I am a big bore fan.
I regularly carry a CA 44 Bulldog. I also have a nice Taurus 431 and a 696 no dash. I like the Taurus and love the 696, but they are way heavier than my 2 Bulldogs. I see that the 396 is 12 oz lighter than my 696. I don't have any problems with the recoil on the CA with reasonable loads, so should be good with the recoil the 396. The CA always works, but, I would rather carry a S&W.
Think of getting one and selling the 431 and a CA. Not letting go of the 696.

Personally I am a big fan of the S&W Night Guard series. To me they seem to be the perfect combination. Short & lightweight frame with the stainless cylinder. Creates balance and control even on the big bore 396 & 329. Finding one for a "reasonable" price, well that's another thread...

If I could find one at a decent price I'd snap it up. Aren't they tougher to find than a 696?

Steelslaver: Carry mine during rattlesnake season w/1st shot being a handloaded capsule w/#12 shot & two spares in my pocket. The other five chambered are Silver Tips. Weighs 28 oz. loaded. Carried in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake, I don't even know it's there.

Shoot my 196gr. cast at mild velocity for practice/enjoyment w/out beating up my old hand.

Managed to bag my 396NG 6 1/2 yrs. ago practically unfired for $600.

Head 'n shoulders better than a CA or Taurus.

Good Luck, Hank M.

I picked one up about 5 years ago, for about $600 myself.
You don't see them all that often. Carry mine a lot in the
winter.

I carry an AirLite 325 2.5 inch barrel 45 and really like it. Far superior to the CA plus moon clips are fast reloads. The NG series is a winner with me. Bought the first one I ever saw.

Well I am a 45 guy and have several S&W 45s, but they are a bit on the big side. Isn't the 396 a Scandium L frame 44 special 5 shooter and therefore smaller and lighter than a N frame sized gun.

I would love a light 5 shot 45acp that ran moon clips. I measured my 69 very carefully and no way a S&W L frame cylinder can go that far.

The Taurus 455 and CA that do it have some differences that allow it. Smaller ratchet than S&W so chambers can be closer to center is a big factor.

I'd love one but they're hard to find. Did get a 386 Sc/S today from a forum member. Would list his name but I'll leave that up to him. In any case, thanks, arrived as advertised, if you want to sell a NG, let me know!

Love the nightguard concept -- never owned one. Have owned 386 PD, 396 PD, and 696. For whatever reason, never could get the 386 or the 696 to shoot. The 696 was was a no dash and one of the sweetest actions I've ever owned -- still couldn't get it to shoot. The 386 and 696 have both gone down the road, the 396 remains.

I just don't have any use for a "mild" load 44 special. I've shot Elmer's load in both the 696 and 396 and boy howdy it is a handful in the 396. This with the 429421 (250-260gr SWC) Lyman version which chonoed just under 1,100 fps in the 3" bbls. Not a recommendation, and yes I know about the thin barrel shank/forcing cone on both.

Originally bought the 396 as every day woods bumming gun and backup when bow hunting elk. Subsequently went to the 329 PD which has recently been replaced with the Model 69.

I'd buy a 396 Night Guard if I came across one, but it seems to me that a ti/sc .45 Acp would be a better option.

Just some random observations.

Paul

Correct. The 396NG is on the L-frame & the 325NG the N-frame. The 396NG is definitely handier, but I like my 325NG too.

Recoil is stiff with 240gr bullets which is why I use 180 & 200gr bullets instead, but I also load at +P, up to 22K psi mainly with Power Pistol or LongShot.

Don't know what the quantity made was but they seem to me among the rarer ones.

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Me too!

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Night Guards: 396-357-329-325


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Waiting for the break of day

I would love to own one. I do have a 360j wich looks like a baby nightguard.

I used to have one.

It shot great but the paper thin forcing cone gave me concerns. Also it feels huge compared to a Bulldog.

Sold it and made some money.

Then I found a used retro-repro 3" blued Bulldog for $250 and snatched it up.

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