329 Night Guard - 1sr range trip

Bear Country 88 · #1 05-19-2009, 12:35 PM

Well I took my new Model 329 to the range for the first time - and fully 1/3 of the rounds would not fire! This is the first time I have EVER pulled the trigger on a loaded gun and not had it go BOOM. Very disturbing as this gun was purchased for self-defense. Ammo was Winchester 200 gr Silvertips, and some FMJ Federal.

I bought a longer firing pin from Apex but decided to send the gun back to S&W for warranty service first. If S&W make it right, great. And while it's there I'm having the Performance Center do a Master Revolver Action Package on it. After the repair, and then after the action work they'll do some test firing so I should get it back in 100% operating condition.

If for some reason I still get the occasional FTF - I'll install the longer firing pin as it seems to be the fix for others. And to be honest, at that point I'll stash it in the safe and classify it as an unreliable gun. Sad.

This is the first gun I've ever had to send back to S&W. Hope they get it right.

m657 · #2 05-19-2009, 12:41 PM

....hope you let us know how it works out....

Welcome to the Forum.

conchmariner · #3 05-19-2009, 02:52 PM

Did you check the strain screw under the grips?

allglock · #4 05-19-2009, 03:17 PM

I would have put the Apex pin in it and be done with it!
All they will do is put in a slightly longer pin, and call it a day.....

Bear Country 88 · #5 05-19-2009, 03:48 PM

I didn't check the strain screw under the grips, I just decided to send it back and see if they return it in a very reliable condition. The longer pin will probably do it. I wanted to give them first shot at fixing it. They need to see what's leaving their plant, and how well (or poorly) their quality program is working.

If they install a longer pin and that fixes it, great. And they'll test fire it.

Then they'll send it over to the Performance Center for the action job. And again it'll be test fired.

If after all that it still doesn't go boom with each trigger pull - it's an expensive rock and S&W have some quality issues to address. I've had very good experience with their products so I'm hoping this is an isolated case.

S&W have a lifetime guarantee. Let's see how well it works.

surveyor47 · #6 05-20-2009, 05:43 AM

I own a 57 Mountain Gun that had numerous issues when new. It literally could not fire 100 rounds without some type of failure and went back to S&W about 6 times over 2 years. I finally had a talk with an old gunsmith with S&W and made a wager with him:

If he could take my gun to S&Ws range and fire 100 rounds of ammo without failure, I would pay for all of the factory repairs carried out to date. If my gun failed, he would personally make sure that the gun was made 100% or have the gun replaced. My gun did not return for over 90 days and has never had a failure of any kind over the last 2 years. Persistance pays.

batmann · #7 05-20-2009, 06:17 PM

I had a 29 Mountain Gun I bought new and had the same problem, among others. As soon as Smith came out with the 629 Mountain Gun, I traded it. I will not keep a gun that will not function.

Centurian77 · #8 05-20-2009, 06:24 PM

This is why I buy pre-lock hammer mounted firing pin revolvers whenever possible. I hear that many of the newer models have a shortened firing pin because of regulations in certain states. I did however have both my frame mounted firing pin revolvers fixed with extended firing pins. Not sure if this might address your issues but I haven't had any problems with mine since doing this.

rayb · #9 05-20-2009, 07:53 PM

I looked hard at a 3wX, whatever 44 special model number is. It had the lock, lightweight frame, and the steel barrel surrounded by whatever kind of grey metal they use to make that shroud thing.

It did fell very well balanced and good in the hand (unloaded), and seemed to "point" well without unusual hand wringing.

I passed. It cost way too much when compsared to what was also in the cabinet.

Don't think I'll grieve over not buying it.

rayb

BUFF · #10 05-21-2009, 02:39 AM

B.C. 88: That is really disappointing to spend that much money for a brand new PERSONAL DEFENSE handgun and find it to be unreliable.

I agree that returning it to S&W to educate them at least, is a good idea.

Bear Country 88 · #11 05-21-2009, 07:16 AM

It is disappointing. I don't think S&W necessarily have a reputation for producing a particularly high quality product. Some go out the door in good shape, some need a trip or two back to the factory (or so I've read).

This is my first experience with S&W customer service. I'll post back with the results.

These Night Guard guns just came out so I suppose there's some teething problems. They're discounted (-$250) right now at my local shops to get them out into the system. It's marketed for personal defense and concealed carry, so it really should go bang when you pull the trigger.

Maybe waiting for a dash 2 or dash 3 is the way to go.

conchmariner · #12 06-02-2009, 03:01 PM

I brought this thread back because I was curious if you either got the gun back or talked to S&W to find out what the problem was.

A while back I posted about similar problems I had with my 329 with Blazer .44 Special 200 gr JHP. Today I had two FTFs out of a box of 50 Blazer .44 Magnum 240 gr JHP. One of the bad rounds fired the second time around, and the other one was just a dud. I checked my strain screw afterwards, but it only needed to be tightened about 1/4 turn. Actually all the screws needed to be tightened (50 magnum rounds at one session is a lot for a lightweight gun like this one).

So far I've put about 300 rounds through this gun, both in special and magnum, and only had FTFs with Blazer ammo, and those have been relatively few. FWIW I've also had occasional FTFs in my 396, but only with Magtech 240 gr Cowboy Action load. The Winchester Silvertips you had problems with have all fired fine in both guns. You didn't mention if the Federal was a special or magnum load. Just curious.

Bear Country 88 · #13 06-02-2009, 03:10 PM

Still waiting - I called S&W and was told it'll be "another couple of weeks". They haven't diagnosed it yet. The Federal load was .44 spl. I have yet to fire 44 mag in this gun.

It must fire each and every time I pull the trigger. Even one FTF is unacceptable. It was purchased as a defensive firearm hence the need to go BOOM.

I now have a longer APEX firing pin but that's in the tool box for later if and when S&W cannot make this gun reliable. I'll let S&W work on it for now.

As soon as I get it back and fire more rounds I'll post with an update.

sonny · #14 06-04-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by batmann:
I had a 29 Mountain Gun I bought new and had the same problem, among others. As soon as Smith came out with the 629 Mountain Gun, I traded it. I will not keep a gun that will not function.

I could NOT have said it better.
Sonny

Bear Country 88 · #15 06-11-2009, 01:38 PM

Well I called S&W and was told the 329 has been repaired and is now in the "cost" department. S&W installed a longer firing pin under warranty.

Now the gun is in their Performance Shop getting a master revolver action package. Should be another week or two before I get it back.

I wonder how many of these went out the door with the short firing pin? Centurian 77 mentioned earlier that firing pin length just might be a variable controlled by State regulation or law? Is that true? If anyone else knows - post back. Thanks.

David Sinko · #16 06-13-2009, 08:44 AM

When you get your revolver back you will need to be absolutely certain that the strain screw is tight when you test it. Many (most?) of them do back out during dry or live fire. If you are firing a revolver with a loose strain screw you'll be wasting your time and ammo with invalid test results. I don't know if S&W does "Federal primer only action jobs" but if the springs are lightened this will be another variable that you need to consider. When you have satisfactory results, you absolutely MUST Loc-tite the strain screw and turn it all the way in. I find that with many revolvers I also need to Loc-tite the yoke screw and cylinder latch nut. It's just the nature of the beast, and a little bit of Loc-tite will solve many problems with S&W revolvers.

I don't know what to tell you about the frame mounted firing pins. Lots of people seem to be having problems with them, and I don't want to be inconvenienced by this "improvement" so I just don't buy the newer revolvers.

Dave Sinko

TAC · #17 06-13-2009, 11:33 AM

This problem seems to occur within the Night Guard series more often than with other models. I don't understand why either, as that part of the gun is not designed differently from the others. Did S&W outsource the Night Guard elsewhere?

Brian41 · #18 06-13-2009, 12:32 PM

That is disturbing and I'd be upset too. I'm of the crowd that likes their carry guns S&W and hammer mounted firing pin too.

I did buy a 325 a couple years ago as it seemed the ideal carry gun and my dealer gave me a big mark down on it.
It has worked 100% from new and I like it alot. The more I looked at it and their design plus the lock I put it aside in my safe as I just don't have faith in it as a carry gun.
I know that is old school thinking but I'd just as soon put up with the extra weight of my 629 3 inch Backpacker if I want a big bore snub for carry.

I hope they return it as the gun you desire and will trust. Sad though S&W would let something that didn't go bang out their doors.

I've only had one S&W that didn't go bang and it was an older Model 19 I bought used in mid 70's. I had a gunsmith in Oklahoma do an action job on it back then and must have put 10,000 rounds through it mainly plinking reloads before I had those problems.
What I found was besides the action work he'd narrowed the main spring as well and it just got weak. A new one and it's been fine but will never again be a carry gun as I have other's 100% trusted.

Bear Country 88 · #19 06-13-2009, 04:44 PM

A gun is a mechanical assembly of parts made by humans, and as such I would expect an occasional issue. From reading this and other threads it appears S&W let some guns get out the door with a shorter than optimum firing pin. Under warranty, S&W install a longer pin at absolutely no cost to the owner. I added the "master revolver action package" so that a S&W gunsmith is forced to take another long look at everything, test fire the gun again, and make certain the gun is right. It's unfortunate to spend the extra $145 on an action package but it'll help me regain faith in this weapon by knowing it's been looked at "two more times".

If the gun is subsequently reliable in multiple trips to the range - case closed. I'll add a drop of thread locker to a couple fasteners too. Out of all my guns over many, many years this is the only one that ever failed to fire.

Now if there's ANOTHER issue down the road with this gun... then I've lost faith in S&W for a good long while and they get no more business from me.

But right now - it appears one longer firing pin and we're back in business.

conchmariner · #20 06-20-2009, 08:12 PM

I may be calling S&W next week about my 329. I had 5 FTFs out of 18 rounds last time at the range. All were Blazer .44 Magnum 240 gr JHP. I haven't had problems with anything but Blazer in this gun, and the range master said it looked like the primer hits were not light strikes, so perhaps it is an ammo related problem, although I don't seem to have the same issue with this round in my 629.

danbrew · #21 06-20-2009, 09:28 PM

Shot half a box of Blazer .44 mag ammo in a 329 Night Guard today and all functioned as they should. Recently purchased a 325 Night Guard and the 329 Night Guard and shot them both today. Was cleaning them afterwards and noticed that the screw holding the rear sight on top of the frame was loose on both. It does seem like the lightweight revolvers take a pounding. Which, of course, I knew before I bought them. Starting to wonder whether S&W did any type of real world testing with these. While I won't shoot these as much as a 625 or 629, it's really disappointing that S&W is moving all of these light-weight guns out the door and we're hearing about so many issues.

conchmariner · #22 06-21-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danbrew

Shot half a box of Blazer .44 mag ammo in a 329 Night Guard today and all functioned as they should. Recently purchased a 325 Night Guard and the 329 Night Guard and shot them both today. Was cleaning them afterwards and noticed that the screw holding the rear sight on top of the frame was loose on both. It does seem like the lightweight revolvers take a pounding. Which, of course, I knew before I bought them. Starting to wonder whether S&W did any type of real world testing with these. While I won't shoot these as much as a 625 or 629, it's really disappointing that S&W is moving all of these light-weight guns out the door and we're hearing about so many issues.

I always tighten all the screws on my 329 NG after a range session. I suppose to be fair to S&W on that score, these aren't meant to be range guns. However the FTF issues that some of us experience shouldn't be happening with such frequency in a gun marketed as a self defense weapon.

Rodentman · #23 06-25-2009, 09:36 PM

I just bought a BNIB 329NG and had 50% failures to fire right off the bat!

I am PO'd.

The FTF's were with my .44 sp reloads, and they went bang the second try. MAGTECH 240g factory ammo would not fire even after repeated attempts.

I took the gun back to the shop. They will order the part and install it. I trust them. I also ordered a spare C&S longer firing pin just to have a spare in case I get the nerve to replace it myself. Shop says they've been getting a lot of S&W's in with this problem.

I have 2 Ruger Redhawks and the firing pins are noticeably longer and they are totall reliable, but even the 4" is rather heavy to carry. I thought of getting a 329PD but the one I saw looked like it had a short FP too.

I really like the 329 and hope to get it functioning soon.

Had to buy a Springfield EMP to ease the pain, and that goes for its first range test tomorrow.

Bear Country 88 · #24 07-01-2009, 10:00 AM

The gun is still sitting at S&W, since May 19th. Each time I call I'm told "it'll be shipped soon". Today they told me "it takes at least 4 weeks" because "they're pretty backed up back there".

They seem disorganized and in a rush to get off the phone. I didn't want to buy a S&W with that damn Hillary Hole - and now I know this will be the last one I buy. Quality matters, and guns that have to go back to the factory and sit for a month or longer while waiting for a 45 minute fix... well that's just plain unacceptable.

I just called and canceled the action job. The guy gave me a hard time, had an attitude, and I just told him to cancel the work, credit my card, and ship the gun back to me. The longer firing pin they installed under warranty should have fixed the FTF, and now I'll either throw the gun in the back of the safe or sell the piece of junk and be done with S&W.

The Nightguard is supposed to be a self-defense weapon. I've lost faith in it. Goodbye S&W.

;(

FinnMike · #25 07-01-2009, 01:15 PM

I installed the C&S "longer" firing pin on my 325 from the git-go. Easy - the pin is held in my a pin that can be pulled with tweezers after the side plate is removed. FYI the replacement pin IS NOT "longer". the slot in the firing pin body is cut longer so the pin can move forward more. A "longer" firing pin would of necessity protrude from the frame at all times. Just wanted to clear this up. An enterprising person could file off part of the slot in the firing pin body to achieve the same increased travel distance.
Mike

whelenshooter · #26 07-01-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Country 88

The gun is still sitting at S&W, since May 19th. Each time I call I'm told "it'll be shipped soon". Today they told me "it takes at least 4 weeks" because "they're pretty backed up back there".

They seem disorganized and in a rush to get off the phone. I didn't want to buy a S&W with that damn Hillary Hole - and now I know this will be the last one I buy. Quality matters, and guns that have to go back to the factory and sit for a month or longer while waiting for a 45 minute fix... well that's just plain unacceptable.

I just called and canceled the action job. The guy gave me a hard time, had an attitude, and I just told him to cancel the work, credit my card, and ship the gun back to me. The longer firing pin they installed under warranty should have fixed the FTF, and now I'll either throw the gun in the back of the safe or sell the piece of junk and be done with S&W.

The Nightguard is supposed to be a self-defense weapon. I've lost faith in it. Goodbye S&W.

;(

If you don't mind me asking... What was the total length of time Smith & Wesson had your handgun? I found out if you send a gun back for warranty work and have them do Performance Center action work at the same time that it does extend the amount of time they have it. You would think that a Performance Center guy would sit down with the gun and take care of both things at the same time, but it evidently doesn't work that way. Evidently the warranty work is done in a different part of the factory, then they send it to the Performance Center to do what they do. This means the gun has to sit through two separate work order lists (the first for the warranty work, then the second for the Performance Center work.)

I had problems with the cylinder of my 396 Night Guard unlocking and backing up from recoil. I sent it back to have that repaired under warranty, then had a duty tune action job done at the Performance Center. They had the gun a little less than two months, which I felt was quite reasonable. I just got it back early last week and I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Using snap caps and doing some dry-fire drills, the action is amazing now!

For the last few months it seems like getting through to Smith & Wesson on the telephone is like pulling teeth. The waits are terrible, or they give you a message saying the call volume is high and to try back another time. They need to hire more Customer Service people. The existing ones seem terribly overworked. You can't tell me S&W is losing money and can't hire more help. It is almost impossible to find certain models of new Smith & Wessons in the gun stores, which tells me they are selling everything they make as soon as they make it. If this isn't the case, then they aren't making anything and are about to go under, and I doubt that.

Bear Country 88 · #27 07-01-2009, 03:30 PM

Total time as of today: 6 weeks and counting. What bothers me is the fact that I get a different story each time I call. When they say "it'll be there before the weekend" that means it'll be delivered on Thursday or Friday. So I stick around the house, waiting for FedEx.

Then at the end of the following week I call and I'm told "it'll be another week or two". What the heck is that? And they have an attitude. How about telling me the truth - and following through on your story? If it's going to take 2 months - tell me it's going to take two months. Don't tell me it'll be there in a couple days and then tell me it'll be there in a couple weeks.

It doesn't matter anymore. S&W Customer Service didn't come through for me. So (for me) - I shop elsewhere from now on. Glad they're busy, but I'd like a quality product for my $900+.

whelenshooter · #28 07-01-2009, 09:49 PM

You're right; they shouldn't blow smoke up your butt when they are giving you a time estimate. I always tell any gunsmith that I want a time estimate, but I want a real one. I tell them that if they tell me two months and it takes three I will be upset, but if for the same work they tell me a year and they get it done in 11.5 months I will sing their praises far and wide. It is just the way I'm made. I get anxious to receive something I'm promised. I can wait, if need be, but I get upset with promises made but not kept.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with them. When it comes to warranty and Performance Center work I have ALWAYS been very happy with Smith & Wesson. The only problem I've been having with them is trying to get the magazines promised me by their "Holiday Handgun Promotion" for my M&P .45. It has been seven months and I haven't received a thing. This wouldn't bother me if there were no M&P .45 magazines anywhere, but they are available from Midway. This tells me Smith & Wesson is selling them to other companies , but not meeting their obligations made to individuals under their promotional deals. I've called and left messages with the person who I was told by another customer service representative is the contact person for Smith & Wesson promotions, but the guy hasn't called me back. If I don't hear from him tomorrow I'm going to call and ask to speak to a supervisor on Friday.

SWID · #29 07-01-2009, 10:49 PM

Don't those Night Guard things have locks on them? They all did at the NRA convention.

Why would anybody buy a defense gun with a lock on it?

"Honey somebody's breaking down the door, where's the key to the gun?"

"Uh, I don't know, it was OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

PS. I don't know how many thousands of rounds I've put through my various N, K, I, and J frames, but FTF is zero. (I have fiddled around with the strain scrrew and generated them, but that was no surprise.)

cunwat · #30 07-01-2009, 11:55 PM

I bought and new 386 Night Guard on Monday. Fired it tonight for the first time. It failed to fire 18 out of 21 rounds. I used Speer Gold Dot, Federal Premium and Hornady Personal Defense Ammo. I paid almost $ 900.00 for this revolver and am really upset that they let something out of the factory at that price which will not fire. I bought the gun for personal defense, but don't know if I will ever trust it. I plan to send it back to Smith and Wesson, but have heard lots of horror stories on the various forums. Any suggestions out there?

whelenshooter · #31 07-02-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cunwat

I bought and new 386 Night Guard on Monday. Fired it tonight for the first time. It failed to fire 18 out of 21 rounds. I used Speer Gold Dot, Federal Premium and Hornady Personal Defense Ammo. I paid almost $ 900.00 for this revolver and am really upset that they let something out of the factory at that price which will not fire. I bought the gun for personal defense, but don't know if I will ever trust it. I plan to send it back to Smith and Wesson, but have heard lots of horror stories on the various forums. Any suggestions out there?

Call them and get a shipping label to send it back so that they pay the shipping. After that, don't call and ask about it for AT LEAST a month or month and a half. Unlike the other fellow on this site, I have NEVER had any problems with their warranty repair, but they need time.

It is amazing to me that so many people are having failures to fire with what is supposed to be a self-defense gun! They need to get their act together on this one. Probably the reason their customer service people are so busy is because of the number of guns that won't work. Why would ANY company send out guns that won't fire? This makes NO SENSE AT ALL!

cunwat · #32 07-02-2009, 11:17 PM

I called them today and got a good response. They're sending me a shipping box and paid label from FEDEX and said they would fix it or replace it. I just want a dependable gun. Hope it works out OK.

Old Navy · #33 07-03-2009, 09:35 AM

Be like me, only one relative new S&W (610-3) and it is just the range gun, but never a FTF except the time I put in a primer backward.

Otherwise my SD is S&W 610 5" no dash with hammer mounted firing pin, a 1086, but the home defense gun is a Para 1911 14-45 Gun Rights, that had one FTF but I had forgot to chamber a round. My current car gun and CCW is a G29 SF in 10mm as you might guess.

The reason for the Para 45ACP as HD gun is 14 rounds of 45 ACP and in a 1911 which is not small child easy to load or work all the safeties. The 1086 is rather rare like the 610 5" and both of those are safe queens and seldom used.

cunwat · #34 07-22-2009, 11:19 AM

My 386 NG went out to Smith and Wesson on July 13th. They sent me a paid shipping label from FEDEX for two day service. I got a letter on the 16th of July saying they had it and would try to get it back to me within three weeks. It came back to me tody by FEDEX with a letter saying it had a new firing pin and had been tested to the factory's standards. Today is the 22nd of July. NINE DAYS.

If it fires tonight when I shoot it, I will once again be a happy S&W fan. The service turn around made me feel much better.

Jerry in SC · #35 07-22-2009, 12:48 PM

Yesterday, I put a 100 rounds (a mix of Federal, Winchester, Buffalo Bore, and Speer) through a 315 NG with no fail to fires (or any other issues).

Being a .38 Special +P makes a difference I'm guessing. Also, the 315 doesn't have a gas shield since it's not a magnum. The melonite finish sure cleans up easily. This one needs some trigger work (heavy), timing is perfect.

Weighs 21.3 oz with Hogue bantams.

dkees · #36 07-22-2009, 02:07 PM

Please understand that this is just me....No way in hell would I sink more money into a piece that was new and a failure (sending it to the performance shop before you could test fire it. You'll never know if warranty fixed it or the performance shop did$$$.) I was interested in a NG.....for about 2 minutes.

They're ugly, made out of beer cans, and when I saw the suggested retail price of $1,000+...no way. I have 16 S &Ws, none built after 1978....and they all work......all the time.

Once again, just me.

18DAI · #37 07-22-2009, 04:21 PM

"They're ugly, made out of beer cans, and when I saw the suggested retail price of $1,000+...no way."

LOL dkees!! I almost spit my soda on the keyboard. Better put on your flame suit, as the fanboys should be by here shortly to roast you to a cinder. Best regards, 18DAI.

Crazy K38 · #38 07-22-2009, 04:23 PM

just buy the apex firung pin and decalifornia it and you will be fine

yzm19 · #39 07-23-2009, 05:57 AM

i have a 329pd ak. backpacker. i too had problems with miss fires. i had some buffalo bore ammo that they say is for the light scand. guns. well 3 out of the first 5 did not fire. i was thinking that it was the gun, but a friend loaned me some reloads of all sorts to try. they all fired. so we tried the miss fired ones from buff. bore in his 629's. in all 4 different 629's we got nothing but ckick/misfires. i kinda think it was something wrong with buff. bore. im gonna write them and ask for a refund or something. i mean what if that happened with a animal charging you??????think about that!

Old Navy · #40 07-24-2009, 05:37 PM

I will stick with my 610 no dash 5" NIGHT GUARD thank you all very much. No lock and 6 rounds of smoking 10 MM hell raisers as far as revolvers go.

However as of late I been using a Para XTP 14-45 Gun Rights double stacker that shoots everything I run through it without fail.

Having grandkids in the house I have decided even a lock box with a loaded revolver is too much chance of a discharge if left unlocked. So I switched to a 1911 again.

Spinblastr · #41 12-17-2009, 03:21 PM

I just bought a 329 and had the same problem. Most of the rounds didn't shoot. I had to send it back to S&W for a longer pin. Is this a big problem with this model?

44 special Dave · #42 12-17-2009, 03:31 PM

Most of the problems discussed on the Night Guard serirs have been FTFs

How S&W could go all the way thru product development and tresting and not realize there was a FTF problem, is beyong understanding.

The number of times I've heard a NG have an FTF is way past it being related to just one specimen.

And for a defensive revolver, that's especially inexcusable (any gun really).

Dave

Jaws1 · #43 12-17-2009, 05:03 PM

Hi all,

I purchased a 329NG one year ago. Immediately took it on the range (located where I made the purchase) I was getting several misfires as well. As many as 15 out of 50. I felt exactly as you did, lot of money for woods self defense gun that isn't very reliable. Talked to the gunsmith on site, he asked if I could leave it with him. Called me a few days later, said he installed .030 longer pin in it, fired a box through it with no problems. I picked up the gun and have now ran over 500 rounds through it with NO problems. My confidence in this gun is back.

Jeff

Bear Country 88 · #44 05-12-2010, 04:14 PM

Follow up: I finally got the 329 Night Guard back from S&W (over 7 weeks) and fired a box of 50 through it with no problems. I didn't have the action job done, just the warranty work for the FTF issue. I'm still kind of sour on the whole ordeal so the gun is just sitting in the safe. It's not a self-defense weapon anymore - it's a gun to take to the range once and a while. Too bad S&W quality wasn't up to snuff when they released the Night Guard series. It may be better now...

310nightguard · #45 05-25-2010, 02:47 PM

I just bought my second gun from night guard series of revolvers. I bought the 310 in 10mm/.40

My first trip to the range with factory fresh .40 UMC rounds resulted in 5 failure to fires out of a box of 50. Went home, cleaned it again very thoroughly, noticed the finish missing (bright shiny metal) on the frame just below the barrel where the cylinder meets the frame.

Took it back to the range today with a different brand of factory fresh ammo; 7 failure to fires out of a box of 50.

It is now on its way back for repairs... unbelievable; brand new $900 gun with issues straight from the factory.

I mentioned this was my second night guard because I had the same issue with a 386 that I bought last year, sent it back and it was returned with longer firing pin. I thought that was a fluke, but now have learned of these issues with the night guard series. Unacceptable in my eyes... a premium priced product used in defense of life with known, recurring issues.

Great concept in a gun (awesome sights, great ergonomics, perfect mix of size, weight, concealability and controllability), with what seems to be very poor manufacturing and quality control.

Smith and wesson knows of the problem; why not just put the longer firing pin in the guns to start with?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

ewayte · #46 05-26-2010, 10:26 AM

The firing pin issue isn't just with the Night Guards, but with most of the large Scandium framed revolvers. I purchased a 325 Thunder Ranch last year and it had to go back to S&W to have the firing pin replaced after numerous ignition failures.

There's nothing like buying a $1400 revolver only to discover that it has to go back to the factory to make it work as it should.

6pack · #47 05-27-2010, 09:11 AM

So glad I read through this thread....I'll be staying way away from the Night Guard series.

eotrampman · #48 09-12-2010, 11:06 AM

were there any 329s that do not have the FTF? have they started fixing the issue before releasing the guns to the public. I am wondering if my 44 was made after they found the problem.

i havent shot my nightguard yet so i dont know.

ColColt · #49 09-12-2010, 11:35 AM

This is unsettling from such a renown company to allow all this to manifest problems like this after passing through QC. It destroys ones confidence in the weapon and in the company. Moreover, it certainly doesn't sound like an isolated case or two but rather the norm.

The cost of firearms today there shouldn't be this amount of failures...period. I had a SA 1911 years ago and it would always fail to feed, extract and sometimes not go into battery one or two rounds out of 100. No amount of tweaking the extractor tension or replacing it with another solved the problem. Magazine brand changes didn't solve the problem. A famous brand recoil spring and weight change didn't solve the problem. It had a wide enough throat to feed a snuff can and still wasn't reliable. It totally soured me on 1911's.There's just too finicky and I've had my share of them. Many love them and I love the feel of them but not at the price of being 80-90% reliable.

I've never heard of so many problems with a new pistol. I've had several different S&W revolvers over the years in different calibers and never had any-zero, problems from any of them...especially FTF.

tamu94 · #50 09-12-2010, 12:43 PM

I put an APEX pin in mine (329NG) as soon as I got it and I have not had a single issue. Flawless and very accurate. A joy to shoot with my 240 laser cast bullets at about 820fps and the Gold Dot 200g SB load at around 1020fps.

I agree its not acceptable to have the problems mentioned here but clearly SW has chosen to pass the California drop tests at the expense of reliability on the new guns.

Since APEX and several others are offering the longer pins there clearly is a market and thus a problem with the S&W.