Did Someone Finally Make the Perfect Carry Revolver?

Smith & Wesson brought back the Night Guard, and the new 386 might be the best defensive carry revolver S&W has ever made. In this review, James Reeves takes a close look at the Lipsey’s-exclusive Smith & Wesson 386 Night Guard in .357 Magnum, a seven-shot L-frame revolver with a 3-inch barrel, scandium frame, PVD-coated stainless parts, tritium front sight, adjustable rear sight, Hogue Bantam grips, no internal lock, and S&W’s upgraded Endurance Package.

We compare the 386 Night Guard against the 686 Plus, Model 640, Model 19 Carry Comp, 340PD, and Performance Center 327 to see why this gun may be the best-balanced personal defense revolver Smith & Wesson makes. We also shoot .38 Special, .38 +P, and .357 Magnum to see whether this lightweight carry revolver actually performs on the range.
Table of contents

0:00 First shots with the Night Guard
1:09 What is the Night Guard?
1:59 386 Night Guard vs. 686 Plus
4:00 386 Night Guard vs. Model 640
4:51 386 Night Guard vs. Model 19 Carry Comp
6:00 386 Night Guard vs. 340PD
6:57 386 Night Guard vs. S&W 327
8:29 Shooting the 386 Night Guard
11:54 Conclusion