The other S&W 5 Shot - .44 Spl 396 NG

Dump1567 · Feb 12, 2011

The now discontinued 396 NG.

Update:

Finally got this to the range. I put some 200gr. target load & CCI Gold Dot ammo through it. Although stout with the GD, the grips really helped with the recoil. And it shot POA.

I did remove the IL nub and added the extended FP from cylinder and slide just to be on the safe side.

This is now my winter back-up gun. I love this gun.

If you can find one of these, buy it. I think you'll be happy.

IkenI · Feb 12, 2011

Mine's a favorite

johnnywitt · Feb 12, 2011

IkenI said:

What grips are those? I love those. I like the checkered backstrap.

Dump1567 · Feb 20, 2011

Updated info.

IkenI · Feb 21, 2011

johnnywitt said:
What grips are those? I love those. I like the checkered backstrap.

Standard grade Spegal boot grips.

Stainz · Feb 21, 2011

I'm good.

Of course, the 296 is lighter - 18.9 oz vs 24.2 oz for the 396NG (The original 396 with a Ti cylinder was 18.0 oz.) - Ti instead of SS cylinder - enclosed hammer, too. A bit of a bounce with those OEM boots - but it fits 75% of my pants' front pockets stowed in the Mika pocket holster shown. Mine has sent ~2,500 rounds downrange since I bought it new on closeout over eight years ago. All but ~300 were either Georgia Arns' brass cased (Preferred - actually cheaper!) or, until one split in my 696, the Al-cased Blazers, both 200gr Gold Dots.

The dimunitive forcing cone edge is the X96 range's Achille's Heel. I do 'ignore' the 200gr max and clad only S&W suggestions for my 'first' round when woods stomping - I carry a 240gr LSWC as a first shot - then it's staple - 200gr Gold Dots.

I lucked out... my 296 was $349 new on closeout - should have bought several. While my 24/7 EDC 642-2, like the majority of my S&W's, has the IL, my 296 predates it's inclusion. The IL isn't a dependability problem - to me. If I lost my 296 - and couldn't find a replacement - the 396NG was my backup to buy - but now, it's gone - gads, better take care of my 296!

Stainz

johnnywitt · Feb 21, 2011

What frame is that 396 built on?

Dump1567 · Feb 21, 2011

The 396 is an L frame 5 shot.

I heard of FP issues with the night guard series. That's why I replaced mine with the C&S longer FP. Checked my fired cases and no ruptured primers. The strike was plenty deep.

I know everyone gets excited about the 696's, but I just don't like the extra weight. Especially since I carry my 396 as a back-up.

After playing with the snubby N frames, I think I've settled on the L frame as being my ideal size. Next on my list is the 386 NG.

johnnywitt · Feb 21, 2011

Dump1567 said:
The 396 is an L frame 5 shot.

I heard of FP issues with the night guard series. That's why I replaced mine with the C&S longer FP. Checked my fired cases and no ruptured primers. The strike was plenty deep.

I know everyone gets excited about the 696's, but I just don't like the extra weight. Especially since I carry my 396 as a back-up.

After playing with the snubby N frames, I think I've settled on the L frame as being my ideal size. Next on my list is the 386 NG.

Thanks for that.

Joe American · Feb 22, 2011

Very nice. I would like to see a light weight L frame 44 spl with six shots!

DCWilson · Feb 22, 2011

Joe American said:
Very nice. I would like to see a light weight L frame 44 spl with six shots!

The problem with that is that the cylinder just doesn't have the diameter to handle the sixth large-caliber round. You would need an extra half inch of circumference, which translates to another sixth of an inch of diameter -- maybe a little more because now the cylinder stop cutouts are aligned with the charge holes, and you want a chamber wall thickness greater than a piece of thick aluminum foil. If you made a larger window in the frame to handle a larger cylinder, you would just have something almost indistinguishable from an N-frame -- and they already make one of those.

I have a hard-kicking 296 that I tamed a bit by replacing the titanium cylinder with a steel 696 cylinder. When a gun is that light, adding just a couple of ounces helps perceptibly with the recoil. And it still leaves the gun light enough to haul around.

I do have my eyes open all the time for a good 396 Night Guard. I should have bought one when they were still in production.

redhawk444 · Feb 22, 2011

I have a 696 w/3" bbl and if I stick to SAAMI spec loads, the recoil is not a problem.

It is only when I get a 240 grainer going over 900 fps that recoil starts to become a little stiff.

Great gun though, accurate and it will handle loads up to about 25K pressure safely, although it seems like kind of a mis-appropriation of hardware to load it thus.

There is really nothing at all wrong with standard 44 Sp. loads, especially since we now have better alternatives (44 mg, etc).

Simmer down · Jul 16, 2011

I just got a 396 today. Brand spanking new. I'm reading up and obsessing until I can get to the range and I learned these were discontinued.

I can't figure out if it was due to design issues or if there just wasn't a market for a light-weight semi-overpriced gun?

Dump1567 · Jul 16, 2011

Simmer down said:
I just got a 396 today. Brand spanking new. I'm reading up and obsessing until I can get to the range and I learned these were discontinued.

I can't figure out if it was due to design issues or if there just wasn't a market for a light-weight semi-overpriced gun?

Probably lack of interest. But now that these are discontinued, people will probably start wanting them.

S&W also like to change the line-up from time to time. Guns not available now, may become available next year, and than discontinued for a few years. That's why I always buy when something I want is available. You never know when it will vanish from the line-up.

JCS&W · Jul 16, 2011

I really like my 296ti. Now, I want a 396 Nightguard. Here is my 296ti with Ahrends grips.

Simmer down · Jul 16, 2011

I immediately found some Ahrends and ditched the fat rubber bulbs. A death grip helps take the sting out.

Simmer down · Sep 9, 2011

Anyone know where to look for a pre-bobbed hammer for the 396 pictured above? This is an OK pocket gun but would be tons better if the hammer was trimmed but I hate to pull out the dremel. If not a bobbed hammer a cheapish factory so I can pull out the dremel on it. I love me some dremelling.

Dump1567 · Sep 10, 2011

Simmer down said:
Anyone know where to look for a pre-bobbed hammer for the 396 pictured above? This is an OK pocket gun but would be tons better if the hammer was trimmed but I hate to pull out the dremel. If not a bobbed hammer a cheapish factory so I can pull out the dremel on it. I love me some dremelling.

HAMMER, .500" TARGET, MIM, FOR FRAME MOUNTED FIRING PIN - Brownells

I would assume this is what you want, just currently out of stock. You could also see if midwayusa or S&W have one to sell you.

Simmer down · Sep 10, 2011

Dump1567 said:
HAMMER, .500" TARGET, MIM, FOR FRAME MOUNTED FIRING PIN - Brownells

I would assume this is what you want, just currently out of stock. You could also see if midwayusa or S&W have one to sell you.

Thanks for finding it. $48, whew. It would make a lot of difference in pocket carry to rid it of that jumbo hook.

NOTREDAME · Sep 10, 2011

396

Here's a 396 that I just had a bobbed hammer installed in.

Actually the hammer was for a 686 but the gunsmith modified it to fit. I had it out at the range the other night getting it
ready for winter carry.

The other S&W 5 Shot - .44 Spl 396 NG

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