Modified S&W 385NG
These are the S&W 386NG and 386PD. The NG has a tritium Big Dot front sight and stainless steel cylinder. The under lug is a bit different from the PD, and the barrel has flat sides, but I see no advantage to either.
I was wondering why the NG doesn’t have the titanium cylinder of the PD. The NG also has the Cylinder & Slide “Extreme Duty” sight without tritium dots, a snag-free design I like. I’ve heard all the argument about the positives and negatives of 3-dot tritium sights. I’ve used them since the early ‘80s and like them just fine. I’ve NEVER seen the errors attributed to them, either by experienced or new shooters.
So I first sent the rear sight back to C&S for installation of the tritium dots. Then I sent the NG back to S&W to have the PD”s titanium cylinder fitted. The Custom Shop rep was dubious about it and said so. I reminded him the gun has the same aluminum/scandium frame as the PD and would be no harder to shoot, and as easy to carry.
So, I have it back, now, with the three-dot tritium sights (Big Dot on the front) and titanium 7-round cylinder. First, I recommend S&W build them that way. Second, if anyone has one in the original configuration, I’d recommend having these same mods done. It makes an “anywhere, anytime” CC gun with seven rounds. With .38 Special +P or Hornady Lever Evolution .357 Magnum ammo it is not at all difficult to control in rapid fire for persons of average strength.
- Backpacker