Is the Night Guard Series No Longer Made?

zenner22 · #1 07-01-2012, 01:04 PM

I've been thinking about the 44 Mag Night Guard for quite awhile. Always wanted an N Frame snub, and the Lew Horton ones are getting more and more expensive when they can be found.

In looking at S&W's website they showcase the Night Guard series at the top of the page but no info could be found when clicking the Night Guard option. With some searching I found the Night Guards with no retail price listed along with the notation NO LONGER IN CURRENT PRODUCTION.

I've always thought the Night Guard series was a great idea but are they discountinued now?

grover99 · #2 07-01-2012, 02:18 PM

I am not sure if Smith is still making the NGs but I see that Buds has some in stock. A 325NG and a 329NG for sure.

YankeeWheelgun · #3 07-01-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenner22

I've always thought the Night Guard series was a great idea but are they discountinued now?

I agree that S&W did an awful lot right from a practical perspective with the Night Guard series, obviously designed from the ground up as a practical carry revolver.

I think a lot of revolver guys are die-hard traditionalists though. Some people still haven't forgiven S&W for introducing stainless guns fifty years ago, let alone what's come since *lol*.

They may do another production run in time though, as there really is nothing else like these.

zenner22 · #4 07-01-2012, 04:58 PM

Perhaps it wasn't possible but they would have sold more if their price point was about $100 cheaper. That's the only reason I don't have one, $800 for a revolver... even with those features it is still a lot of cash. And for some reason I (maybe like many others?) would pay $800+ for an auto but when a revolver starts approaching $700 I hesitate.

YankeeWheelgun · #5 07-01-2012, 05:19 PM

You're right that they cost more than most revolvers, and maybe too much for the market to bear.

I don't think they were unfairly priced though. The sights alone cost nearly $200, then there's the scandium alloy frame and the high tech black PVD coatings. I am sure they had to raise the cost of the gun a few hundred dollars at least.

O2BShooting · #6 07-01-2012, 06:56 PM

I only saw about 3 in gun stores over the last few years so in order to buy something it's got to be available. Me personally I wanted a 310 didn't happen.

DesertFox · #7 07-01-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O2BShooting

I only saw about 3 in gun stores over the last few years so in order to buy something it's got to be available. Me personally I wanted a 310 didn't happen.

Been eyeballing a 310NG myself but the $810 buy-in is a bit rough... Especially when there is also a 327NG for $850 too. 8 shots of 357 Mag is pretty enticing. Maybe I just grab both...

Rob1109 · #8 07-01-2012, 07:18 PM

They are showing it out of production. No price listed and listed in their archive.

WC145 · #9 07-01-2012, 07:39 PM

I had a 315, I had high hopes for it but it never really did it for me. I recently picked up a 327 at a very good price and really like it, I carry it when I'm working around the property and any time concealment is not a big issue. The NG's are just plain great guns but I agree that the prices were a major obstacle for a lot of folks. That, and the fact that no matter the technology or how well they're set up for carry they're still revolvers in an auto world. We've got a whole new generation of shooters now that in many cases has never handled or shot a revolver and regardless of how modern these guns are they're still old school and, in turn, unappealing to them.

zenner22 · #10 07-01-2012, 08:00 PM

Now that they are going away I feel I need an extra urgent need to buy one. The 44 N Frame is first high on the list but one of those 357s or 38s look just about perfect for carry guns.

It's got me wondering if I really need my 2 1/2" Colt Diamondback anymore if I pick one of these up. I've been looking for a comparable replacement.

Greenbeanie67 · #11 07-02-2012, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertFox

Been eyeballing a 310NG myself but the $810 buy-in is a bit rough... Especially when there is also a 327NG for $850 too. 8 shots of 357 Mag is pretty enticing. Maybe I just grab both...

I got one NG 310 off Gunbroker for $725 shipped, and then a buddy bought one for $650 in some small town in Wy, but decided he did not want to mess with moon clips, so I now own two. Great guns and would not trade them for anything. But I do also have 1911's , and several Glocks too. I try to be well rounded.

Texas1941 · #12 07-02-2012, 11:23 PM

I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. They are very specialized revolvers that appeal to what is probably a limited market. I think they are neat and carry a 325NG on a regular basis.

I know people think they are expensive, but what isn't these days? If an "entry level" 1911 from an American company is going to cost $800+, then roughly the same money for a revolver with unique features doesn't seem so bad to me.

The big thing of course is that you have to know what a revolver is and how it works. That limits your market to the people on this forum plus some guy I heard about out in the San Saba country.

Hope they will continue to make some along the way.

Ralph G. Briscoe · #13 07-03-2012, 12:36 AM

I have the 327. 8 rounds of .357 makes it the perfect combat revolver. I'm surprised they've been discontinued.

Stainz · #14 07-03-2012, 08:05 AM

I went into my lgs 10/10 to buy a 327NG, as I had a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR, bought new 4/10, and wanted something similar to keep for a HD firearm. As I looked over the revolver, I noticed it wasn't dished out for moonclip use - a deal ender for me. A few inches away in the display case was another new PC627 UDR - literally, for a few dollars more. It went home with me!

Skip ahead to thirteen months ago - I wanted a 325NG - love the .45 ACP from a round gun. My 625JM was lonely... so I was out for a 325NG quest. I perused the goodies in a newly opened lgs - no 325NG's, but something close - the Governor! It would be <1.4 oz heavier and 7/8" longer in OAL, otherwise the same frame, barrel, and cylinder construction as well as similar fixed rear and Tritium front Night Sight. Yeah, it also chambers a few other rounds, too. The real sale-maker? It was over $300 less than the best 325NG lgs price I had ever seen. It came home with me - still love it some thirteen months later.

So, I am batting 0 for 2 on NG revolvers. In my case, it was definitely the price vs features aspect. Good luck on finding the ones you want!

Stainz

Anton Chigurh · #15 07-03-2012, 01:13 PM

They have been discontinued, but fairly recently. So there should be some in the pipeline yet, i.e. distributors & larger shops. A 329 NG was traded in to my favorite store over the weekend, barely used.

Dennis The B · #16 07-03-2012, 03:43 PM

I'm glad I bought my 325NG when I did. It's an outstanding carry gun, and it's up there in the rotation with my Models 696 and 65. My only regret is passing on a 396NG a few months ago.

627 city hunter · #17 07-03-2012, 06:41 PM

Now that they are gone I want a 310, 325 and 327... badly.

Perfect modern carry revolvers. Lighter than UDRs with night sights.

You can always use speed loaders or get a cut cylinder or cut the stock one for moon clips.

DesertFox · #18 07-03-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenbeanie67

I got one NG 310 off Gunbroker for $725 shipped, and then a buddy bought one for $650 in some small town in Wy, but decided he did not want to mess with moon clips, so I now own two. Great guns and would not trade them for anything. But I do also have 1911's , and several Glocks too. I try to be well rounded.

Hoarding 310s over there, we see? I like your idea of well rounded. I too tried to jump on one at Bud's for the $725 price but alas I was too slow on the draw.

Still have some tax bill to pay but once that is out of the way, it is going to be 310 or 327 - not sure which first. I have nearly every 10mm ever made. But 8 rounds of 357 Mag is very formidable. Meh. I'll cave and go 310 first, if I know myself very well...