Smith & Wesson 386 Night Guard
Smith & Wesson 386 Night Guard in .357 Magnum
I bought this gun just because I like the way it looks, but I really will carry it. It has a scandium-aluminum frame, a stainless steel cylinder that holds 7 rounds of .357 Magnum, tritium night sight, exposed hammer spur, and a fully adjustable rear sight. It is light, but it is quite comfortable to shoot.
Handloading: .357 Magnum
| Caliber: | .357 Magnum |
|---|---|
| Capacity: | 7 |
| Barrel Length: | 3" |
| Frame: | L-frame |
| Weight: | 24.4 oz |
I purchased this handgun in 2026.
Status
I want to find carry holster options for it, probably IWB.
Ammunition
I have tested six types of ammo, and they all shoot about the same. I may need to get in some range time to regain some shooting skill, and then test again.
- Barnes VOR-TX 140 gr. XPB
- 1st Test: Shot a 5½" group, about 3" low, at 7 yards. Might do better after some practice.
- Remington Golden Saber 125 gr. BJHP
- 1st Test: Shot a 5¼" group, about 3½" low, at 7 yards. Bright muzzle flash.
- Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr. FlexLock
- 1st Test: Shot a 4⅜" group, about 4" low, at 7 yards. Might do better after some practice.
- Hornady Critical Defense 125 gr. FTX
- 1st Test: Shot a 6" group, about 3" low, at 7 yards.
- Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. Short Barrel
- 1st Test: Shot a 3¾" group, about 2½" low, at 7 yards. Some muzzle flash, but minimal. Very low recoil.
- Winchester Defender 125 gr. Bonded JHP
- 1st Test: Shot a 4½" group, about 4½" low, at 7 yards. Rather huge muzzle flash, and loud.
I should try some 158 gr. loads. They might print higher and have less muzzle flash.