A friend has 2 NIGHT GUARDS. One is Model 329 (.44 Mag/.44 Special ). The other is Model 396 (.44 Special ). I can buy either for $650. Both have very low round count and are LNIB. What do you think would be the best choice and would that be a good value. Thanks.

I would Buy Both...Those are VERY good prices..I personally would buy the 396 a little less production and is built on the L Frame versus the N Frame of the 329.

But the 329 can be shot with 44 Special and 44 Magnum....

+1 to that! Buy both if possible, that is a great price for either!

Jim is spot on and he should know - he had all of them.

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Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa.

Both if you can, the 396 if you can only get one.

Unless you plan on shooting 44mag, I would get the 396. You maximize the benefits of less weight and size with the 396...which is the whole purpose of getting the NG.

Amazing price as well. I bought 2 386NGs in the last 2 months. They were both as new in box. I paid $900 for one and $650 for the other. $650 is pretty much unheard of for an NG, especially as new.

Completely true but in July of 2011 Larry's Pistol and Pawn was clearancing out all of their unsold NightGuards for $599... too bad we weren't all gifted with foresight. And up until about last summer you could still find NIB NG's siting on various retailers shelves and even websites for well under MSRP. It's amazing how the popularity of the NG series has skyrocketed after production ceased and supply dwindled.

Back on point, buy at least 1 or both but if you pass on one of them feel free to point me in the direction of the owner and I'll buy it.

Last summer I found a nib 329ng on GB. It turned out to be at a LGS 5 miles from me. I bought it for $850 + tax & felt that I got a good deal on a discontinued gun. It was shipped in June 2012.

As said grab both...much too good an investment to turn down.

I have one of the 357/.41 Magnums and have been offered a grand for it and turned it down.

Bob

I politely disagree. I'd go with the N frame as the difference in size and weight is negligible, you get the option of either 44 Special or 44 Mag and the bit of extra weight mitigates recoil a tad. David

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Time Wounds All Heels

Thanks for the input guys !

Both are nice to have, I know, but if I had to have only one it'd be the 396. Yes, it's only 3.5oz lighter than the 329 (24 vs 27.5oz, on my scale) & visually it doesn't look much smaller, but after you carry the 396 for a while & then grab the 329, it's noticeably larger. Since these aren't target or hunting guns I don't have to have the magnum power in it. The 329 is a handful with hot 240gr loads, if you don't reload. 44 Special loaded with 200gr JHP to +P levels are plenty powerful for SD, but less punishing. Sure you can just shoot the 44 Special's in the 329 but if you already have a full size 29/629 it's a better platform for the magnum. Guess it comes down to your situation & what you want.

Let us know what you get!
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Night Guards: 325-329-357-396


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396NG 44 Spcl.


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Waiting for the break of day

Thanks for all the response! Both of the guns are LNIB and my friend bought them new. My question is on the Model 396 .44 Special. My friend's Grandson tore the label off the end of the box and it is no where to be found. Would this affect the value? I was planning on getting the model 396 but should I get the Model 329 since the box for that gun has the label on the end. I am supposed to pick one up at 6:00 pm today. I would appreciate any advice.

If you want the 396 just get it, the lack of a box label isn't going to affect the function at all. If you're buying it to stick in your safe for a few years and then sell it could make a small difference but box or no the nightguards seem to sell for fairly stable pricing online. I wouldn't worry about it and just buy the version you prefer.

If you don't want the 396 for $650 one of us will take it. Like the others, I'd take both if possible, but the 396 if I had to choose, and I wouldn't worry about the box.

It's after 6PM but you haven't told us what you got?

In case you haven't got one yet, the 396 is far rarer, should appell to a wider range of people, & be easier to get your money back on.

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Waiting for the break of day

Thanks for the input guys! What a great forum where you get good advice and help from people. I bought both guns last night. a friend of mine is going to take the one I don't want. I'd like to keep both but I've found a nice Model 24 that I'm looking at. I'm leaning hard toward the Model 396. I'll try to get some pictures up later. Thanks again for all the help.

You got the bug bad. Well done.

Good call! I was going to suggest you buy both, shoot both, and sell the one you like less on the Forum.

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Proud anachronism

Thanks again for all the input! Not to beat a dead horse but if I got the 329 I would probably just shoot it with .44 special ammo as i have 2 other .44 mag guns. Would it not shoot better with the extra weight and size over the 396. It (329 ) is definitely built more heavy duty. This would NOT be a carry gun. It would get shot on occasion and occupy a spot in the safe. I get the impression from all the comment though that the 396 is harder to find and should have a better long term value. Thanks guys.