396NG Improved

GDubya

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Just before Thanksgiving I had snagged a 396NG that had been sitting neglected and now discontinued (and repeatedly whispering my name) on a local dealers shelf for well over a year for pre-Xmas $735 OTD.
I finally found stock of Hogue's Bantam Monogrip to (at least temporarily) address the over-sized, speed-loader-preclusive, and horrible molding finish of the OEM Pachmayr/Lyman grips, so, at long last and complying with the it-didn't-happen-without-pictures stipulation/titilation, here she is...
SW396NGLHS.jpg

SW396NGRHS.jpg


I first came to love the same real, useful XS and (C&S) U-notched revolver sights on my M&P340.
SW396NGCSandXSSights.jpg


And, with 1911s as my long-time primary carry, I can't help liking the business end's same universally-translatable message...
SW396NGBigBore.jpg

Yes, those are 200-gr Corbon DPX: albeit, with 2.5" barrel, just shy of spec'd 950 fps and 401 ft/lbs but without the .357 bang/flash/recoil and a before-expansion .432" dia. perforation in an L-frame...

Now, I am still going to also share my disappointment with said shamefully cheap ass OEM grips on the NightGuard series (the second set pictured is S&W's attempt at a warranty fix) with S&W's Michael Golden and James Dabney because sometimes top management does actually appreciate and care about buyer/user input ...well, maybe at least what customers tell other on-line/wordly potential customers about after-marketing/sales practical reality/satisfaction ;); I'll definitely post if they man-up and cover my $20 make-it-work cost...
Pachmayr-LymanNG-seriesgripsALLpoorquality.jpg
 
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Sorry, couldn't resist...

Corbon 200-gr .44SPL vs 125-gr .357Mag ....
44SPLvs357Comparojpg.jpg


and DPX .44-SPL expansion...
44SPLDPXexpansionjpg.jpg
 
I recently found a 396NG at my LGS. In 90-95% condition, they wanted $1k, firm...
 
I think I like that sight oo. Easy to use. Similar to glock. But I carry revolvers for protection.
 
I've got several NGs &, as hard as I tried, I see no sense in having a night sight on the front but not on the back. In low light conditions were the front is (still) visible the rear is not. The rear needed to have Tritium Sights too.

All my front sights are dead now away & I'm converting them all to red ramp front sight & adjustable white outline rears, like on the 325NG below. Just did the M357NG a few weeks ago (below) so it looks the same now. (The 329NG is next.) And with the adjustable rear sight it's more functional, IMO.

Also changing them all to Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips for range day outings.

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Night Guards: 325-329-357-396 (L->R)
NightGuardfamilyphoto02_zps1123d9cd.jpg


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357NG - adjustable sights & Pac grips
SW%20M357NG%20-%20adjustable%20sights%20%20Pac%20grips%20-01b_zps2zokgo4p.jpg


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Last edited:
386NG titanium & Tritium 30.jpg
I wanted to modify mine, too.
I substituted the titanium cylinder and had C&S put tritium tubes in their Extreme Duty sight.
Since I can and do carry it in a pocket holster from time to time, I wanted the lighter cylinder.
C&S opened up the rear sight a bit to accommodate the Big Dot. Works great. They sighted it in with the Cor Bon ammo.

It's has been a frequent companion, and a couple of my friends like to carry it, so it isn't home a lot.
 
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