LNIB 327 Night Guard

[bigtubby]

Found a factory fired only 327 8 shot NG on my local forum has the box, docs all the paperwork, cable lock just like it left the factory. I know lots of people didn't care for the NG line but I love them got two 315 NG's as well. I don't understand why they didn't come cut for moon clips from the factory. I guess I will send it to TK customs to have it cut.
Merry Christmas!!

 

[chicharrones]

I like the Night Guard line. Congrats and Merry Christmas!

 

[C0untZer0]

Most confusing name for a revolver ever.

Why didn't they chamber it in .327 Federal Magnum, or change the name of the gun?

 

[strambo]

Nightguards are awesome. My wife's gun is the 386 version (A 315 would have worked since she only shoots .38 or .38 +P, but the extra round sure is nice as well). With a trigger job from Clark Custom it now has the best DA pull of any gun I've shot.

 

[bigtubby]

Nightguards are awesome. My wife's gun is the 386 version (A 315 would have worked since she only shoots .38 or .38 +P, but the extra round sure is nice as well). With a trigger job from Clark Custom it now has the best DA pull of any gun I've shot.

Ya the 315 is a K frame vs the L frame of the 386 making the 315 very easy to carry the 327 seems to kind of defeat its purpose being a N frame and the big 8 shot cylinder I could carry it as I am a big guy. The price was good so I went for it and am glad to have it probably just be a safe queen or trade bait as the 315 makes a great carry gun.

 

[entropy]

Most confusing name for a revolver ever.

Why didn't they chamber it in .327 Federal Magnum, or change the name of the gun?

Not confusing at all, if you know S&W's system; 3 means Scandium frame, 27 Model 27. (N frame .357 Magnum) Couldn't be simpler, to steal Gazelle's ad line.

 

[Pelo801]

I like the Night Guard line. I have a 310, which I really like. The trigger reach in DA is little long for me but manageable. I would like to find a 396 version for less than a grand.

 

[Tacoma]

I don't understand why they don't make more scandium framed K frames . Seems like a hole in their revolver line-up that needs filling.

 

[strambo]

I don't understand why they don't make more scandium framed K frames . Seems like a hole in their revolver line-up that needs filling.

They are great guns...but...the market doesn't seem to care about a mid-size carry/HD revolver. Market likes baby revolvers OR full size woods or competition revolvers. The NG line is the perfect example, they have everything that was sorely lacking in a dedicated defensive wheel gun. Good capacity, large combat style sights, under 3" barrel, and great use of scandium and steel for a good weight/power/recoil ratio. They were discontinued though. Baby guns or big guns...

It is interesting that on its own with the 2 1/2" barrel, my wife's 386 NG doesn't seem very large. That is just an optical illusion though, overlayed with my P226, they are the exact same length and height.

 

[bigtubby]

I think they were to expensive at the time of production, I know those sights they used added quite a bit to the bottom line not sure if just fixed sights would have made a big enough difference in the price to keep them in production but probably not.

 

[Tacoma]

They are great guns...but...the market doesn't seem to care about a mid-size carry/HD revolver. Market likes baby revolvers OR full size woods or competition revolvers. The NG line is the perfect example, they have everything that was sorely lacking in a dedicated defensive wheel gun. Good capacity, large combat style sights, under 3" barrel, and great use of scandium and steel for a good weight/power/recoil ratio. They were discontinued though. Baby guns or big guns...

It is interesting that on its own with the 2 1/2" barrel, my wife's 386 NG doesn't seem very large. That is just an optical illusion though, overlayed with my P226, they are the exact same length and height.

I'm guessing they don't THINK there is a market for a mid sized scandium framed revolver but the facts are that: a) S&W still produces and sells ALLOT of different variants of the mod 66 and 686 models (including Pro/PC models) with 2-3" bbls. b) most used night guard auctions are gobbled up quickly....I'm thinking their marketing lead needs to retire if he doesn't think a 7 shot, scandium, pro series 686 wouldn't be a winner.

Ps. I have a 360 PD and a 327R8. I'd love to fill in the middle myself.

 

[strambo]

Yeah I don't know...I can only assume they discontinued the line due to lack of sales. That the used NGs are gobbled up on GB could just mean the same small market for this gun is competing for it, not that there is enough mass appeal making it worth another production run. If my wife didn't specifically want a "black revolver with black grips" we wouldn't own one either. I just used my firearms knowledge to get her the best handgun I could meeting her criteria and knew the NG was perfect for her as soon as I saw it. She has taken it through a 2 day defensive handgun class with no issues, she loves it. Great sights, full grip, great trigger, low recoil (with .38s), not too heavy, good capacity. I've shot it with .357s, I didn't find them too uncomfortable either.

 

[Tacoma]

Yeah I don't know...I can only assume they discontinued the line due to lack of sales. That the used NGs are gobbled up on GB could just mean the same small market for this gun is competing for it, not that there is enough mass appeal making it worth another production run. If my wife didn't specifically want a "black revolver with black grips" we wouldn't own one either. I just used my firearms knowledge to get her the best handgun I could meeting her criteria and knew the NG was perfect for her as soon as I saw it. She has taken it through a 2 day defensive handgun class with no issues, she loves it. Great sights, full grip, great trigger, low recoil (with .38s), not too heavy, good capacity. I've shot it with .357s, I didn't find them too uncomfortable either.

I actually bought my 360 PD with a box of 48 rounds of 357 mag ammo . The original (newbie to firearms) owner fired one round and refused to fire another. ( As I recall, he equated the experience to "slamming his hand in a car door.) His disbelieving buddy then tried a round and had the same reaction. I bought it hours later (cheap)! With larger 405ct grips it will shoot 38+p comfortably. I'm good with that.

 

[strambo]

I actually bought my 360 PD with a box of 48 rounds of 357 mag ammo . The original (newbie to firearms) owner fired one round and refused to fire another. ( As I recall, he equated the experience to "slamming his hand in a car door.) His disbelieving buddy then tried a round and had the same reaction. I bought it hours later (cheap)! With larger 405ct grips it will shoot 38+p comfortably. I'm good with that.

I'd have had the same reaction! I know I want at least 20oz for a .38+P, y'all can keep the airweights...I shot my FIL's once, the stupid cylider latch cut into my thumb. I enjoyed shooting my full-size .44 magnum.

 

[Crowman]

I too am a Night Guard fan. My first one was the 386 NG and is still one of three that I work through my EDC rotation. It carries easily and shoots well. I replaced the factory grips with Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips. They fit my hand better. The sights are regulated to 158 grain bullets (POA corresponds to POI). It is one of my favorites. I have both a Galco Miami Classic rig and Galco OWB pancake holster for it.

The second started out life as a 325 PD but suffered from extremely sticky chambers. Had to drive out fired cases from the titanium cylinder with dowel and hammer. Sent it to S&W and the Performance Center evaluated it and replaced the titanium cylinder and did full conversion into a 325 NG with new stainless cylinder, tritium night sight and fixed rear combat sight, NG style compact rubber grips, plus action job. It handles well and is accurate with heavy 255 grain hard cast SWC Auto Rim bowling pin loads.

I was unable to locate a 396 NG before they went out of production. Really would like to add one. Would be a player if the line was reintroduced.