I'm looking at a Model 327 Night Guard 8 shot. I would be interested in comments from anyone that has one of these or have shot one. Good bad or indifferent. Thanks

I just bought one from a local member and it is a delight to shoot. I was surprised how controllable full strength 357 loads are with the lightweight frame.

Today, it is the same MSRP as the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR, SKU #170133, which in all SS only weighs ~10oz more. The UDR also has a bright orange front ramp, which I can pick up more easily in low light than I can tritium Night Sights on the front of my 60 Pro and Governor. It's also a real Performance Center Shop product - with a decent trigger. I actually sold an old friend to enable me to go buy a 327NG just over a year ago - and came out of the gunstore then with my second PC627 UDR! Back then, it was the cost of a Happy Meal at McD's more locally - and well worth it. I solidified the deal when I found out the 327NG isn't moonclip ready. Recently, I found out that my Governor's Melonite finish, like the NG's, can be damaged with ammoniated cleaners - like my favorite Hoppes #9. I would have been cleaning it for a year with the wrong cleaner, had I bought it.

Last June, while I was looking for a 325NG, I found the new Governor, also an aluminum/scandium Melonite finished frame with a black SS barrel and cylinder revolver, a la the 325NG. It also has a tritium Night Sight on front and fixed rear. It's longer cylinder, and a bit more frame, added <2 oz to the 325NG's weight. The kicker - it was over $300 less than the NG! Yeah, besides the .45ACPs, it also chambers a bunch of other ammo. It did convince me, it will be my only such finished revolver... I like SS better.

Stainz

I just got my night guard .45 ACP here .. All of them are on sale for $599 or less http://www.pistolandpawn.com/SWSale.html

Those are some very good prices. I saw 2 of the 310NG on GB for over $300 more than that last week.

I put a set of S&W combat grips on my 310NG to see how they felt on it. I did some test firing yesterday with some old Full House 10mm carry ammo, and one 40 S&W load that I have had for around 20 years just to see how bad the recoil would be with ammo other than my lite practice loads.
175 Silver Tip, 10mm (Current rating 1250 fps)
135 Corbon 10mm listed on box as 1450 fps
180 Corbon 10mm listed on box as 1175 fps
155 Silver Tip 40 S&W (current rating 1205 fps)

I was very surprised. To me the recoil was comparible to shooting a 4" K frame with factory 158gr 357 magnum ammo.
I was expecting 4" Model 29 with factory target stocks shooting factory 240 grain premium 44 Magnum recoil.
I was expecting the recoil on this very lite gun to be much worse than it was. With that out of the way I am not worryed about what I need to carry in it for SD ammo. It should work just fine with any 10mm or 40 S&W carry ammo. I was surprised that I did not notice any reduction in felt recoil with the 155 Silver Tip 40 S&W load. (Probably 20 year old ammo)
I will need to chronograph some ammo one of these days, and see what the velocity is. At the time I was buying 10mm ammo for my then new 610 No Dash, it was already being toned down quite a bit. I am wondering if some of the 40 S&W SD ammo may have been toned down just a hair also. I do not notice any seriously bulged 40 S&W cases in my range brass any more. I do realize that the cases have been beefed up in the web on atleast some brands over the years.

What do I think about my 310 Night Guard so far?
I like the weight, or should I say lack of weight. I have been carrying it in a Lobo Model 1 Pancake. You almost do not notice that you are carrying it. By comparison I also have a 3" model 625. Much heavier on the belt.
I like the XS 24/7 front Night Sight. The Night Guard Series was designed for Concealed Carry. You could not come up with a better front sight for that roll.
The Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty rear sight is also very impressive. Also about as good a choice as you could come up with for a Concealed Carry rear sight.
The factory grips. I am getting back into wood more lately. I have a set of S&W Bloodworks grips on order for it, just because I like them. I have been carrying the 310 with the factory Pachmayr Compact grips until the last few days. I have not noticed any real issues with cloths dragging on them. I really like wood. With that said the Pachmayr Compacts probably provide the best grip on the gun in non ideal conditions. If I had to shoot in the rain, with blood on my hands, or in icy cold conditions I would want the factory Pachmayr grips on the gun. Again S&W probably picked the best all round concealed carry grips for the application.

In conclusion, I think Smith & Wesson came up with a very good carry gun with the Night Guard Series of N Frames. The caliber you like best is going to be a matter of personal choice. The 357 Magnum, 10mm, 44 Special, 44 Magnum, and 45acp/AR will all get the job done for self defense.
The weight is right for concealed carry.
The barrel length is right for concealed carry.
The sights are right for concealed carry.
The grips are right for all conditions for concealed carry.

In my opinion Smith & Wesson came up with about as good of a design as possible for an N Frame concealed carry revolver. I will still carry my 638, but the 310 is going to get carryed a lot.

Bob

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