S&W 396 mountain lite 44 spl value ?

[tc scout]

Due to injury and surgery I can no longer handle the recoil of my 44 special for range practice. It was my woods carry gun, but find it will have to be replaced with a lighter gun. My thought was to replace it with a similar Smith in 38/357. That way I could range shoot the 38 and carry 357 in the woods. I think the model 60 might be a good replacement, but also wanted some input from the members on this model or others. Would also like to know what the members think is a fair market value for the 396. Thanks for your opinions and information, it is much appreciated.

[Dale53]

I might suggest that you try a Model 60 in .357 before you buy one. You might find the recoil to still be more than you want in a .357. I often carry a 686 4" for field use and it is a virtual pussycat with a stout .357 load. However,  model 60 is NOT a pussycat.

My carry gun is a 642. .38 wadcutters (for practice) are just fine but .38 +P has heavy recoil in this platform and ANY of the "J" frame lightweight .357's are approaching brutal. The "Airlight" bunch ARE absolutely BRUTAL! I won't have one in my house .

So, try before you buy. One thing to consider - grips can make a serious difference in how much recoil you can tolerate. I am a fan of Pachmayr grips in various models - the Compact series for "J" frames are particularly good recoil absorbers.

Good luck to you.

Dale53

[Mohawk]

  What Dale53 said...........in full agreement. And if the +P loads in .38 are still a bit too much for your condition you might try the Remington 110gr SJHP. They are standard pressure and still pack a wallop and reach full expansion from a snub. On a deer, broadside, this load punched through both lungs and lodged on the opposite side brisket leaving a .50 caliber wound track. It is now my exclusive carry load in .38 since that day.

[Graybeard]

I honestly don't know a value for them used. New I think they are pretty high but that doesn't always translate to a high resale value on used ones. I've never seen one on a dealer's shelf only on the S&W website. I see it listed at $980 on their site and with a weight of 24.2 oz. The Model 60 3" with adjustable sights like I have weights 24 oz they say.

I shoot it with full magnum loads all the time and don't feel recoil is punishing and with any type of .38 even the hotter +p+ loads it hardly seems to recoil at all to me.

I guess value really is all about what two folks are willing to pay and part with an item for and at times folks seem willing to pay some really ridiculous prices and others seem a bit wiser in that regard. Since I've never seen one on a shelf new or used I really can't give you much help on value.

[tc scout]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I don't have any experience with 357's,only a charter 38 which my wife shoots mostly. My thought was a 357 to carry deer hunting if a very close shot came about and to shoot 38's at the range. Have no knowledge of 38+P effectiveness on deer. Only deer shot with handgun was 44 mag contender, so far I can still manage the recoil , but it may have to be barreled with something lighter in the future. Truly love the 396 and hate to sell it but since my surgery it is brutal for me to shoot and started me flinching. I certainly do not want another gun which is unpleasant to shoot but still want something capable of dispatching deer humanly. I thought a heavier frame gun in 357 might be something I could handle, maybe not don't know. Since I reload 38's would be easy to go to 357 in a revolver and if need be switch my contender to 357 also. Man it sucks to get old and worn out ! Just when you get some of the guns you love and wanted for a long time along comes a kick in the teeth and you have to rearrange the way you shoot and hunt.  Thanks everyone, Ken

[Ak.Hiker]

Have you given any thought to the possibility that you may be able to recover enough to enjoy your 44 Special. I would keep the 396 because it is a gun you really like. Never say never. For practice it would be very hard to beat a Smith & Wesson 317 with the 3 inch barrel in .22 long rifle. I have one and it is a real fun gun to shoot and very light as well. You could shoot the 22 all you want and still carry the 44 Special in the field. I bet you would not even notice the recoil if you got a shot at a deer with the 44.   

[Mohawk]

  Not that I intentionally go hunting with just a .38, it just always happens that it is all I have when a 10-15yd shot presents itself. I had to dispatch a deer with a broken hip one night on patrol because the deer was blocking the east bound lane of a highway and the BMW in front of me almost ran off the road into a canyon trying to avoid hitting it. The deer could only try and lift himself up with his front legs but could not drag himself to the roadside. He was obvioulsy scared and his head was always moving, wildly! (strobe overhead lights really freak them out). I was carrying a S&W model 10 loaded with 130gr. Winchester FMJ flatnose. One bullet in the lungs and after waiting 10 or so seconds I was able to put one in his head because he was starting to fade due to the lung hit. BTW, it is weird hearing the chest collapse.

  After a morning hunt I returned to my treestand to retrieve my girlfriend's book she had left since this stand is near the cabin. I was in the stand no longer than 5 seconds and a healthy doe about ran me over. My .38 is all I had with me so I took the 10yrd shot and double lunged her. She ran about 50yds. Kind of like using a bow. That load was a Remington 158gr. LRN.