What happened to the Night Guards???

[Maximumbob54]

The whole Night Guard series were some really neat guns. That rear fixed sight was genius of the factory to add. They were all business and no flash. I forget now the .38 special K frame (310?) but that was gone quick! Then the rest of them seemed to be around and available for a couple of years and then they were gone. Did they really just not sell that well? I tried to order two of them only to be told both times they couldn't find one. I wanted a 325 NG in the worst way. I just don't see these as being non sellers. Am I that wrong on these? Did they just not sell???

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I think it may of evolved into the PD Personal Defense series. Some paid consultant/marketing genius probably told S&W to "narrow their focus" on fewer models. In a few years, the same genius, will tell them to do a "brand extension" and expand their offerings.

 

[Dump1567]

S&W loves to discontinue guns. Who knows, maybe they'll come back in a few years? Most the S&W's I own are now discontinued. That's why it's important to buy what you want today, as they may be discontinued tomorrow.

When are they going to bring back any form of a Mountain gun?

I'm sure GB can supply you with an NG if you really want one.

 

[Fackler Rebel]

Glad I bought my slightly used 325PD when I did.

Reb

 

[mc5aw]

The ~ $1,000 price tag didn't help sales. Great design idea, too high a price point for mass appeal.

 

[klausinak]

I'm with mc5aw, though it didn't stop me from buying my 357NG .

 

[Rick_A]

Pharman...two words...factory warranty.

The guns didn't sell well and have a bit of a cult status now. I thought it was a great, practical series of guns, but not enough to buy one.

 

[regalsc]

A year ago I bought a nib 329ng for $850. It was made in 2012 & has the fingergroove rubber grips. It has never had a misfire so maybe they corrected the firing pin problem on later models.

 

[colt_saa]

The whole Night Guard series were some really neat guns. That rear fixed sight was genius of the factory to add. They were all business and no flash. I forget now the .38 special K frame (310?) but that was gone quick!

That would be the Model 315NG. The 310NG was the one chambered for 10MM Auto. However, I have opened mine up to accept 10MM Magnum as well

I LOVE Scandium Snubbies.

The concept was great but many people prefer to save a hundred or two no matter what the reason. I bought my 1st Night Guard in 2008 and my last one in 2011. $1,000? I do not know where you were buying from, but the most I paid during those years for a NIB was $810. Though $810 is quite a bit of money for your snubby when you can buy a 442 for $400+

Here are some of the 2" scandium Pug Noses

 

[Pizza Bob]

I think it may of evolved into the PD Personal Defense series.

The PD series preceded the NG series. I would consider the PD series with the titanium cylinders as more evolved than the NG's. The NG's were more of a throwback in evolutionary terms.

 

[dla]

The scandium framed revolvers were too hard to shoot for the average forum commando. They were the ideal serious CC weapons for those wanting a revolver.

The truth is that most just want something they can fondle and take to the range once or twice.

 

[waffles]

I've owned a 327NG and a 325NG. They're a hoot to shoot trail boss target loads through, but as you'd imagine they lose the recoil reducing characteristics of traditional N frames. They look cool, and the sights are great (though now any you'll find will have or be starting to have dimmed tritium due to age).

There are a few issues that made me sell both of them.

1. The size! Ok, I know that some of you maniacs have found ways to CC an N frame, but short of a winter coat or billowy Lawrence of Arabia style robes I reaaaally can't CC an N frame.
2. If I could conceal an N frame, why would I? My Glock 19 weighs 2 more ounces LOADED with 15rds than the 327 or 325 weigh unloaded, holds more ammunition, is smaller, and has comparable if not better ballistics to 357 in such a short barrel. Failing that I have my lovely Model 12, 638, etc as carry options.
3. If we're not carrying it, what does it do besides looking cool? I have any number of cheaper Smiths with better triggers and sights for targets, I have many better home defense guns.
4. The finish! These things wear badly. I'll dig up pictures sometime, but for a "working" gun I'd demand better.

These things combined with the price relegated them to an interesting curiosity. The vast majority of people looking for lightweight tritium-sighted "fighting" guns aren't looking into revolvers (this board aside) when they can buy a Glock or M&P in whatever caliber they choose for half the price.

All that said, if I find one of the K/L frame 38/357s it'll be going home with me.

 

[tygar]

325PD

I have had the .45ACP version since they came out & carry it frequently.

I don't have much problem with CC. I wear a "Banded bottom Polo" shirt & a Galco (combat master?) holster.

Worn just in front of the hip it hides fine.

With moon clips I can shoot & reload my 12 rounds as fast as my 13 in my Kimber Ultra Carry.

It is accurate & comfortable to shoot with hot 230s & I use the wooden grips as they are smaller then the rubber grips & are smooth so don't hang up on clothes.

It is about the same weight as the 3" 45 autos lt wts.

I also didn't pay what I see here. Paid in the low 7s for both mine.

I like mine & carry it a lot.

 

[M E Morrison]

S&W loves to discontinue guns. Who knows, maybe they'll come back in a few years? Most the S&W's I own are now discontinued. That's why it's important to buy what you want today, as they may be discontinued tomorrow.

When are they going to bring back any form of a Mountain gun?

I'm sure GB can supply you with an NG if you really want one.

True enough, but remember a few years ago when they had the "gun of the month" going on?

 

[neubert500]

Love mine

After retiring from my former life as an LEO, I fell back in love with revolvers. I no longer have to run toward the trouble, but can concentrate on getting my wife and I away from it. I love my 329PD and thought I was getting the 329NG to back it up. I was wrong, the 329NG has turned into my favorite casual carry handgun. I do not feel undergunned with the 6 rounds capacity as I patrolled for many years with similar (but smaller caliber). I will still strap on higher capacity bottom feeders if I feel the need.

I believe the Night Guards were special purpose weapons and as such, do not have a mass appeal. I would still love to get another. I did email S&W begging them to return them to production.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I never had a request for a single one, nor did anyone ever ask me to order one. They were terrible sellers. Most people told me they would have preferred a more traditional looking S&W, with the ordinary S&W adjustable sights. I knew from the lackluster response to the initial flyers that it was a "loser" from the get-go. Sorry.

One customer put quite a bit of thought into it, and said that a traditional looking S&W, such as a 3 inch Model 65 or 66, but made with a scandium frame for light weight and the black PVD finish would have been preferred.

 

[Ed333]

Not an NG, but a scandium frame, I had a 327sc, an eight round .357, but owned it only two weeks before reselling it. The recoil on it was just plain nasty IMO, and I didn' t like the way the finish took and retained soot and grime. But I still have my model 60.

 

[dla]

Not an NG, but a scandium frame, I had a 327sc, an eight round .357, but owned it only two weeks before reselling it. The recoil on it was just plain nasty IMO, and I didn' t like the way the finish took and retained soot and grime. But I still have my model 60.

That's the difference between a "carry" gun and range gun.

 

[wrhk33]

I looked at a used one a couple of weeks back. I always liked the looks of them. I'm more of a collector and wanted to use it for home defense.
I always looked at the scandium frame as a drawback. I just prefer the heavier gun since I did not intend to carry it.

 

[Broker50]

It's just my opinion of course, but, to me they were chock full of "features" most of us didn't want. The two piece barrel, the IL, & a personal deal breaker for me was that rear sight. Fixed sight guns are useless to me past spittin' distance. They were butt ugly too, & priced at double what I would be willing to pay. Good riddance, I say........