Gunblast Review of Nightguard Line

[Jeff Quinn]

Originally posted by casingpoint:

What should I have reported?

That's easy. You should have reported on the eight shot 315 Night Guard in .327 MAGNUM. But some good things just don't happen. Not yet.

Great review, Jeff. I'm curious why S&W chose the 2.5-inch barrel length in lieu of three for the Night Guards.. The loss of velocity with the shorter barrel is significant, but not overwhelming. An old gun rag around here had some velocities from a 2.5-inch snub in which the .357 MAG Remington Golden Saber was clocked at 1142 fps, down about 40 fps from three inches. Still, that ought to do it for bipeds, even in Tennessee.

One good thing about the 2.5-inch barrel on the 315NG is that it may allow for more velocity and get adequate expansion in the .38 Special Golden Saber compared with a two-inch snub.

Just stand one-half inch closer to the target!
Makes sense, if you don't think about it to hard.

 

[DonD]

I think the nature of the internet brings out predominately negative experiences with guns.

Of the 8 revolvers I've owned over time, I've never had a failure to fire that wasn't ammo related. Never had anything go wrong with any of them.

I've had many semi autos fail to function.

I too really enjoy Gunblast's work. Don

 

[mrhockey]

I have been lusting after a 386NG since I saw them at SHOT. I had a 386 Mountain Lite that I sold to a very persistent gun show attendee and funded the purchase of a 386PD. I will still buy a Night Guard but I am going to put more than my usuall 100 rounds through it this time.

For what it's worth, Jeff, I like your site, I have always found it to be informative, and I will tell you that based on your opinion and Dennis Prisbey's, I bought a 4inch 44Mag Redhawk and have never been happier with a purchase. Keep up the good work.

 

[casingpoint]

don't think about it to hard

Well, that certainly comes naturally to me.

Thanks for the reply. I for one have really enjoyed your website for it's informative content, but you really threw me a curve with that review of the Ruger 327 MAG for which guns are scarce and ammo virtually nonexistant. Time will tell if this is THE revolver cartridge of the 21st century, correcting all the sins of the past.

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

Jeff...Great review on the Night Guards...I have two of them and my brother-in-law has the big 44 mag version. Thanks again!

 

[TN RAT]

The only thing wrong with Jeff's article was the lack of video. That feature will spoil you quickly.

I enjoyed watching the FN FS2000 eject.

I also shoot a rifle from the left shoulder.

Thanks.

 

[tdan]

I had a chance to examine one of the 327 NG's at my local gunshow today. My observations:

Trigger pull was very decent for a new Smith. It seems that I routinely have to fuss with springs to get a Smith tuned to my tastes. This one was very shootable. The smooth faced trigger was a bit wider than the .312 combat that I am experienced with, but I would have to shoot a lot of rounds with this set up to give a definitive opinion. The one big negative was that this gun had a very poorly fit set of grips. There was a huge split in the grips behind trigger guard. These grips have been described as Pachmayr Compacs in the gun rag reviews that I have seen so far. They seem to be of a spongier composition than the Pachmayr rubbers that I am used to. That said, these grips feel like they would be good for soaking up recoil in this line of Scandium framed revolvers. Perhaps these grips were meant for the K/L frame. I'm wondering if Jeff Q noticed any issues as to grip fit in the guns that he examined.

I personally think that from both a ballistic and aesthetic point of view, Smith should do these up in a 3.5" version. The reviews that I have read so far(July Shooting Times among others), the guns in the NG series are only capable of ho-hum accuracy with this two piece barrel set up. The Gunblast article did show that at least with the 396, select handloads will tighten things up.

Anyone else notice a problem with grip fit? Even though Jeff Q. has a strong affinity to old Rugers, you all need to bookmark his site and read it on a regular basis.......heheheheh!

 

[Jeff Quinn]

Tdan,
I tried swapping the grips around, and the K/L grip is a different one than the ones used on the N-frames. It could be that somebody at S&W put the wrong grip on the gun that you handled. On the other hand, Pachmayr grips usually never seem to fit perfectly.

 

[festus1]

Jeff I too enjoy your reviews and articles very much. Thank you and keep up the good work!!