1st Post to S&W Forum Re: M327 NightGuard

[Slotcar]

This is my first post so please be kind if I failed to conform to all the generally agreed upon rules and regulations for posting...

I recently purchased (last week) a Model M327 NG (this is the 8-shot .357 in 2-1/2" just in case I am in the wrong website).

I have been searching the internet for a few "goodies" and suggested modifications with next to no luck.

Here is what I am looking for but I am also open to other ideas and or suggestions to get the most out of this very fine shooting revolver:

• Where to find a spare cylinder to have machined to receive moon clips
• Suggested "carry holsters"
• Suggested "Night Stand Holsters"
• A better case besides the blue *** that comes from S&W
• Crimson Trace grip
• any other educated suggestions

I really enjoy this great 8 shooter and it seems to be very accurate, locks up tight and the timing is very consistent.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and I hope this is the first of many posts to become better educated in the S&W world...

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum. Nice name, brings back old memories.
I'd see if S&W would sell me a cylinder. Someone here will know.
To me holsters are like shoes you have to try some to see what fits but someone will have a suggestion.
I wouldn't have my gun in a holster when it's in the night stand.
I'd just use the S&W box unless I was making a collector piece and not planning to use it.
I don't know anything about the CT grips.
After reading this over I don't think I helped much but there it is.

[kenforu]

I have the same M327 in 5" that came with upper and lower rails. I have added a Burris fastfire red dot and a surefire light to the bottom. I cannot find a holster for it with or with out the light. I have seen the CT grips on the internet just search in google. I would not put it in a holster next to the bed I have mine along with my 45 on the wifes side no holster either. Great shooting guns and very accurate. Good luck.

[Slotcar]

Thanks bamabiker & kenforu. I appreciate the advice. Good point on the night stand holster. It's just that my night stand is such a fluster cluck that, well...

I have looked for the CT grip on the web to no avail. As for the cylinder, I was wondering if there was anybody besides S&W to go to. I thought maybe a smith turning them for moon clip use.

kenforu - is your cylinder already machined to accept moon clips? and I AGREE this Night Guard seems to be very smooth and accurate.

[kenforu]

Yes it is it came with three moon clips and I am going to have to read up on them this is the first gun that Ihave owned that use's them. If anyone can chime in what is the benefit of the moon clips? I understand that you can use the gun with or without. Maybe slotcar and I can both learn more about this fine gun. Thanks

[bamabiker]

With practice the moon clips can be a very fast reload. I use them with my M625s (45 ACP) and like them because I can load them up at home and put them in an ammo can for when I go shooting. I've got about 40 of them and keep them loaded. Some people do not like them and they are a pain to unload without a tool but I just made my tool. It's easy and effective.

[cornfed83]

Slotcar-
I understand your "nightstand issue" quite well, I've found a drawer that I have dedicated to my 686-5 7 shot with streamlight tlr-2 mounted on a scope rail on top which although looks a little funny works perfectly for the concept of home defense. I have often mused with the idea of buying a cheap holster and mounting it to he back of my nightstand so that I wouldn't have to worry about opening drawers or fumbling through anything in the event that I would need to defend my home. Your revolver being an alloy frame I don't think that you would need to worry about leaving it in the holster for an extended period of time if you were to choose this as an option.

As far as the moonclips, I have several revolvers set up to use, the 686-5 i mentioned, a 610-1 (Classic), and a 940-1 that I recently picked up after finding it for a song. The advantage of moonclips is that you don't have to worry about loading rounds individually. It's like a magazine for your revolver. That being said, it does nothing to increase the accuracy, only the functionality. And that functionality is only increased in situations where you plan on exhausting all ammunition from your firearm and reloading in quickly. Not ideal for every situation, but if like me you've watched your Jerry videos then something you try to learn to do quickly.

Hope I helped.

Cornfed

[RossMatt]

The moonclips are nothing short of a magazine for wheel guns. They allow you to keep your spent brass, reload quickly, lesson prep time at the range.... etc.
I have also found that the moons that S&W provide with their guns are top quality, easy to add/remove bullets, and retain shape.

[Maximumbob54]

If it is just for night stand use then you might try a Maxfire speed loader instead of moon clips. They are rotten for carry though as the cartridges tend to fall out of the rubbery compound the loader is made from. The Crimson Trace N frame round butt model is LG-314, Google that and it should pop up all over the web for sale. For a nightstand I would go more for a GunVault style box than a holster. For a holster to wear I would try Thunderwear or a similar style holster.

Lastly, if you don’t already, learn to reload your brass and cast your own bullets. It’s all too easy and you can spend as little or as much as you want, just like buying a gun. You can have a tiny set up or go all blue with a massive Dillon 650 with all the bells and whistles. Find a copy of the ABC’s of Reloading 8th edition. That will tell you just about all you need to know.

[BillyWayne]

I carry my 327 NightGuard in a Smartcarry holster. Lobo Gun Leather, Milt Sparks and Simply Rugged make great holsters for this gun. Figure out how you want to carry and then pick.

[Stainz]

The 327NG's I have seen at the local pusher's were not moonclip ready, like my 627 Pro and 2 5/8" PC627 UDR are, so I changed my mind on one as a bedside gun. Another PC627 UDR was less than the cost of a 'Happy Meal' more, so I bought a second one of those.

I, or Mrs. Stainz - aka 'Santa', found me a bedside kit and a range kit from '5starfirearms.com', totally just over a C-note, so s/h was free. What I got was a beautifully machined aluminun 2 x 8 base plate and matching eight hole speedloader for the 'bedside' kit, and an 8 x 8 baseplate and a pair of the eight hole speedloaders for the range kit. It is all beautifully machined aluminum - and works quite well with both PC627 UDR's and my 627 Pro. Unlike the moonclips, the speedloader isn't picky - it'll take any case make - and either .38 or .357M - although you shouldn't mix OAL's. Highly suggested. I keep the 2 x 8 baseplate, speedloader, and one PC627 UDR - in an open rug - all loaded with +P .38 Spcl 158gr LHPSWC's - in my nightstand. Those speedloaders are ~$25/ea + s/h, if that's all you need.

Here is my 627 Pro and one of my PC627 UDR's - with a loaded moonclip and speedloader - with the 2 x 8 baseplate:



The spindly spider legs of moonclipped eight .357M rounds wobbles a bit, making fast reloads, like with .45 ACP's and a 625, problematic. I think the speedloader approach is just as fast here - and isn't picky as to case brand. If you get a moonclip ready cylinder - or have yours machined - you'll likely find the Ranch Products blued moonclips, like the ones S&W ships, are economical and quite good. They ran $50/50 or $75/100 shipped - nice folks, too. Good luck!

Stainz

[kenforu]

not a night guard but it serves the purpose. Thanks

[Slotcar]

I sincerely appreciate the help. I really like the idea of having a quick way to reload, although here's to hoping I wouldn't have to for home defense...

8 should be enough!!!

I ordered the speedloaders today from 5starfriearms. I actually called them to place my order and they were very helpful. They said they are moving through the "range kits" like mad and did not have one on the shelf. I talked to the actual machinist and he said he was going to do another run and that I should have them by the end of the week. for right at a c-note I got 3 speed loaders, the range plate and the bed-side plate.

I like that I don't have to send my cylinder off for machining either.

THANKS STAINZ!!!

kenforu - what model is yours?

[NotoriousSEG]

Did you ever find CT grips? They do make a Crimson Trace laser grip for both round and square butt N-frames. Round will fit yours and I have seen them online for as low as about $240 .