In the world of revolvers, Smith & Wesson is one of the juggernauts of the market with a plethora of options ranging in size and caliber. Their reintroduced the Nightguard line with the 386 and 396 models, both Lipsey’s exclusive variants that offer lightweight options in an L Frame, allowing for concealability and firepower, but what are they like to shoot? Let's take a closer look at the new Smith & Wesson 386 Nightguard. Specs Smith & Wesson really did purpose-build this revolver for being able to carry all day with the lighter Scandium frame. Smith decided to keep the stainless steel cylinder with a PVD coating to allow for a tight lockup. The 386 I tested is chambered in .357 Magnum with a 7-round capacity, where the 396 model is chambered in 44 Special with a 5-round capacity. With a 3” barrel, it allows for a bit more burn time in the barrel compared to other super snub noses on the market. One of the more pleasant surprises is the lack of an internal lock, which people have complained about for years. Not only does it look better aesthetically, but there's no chance of anything accidentally being moved with no internal lock. When it comes to grips, the 386 comes standard with a set of Hogue rubber grips, which will help soften the kick on this lightweight hand cannon. When I picked up the 386, one of the first things that drew my attention is the big dot tritium front sight with a fully blacked out rear sight. The high contrast allows for quick sight acquisition with no issue of searching for your sight. I was surprised by how consistent the matte black finish was on my 386 Nightguard. MSRP on the 386 Nightguard is $1,269.99 and it’s available now through Lipsey’s. Spec List MSRP$1,269.99ManufacturerSmith & WessonManufacturer Part #164192Model386 NightguardActionRevolverTypeDA/SASizeSmall FrameCaliber357 MagnumBarrel Length3"ColorBlackGripsRubberCapacity7 RoundsHandRight HandManufacturer Wt24.4ozSightsAdjustable SightsSubcategoryRevolversMaterialScandium/Stainless Steel Range Time So far through my testing, I’ve fired roughly 575 rounds of 38 Special and 357 Magnum to give it a fair shakedown using both ammo types. I used mainly Federal American Eagle ammunition for both calibers and the difference in recoil was noticeable, to put it mildly. With regular 38 Special loads, the 386 Nightguard was incredibly easy and comfortable to shoot with little recoil despite being a lightweight frame. Shooting 357 Magnum was certainly a different story, though, since it jumped around quite a bit with full-power magnum loads. I want to say it reminded me of my smaller J-Frame 340 PD that's also chambered in 357 Magnum. The 340 PD is a much sharper recoiling revolver than the 386 Nightguard, but that jumping around feeling is similar on both models. One of the best upgrades on the 386, in my personal opinion, is including the Hogue rubber grips, which absolutely cut down on the recoil felt in the hand and allow for faster follow-up shots. The double-action trigger came in at 10.5 lbs, with the single-action coming in around 3.75lbs on average. Even with the double-action trigger, the 386 Nightguard trigger is extremely predictable, which allows you to fire it fairly quickly, even though it's a lightweight revolver. Between the sights, rubber grips and predictable trigger, the 386 Nightguard is really enjoyable to shoot even with full power 357 Magnum, although I wouldn't want to do it all day, every day. Carrying The NightguardWhere the 386 Nightguard truly shines, though, is when you start carrying it. The Scandium frame with stainless steel cylinder allows for 10 ounces to be shaved off compared to the heavier brother, the 686+ Deluxe I reviewed previously as well. Having 10 ounces off on a handgun is truly a massive difference and after a full 8 hours of carrying both, the 386 Nightguard leads to almost no hot spotting or fatigue, making it extremely easy to conceal. For the majority of my time, I carried my 386 Nightguard inside a Galco belt-mounted holster and it was truly a pleasure to conceal. It's one of those guns that just weighs less than other options. This 386 Nightguard is much like the 340 PD; it's genuinely effortless to carry around all day. Combine that with the fact that you can carry 7 rounds of full-power 357 Magnum and you have a real winner here. I wouldn't want to take it to the range and shoot all day, but this is a fantastic choice if you want to comfortably carry a medium-framed revolver all day long without feeling any strain. I can confidently say I have absolutely no problem carrying the 386 Nightguard all day, every day with a sturdy holster and belt. Overall Thoughts I wasn't sure how I was going to like the Smith & Wesson 386 Nightguard, but after spending a fair amount of time at the range as well as carrying it, I can absolutely say it's a slam dunk option and if you want something that is a lightweight hand cannon, this 386 is certainly for you. Do you guys have any experience with the Nightguard line of revolvers? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions about the Nightguard or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you in the next review.