Night Guard Owners - Please Post FTF Problems Here

[conchmariner]

There have been quite a few threads about FTF problems with Night Guards. Have you had FTF problems with yours? I'm curious what pct of NG owners here have had problems, and if the problems disappeared with either a new firing pin or a trip back to S&W.

Here are my experiences:

396 NG - 210 rounds fired, 7 FTF, all with Magtech .44 Special 240 grain Cowboy Action Load. Both Winchester .44 Special 200 grain STHP and Hornady .44 Special 180 grain JHP/XTP have been flawless so far.

329 NG - 291 rounds fired, 12 FTF, 5 with CCI Blazer .44 Special 200 grain JHP, 7 with CCI Blazer .44 Magnum 240 grain JHP. The above Winchester and Hornady .44 Special loads have been flawless, as have Hornady .44 Magnum 300 grain JHP/XTP (albeit painful) and Magtech .44 Magnum 240 grain JSP.

I still haven't decided whether my experiences make a trip back to S&W necessary, but I am considering it.

[Nframe357]

I talked a buddy of mine into a 325 NG last year, it worked fine for the first couple of outings then it started to misfire. We were perplexed so I posted a thread here about the issue and got the reply. S&W installed short firing pins to meet commiefonias drop test, brilliant thinking on the behalf of my favorite handgun maker! He called S&W they said send it back and they'd replace the FP with the same type of FP, more brilliance. He found an aftermarket maker of firing pins and installed the needed size and it's been flawless ever since. His lock also was giving him issues so he took that out as well. Now I've never really cared about the whole lock issue till now, I WILL not buy a newer S&W with the lock or nonsensical short firing pins, I will continue to buy older Smiths but new ones, no way!

[BIG DOG]

I wish to thank you both now that my stomach is in a knot!
I just dropped some heavy cash last night on a unfired 325 pd and its to late if there is a problem.
Are there any good reviews........Quick please! I need some positive input!
G

[maxxpower]

I've just recently picked up a 327 NG. So far I've had ZERO FTF with about 300 rounds through it. I've been shooting almost all 38special and a lot of different ammo but I've only heard click-boom so far.

[doyle01]

Got a 325 NG never had a ftf . Not one

[moxie]

Conchmariner, Your experience with FTFs is way high. Get the gun(s) fixed.

[conchmariner]

Originally Posted by moxie

Conchmariner, Your experience with FTFs is way high. Get the gun(s) fixed.

I agree it's too high, but I'm not sure yet if it's ammo specific or not. For example my last go round on the 329 with Blazer .44 Magnum I had 5 FTFs out of 18 rounds, but all 5 had good primer strikes, so I may have got a bad box of ammo (OTOH I shot the remaining 32 in my 629 with no issues). I then shot a box of Winchester .44 Special with no issues (in the 329 NG).

[Crazy K38]

I say if you have one or get one don't take the chance get a longer FP

[Bear Country 88]

329NG here. 33% FTF on the first trip to the range. Sent the gun back to S&W. Took 6 weeks for them to "repair under warranty". When I asked what exactly was done under warranty - Customer Service told me their computer screen says "replace firing pin".

I just got the gun back and will be visiting the range soon. One more FTF and this "self defense" weapon is nothing more than a "trade" gun at the next gun show.

With the FTF and that lock with it's potential issues - I'm going to avoid S&W. That's me, and it's because of an unreliable Night Guard.

[Tom M]

No problems with my 386, but I "tweaked" it before it went to the range.

[dirtygrunt95]

386 had for over a year 1k + through it no ftf.

[pinkymingeo]

Replacing the firing pin takes two minutes if you stop to drink some coffee. Otherwise, less. An Apex or C&S firing pin cures any problems permanently. Instead of getting upset, just get a pin and simmer down.

[BIG DOG]

pinky
could you please post a link to where one might find these firing pins?
Thanks
G

[pinkymingeo]

Apex Apex XP ignition kit - $14.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

C&S MidwayUSA - Advanced Search

[BIG DOG]

Thank you much
G

[Randy Lee]

Hi all,

It has been my experience that the as shipped firing pins are typically on the short side. I have also found that coupled with the Wolff mainspring (that some of the guns are shipped with), an increase in the ftf rate occurs.

A longer pin and or replacement with the stock factory mainspring (one without the rib running down the center of the mainspring) usually cures the problem.

The factory pins measuring .495 in overall length will also work.

~Randy

Apex Tactical Specialties, Inc.

[Dennis The B]

I purchased a new 325NG on Wednesday, and immediately put 100 rounds through it at the local shop's range. I had no FTF's, and went through two boxes of Blazer 230gr Ball ammo, with brass cases.

Today, I went to my club, and put another 200 rounds through the revolver. Again, not one FTF. I used a variety of factory loads and home reloads. I fired 185gr JSWC, 230gr ball, and 230 gr JHP. While these various type are more of a factor with an auto, they were what I had previously loaded and stored. The brass was a mixture of WW, Federal, R-P, 1960's military (W-W), and Speer.

Now, it may be possible that FTF's will occur the next time out, or in the future. I will keep you posted. However, until then, I'm a very happy camper with the new revolver.

[Chik a Boom]

Same as maxxpower said.

[conchmariner]

Originally Posted by pinkymingeo

Replacing the firing pin takes two minutes if you stop to drink some coffee. Otherwise, less. An Apex or C&S firing pin cures any problems permanently. Instead of getting upset, just get a pin and simmer down.

This is what I'm going to do this week ie order a new pin. But this really shouldn't be necessary for a 900 dollar revolver marketed primarily as a defense weapon (check out the NG ad in the latest American Rifleman), so I can understand people being upset.

[cunwat]

I bought a 386 NG with a seven shot cylinder. On my first outing to the backyard range, it misfired 18 out of 21 times using 3 different brands of premium self defense ammo. I emailed Smith and Wesson and got a reply back the next day. They sent me a FEDEX lable in about a week. I sent the gun back. Less than 10 days later I got the gun back with a letter saying the firing pin had been replaced and it was good to go.

I took it out to the range the next day. I shot 50 MagTech 38 special rounds through it and had 5 FTF. I recycled them and none fired. I then put them in an old Model 65 I have that has never failed to fire in 15 years and has thousands of rounds through it. Four our of the five did not fire.

I then put 300 rounds of premium 38 +P and 357 self defense ammo through the gun without a single misfire. I have decided that the MagTech primers were set deep and there may have been a QC problem with them, because the other ammo was flawless.

I think I will put several hundred more rounds through it before I carry it, but I believe Smith has worked out the bug in the firing pin. They were fast and responsive. The trigger is as good as any gun I own and some of them have expensive trigger jobs.

There are some positive endings to this saga.

[sold it n sorry]

First post here.
I have a 396 NG 44 spcl. 1200 rds. No ftf's. Fired every time.
All light handloads...200 grn cast bullet ahead of 6 grns Unique, Win primers.
All things considered...I really like the ng.
Hey! I didn't realize how old this thread is. S&W probably got the word and fixed the problem.

Sold it n sorry

[JAMESDMARSH]

I BOUGHT A 329 NG (.44 MAG SHORT BARREL) and the first round I fired was a light primer strik misfire. Great job Smith and Wesson $1,000.00

I went on to shoot 50 rounds and had 9 fail to fires (with light primer strikes) Not too happy to say the least - this was a brand new gun from a dealer. I called Smith and their service rep told me "he just didn't know..." and recommended that I remove the grips and start tightening screws.. My $30.00 junk revolver is now my carry piece - and I have a brand new 329 for sale -- also have canceled my decision to buy a M&P rifle as well - GOODBYE SMITH and WESSON!!!

[GJS]

I have shot my 327NG without problem. Just in case I buy one that does not work, is there a do it your self instruction to replace the firing pin?

[310nightguard]

I had a 386 that had to be returned due to numerous FTF out of the box and a 310 with the same problem. They were both returned to smith and had a longer firing pin installed. The problem was fixed but I lost confidence in them and traded both... It is a shame... A great concept, but the quality seems a little suspect

[absolutevil]

My 310 never had a FTF due to firing pin issues. The only problem I encountered was a lock up issue that was corrected by S&W. They recut the forcing cone and that solved the lock-up or as they called it a cramping issue. I just had it out to the range this week and had no problems at all.

[gasaman]

Mr JamesDMarsh, how much for your *** 329???

[Phil K]

Hi, new to the forum and thought I would chime in. I just bought a used 329NG. Did not even look like it was fired. Tried it out last night and had 3 FTF out of 12 rds. Useing factory 240 grain WW hollow points . Will look into the other firing pins, also the da trigger pull is horribly heavy.

[bbgun]

WELCOME PHIL K. I BOUGHT A NEW 329 N.G. EARLY THIS YEAR & RIGHT AWAY EXPERINCED F.T.F. CALLED S&W & THEY SENT ME A SHIPPING LABEL,THEY REPLACED THE FIRING PIN & HAD IT BACK IN A WEEK ,FIRES EVERY TIME NOW.TRIGGER IS GOING TO BE HEAVY.SNAP CAPS & DRY FIRING SLOWLY 50 TIMES DAILY FOR 6 MONTHS & TRIGGER WILL IMPROVE.

[Phil K]

Thanks BB. I ordered an Apex XP ignition kit for mine, hope that was the right one, and hopefully will fix the problem.

[owenwd54]

315 NG and no problems at all . I love my 315 ng

[colt_saa]

I am sorry to say that all 3 of my Night Guards work fine.

[Stainz]

If you are considering a 327NG, as I did a month or two back, the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR is just 10 oz heavier and the same price. No night sights, but a big orange ramp and adjustable rear are pretty handy. The ball detent yoke securement is nice - and it is moonclip-ready - the 327NG isn't. Of course, the PC Shop trigger is better, too - much lighter in DA - and it'll pop any primers. The supplied Eagle boots are pretty small - I love the Ahrends retro targets shown. Size/weight are unimportant to me for a night time grab/HD revolver.



I just wonder how much the negative reports on the NG series have affected my decision. They had to have an affect. Maybe not so much - I bought a PC627 UDR in early April and love it - I had just sold a treasured old revolver and wanted to do something 'special' with the money, thus the second one! I thought it might be a consideration for others thinking about a 327NG. Also available were a similar .41 M (PC657 UDR) and .44M (PC629 UDR).

Stainz

[Guevera]

Although I don't have one of these revolvers, I am impressed at how, even in this day and age with the manufacturing facilities that S&W must have and even with the fact they have been making revolvers for more than a hundred years, they still apparently managed to make imperfect products - and apparently quite a few of them.

I am reminded of my S&W Walther PPK/s, a design that has been around for almost a hundred years but was still famously screwed up by S&W. I had one and to my astonishment, it was a complete ***.

Don't get me wrong - I am a staunch user and purchaser of S&W products, but I can't imagine there isn't some more oversight oversight by this manufacturer. The vast majority of what they produce are things they have made for generations - why can't they get it right?

[RPD20]

I have 150 rounds of HSM 158GR. .357 Mag through my 327 NG. It shoots great.

[willis73]

No misfires yet in my 329, but recoil with 300 gr bear load will send the hamer to a half cock like state via the commie lock. Not the most confidence inspiring when it's supposed to protect me from bear.

[conchmariner]

I forgot I'd started this thread. I ended up replacing my f/p with Apex after S&W tried to tell me it must have been due to "bad ammo". Anyway since that time (over 18 months ago) I seem to no longer have problems with "bad ammo" (slight sarcasm intended).

[one eye joe]

An extra length firing pin from Cylinder and Slide, available from Brownells, will solve those FTF problems..