on the cylimder is a machined cut-out - designed to guide the âboltâ into the âlocking notchâ without scratching the cylinder.
I suspect the bolt (cylinder stop) which causes the scratch - overly protrudes and/or is of a hard enough steel material (hence the markings), so that it helps the cylinder be more stable - especially when in single action mode.
Outside the cylinder, I noticed that rectangular ânotchâ or lock slot - followed by a scoop groove (approach) , but on some - the scoop groove is longer; I wonder if the longer scoops mitigates the lines. IDK.
I wonder if the lines are actually a good thing, despite the cosmetic "lookâ. If your cylinder feels snug, not loose, no play/rattle, while idle/at rest, Iâm just speculating itâs a secure-tight good quality - doing its job. Then again, Iâm just a âspace cadetâ.
Congratulations on getting the gun I wanted from the moment SW sent me an email trying to get me to buy one. When finances allow I had planned on getting a 7 shot 686, but this one became the one I want when they launched it. Beautiful.
I am sure it is proven technology, but using a frame material that has to be protected by a blast shield doesnât appeal to me. I looked at photos of earlier versions and the blast shield has gotten longer though the years. That indicates S&W must believe the frame needed more protection.
Donât get me wrong, I appreciate the weight savings and the finished product is beautiful
Itâs going back to Smith and Wesson tomorrow - It has timing issues with one chamber. My carry comp doesnât have those rings-it may be the forcing cone issue also.
