Carrying and shooting the 396 Night Guard

[YosemiteSam]

I'm a long time revolver shooter who's been lured to the dark side of shell chuckers for carry guns. Lately I've fallen in love with the .44 Special caliber, and am beginning to try to wrap my mind around the idea of carrying a 396 Night Guard.

Before I was lead astray I carried a model 60, and still have it, so I'm not totally averse to the idea of 5 rounds in the gun. I also had a 642 for a while. I have a small collection of older S&W revolvers, mostly .357s, and frankly have to think long and hard about getting another new model.

With the NG I'm a little concerned about carrying such a big framed gun, and shooting this caliber in one so light. Also frame longevity, etc.

First, is carrying the 5 shot L frame 396 that bad? I generally use IWB now, but will probably opt for OWB with a revolver.

Next how is shooting .44 Special is such a light gun? I didn't much enjoy my brief relationship with the 642 and heavy .38 +P rounds. OTOH I'm fine with .44 mag in the right gun. I'm thinking the larger grip on the 396 will give it better controlability and recoil absorption than the little j-frame grips.

Will the frame hold up to a lot of shooting? Or is this another gun that is meant to be "carried a lot and shot a little"?

At this time I'm also considering biting the bullet and going for a Lew Horton 3" model 24, but see the huge weight (and price) difference. I like the idea of the 6 shot 3" over the "snubby" 696, but have to wonder if it's worth lugging around another pound+ of steel, not to mention N frame vs. L.

-- Sam

 

[paulgl26]

l love mine
recoil is decent
i have an holster coming and looking for some smaller grips

 

[ENH]

I cary and shoot mine allot, recoil is manageable but stiff especially with the Spegel stocks shown, but mild with the factory Packmyers. I put them on for extended range sessions. I shoot WW silver tips and Georgia Arms Gold Dots, but hand load also. The holster and belt is from Fist and I have carried it some IWB in a Galco Summer Comfort for a 3" L frame. It spends more time in my front pocket though in a Concealed Carrier Clothiers pocket pouch. Thus, the bobbed hammer. These pouches add no weight or bulk and work well. I say go for it, 44 cal bullets are comforting. The 696 is big and heavy and one fine gun. My all steel guns get left at home more and more.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

It's like a light 44 mag load.
If you must shoot, you won't notice the recoil.

 

[xrmattaz]

I carry my 4" 329PD daily (it's N-frame is just a bit larger than the L-frame) in either the same FIST holster as shown above, or in it's Milt Sparks VM2 IWB holster.

Loaded with either Silvertips or PMC hollowpoints, currently....both 200grain. (note that this has become a dedicated .44 SPECIAL revolver, in my hands, anyway!)

My handloads (which I shoot a bunch of!) consist of lead 200 or 240gr. bullets, loaded to duplicate .45ACP hardball, for the most part. These loads provide more of a "push" than any significant snappy recoil, and I find 'em a joy to shoot, ALL day long.

I use the stock Ahrends fingergroove "boot grips".

 

[YosemiteSam]

Thanks for all the replies!

...
My handloads (which I shoot a bunch of!) consist of lead 200 or 240gr. bullets, loaded to duplicate .45ACP hardball, for the most part. These loads provide more of a "push" than any significant snappy recoil, and I find 'em a joy to shoot, ALL day long.

That's what I've come to love about the .44 Special.

Thanks again. Though it looks like my choice has been made, and I found a 3" 624 that I'm going with, rather than the L-framed 396.

-- Sam

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

My brother-in-law has had his 396 Night Guard for one year and carries it all of the time...zero problems.

 

[1911lover]

I very recently purchased a slightly used 396 NG. I found a holster from Simply Rugged (Alaska) called the Sourdough that carries the gun very well. I have Ahrends grips ordered, although I will probably use the rubber grips for range work. Now I am trying to re-acquire dies, brass, bullets etc. in order to make light loads I can enjoy frequently.

Current carry ammo is Win. silvertips.

I am impressed with the gun and am strongly considering finding a 325 NG, as I have been loading low power .45acp for years.

I'm an old fart, but have renewed my interest in revolvers/reloading via my recent purchase. I wouldn't use the word "giddy", but close.

Anyone know of a source for mild .44 spec. reload data other than the normal reloading manuals. I have done numerous searches on the web and have found a few, but I would prefer velocities in the 700-800 fps ranges. thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[rburg]

Wow, a lot going on in this thread.

Lets talk about handles, size of handles, and recoil.

First, there is no difference between a K or an L frame grip. They're identical in about every respect (or at least the grip frame is.) Also, just for fun, we can state there isn't any material difference between an N frame grip frame and the mid size guns, K or L. If you don't believe me, take a K frame Magna, an L frame Magna, and an N frame magna. the N has a very minor difference in curve, but the size is nearly identical. What makes the difference in recoil management is the chunks of wood you slap on them. You can get tiny ones for a N frame gun. You can get huge ones for a K frame gun. Between the factory and the aftermarket, the sky is the limit.

One of the major factors in recoil is the round being fired. 44 Specials can be had in almost pussycat strength loads. There are also fools who load Specials up to near Magnum pressures. If you want a magnum, buy one. All of us who own 329s have great respect for them and their potential recoil. If you don't yet, you need to let go with a 300gr full house round or two.

I've got 29s, 629s, and a couple of 329s. I don't even find the 629s to be pleasant with hot magnums, particularly after a gun load or two. I once suggested anyone who finds firing 329s with magnums pleasant had my respect. I've withdrawn that respect. You're just a fool and a glutton for punishment. The things hurt. But the gun is still a great 44 Special shooter.

Just my take on it.. I like my 329s. And I like my 696. And my 396. But I would like to think I have a little common sense. So I pick and choose which rounds I fire in which gun. And I prefer to carry a light gun that is kind of compact instead of a heavy gun. But I also factor in how much shooting I expect to be doing that day. If the answer is "none" then I think I'll carry the 396. Its in the same weight range as a M60.

 

[peyton]

I wonder if the 396 night guard will have the forcing cone problem of the 696? Or did they do something to keep it from cracking?