Opinions on Smiff 396 Mountain Lite

[osteodoc08]

There is a 396 Mountain Lite for sale locally. These don't seem to be very common and was hoping to get opinions on the model.

For those that aren't aware, this is an L frame sized aluminum/Scandium framed 5 shot 44 Special revolver with a titanium cylinder that weights in at 19 ounces with a 3" barrel.

Just curious in the rarity of the model. The collectors value. Value as a shooter and any other insight into this model.

[knifemaker]

Your best bet for value is too check Gunsamerica and Gunbroker web site for what that model is selling for, not what some dealers is asking. As for weight and shooting. That light of a gun will only be pleasant to shoot with factory rated 44 spec. ammo at about 750 fps. Any hotter stuff and you will think you touched off a cannon.

[Hickory]

This gun is in my opinion one of the finest carry guns that S&W ever produced. The only problem I have had with mine is that it is a very delicate firearm. The aluminum frame is soft and susceptible to wear and tear.
Knowing what I know now, I'd still buy mine again, but, I'd treat it like it was a hummingbird in my pocket.

The frame is aluminium but there is no scandium in it.

[Kestrel4k]

[...]
The frame is aluminium but there is no scandium in it.

What is the point of posting just to provide the wrong info?
The frames are certainly made of aluminum yes, but the scandium alloying is the whole point.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm...96-night-guard

[Hickory]

What is the point of posting just to provide the wrong info?
The frames are certainly made of aluminum yes, but the scandium alloying is the whole point.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm...96-night-guard

The original 396 no dash was built without scandium in the frame as the 386, 7 shot 357 magnum revolver did have scandium.
I'm not going to argue beyond this statement on what I know is fact.
The newer Night guard revolvers do have scandium, mine does not.

[475AR]

What is the point of posting just to provide the wrong info?
The frames are certainly made of aluminum yes, but the scandium alloying is the whole point.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm...96-night-guard

The mountain lite and the night guard are different guns. The mountain lite is an aluminum frame gun http://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Smit...-Spl/Variant-1p
While the night guard is a scandium frame gun (which is stronger then aluminum). Both are great guns and make great carry guns in the field.

[Kestrel4k]

OK I withdraw my earlier post - S&W having two different M396's is a bit confusing.

[Hickory]

This is my 396.

[475AR]

OK I withdraw my earlier post - S&W having two different M396's is a bit confusing.

The earlier mountian lite was their first big bore aluminum frame gun, to keep weight down and make sure the cylinder was strong enough they used titanium for the cylinder. I never got one of the ML guns but did get the night guard in 44 spl and 41 mag both are great guns. Keeping up with some of S&W's models is hard enough but when they did make it confusing on the 396.

[475AR]

This is my 396.

Yep that is the mountain lite the aluminum frame gun with titanium cylinder.

[Tripplebeards]

I have a nite guard 44 mag. All black titanium with a barrel half the length as the mountain. I can hit water bottles with it at 30 yards. After about three rounds it tears the skin on my knuckles every time. The pistol is fun to shoot...a couple times...and then your done. It’s a cool gun to whip out but I’d rather have a semi auto 9 mm for ccw. Follow up shots way quicker and you want to keep shooting it. The last time I checked my discontinued pistol...if you can find one, was around $1250 on gun broker.

[Lloyd Smale]

had one for a while. It was a great gun to stick in my jacket pocket while bow hunting ect. It was absolutely brutal to shoot with kieth level 44 spec loads though. Even 8 grains of unique and a 250 would open your eyes. Just something about that gun that bit the web of my hand and made me bleed about every time I took it out. It also seemed a bit less then the standard smith quality. I used it for years though and one day walked into a gunshop and found a 696 there for about a give away price. I absolutely love it. Still compact and well not as light, light enough. Recoil is MUCH milder and the 396 I have and my buddy had were 3 inch 25 yard guns. this 696 will shoot loads it likes into an inch. Not long after I got the 696 the 396 went down the road and I honestly don't miss it. Personaly id rather shoot my 4 inch bisley 500 linebaugh with full power loads then that smith with keith level loads.

[Hickory]

Lloyd,
I have to agree with you in everything you say. However, it is a great little carry gun. To me, a perfect carry gun is one you never have to draw and shoot. But, I want one that is reasonable powerful and easy to carry without the extra weight.

[Tripplebeards]

Lloyd,
I have to agree with you in everything you say. However, it is a great little carry gun. To me, a perfect carry gun is one you never have to draw and shoot. But, I want one that is reasonable powerful and easy to carry without the extra weight.

Most guys that I’ve let shoot mine that have regularly shot big bore handguns can’t hit the broad side if a barn with mine at 25 yards. I’d tell the op to shoot one before buying. These little light cannons take some skill past 15 feet to shoot accurately. It’s a good gun to scare someone with and make some noise but the average shooter is going to have trouble hitting their target at and past 20 yards with it IMOP. It’s a great pistol to shove under a mountain lions or bears chin while it’s chewing on you. I think that’s why you see them for sale time to time...gotta have it! Shot it, can’t hit anything with it, hurt my hand from extreme recoil, and sold it.

I will eventually sell mine when it approaches close to my Andacondas ridiculous seen prices to get a another practical hunting revolver some day. Until then I’ll keep busting my knuckles and cans with it.


If you buy it...buys some gloves. You’ll thank me in the long run. I bought mine used. The shop called it the blood gun...because there was blood on it. They teased me that someone offed themselves with it. I think they just tore their knuckles open like I do shooting it every time and didn’t clean it.

[osteodoc08]

Thanks for all the real life advice and opinions.

[shorty500]

My 396 mountain lite was like lloyd’s And was around 3 to 3-1/2 at 25yds. Experimented just enough to know that improved with very hard, gas checked slugs that were on the heavier and therefore longer bearing surface side for caliber. Kinda defeated the purpose of the gun as well as raising cost per cost and wear &tear on the gun. In my experience that has been a trend in the ecm barrelettes S&W has used in .44. My m329 has followed same traits. My current 396ng is better and shoots an NEI .430-270SWC extremely well

[osteodoc08]

I think I'm gonna look at the Smith 69 or maybe GP-100 after discussing in depth with a member here offline with their experiences with the 396. I'd want something more pleasant to shoot and durable.

[salvadore]

I tried lotsa loads in my 18 oz. Mountain Lite. 180s, 200s at .44 spc. pressures. I can't imagine Keith type loads in the shooter, plus Its probably as brutal to the revolver as it would be to the knuckles. Anyway I settled on a 240gr. wadcutter at around 750fps using trailboss. IMHO this is a cracker Jack carry gun, easy to shoot with the right load. In a social situation the sights are easy to find and a .43 meplat makes a big hole. I'd buy it again without hesitation.

[Lloyd Smale]

personaly I think id remove the gp from that list and add a 696 if you can find one. To me the smaller size of the 696 and the added weight over a 396 makes it about ideal. Still a lot lighter and smaller then a 69 or gp.

I think I'm gonna look at the Smith 69 or maybe GP-100 after discussing in depth with a member here offline with their experiences with the 396. I'd want something more pleasant to shoot and durable.

[6bg6ga]

I think I'm gonna look at the Smith 69 or maybe GP-100 after discussing in depth with a member here offline with their experiences with the 396. I'd want something more pleasant to shoot and durable.

For me half of shooting is being able to actually enjoy shooting. Something lite isn't going to be pleasant to shoot or for that matter accurate. I'll put up with a larger gun simply because I can control it and put it on target and for me that is my only concern. I would rather carry a larger heavier gun but thats just me.