Does anybody know why the NG revolvers were dropped?
- Thread starter 33jayman
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I am sure it was for the same reason every model get dropped; slow sales.
Yep, makes two of us who have no clue what an NG revolver is....
***GRJ***
***GRJ***
CatboatWilly
Member
I once saw a revolver with an 'NG' stamped in the frame of the gun underneath the handle (grip)
It appeared to be a factory stamping. I didn't buy the used gun ( a 686-4 ) cause I thought I meant 'No Good' stamped in by some LEO agency -
So I too would like to know what it means.
Thanks
It appeared to be a factory stamping. I didn't buy the used gun ( a 686-4 ) cause I thought I meant 'No Good' stamped in by some LEO agency -
So I too would like to know what it means.
Thanks
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I wonder if it was simply a dubious concept. I know some people consider .44 Magnum a good choice for personal or home defense, but it never struck me as something I'd want for street carry (even if I could still shoot magnums). Woods gun in bear country, hunting weapon, sure. Preferably with at least a four-inch barrel. But S&W pitched this one for personal defense and duty carry.
As so many have said here about other ideas, maybe it was an answer to a question too few people asked.
As so many have said here about other ideas, maybe it was an answer to a question too few people asked.
larry237
Member
Night Guards were made in a variety of frame sizes and calibers. I think they had night sights and were relatively light weight. I just figured out that I wanted one in 45 ACP or 44 Special, when they disappeared.
Cal44
Member
I agree. Those were the two most interesting calibers of NGs.
Very light weight, short barrels revolvers in magnum calibers are a dubious concept IMO. Sounds better on paper than when you shoot them.
But the big bore, non-magnums do make sense to me and I wish I had one.
A 396 (or a 296) or a 325 NG are ones I'd buy if they were still available.
Not sure if they are still on the CA approved handgun list (if they every were).
Most likely I'd have to find someone in California with one he wants to sell.
Dave
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As has been mentioned, slow sales would be the obvious reason for discontinuing the line, however, for those of us looking for a lighter weight, "carry oriented" revolver they were just the ticket. They came in K, L, and N frames in .38spl, .357mag, 10mm, .41mag, .44spl, .44mag, and .45acp. They were all set up the same way - scandium alloy frames, blackened stainless cylinders, XS Big Dot front night sight, Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty fixed rear sight, and rubber grips.
I have a 327NG, the 8 shot .357mag, that has been tweaked to my liking and it's my favorite field gun, great for all around outdoors carry. Mine sees most of it's holster time when I'm working on the property or out in the woods. I also had a 315, the K frame .38spl version that I foolishly sold to a forum member, another great gun.
I have a 327NG, the 8 shot .357mag, that has been tweaked to my liking and it's my favorite field gun, great for all around outdoors carry. Mine sees most of it's holster time when I'm working on the property or out in the woods. I also had a 315, the K frame .38spl version that I foolishly sold to a forum member, another great gun.
HiCap
Member
The gun I regret selling the most was the NG 315 (sic) in .38 special. It was special indeed.
HiCap
HiCap
medxam
US Veteran
Cal44, shooting the 296 is no piece of cake unless you can replace the cylinder with a steel one. I have looked high and low for years for the elusive steel cylinder, to no avail. Mine sleeps quietly in its case in the vault. It was a wonderful idea, but I am not going to subject these old hands and this old body to that gun. .44 Special is my favorite round. I have not brought myself to sell it yet. Who knows? There may still be a steel cylinder around for sale!
medxam
medxam
Imshootin
Member
I've got the 310 Night Guard which I'm rather fond of. I like the ability to shoot .40 S&W through it as well as 10mm as I have several .40 semi-autos and plenty of ammo in that caliber. I was wanting a revolver in .40 S&W and this one came along used in like new condition so I scarfed it up. I can't say for sure why they were discontinued other than they were kind of a niche gun and being scandium framed, a little on the pricey side. They probably didn't sell enough to justify continued production.
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Thanks for the replys guys and the pictures too (I wouldn't mind seeing more pictures).
I screwed up by not getting one of these when they were available locally. There were two gun shops in my area that had them in stock in a various calibers. At that time I was working on my cowboy action shooting gun collection and did not have the money to buy one. Now that I am flush with cowboy action guns there are no S&W Night Guards to be found.
I thought they would make for a very cool carry gun because of the light weight and night sights.
I will have to keep an eye out for one. I probably would be very happy with a327 NG.
Jay
I screwed up by not getting one of these when they were available locally. There were two gun shops in my area that had them in stock in a various calibers. At that time I was working on my cowboy action shooting gun collection and did not have the money to buy one. Now that I am flush with cowboy action guns there are no S&W Night Guards to be found.
I thought they would make for a very cool carry gun because of the light weight and night sights.
I will have to keep an eye out for one. I probably would be very happy with a327 NG.
Jay
Dave T
Member
Here's a 325 NG I recently acquired.
Took the picture after the first trip to the range with the factory Combat stocks on it. It came with S&W's fugley new rubber stocks. Since the picture the IL has been replaced with "the Plug". It is now my almost every-day carry gun. (smile)
Dave
Took the picture after the first trip to the range with the factory Combat stocks on it. It came with S&W's fugley new rubber stocks. Since the picture the IL has been replaced with "the Plug". It is now my almost every-day carry gun. (smile)
Dave
Night Guard!
Thank you.
I'll try to remember that nickname.
***GRJ***
Thank you.
I'll try to remember that nickname.
***GRJ***
I think it had to do with nobody buying them. Just a guess of course.
SquarePizza
Member
A 325 or 327 NG are definitely on my want list. Its sad to see the line dropped as that means I will be forced at surf the used market for them.
Here's a 325 NG I recently acquired.
Took the picture after the first trip to the range with the factory Combat stocks on it. It came with S&W's fugley new rubber stocks. Since the picture the IL has been replaced with "the Plug". It is now my almost every-day carry gun. (smile)
Dave
What would be pretty cool is to get a replacement plug that is the same color as and fits like the Ti pins.
Jay
jw mathews
Member
Medxam--
If you cannot locate a 44 Special steel cylinder from the S&W factory or Gun Parts Corp or elsewhere, perhaps you could buy a 38 or 357 cylinder & have it reamed by a gunsmith to take .44 Special. I'm not familiar with the NG models & don't know if yours has a 5 or 6-shot cylinder, but as a last resort there are custom gunsmiths who could make a cylinder from scratch, using your original ejector rod assembly.
If you cannot locate a 44 Special steel cylinder from the S&W factory or Gun Parts Corp or elsewhere, perhaps you could buy a 38 or 357 cylinder & have it reamed by a gunsmith to take .44 Special. I'm not familiar with the NG models & don't know if yours has a 5 or 6-shot cylinder, but as a last resort there are custom gunsmiths who could make a cylinder from scratch, using your original ejector rod assembly.
Rickkster
Member
My 325NG in .45 ACP is with me pretty much every time I am in the woods. If I'm hiking, hunting, etc, I have it with me. It carries light and shoots great. I got a good deal ($699.00) on it NIB when they were being discontinued. I like it a lot.
Cheers,
Rick
Cheers,
Rick
As has been mentioned, slow sales would be the obvious reason for discontinuing the line, however, for those of us looking for a lighter weight, "carry oriented" revolver they were just the ticket. They came in K, L, and N frames in .38spl, .357mag, 10mm, .41mag, .44spl, .44mag, and .45acp. They were all set up the same way - scandium alloy frames, blackened stainless cylinders, XS Big Dot front night sight, Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty fixed rear sight, and rubber grips.
I have a 327NG, the 8 shot .357mag, that has been tweaked to my liking and it's my favorite field gun, great for all around outdoors carry. Mine sees most of it's holster time when I'm working on the property or out in the woods. I also had a 315, the K frame .38spl version that I foolishly sold to a forum member, another great gun.
How is the recoil on this with full tilt loads? I located one like yours.
Jay
Smithbrother
Member
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Here's my 325 NG, purchased in 2008 when they came out. I had the forcing cone re-cut by S&W because it was spitting back at me. They did a good job. It has a steel cylinder and scandium frame, XS front sight, cylinder and slide rear sight. The action is very light and smooth compared to most out of the box guns. I replaced the trigger return spring, a slight improvement. The original grips had to go, they sucked. I went through two pair of wood grips before buying the S&Ws you see on it now. Wood was just too painful to qualify with. I wonder if they'll go up in value because they're no longer in production?
Laddy Smith
Member
I'm pretty sure you'd hate the recoil
So since I'm in Michigan too, why don't you let me know where the one you found is and I'll remove the temptation for you....
Lad
So since I'm in Michigan too, why don't you let me know where the one you found is and I'll remove the temptation for you....
Lad
- Joined
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Yes, they were an affront to both Daniel Wesson and to Horace Smith, and they were an abomination to most others who want their S&Ws to actually look like S&Ws. S&W should never have wasted production labor or materials on these unfortunate models. To an "oldie" like me, they just did not look like a Smith & Wesson, and that is enough for me - and apparently everyone else. S&W does not drop products which sell.
jjbrewst1
Member
I had everyone of them at one time. Cool looking,but changed direction to the 3 inch pre locks. I think they have a purpose, but just not for me anymore. I liked them because of the Steel cylinder versus the titanium cylinders on the PD's. night sights were cool. Just couldn't get over the lock. Although I did keep my 325.
neubert500
Member
I wish they would come back
I wish Smith would bring them back! I still want a 329NG to alternate with my 329PD. One day I will get lucky and find one that I can afford.
I wish Smith would bring them back! I still want a 329NG to alternate with my 329PD. One day I will get lucky and find one that I can afford.
S&W1006
Member
I liked the night guard revolvers too. I don't think they sold well. Revolvers aren't very popular anymore. I have seen a few pop up at gunshows and used at gun stores. I really like the 310 but they have been very difficult to find. I almost bought the 7 shot 357 version used but it was sold before I could get back to buy it.Hopefully I can add a NG or 2 to my revolver collection.
