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11-09-2008, 06:47 PM
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I'm not seeing much excitement about these. I picked up a 325 Night Guard at the local gun show and man that thing felt right! Just wondering if anyone out there can report on them.
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11-09-2008, 06:57 PM
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Here is my 396 Night Guard. I'm well pleased with it. It is effortless to carry and I have had no problems or FTF as was the issue everyone said they had. It did take a long time for my dealer to get it in, but I do feel it was worth the wait. The only complaint is that some of the finish is chipping off the front edge of the cylinder. I've been debating on whether or not to send it back to Smith or to just have the cylinder bead blasted and have a two-tone Night Guard that I don't have to worry about. I tossed the goodyears and it now wears a nice pair of Herretts.
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11-09-2008, 07:23 PM
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11-10-2008, 06:57 AM
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I'm quite happy with my 386. The only thing is that with full power 158grn mags I use the goodyear grips but carry with ahrend boot grips.
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11-10-2008, 09:02 AM
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I'm seriously considering getting a 315 NG.
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11-10-2008, 10:30 AM
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My brother-in-law purchased the 315 four months ago...one of his favorite handguns now!!
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11-10-2008, 12:14 PM
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I bought the 386NG two weeks ago. Shot it for one hour and decided it had to go back to S&W for repair. It consistently grouped shots that were a good 5-6" low and 4-5" to the right. I had others shoot it as well and they all shot the same way. I have never had a revolver's POI be that far off from the POA. Something must be wrong! When I called S&W they agreed and off it went to the mother ship.
It is a real shame because I really do like this revolver. I got one hell of a deal on it ($669) and with the $50 rebate it comes to $619. But, it is not such a great deal if I don't have it in my hot little hands!
Hopefully I will get it back in perfect working condition in a few weeks.
Dr. Bill
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11-10-2008, 12:59 PM
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Here's my 396 again. At this stage it had a very heavy trigger and multiple FTF's.
Now it looks like this and is 100% reliable and a joy to carry and shoot. I would not hesitate do do it again.
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11-10-2008, 04:00 PM
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Just picked up the 325 Night Guard today. Will try it out this weekend. Frank Jr.
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11-10-2008, 05:07 PM
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I'd like to pick up a 315 NG, but that 396 looks mighty tempting.
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11-10-2008, 07:02 PM
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Hi folks, first post here. I picked up a 315 NG last month, and I haven't been as happy with a new gun in 15 years or so! Some quick impressions; The sights are extremely easy to use, and almost fall into position when on target. It points and balances well, and feels solid and familiar (like every K frame does), yet noticably lighter. It gobbles up a wide variety of factory AND hand loads (including some questionable range loads that were given to me for reloading purposes), and gives good accuracy with most and excellent accuracy with (oddly enough) 125 grain factory and 158 grain hand loads. My HKS speedloaders do hang up on the grips though, and they will be gone when I can find a suitable ebony grip. I was a little apprehensive about buying it, fearing it would feel polymery (?) or tacticool, but it was like shaking hands with an old friend...that had recently lost weight!
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11-10-2008, 08:15 PM
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Quote:
Now it looks like this and is 100% reliable and a joy to carry and shoot. I would not hesitate do do it again.
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Who made the grips? That's a good looking gun!
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11-10-2008, 08:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Adawi:
Hi folks, first post here. I picked up a 315 NG last month, and I haven't been as happy with a new gun in 15 years or so! Some quick impressions; The sights are extremely easy to use, and almost fall into position when on target. It points and balances well, and feels solid and familiar (like every K frame does), yet noticably lighter. It gobbles up a wide variety of factory AND hand loads (including some questionable range loads that were given to me for reloading purposes), and gives good accuracy with most and excellent accuracy with (oddly enough) 125 grain factory and 158 grain hand loads. My HKS speedloaders do hang up on the grips though, and they will be gone when I can find a suitable ebony grip. I was a little apprehensive about buying it, fearing it would feel polymery (?) or tacticool, but it was like shaking hands with an old friend...that had recently lost weight!
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Welcome.
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11-11-2008, 02:10 AM
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Thanks Adawi!
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11-11-2008, 07:23 AM
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Fully loaded the 315 weighs a little more than my wife's 3" Model 60, but I am seriously considering it for CCW. But again, it is wider than a J frame, and the grips have to go. I'm not a big guy (5-7, 150 lbs), but I think that for the accuracy, balance, and feel of it, it is worth the trade off. I have a Model 38 that is a great deal smaller, but that one almost disappears on me and I think a looser fitting shirt would solve any carry issues, but I'll know more when I re-grip it. Seriously, I have had a lot of 4" 15's and 67's that I have relinquished to friends that are new shooters, because they are so shooter friendly and after a little over 600 rounds through it, I'm finding the 315 to be equal in every respect yet it is much lighter. The sights too (for me), are just plain perfect. Keep in mind though that I'm an old school shooter/hunter, and this is my first "high-tech" revolver, but I think that S&W has taken the K frame to a whole new level of accurate shootability, and ease of carry. I'm very impressed with mine!
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11-11-2008, 07:45 AM
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S682 - Those stocks are Graig Spegals. I get mine from www.lightningarms.com. They will email pictures of what they have in stock for your frame size to choose from. Great service and good people to work with.
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11-11-2008, 08:14 AM
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Fully loaded, a Walther P99 is probably slightly heavier than the 315. The money is probably about the same. Tough call.
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10-19-2012, 08:03 PM
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Love my NG 386 - Seven rounds 38/357. Custom Ajax walnut boot grips.
S&W Night Guard 386.jpg
Last edited by Smith Man; 10-19-2012 at 08:06 PM.
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10-20-2012, 02:46 PM
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I'll post another picture of my 310 just for fun. In prior posts I talked about its problems and the fix. It is a great shooter and a real hand full with 10mm loads.
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10-20-2012, 02:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ENH
Here's my 396 again. At this stage it had a very heavy trigger and multiple FTF's.
Now it looks like this and is 100% reliable and a joy to carry and shoot. I would not hesitate do do it again.
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I haven't had any FTF's with mine and carry it often, but I need to get the trigger lightened and smoothed out a bit - plus I've tossed around the idea of a bobbed hammer. Who did your work?
How are the cuts in the barrel? Does that make a lot of flame going straight up into your sight picture?
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10-20-2012, 03:00 PM
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A JM spring kit will help lighten the trigger pull. Mine is now 7.5/3 DA/SA. It started out completely off the chart stock.
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10-21-2012, 02:11 AM
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I have had my 325 NG for almost a year now. No problems, great gun to pack-and shoot. The recoil of the .45 ACP is nowhere near as snappy as the .357, kind like a push instead of a wham. It just may replace my M940 for off duty and retirement. It shoots 230 gr Hornady Critical Defense ammo right to point of aim at 20 yards-and closer in. I feel very well armed with it. I have just purchased a holster and ammo pouch from LOBO, and I carry 6 rounds clipped 2 together in the pouch, making 3 drops to reload instead of 6, and pack .45 ACP rimmed in HKS speedloaders. Of course one could also carry 6 rounds moon clips also.
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10-21-2012, 07:55 AM
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I have the '325 Plus Nightguard', my name for my Governor. It's larger SS cylinder and slightly larger Al/Sc frame add a whole 7/8" OAL and a whopping 1.8 oz mass to the 325NG. It also has a tritium Night Sight and fixed rear sight, like the 325NG. I bought it 6/11 to shoot .45 ACPs from as a bedside gun - and because it was $300 less than the best 325NG price I had found. Yeah, it's not as persnickety re ammo... it'll also take .45 Schofield, .45 Colt, and 2.5" .410 shells.
Okay, I don't have a 'Night Guard'... but it's close enough for me! I bought three different boxes of .410's that first week to 'try' - somewhat fun - still have some - never bought more .410s. It shoots coincident POA/POI from 7-12 yd with .45 ACP ball ammo and 250gr Speer Gold Dots in .45 Colt. A great plus - it came with 1/3 mooncliplets - and uses the same moonclips as my 625JM. Another plus... it's still in production... the Night Guards are gone!
Stainz
PS I put the OEM grip back on my Governor - the .500 Magnum Hogues aren't really needed with .45 ACP/.45 Colt loads.
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10-21-2012, 10:40 AM
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I picked this one (327 NG) up yesterday at my local Cabela's, had it sent there from the one in Reno, NV. I'l be hitting the range tomorrow so no report till then but I love the look and feel of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Photoman44
I'm not seeing much excitement about these. I picked up a 325 Night Guard at the local gun show and man that thing felt right! Just wondering if anyone out there can report on them.
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10-21-2012, 10:52 AM
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Back to eyeballing a 310, 325 and 327 all sitting on the shelf together. Decisions decisions...
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10-22-2012, 07:29 PM
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I have a 327 that I won't give up for any price. It's just a great gun!
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10-22-2012, 08:58 PM
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I have a pair, a 310 Night Guard, as well as a 315 Night Guard.
I really like them both. I have S&W Boot Grips by Altamont on both. I have Checkered Walnut Finger Grooves on the 310NG and Checkered Rosewood Finger Grooves with S&W Medallions on the 315NG (Ordered direct from Altamont).
Bob
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03-01-2013, 07:17 PM
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We just got a 386 Night Guard for my wife. We've put 50 rounds through it and when I went to clean it, I noticed it has a weird spot in the finish under and around the cylinder release, and the front screw that holds the sight down is loose! The sight actually moves around a little because it's so loose. Admittedly, I didn't give it a good look when we picked it up (NIB in case you were wondering) because I was picking up my 460 XVR at the same time, and we went straight to the shooting lanes with them both
I found the video I made of it and uploaded it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIc0_4Yyxsg
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386NG, M&P R8, M&P40c, 460 XVR
Last edited by TheKySharpshooter; 03-01-2013 at 08:59 PM.
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03-02-2013, 09:57 AM
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I really like my 386 Nightguard. Old stiff hands and bad joints make this a good choice for me.
Mag-na-port tune up and hammer spur removal( smooooooth)
Grips by Craig Spegel
Holster and belt by Ryan Grizzle
Speed loader by 5 Star
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03-02-2013, 10:26 AM
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I've owned my 325NG for about three years, and it's one of the guns I really like to carry.
I swapped out the rubber grips, for a set of Ahrends, and it's a delight to carry and shoot. My holster is a Don Hume J.I.T. Slide.
I made up some loads to shoot 250gr LWSC's, for a good stopping round.
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04-01-2013, 10:47 AM
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I've had a 386 NG since 2009 and have had no problems w/ light(or too short a FP) firing pin strikes like some others have.
The DA press is smooth and easily managed. The sights are perfect and the chubby 2.5"bbl doesn't hold back the revolver at all, this thing shoots like a full-size service revolver.
Recoil? Yes w/ a full-on Magnum, this NG is a bit much...but that's no big deal. My favorite load is the .38Spl+P 158gr SWCHP, it's in all my .38/.357 revolvers.
To say that I like this NG is an understatement....It's my off-duty carry and that is the best endorsement I can give.
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04-01-2013, 07:56 PM
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My 325NG
I bought it last year. The price was good. I did change out the rear sight, since it hit about 5-7 inches low at 7-10 yards with 230 grain ammo. Now it shoots to my POA.
I'm very happy with it. It is on my hip pretty much every time I am in the woods.
Cheers,
Rick
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09-08-2013, 02:46 AM
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More NG's
Here's a few more. Really like the "feel for the size" on these guns. I'd like to get the other "N" frame NGs too, 327 & 310, if possible. Haven't come across a 396NG, but did turn down a 296PD for price & scrapes on the Ti cylinder. I put the rubber grips on for the photos (also for range use) but normally have Badger grips on them. The new style rubber grips (329) look nicer, but the older/rounder ones feel better.
The 325 is the lightest & weighs 775g/27.3oz, on my kitchen food scale, while the 357 comes in at 850g/30.0oz. Surprising there's that much difference.
The 325 had a factory defective cylinder but S&W put a new one on. I've been slowly adding adjustable rear sights & red ramps on the front, of mine.
The spur style of the hammer on the 329 & 357 are the same, but different from the 325's, which is the same style as on my 657-5. Dunno why.
Night Guard Trio 329 / 325 / 357
329NG
325NG
357NG
Night Guards with Badger grips
325NG firing 45 Super
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09-08-2013, 07:00 PM
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325NG 640 38.jpg
Here's the 325 NG I bought in 2008. I had to send it back to S&W for an improved forcing cone as it was spitting back at me. They fixed it. The action rivals that of a PC weapon and its a pleasure to carry. Accurate and light I carry it off duty many times instead of the 640 you see that I've had for 27 years. I've gone through three sets of grips. Wood of any kind is just too painful so I finally opted for the new S&W grips you see hear. The grips it came with sucked. I love this gun.
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09-09-2013, 11:35 PM
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Smithbrother: Welcome to the Forum. Can't have too many new members. Nice NG you have there. Despite it's light weight and .45 round, I would have trouble packing an N-frame in 'clothes' instead of a J-frame. Doesn't stop me from carrying a 2nd J and/or a .45 derringer. I also need rubber grips: scar tissue in the web of my hand. The woods that come on some of the new Smiths are painful.
Can't be too careful: there's a group of mutts out here preying on older men with their guard down, robbing and beating them. My fault for getting older, but not getting careless. Stay safe partner.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
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