How do you like your Night Guard?

How is fit & finish?

How has it fared over time - finish still intact, sights still zeroed, etc?

Most importantly, how does it point, handle and shoot?

Here's my experience with the Night Guard 325 in 45 ACP:

My 325 comes up to aim naturally (just like my H & K P7), handles smoothly, and it is a "shooter" (sub 3" at 25 yards) with CorBon's 165 gr. DPX.

I rank it up there with my H & K P7 and S & W PC-13. Both are really great defensive handguns.

The NG 325 is a good gun straight out-of-the-box. Minor improvements that I am going to make are a radiused and polished trigger, bobbed hammer and tuned action. Add another $300.

I bought my 327 in March, and I've shot around 300 rounds through it. Shot mostly 38 swc out of it, but probably half a box of win 145gr silvertips too. I thought the pachmayrs sucked so I put a set of Hogues on it. I carry it owb sometimes under a shirt, but mostly It's my house gun. I wasn't real sure about it at first, but it has really grown on me and will be in my collection for a long time.

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Get off my lawn.

Put a pair of JM grips on my 325 and really like it. Points naturally, decent grouping, and a nice gun.

Put a pair of Hogue grips on my 329 and really like it as well (the Pachmayr grips on all of the nightguards blow imho). It packs quite a punch with .44 magnum loads, but is very nice with special loads. I practice a lot with the special loads and from time to time carry with the magnun loads. I'd need to shoot it a lot more to feel comfortable using magnum loads full time.

I like the look of both guns and that's half of it for me - they have to resonate for me. The price? Somewhat (ok, not somewhat) ridiculous. But I guess that people buy 'em. I did. One habit I make after shooting them (honest, after shooting ANY .4x S&W recent production revolver) is to ensure all screws are tightened down. Yeah, a little purple locktite would help. Funny how I didn't have these problems with new purchases way back when.

Am really looking forward to the 310. Anybody know when S&W will start shipping them? Yeah, I got a bad habit for snubbies with a 4 in 'em.

...and it shoots very good. The recoil is no more than a J frame .38, and the gun's fit and finish is excellent.

It's become my CCW.

I carry it with Winchester 185gr Silvertip HP's, and I changed the original compact Pachmayr's to a set of Hogue's, and even though they're a little larger, they feel more comfortable.

I've put a little over four-hundred rounds through it, and most everything is very accurate. The exception was some Speer Lawman, 230gr, FMJ.

I am very partial to my 327 Nightguard. Being still new at this, there's very little I know, but...

I like the grip and scandium finish, trigger action is easy, little recoil and I can even hit the target in a consistant collection. I didn't say it was always in the middle but it was all close together-does that count?

Have only had it since December (bought new), so I don't have much on the length of time in service, but so far, so good! I think it's one smooth revolver (end of 2 cents).

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2 Blessed 2B Stressed

I enjoy my 386 alot, around 1k through it. Had it for over a year no ftf hits what I aim at. Finish is good except where I screwd up and scratched it.

I have a new 329 Night Guard and only fired it one session at the range so far, I had some FTF rounds with different brands of ammo. Long story short, I have replaced the firing pin with a "extra long S&W firing pin" made by Cylinder & Slide Inc.
I have also removed the IL from the revolver and added Houge grips that are made for the S&W X frame revolvers to my N frame. My opinion is the gun shoots very good with the right ammo and grips. I will take the gun back to the range with the new firing pin installed and test it out this weekend using four different brands of ammo.
Yes, at first I was disappointed with the FTF's but I read on this forum where others have had similar problems. I decide to do my own repair without shipping it back to the S&W factory. (It only took about five minutes to replace the firing pin and another ten minutes to remove the internal lock)
I purchased this firearm because I plan to carry it a lot in the woods for protection from anything that may come along, four or two-legged. I will fire it very little outside of the firing range where I am practicing with .44 Specials most of the time and a cylinder or two of .44 Mag each session.

Called S&W this morning and the guy tells me that the 310s are expected to be on the market at the end of September.

my night guard hammer jammed what happened?

Rangerpat your post is most interesting to me. The 329 is probably the only new S&W I've considered buying. I even took a pic of it at the dealers.


But replacing firing pins and gunsmithing a NIB revolver has got me wondering if it might not be a wise move.
These are expensive revolvers. Should they need "fixing" when they're new?

GF

I have a 386 NG, it is my daily carry. I carry it from morning til night in a Smartcarry. It is a great piece. I have put a couple of boxes of .357 through it. It is a great shooter, no misfires, no lock failures. Some very hot Sellier & Bellot was sticking in the chambers, but everyone knows that S&B is very hot ammo. Other stuff shoots and ejects just fine in it. The recoil on it is more than manageable. I have complete faith and like for this pistol. It is my primary ccw pistol since buying it.

The holster is really dark blue, I lightened the photo to make it easier to see. No flash on the phone-cam.


I also have a 329 NG. I've had it for a few weeks now, haven't shot it yet. I keep hearing about how much the recoil is. I have ordered the longer firing pin, and a take down video for it. I am going to put the new firing pin in, as well as remove the flag...maybe, if I have problems with it. I definately want the longer firing pin. I primarily want to carry it with heavy 44 specials for ccw. I think that the 386 would do just as well for backpacking, no 9000 lb grizzlies in Georgia. Question is, would a heavy, Buffalo Bore, 44 special be just as good on a blackie? Best -

I've had my 325NG since last October and have put about 500 rounds through it. No FTF so far, but the screws have to be watched closely, especially on the sight. On mine, I check them every 100 rounds and that's not too often.

The revolver points and shoots well for me. With some loads from a machine rest, it will hold 3" and the worst group was 4.25" (WW ball marked wcc78, which averaged 695 fps for 5 shots). This particular revolver loves DoubleTap 230 gr Gold Dot Auto Rims (820 fps), and will produce 3" groups consistantly.

I had a hard time finding leather, until I ordered a PS6 from Mernickle Gun Leather, which has worked very well for me. I also ordered a Summer Special from Milt Sparks, which was worth the six month wait.

>>>These are expensive revolvers. Should they need "fixing" when they're new?<<<

Absolutely NO!

On the other hand, the extra length firing pin costs just a few dollars and if you can properly remove the revolver side plate it is, at the most, a ten minute job.

If I was in the market for one, I would NOT be put off with a possible need for an extra length firing pin.

YMMV

Dale53

Hello GF - I agree 100% with you that they should NOT require "fixing". I read somewhere that the problem with the short firing pin is due to the legal concerns of S&W lawyers in regard to the State of California's "Gun Drop Test".
As far as gunsmithing a NIB revolver, I plan to keep this firearm for a long time and I am making minor modifications to enhance the reliability of the weapon. I have also done modifications over the years to my Colt Government 1911 .45acp and a Ruger GP100 .357 mag.
I purchased the 329NG because it weighs 29 ounces and will be very easy to carry in the field with .44 mag loads, and as a personal defense weapon at home with .44 Specials. Since installing the "extra-long firing pin" I have had ZERO failures to fire with Cor-Bon, Hornady, MagTech, Winchester and Speer ammunition. They all shot well out of my 329NG.

Thanks for the reply. Your reason for owning a super-lightweight 44 is the same thought I have, a big bore that gets carried a lot and shot a little. That's why I said in the earlier post about the 329NG being the only new S&W I've considered owning. I want a 44mag that won't get left behind because it's a pain (literally) to carry.
I would imagine it's gonna' be a pain to shoot, though!

I won't discount one because it needs a longer firing pin. Your correct on the Colt 45's, over the years I don't know how many I sent off to get them "just right" for me!

GF

Did S&W ever correct the problem with the scandium frames not having a big enough lug on the reciever to keep the cylinder from sliding off? My 342 is currently at S&W being replaced due to this defect in that model and I wasn't sure if the larger frames had the same issues.

My 396 Nightguard shoots to the right of POA. I can tolerate verticle excursion from POA but horizontal just is not tolerable. Smith put on a new bbl w/o improvement. I asked about the Smith adjustable rear sight and was told that it would fit the 396. I was thinking about buying an adjustable rear, but after thinking about it, I wonder if the front sight may have to be changed also since it sets so high. If that is the case, then I think I've been screwed by Smith. Why should I have to replace the sights on such an expensive piece? I have a model 24 in storage. When I retrieve it, I will remove its rr sight and try it on the 396. Anyone have any insight regarding this problem?

I have had my 325 NG for a a couple of years. I have never had a problem with it. I got it from a buccy I have the rubber grips and the smooth reddish wood grips. I keep the wood grips on it.

I have shot mine a fair amount. I am a fan of S&W 45ACP revolvers and full moon clips.

I keep mine under my pillow every night.

My favorite S&W revolver is the 44 Mag, my second favorite is the 45 ACP.

I am pretty sure the next S&W I am going to get is a 329 NG, or maybe a 4" 329, I would really like to have one of each.

...to my 325NG. I added a set of Ahrends compact, finger-groove combat stocks. They're even more comfortable than the Hogues. Here's a picture of the revolver with the new stocks:

I have a 315 night guard and like it very much and I have not had a problem with it at all . I have had it about a year and it shoots better and better .

The grips on my 325 NG look a lot like those, but they do not have the finger grooves and are a little smaller and slimmer.

I find the revolver very controlable with 230gr ammo and 185gr +P ammo.

I am glad this old post came back up. I just picked up a 310 Night Guard. I am planning on doing a spring change, and a little smoothing. I also plan on changing to wood grips. I will probably run it by Ron Power (Power Custom) and have the chambers chamfered, and possibly Ball Loc added to it. The final touch will probably be a new Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster for it.
I see this one being a favorite carry gun.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Have the 329, with the older Pachmayr grips (vs the newer S&W grips), which do a very excellent job at absorbing recoil. The DA trigger pull is the worst of any revolver I have ever owned! Add to this the fact that the rubber over the backstrap is thick, so it makes the reach to the trigger a little longish..making the harsh DA trigger pull seem even worse. SA trigger pull is sweet!

I bought a slightly used 310 NG and it "required" the C&S firing pin. FFT about 25% of the time. The trigger was a bear, so while I had it apart I installed the Jerry Miculek spring kit. It all works 100% now with an 8 pound DA pull. The sight screw has come loose before so I check now and again. After the work, and $38 it's a great gun. I have posted about this gun here before, but I thought I would add my .02 to this thread. Bottom line today, I love the gun.

Years ago I had a Ruger SP101 and while it was easy to carry it lacks real sights and the grip is way too tiny for me. I didn't shoot it well. I sold it and gave up on small revolvers, at least until I picked up the 386NG. It isn't really all that small but it fits my hand and I love the big night sight and the rear notch. Why did it take so long for someone to make a small revolver with real sights? After 150 rounds of 38spl I am very impressed with this gun. It shoots to the point of aim and in spite of being very light the recoil is trivial. Maybe I will reconsider that when I load up with some 357mag but so far I think this gun superb.

I don't really see a lot of distinction between the NG and M&P revolvers, beyond some different barrel lengths. They both have PVD coating, scandium frame/stainless cylinder, the same front night sight, and a U-notch rear sight....especially now that the NG's no longer have the excellent Pachmayr grips.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...7_757751_image

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...7_757751_image

Love my NG 386. Have had no problems with it at all with 125 rds of 38+p & 25 rds of.357 thru it to date. Pictured with a set of custom Ajax walnut boot grips.
S&W Night Guard 386.jpg