S & W 386 Mountain Lite

Registered Magnum vs. 686-5 and -6

If it goes bang every time, is mechanically sound, feels good in the hand, has a decent trigger, and is easier to carry, then it is just as good IMO for shooting as opposed to collecting or admiring.
 
If it goes bang every time, is mechanically sound, feels good in the hand, has a decent trigger, and is easier to carry, then it is just as good IMO for shooting as opposed to collecting or admiring.
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If that's all you're looking for, then a Taurus should work fine. When I pay more, I expect more. Call me strange. ;)
 
I've looked at Taurus and Smith and Wesson. You're still getting more with Smith and Wesson. They are beat in action style. And weight. And no mandatory porting. They are also made in America by Americans.
 
I just purchased one of the Camfour 625's, sight unseen from Camfour who has this particular model made exclusively for them. This will be my last Performance Center revolver. While the revolver is very accurate (as are several of my other standard catalogued 625's), the fit, finish and action are no better than an out of the box Smith and, in some instances, worse than many. My single action trigger pull is a shade less than 5 pounds, and I'm unable to even measure the DA effort until Warne incorporates trigger pull gauges on their winches. The fashionable gold bead sight that snags on cloth, gun rugs, and holsters is partially obscured by the shallow notch in the .128 rear leaf so you can only make out the top half of the ball of fuzz decorating your front sight. This revolver should have had a .160 or, at least, a .148 rear blade with its .250 front sight. The build order calls for a .160, I think .148 would be perfect given the velocities and bullet weight encountered in .45 ACP. Mine, however, and I bet many others, shipped with the tiny one. Other special features -- the rear of the barrel face has a jagged lip around its edges that could have, SHOULD have been removed with 5 minutes of filing. I MAY give the PC a chance to fix that little birthmark, but I suspect they'll tell me its some sort of new-fangled flange to seal the bore and prevent lead spitting. Right. The highly touted "hand lapped" bore leads worse than any Smith I've ever had. I've JB'd the bore to polish it, but still need to check the throats which I suspect may be oversize. If so, the PC will definitely get a chance to tidy up all the other problems while they fit a new cylinder.

I've probably owned 50 Smith revolvers in the past 30 years. In my experience, quality control these days is seriously lacking. In the past two years, I've purchased, NIB, a .45 Colt MG (old style) with a that had a one inch unrifled gap in the middle of its 4" barrel, and a 3" .45 Colt 625 that had a burr in one charge hole requiring a hammer to extract fired cases. Both were fixed under warranty, quickly and at no cost, and I have no complaints after service was rendered on these virtually unfired guns. Last year, I returned a lightly used 625 Model of 1988, purchased new 14 years ago, that went out of time due to a broken pawl. Sent it back to SW, and it was returned with the note that it merely needed cleaning. And, I have to say, when it returned it was the cleanest non-functioning revolver I'd ever seen. They got it right the second time around. I've had several action jobs done by Performance Center gunsmiths (all on 625's) and each has come back with an acceptable DA pull and exquisite SA pulls. I know they can do quality work when they want to. So, I'm tempted to send this Camfour project gun back to Mass. to get a full-grown rear sight, remove the serrated edge from the rear of the barrel and exchange the Total Gym for a real trigger pull, but to tell you the truth, I'm honestly afraid it will come back worse than what I have now. If I had paid a nickel over dealer price, I'd really be feeling bad about this do-it-yourself project gun. Still, at $750 DEALER, I expect much, much more. Now if Smith would swap that little gold bead for a Wolff mainspring, and that snazzy aluminum case for an hour of hand-fitting and finishing, they might have something that resembles good value. As it is, it should come with $200 in gift certificates to Clark's, Weigand's, and Brownells. God bless. Hugh
 
My Camfour PC 625 exhibits none of the characteristics of Hugh's gun. I am completely satisfied and feel I got my money's worth.

Consistency is an obvious problem.
 
Stoic,

Who are these "folks"?
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People who watch the company perform one cost-of-manufacturing change after another (MIM parts, no more bluing, stainless guns now have that low-end brushed finish rather than the matte-bead-blast or bright polish of yore, square butt dropped from the catalog, P&R gone, and on and on) yet don't question the fact that the price tags keep rising. Once upon a time, they were worth the price difference over a Taurus; lately, though, they're just a Taurus with a designer label price tag and no real gain in quality.

The folks that stick their fingers in their ears and go "LALALA! They're my favorite! They're still the best! Their quality is as good or better than ever! LALALA!" aren't doing the company any favors in the long run, either.

If car buyers had been like that back in the '70s, we'd still be driving Pinto-based Mustang II's. It took folks voting with their wallets to make Detroit take a hard look at their quality problems.
 
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Ultimately, the market will decide whether S&W revolvers will survive amongst their competition. If Taurus and Ruger produce better revolvers for a better price than S&W, then S&W must respond to the market forces and produce a better product to survive. I entered the marketplace, saw the competitors, gauged prices, and made an informed decision that was right for me.

Some have posted personal positive experiences and some have posted personal negative experiences about new S&W revolvers. Each side wants to claim a monopoly regarding the truth of this matter and accuse the other side of poor judgment or a lack of expertise. Yet, no one on this forum has produced anything other than simple anecdotal evidence concerning the alleged failing quality control at S&W. And, it's human nature to focus on the negative experiences in a chat forum rather than positive ones. It would take a great leap in logic to deduce that S&W now produces Brazilian like junk.

We are all revolver enthusiasts and harp about this slice of the revolver onion and the quantity of angels who could dance upon a firingpin. This makes life exciting.

My recent S&W purchase produced an heirloom quality revolver and a positive personal experience that discounts the tales of poor production habits in MA. Yet, I don't doubt that the other posters have received less than sterling examples of the revolver craft. I empathize with them and hope that S&W will make it right. All production lines have flaws and a company's warranty is given to remedy those concerns.

I yearn for the days of old and wish that S&W still produced a hammer mounted firingpin, blued revolvers, and a variety of other lost features. If you want to call a current production S&W nothing more than an overpriced Taurus because they lack the features of old, then do so--it will not turn back the clock.

I'm glad that S&W is now American owned, American made, and under new management. This is a turn in the right direction.

:) :( :o :D ;) :p :cool: :rolleyes: :mad: :eek: :confused: :barf:
 
Tamara, I didn't say we hate them. Said we're all dump for owning them. Spend top dollar purchasing the name brand (new and used), to then sink tons of dollars at the shop personalizing them. They should all be personalized at the factory. :rolleyes:
 
Stoic- I commend your attempt to be even handed in your response, although I don't share your opinion that every poster's opinion evidences a bias or prejudice with respect to Smith & Wesson. I like well-made firearms, and pay no homage to the name engraved (or more recently, laser etched) on the side of the barrel. I've owned some relatively inexpensive guns that delivered excellent value; likewise, I've paid for some firearms that quickly made me realize I paid too much, regardless of the price I paid. My latest purchase from the Performance Center falls into the latter category. Granted, our tastes and expectations are likely very different. I personally have not yet owned a firearm that would rate "heirloom quality" by my standards. I've seen a few on display at the S.H.O.T. show, handled a couple in Europe, actually hunted with one in Germany, and may one day get the likes of Hamilton Bowen to build a "best grade" revolver that represents my understanding of the definition. It will cost big bucks, but I know it will continue to surprise me year after year with its durability, detail, and delivered performance. Soooo, while I would not consign my new 625 PC revolver to either heirloom or restroom status, it still leaves a lot to be desired in what I think $750 should represent. Call it "more room" status, as there is ample room for improvement. As for anecdotal evidence, I value experiential evidence, anecdotal or not. It doesn't benefit me to whack S&W and others are certainly free to exercise their support with cash or plastic. Nevertheless, I think some of those same people might benefit by hearing from me, you and others regarding our actual experiences with products that represent S&W's present state of quality control. I'm on record as encouraging potential buyers to actually handle the particular firearms they desire to buy. My recent experience suggests that is particularly sound advice with PC guns. I wasn't afforded that opportunity and, having been seduced by the looks of this particular revolver on a forum, I'm now in the process of fixing what should not need repairs. As a fellow member of the LSBA and long-time New Orleanian, I know you'll understand and indulge the pun when I suggest that my revolver be christened "res ipsa" because, believe me, the action speaks for itself with respect to my complaint! God bless. Hugh
 
I chose a PC 627 and am looking forward to its first outing. I did a careful scrutiny of the two available 627 and chose the better. A S&W gunsmith (employed by S&W) also reviewed the revolver. It has a very nice pull through DA, and a very nice and light SA. The rubber grips had to go, and I replaced them with Hogues Kingwood fingergroove, checkered ones.

I guess I look at S&W with a different view. They still exist. They still make all variety of revolvers and autos. They innovate (Ti, Sc, and even MIM parts). They hold to their roots (Heritage series). They are a collectible product (pinned, recessed, etc.) They offer a variety of finishes, grips, frame styles, and barrel lengths. They made it through the previous admininstration years. They still have a Performance Center. They have a shooting academy. They created a discreet yet effective lock. They have a customer service center. They have a historian. They have a long history with continued customer service.

Is quality worse? Maybe so. Is it a tough time for the company right now? I think so...new owners, a boycott, etc. Are they fighting it out? Seem to be swinging at every pitch, and hitting a fair percentage. I am so happy they are still around, and still offering great products based on a timeless revolver design.

When I think about the other revolver companies, I don't see the same. Colt offers no new products, and lives on a name. Ruger offers the same product made since xxxx (e.g. GP100 since 1986?). Ruger has a great reputation, fantastic strength and quality, etc. But, no one is looking for a set of Ruger rosewood grips with diamond screw pattern.

I chose Smith & Wesson, and will continue to do so.
 
Well said, Hugh. I hope that S&W fixes your "Pinto" revolver. Otherwise, I'm sure that you'll force them to pay non-pecuniary damages. :D

Glad to see another Attorney who is into the shooting sports and appreciates fine firearms. I don't meet many.
 
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Lots of good posts in this thread...and a WELCOME LACK of "Smith-Bashing", even if there IS a little grousing...FWIW, I believe that ANYONE who buys a product--ANY product--on "Faith" in the manufacturer's "Rep" and without thoroughly examining said purchase deserves what he gets...after all, even Mercedes and Rolex have put out the occasional "Clunker"!
That having been said, I believe that EVERYONE has a right to expect to receive "Full Value" for their hard-earned dollards when purchasing a revolver--or a watch, or an automobile, for that matter...only by consumers keeping after the manufacturers--and voting with their wallets, when necessary--will they IMPROVE their products and/or services...Hugh's PC 625 seems to be one that SHOULD NOT have been "Let Out" without some additional work...hope they'll make it "Right"....mikey357
 
I started this thread.............

with a question about the S & W 386 and later with another question about the cost of the gun. To be frank I did not learn a great deal in relation to that which I asked. On the other hand it turned into a fascinating and informative thread about Smith & Wesson and I learned a lot of things I never new. Thanks for a great thread. Good shooting:)
 
I have one

I have a Mountain Lite 386, and find it nice to shoot with .38 in either 149gr WC or 158gr SWC. I have not shot .357 in it yet, but will report about it as soon as I do.
 
Dairycreek I own both models 386PD and 360Sc. I started with the S&W model 337Ti, I gave that gun to my brother last Christmas. I think I was the first person to buy both models 360Sc and the 386PD from the shop that I bought them at. To start I think that they are both great guns strait out of the box! The first thing you need to know is that becouse of the light weight of the aluminum/scandium, titanium this gun will hammer the palm of your hand. By switching to Uncle Mikes Combat gips I have been able to reduse some of the felt recoil. Second: when the gun is fired in single-action the recoil will force the trigger guard to slam into your trigger finger, however this dose not happen while shooting in double-action, I personaly shoot only double-action. Third you will have to use bullets that have a good crimp becouse of the light weight the bullets will slide out of the shells just a little every time you pull the trigger jamming the last bullet on the frame of the gun. Even though this dose not happen as much with the 386PD as it dose with my 360Sc it is something to take into consideration. S&W dose cover this in the owners manual. I know the price was a little steep $600.00 each, give or take, but these guns were worth every penny! ;)
 
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