Smith & Wesson Night Guards... What happened?

[13Colonies]

So I was looking through a gun magazine, I believe American Rifleman, back in '08-'09 and saw a ad for a Smith & Wesson revolver that just looked like one of those guns that you just HAD to have. The ad, which looked like it was shot in a dark alley was for the 386NG, with its super lite Scandium frame, the ability to have 7 rounds of Federal 125Gr. jacketed hollow points, its XS Big Dot Nightsites, and finally it's rubber grip would be able to help you defeat evil at any turn.

I was hooked. I saw two 386s at a gun show shortly after the ad hooked me for around $900 each which, while I still wanted one, was a little more than I wanted, or had to spend. And then just like that, I never saw another for sale at a store or show. I looked and looked, and never saw them again. Talk about regret.

So what happened to them, and why were they discontinued?

 

[steelslaver]

People bought them all up and those that have are not selling. The only exception I see is the 329 guns come up for sale, I think because some purchasers find out about one of the laws of physics and the recoil is to harsh for them. I have a 396 and a 325 which I love. Wouldn't consider a 329 myself. I haven't heard any stories about the guns failing or breaking down, so I imagine S&W found out the profit margin wasn't that great or under estimated the market, under produced them and they haven't made it back into the production cycle yet. Sometimes you just have to scratch your head and wonder why no more of some of the more interesting models. Take the 32 caliper guns for example. Want one of those they are hard to find and demand a premium, and they don't seem to be planning to make more to fill the demand

There are 4 386 revolvers on the major auction site right now. 3 with a buy it now of $1000 and one at $750 with a day and a 1/2 left. The original $900 price might have been the best deal unless you get lucky.

 

[Cal44]

Well, the dogs didn't eat the dog food.

(Just a phrase, not calling anyone here a dog).

People didn't buy them. That's the main reason any product is discontinued.

In my opinion, the price was just too high to justify buying.

I'd be interested in a Nightguard of an interesting/unusual caliber -- like 44 Special, 45 acp, 41 Magnum or maybe even a 10mm.

I never see them here in Cali.

 

[scout II]

I was lucky and picked up a model 357 Night Guard in 41 Magnum here in CA years ago. I love that gun. I carry it when camping in bear territory. It does have a mean kick with full magnum jacketed hollow point rounds. But is very nice to shoot with my low powered reloads.

 

[squidsix]

I had the .45ACP nightguard and it wouldn't group for me. I sold it off at a minor loss.
The 315NG was the best thing going in alloy-framed revolvers in my opinion, but after my experience with the .45 I shied away. I built a 12-2 to similar specs, but that 315 sure seemed awesome. But not $1000 awesome.

 

[bmcgilvray]

It probably has to do with the fact that it occurs to lots of folks that they already have a selection of perfectly serviceable "night guards" on hand.

 

[ggibson511960]

Marketing Campaign that Ran Its Course

The nightguard line is a marketing campaign that never got enough traction to endure, good though they were. This is the new normal in firearms manufacture. Modern CAD/CAM manufacture dramatically shortens time to market of a new product, stirring animal instincts in marketing departments to constantly churn products. Firearms product lines used to be slow as molasses to change. How long has the K-frame been around? No more. This is the new normal brought on by Wall Street, Madison Avenue, and corporate American board room's definition of growth.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Welcome to the Neighborhood 13 Colonies!

 

[SLT223]

People bought them all up and those that have are not selling. The only exception I see is the 329 guns come up for sale, I think because some purchasers find out about one of the laws of physics and the recoil is to harsh for them. I have a 396 and a 325 which I love. Wouldn't consider a 329 myself. I haven't heard any stories about the guns failing or breaking down, so I imagine S&W found out the profit margin wasn't that great or under estimated the market, under produced them and they haven't made it back into the production cycle yet. Sometimes you just have to scratch your head and wonder why no more of some of the more interesting models. Take the 32 caliper guns for example. Want one of those they are hard to find and demand a premium, and they don't seem to be planning to make more to fill the demand

There are 4 386 revolvers on the major auction site right now. 3 with a buy it now of $1000 and one at $750 with a day and a 1/2 left. The original $900 price might have been the best deal unless you get lucky.

I believe the 329NG is the best of them all if you reload. Ten to 12gr of CFE-P or the same of Unique under a 200gr XTP is very manageable, and potent problem repellent.

 

[tlawler]

Still kicking myself

I passed on a chance to pick up a used 310NG for $850 back in 2012 and I’m still kicking myself for it!

 

[KalamazooKid]

This 327 with Culina combats is one of my favorites and definitely my most accurate snub.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

They were a good concept. But the were priced TOO HIGH!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Night Guards

They are interesting revolvers probably just at the wrong time & with a hefty price.

The first time I saw one, a 327NG, I was a little taken back by the look, & definitely the price & didn't get it. Wished I would have now.

The Tritium Night Sight probably added more to the cost than needed. Having only one, on the front, doesn't provide any value to me.

Still haven't come across another 327NG but I have gotten a few others & I'm a big fan of them...now.

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Night Guards: 396-357-329-325

(-05a)

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S&W Handgun Catalog 2009 - Night Guard models

- page 1 -

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S&W Handgun Catalog 2009 - Night Guard models

- page 2 -

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[326MOD10]

Here is my 315NG in .38 Special.

Got lucky and found it for below the market value a few years ago.

This was the last of the models made just before discontinuing and even fewer were produced.

Handles nice and shoots well. Took the original grips off it and now it sports some Spegal Boot Grips that I picked up here from a fellow member.

The 9mm compact and otherwise semi-auto craze is what happened to them.

 

[murphydog]

They were a good concept. But the were priced TOO HIGH!

That is my impression as well. That, and marketing against lightweight 17-round 9 mm pistols with night sights...

 

[pharman]

They are NOT Night guards!

There are 4 386 revolvers on the major auction site right now. 3 with a buy it now of $1000 and one at $750 with a day and a 1/2 left. The original $900 price might have been the best deal unless you get lucky.

The revolvers you are referring to are NOT Night Guards!

 

[jughed440]

Before the Night Guard there was the AirLite PD, which has a titanium cylinder, making it even lighter than the Night Guard. This 325PD was produced in 2004. For such a light gun the recoil is very tolerable with all factory ammos I've tried so far.

 

[Mister X]

They likely didn't make sense to most people. The light-weight scandium design was for concealed carry, but they were very expensive and relatively bulky compared to something like a 642/442 which you could get for a fraction of the price and was much easier to carry.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Now with the 45acp M-325 Thunder Ranch and the new M-69 2 3/4 44mag
they are less of a factor.
I have found that any thing under 30oz is just to little of a good thing.!!
30 to about 35 oz seems to be best for most stuff..

 

[LPD256]

I have a 625 JM and a 325 Night Guard. The NG is a full pound lighter than a steel 1911 and shoots the same ammo. It goes bang every time One pulls the trigger like all wheel guns. I think it was too pricey at introduction.