Does anybody know why the NG revolvers were dropped?

[inspcalahan]

I'm wearing mine right now after coming back from dropping the neighborhood kids off at the bus stop. The rubber grips helped with recoil, but I couldn't stand how they were always grabbing my clothing. It's currently wearing new grips from VZ. I think I like them so far. The only plans in the future are to bob the hammer like WC145's is pictured with and smooth out the trigger some. It's heavy and has distinct stages.

 

[WC145]

I'm wearing mine right now after coming back from dropping the neighborhood kids off at the bus stop. The rubber grips helped with recoil, but I couldn't stand how they were always grabbing my clothing. It's currently wearing new grips from VZ. I think I like them so far. The only plans in the future are to bob the hammer like WC145's is pictured with and smooth out the trigger some. It's heavy and has distinct stages.

I had mine made DAO when I had the hammer bobbed and added a trigger stop. The action is very smooth with about a 7lb trigger pull that is substantially shorter, feels similar to a Colt, big improvement.

 

[Stainz]

LOL!

Jay

Like the Governor, that tractor will do many things a pickup can't. You could always sell the tractor - and likely buy a small fleet of Ford pickups. Maybe a decked out model with the club cab, bed cover, heated leather seats, cruise control, etc - lots of bling not available on a tractor.

Seriously, my suggestions reflected my choices re the NG's. In both cases - the 325 & 327 NG's - my choices are currently available new. And - the Governor will save you hundreds - perhaps enough for some ammo, if you can find it!

I am afraid that the harsh truth of the matter re the NG's is that they were pricey - and just didn't sell. It's now another case of wanting what you can no longer have. Witness my 296 & 696 for more such examples. One day... perhaps my Governor will be rare and desirable... Yeah, I'm not holding my breath on that one! Well, mine has a loving home.

Gotta go - my tractor awaits!

Stainz

 

[18DAI]

They didn't sell. Perhaps because they were overpriced for what they were.

Or maybe because of the problems with light strikes due to the too short firing pins.

But IMO they didn't sell because their targeted audience, those who still carried revolvers for serious purpose, had no use for ugly revolvers equipped with unneeded internal locks, two piece barrels and dubious reliability without installing an aftermarket firing pin. Regards 18DAI

 

[WC145]

IIRC, the only NG with a firing pin issue was the 325.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I really wanted an NG in 45 and one in 357. I heard a gunshop rumor that S&W would be dropping the internal lock from all of their various lightweight/alloy models. I went home and did a little research an read all the document cases of the internal lock locking itself particularly when it came to the lightweight models so I decided to hold out for one without the lock, alas that day never came. I have talked to a lot of people that knew about the NG line of revolvers but all held back do to the horror stories out there about the lock. That had to hurt sales of the NG series and it's a shame S&W didn't at least try a limited run without the lock.

 

[Cal44]

I think the lock was a big part of the problem.

I can't see having a very lightweight big bore gun unless I was going to carry it -- concealed, or open, for 2 leg defense, or 4 leg defense.

And not many people want a self defense carry gun with a lock that has a reputation of failing.

For a steel range or target gun, the lock doesn't bother me.

It's not likely to fail on a heavy steel gun, and even if it comes on spontaneously, I'll just unlock it -- no big deal.

S&W needs to delete the lock on all the very lightweight guns -- or see the market reject these products.

They already offer no-lock versions of some best selling lightweight defense oriented guns (e.g., 642, 442, 340).

And even here in the People's Republic of Kalifornia an internal lock is not required -- I just bought a M642 and a GP100 (Ruger) without locks.

Dave

 

[KML]

I go to two different LGS and neither of them have ever had a night guard to sell.I is very good small shop that gets atleast one of every gun to sell and the other is a large shop that does mega police department sales and is factory direct with S&W I have asked this one for a year and they never could get one.Now I know it's was only one gun for me and not a big purchase but I think that's one of the problems that shops just couldn't get them to put on the shelfs.You need to remember this is the semi-auto generation and they don't look at revolvers but if it was in the glass case for them to see and hold I think it would have sold much better.

If it didn't have the lock they would never be able to keep them in stock.

 

[Phil K]

To clarify, they had a night sight, singular, only on the front which to me is only half of what you need. Imagine what their price would have been if it had Trijicon dots on the back too !?

I thought that was kind of dumb, what good is it to be able to see the front and not the rear. I had Denny Reichard totally work my 329NG over and installed Tooltech tritiums in the rear. Definately not fun to shoot with full charge 240gr hollow points. Call me a wimp but after two cylinders full I`m done, need to load up some light loads to play with.

 

[Phil K]

IIRC, the only NG with a firing pin issue was the 325.

I bought a 329NG used for $600, didn`t look like it was fired more than once or twice. Useing assorted factory ammo,out of six rounds you might get two or three to light off, four out of six on a really good day. A Cylinder & Slide firing pin fixed that along with a really good action job has it working every time now.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Tritium rear sights

I thought that was kind of dumb, what good is it to be able to see the front and not the rear. I had Denny Reichard totally work my 329NG over and installed Tooltech tritiums in the rear. Definately not fun to shoot with full charge 240gr hollow points. Call me a wimp but after two cylinders full I`m done, need to load up some light loads to play with.

Those sights look pretty nice. Guess I missed them when I was trying to decide about my sights. Your NG looks like it has the newer style (2010) grips. I think they look nicer but they feel a little harder than the old style on my 325 & 357NG, but you're right, it's pretty light for a lot of full power loads. I keep moderate handloads in my NGs that are more than adequate for self-defense.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Light strikes

I bought a 329NG used for $600, didn`t look like it was fired more than once or twice. Useing assorted factory ammo,out of six rounds you might get two or three to light off, four out of six on a really good day. A Cylinder & Slide firing pin fixed that along with a really good action job has it working every time now.

I ordered an Apex firing pin when I bought my first NG. Got two more NGs since & the Apex is still in the unopened package it came in. Guess some had issues & others not. (All our Ruger SRxxc's have light strike issues that required aftermarket parts to fix.)

 

[jack the toad]

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. Dave

Nice one, plus it's outfitted to my liking. Non-magnum big-bore w/ factory combats and sporting "the Plug." What else do you need?

 

[Phil K]

All our Ruger SRxxc's have light strike issues that required aftermarket parts to fix.

Wow, haven`t heard of that one yet. Makes you wonder sometimes what these companies QC and R&D Depts. are doing.

 

[Cal44]

Yesterday, a fellow Californian private messaged me that he had a 396NG he might be interested in selling.

For various reasons, I'm not able to take up his offer right now (although I greatly appreciate his message). But it started me thinking.

I have a recently acquired M60 3" version with adjustable sights.

So I decided to run a comparison:

The M60 has a 3" barrel and that makes it hard to pocket carry except if you have big pockets.

The 396NG has a 2.5" barrel, which is better, but a larger frame.

Both are best for holster carry, but you could slip either into a cargo pocket.

The M60, due to it's smaller frame, is only 1/8 inch longer than the 396NG -- even with a 1/2 inch shorter barrel. The M60 is thinner also.

Both weight just about the same -- 24 and a fraction oz.

Both are 5 shot.

Now if you compare 38 special to 44 special, the 396NG gets the edge.

Comparing 38 special +P to 44 special is much closer.

And, if you shoot 357 mag in the M60, you have, IMHO just as good, perhaps better, SD round than 44 special.

The M60 has adjustable sights, the NG has night sights. Surely you could put night sights on an M60. Not sure about putting adjustable sights on a 396NG.

The M60 has a steel frame -- it will probably last several lifetimes if treated well.

The 396NG's Scandium frame is probably fairly durable, but not as durable as all steel.

Bottom line:

I'm not so convinced that the NG really has that great a market niche.

As a small, concealable 5 shooter, I think the M60 is just as good, or perhaps a little better.

Dave

 

[stevehenry1]

At least one of the gun mags really panned the 325, esp about light primer hits and misfires and some kind of moon clips problems. I don't remember much more, but it killed my idea of buying one. Taurus had a nifty snubby .45 ACP that was ported and had special rubber grips for recoil. It was only 5 shot and took special moonclips. It died a quick death also.

 

[Doug M.]

The firing pin problems were due to drop tests and an effort to ensure that they passed with plenty to spare in the event of tolerance stacking. Unfortunately, tolerance stacking the other way meant a lot of misfires.