Smith 386 Ti Mountain Lite thoughts

[bikemutt]

I'm considering a 3" 386 titanium revolver which I think is the precursor to the 386PD. The reviews I've read on the 386PD seem to all agree that recoil with .357 mag is unpleasant at best but I expect that. I can't find much about the Ti Mountain Lite but I imagine its much the same, just 1/2" more barrel.

The 7-shot cylinder appeals to me, as does the light weight, could be a very nice carry piece loaded up with some .38+P.

It isn't cheap by any stretch, and it has the dreaded integrated lock, which I think all of these did.

So, wondering if anyone here at THR may know about this gun, or just care to share thoughts about it in general? Thanks.

 

[VA27]

I had one. It is light. It's an L-frame, so it's big, too. Mine had that dratted V-notch rear sight, which looks cool until you try to shoot for score. Unpleasant doesn't begin to describe the recoil with full-house loads. I thought it would be a handy trail gun. I guess it is, as long as you don't shoot it.

I've had 4 of the S&W guns with the two piece barrel and none of them were as accurate as the one piece barrel guns I've owned.

 

[bikemutt]

Thanks VA27, you just saved me a grand, where shall I mail your commission check?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I thought about getting one because I love to day hike. I was always worried I'd end up with a hard kicking gun I hate to shoot. Sounds like I was right. Then I realized that unless you do a lot of multiday backpacking, the weight reduction is not really needed. I got a 3" 686+ instead.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I have the newer 386xl hunter that I like a lot. It's a big gun with a lot of grip that while light for what it is isnt anywhere near as light as a 357 can get (ahem LCR). Recoil is not especially bad and accuracy is excellent.

In cooler weather I carry it quite often as a general outdoors friendly ccw piece. @ 6'2" I can conceal it surprisingly well

 

[bikemutt]

I've had both a .44 special and .38 special Ti Mountain Lite Smiths and sold them because they were too hard for me to control, I did not feel confident with them.

I had hoped maybe one designed for magnum loads and fired with lower power ammo might be the magic bullet so to speak, just enough weight in the gun to allow me to control it. I did read one article suggesting that .38 semi-wad cutters were actually a "pleasure" to shoot in the 386, and accurate. I'm just not up for dropping a grand to find myself disappointed again.

I do have one ridiculously lightweight S&W; the 351C. It is chambered for 7 rounds of .22 WMR. It has virtually no recoil and even with the hellacious trigger, is accurate enough for it's intended use. I mainly carry it at the off-leash dog parks and other strolling type activities where size and weight are a premium.

 

[ZVP]

I bought some Remington Golden Saber +P cartriges with all intentions of shooting them through my Model 10HB , BUT first I decided to try them through my 4 5/8" Ruger Vaquero. WOW! I am glad I did necause there is NO way I would subject the Model 10 to such abuse!
Shooters next to me at the Club thought I was firing .357 Magnums in the Ruger! I explained theat they were just +P's and they were suprised as I was!
The Vaquero is my favorite trail gun, carried in a 1880's style sholder Holster it's very comfortable and out of the way Now with this new power cartrige, I don't have to subjedt myself to the auditory abuse that the full .357 Magnum gives and still get preformance close to it!
The only problem is that the Vaquero is a large revolver and sorts heavy. It won't carry like a S&W "J" Frame reguardless of the chambering.
In the "J" Frame I still prefer the 158 gr .38 Special because of the heavy bullet weight and decent velocity.
JMHO
BPDave

 

[TennJed]

I am a Ruger fanboy and have a couple of Smiths but I must say the my Taurus 617 is a great 7 shot 357 snub. At 28oz it is pleasant to shoot (they made a 19oz titanium model tat I think is discontinued). Being a 7 shot it is a little wider than a 5 shot 38, but it carries nicely IWB or OWB. Picked it up in Jan. new for $400 OTD.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=260&category=Revolver&breadcrumbseries=&search=617

 

[VA27]

Thanks VA27, you just saved me a grand, where shall I mail your commission check?

Take the wife to dinner, my treat. (and not a BigMac, ya cheapskate!)