S&W Night Guard 325 Initial Results

[colt1903]

OK DAdams, you asked for it and here it is:

I picked up an S&W Night Guard Model 325 in .45 ACP today and there is a lot to like:


1. Great feel with the Pachmayr Compac grips--this was a good choice by S&W.

2. Really great trigger pull, S&W's lawyers must have been asleep on this one.

3. XS front dot night sight and Cylinder & Slide rear sight are a fantastic combination.

4. The front of the Cylinders are nicely beveled.

Here is the one negative: the trigger reach is kind of long. Someone with small hands is going to have trouble with this.

I did not have a lot of time and was only able to smash 50 rounds downrange. The first target was shot primarily single action at a range of 21 feet. I began by shooting double action and was throwing the shots so I slowed down, fired single action, and the group improved.


After putting 25 rounds into the first target I tried putting 25 double action shots into another target placed at 21 feet. This time the grouping, while still large was better.


After firing Scandium framed 13 oz. .357 magnums, this 28 oz .45 was not a big problem and I am sure that my accuracy with this revolver will only improve.

 

[rcmodel]

Here is the one negative: the trigger reach is kind of long.

That would be true of any N-Frame S&W with rubber cushion grips on it.
I believe they cover the backstrap don't they?

rcmodel

 

[colt1903]

Yes, they do.

 

[Goblin]

Did you have to pay MSRP on that??? If so,WOW!!!

 

[colt1903]

$763.00

 

[Goblin]

That's good! Shooting times listed it at $1008.00

 

[DAdams]

Thanks Colt

Where can I purchase one for that price?

Have you selected a holster for it yet?
It has been reported by some 340 users that the cylinder is scoring the frame and taking off the DLC coating. Did they bevel the rear of the cylinder too or just the front.

It almost looks like that one is scored already or is that reflection?

Thanks for the review. A lightweight .45, I like it. In an N frame in steel they go almost 40 ounces. Not as pretty as a traditional version but ultimately practical.

Do you plan on doing any of the other Night Guard series? An eight rounder might be fun or an L frame, or both.

 

[moxie]

Thanks for the nice review Colt. When you get a chance please check to see whether rounds will fire without use of a moonclip.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Those Pac grips are very heavy, and contribute to the long reach to the trigger. After I got a 625-10, which came with Eagle Secret Service on it, I switched my 325PD to the Eagles, and really prefer them. You'll drop about 3oz, have a more comfortable trigger, and the recoil really isn't that much different. Rubber grips are, IMHO, way overrated for recoil reduction. Fit matters more than material.

 

[colt1903]

DAdams,

I have not had an opportunity to select a holster yet. I want something easy on-easy off; I would like to go inside-the-waistband but that might be impractical with an N frame. I would be interested is seeing photos if anyone has any recommendations.

The rear of the cylinder is slightly rounded, but not beveled. You are seeing reflection, not a loss of finish. This had been on the dealer's shelf a full 24 hours when I scooped it up and I only put 50 rounds through it. There's not even a drag line on the cylinder yet.

The dealer had one more in .44 Magnum, but I am not interested. I would be interested in the .38 +P Model 315 as it is on the K frame.

Moxie,

My model 22 and 22-1917 both fire without the moon clips and eject pretty well. Not this one however. It comes with two sets of half moon clips and I loaded it without them on the first cylinder full. Only one round fired and the others would not come out of the chambers. I could not pound them out with a punch and had to resort to prying them out wth a screw driver. I get the idea of the moon clips (or half moon clips) in a combat shooting session but they are a pain for casual shooting.

Pinky,

Thanks for the tip on the grips. The Pachmayr's are OK, but I have a custom maker waiting on some stag to make a set of N frame round butt grips for me which I'll marry up with a Tyler T-grip adapter.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Milt Sparks VM2. Very comfortable, and holds the gun so tightly to your body that it'll conceal under a loose shirt. The downside is a wait of maybe 6mo.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Outstanding.
I have lust in my heart for this one.

 

[moxie]

Colt, Thanks for your response. You've confirmed my fears that S&W is no longer interested in making these guns capable of firing without moonclips. Regarding moonclips, yes they are a pain for some, especially for range sessions. Perhaps your best bet is the plastic RIMZ moonclips that are easy on, easy off with no tools. You will like them.
http://www.beckhamdesign.com/html/rimz_625.html

 

[pinkymingeo]

I load my own, and prefer 45 Autorim in all my acp revolvers. There's something satisfying about those stubbie little cartridges.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I load my own, and prefer 45 Autorim in all my acp revolvers. There's something satisfying about those stubbie little cartridges.

Please tell us the details of that load!

It reminds me of the .455 Webley MK IV load used in the pre-WWI era.

 

[pinkymingeo]

That's a 250lwc from Montanabulletworks that I load over 12.0 AA9 for 915fps in my 5" 625. Very accurate, and fun to shoot. Recoil is stout in the alloy snubbies, though. In my 325PD I carry a 200lswc and 10.7 AA7, Fed primer, OAL 1.225 for 944fps.

 

[Warren]

Sure it may not be as attractive as the classic version but it is still one powerfully handsome revolver.


Nice write up.

 

[Brass Rain]

I loved that as soon as I saw it in an episode of one of the Outdoor Channel shooting programs about the SHOT show '08. As soon as I can get my CCW that's what I want to be carrying. Awesome looks and apparently good functionality. Can't ask for much more.

 

[moxie]

.455 Hunter,

A nice target load for the .45 AR (or for the ACP) is a 230 RNL over 5.0-5.2 gr. Unique.

 

[DAdams]

Stag Grips

The Pachmayr's are OK, but I have a custom maker waiting on some stag to make a set of N frame round butt grips for me which I'll marry up with a Tyler T-grip adapter.

Can't wait to see that match-up. I'll bet that is going to be just smooth looking.

You never did answer my question. Can the general public get that at $763 or just an "Average Joe"?
Good price on a 340 these days is 625+++. You need to "hook me up".

 

[BlindJustice]

Great Picture of your 325 NG I am a 625 5" Bbl shooter as well as a S&W 1911. I can't figure out why anybody would care to shoot a .45 ACP
chambered revolver without using steel full moon clips. I have the RIMZ
plastics and they are unreliable in hanging on to the rim. I use the WIlson
COmbat Full moons - for range sessions I load up 12-15 full moons and then switch to .45 Auto RIm. I have .45 AUto Rim loads with the Leadhead
200 gr. Hardcast SWC @ 1,025 FPS. I had these loaded and it ended up about 42 cents a cartridge

THe HKS Speedloader to get for .45 Auto RIm is the 25M FWIW

A decent selection of .45 AUto RIm loads are available at
Reeds Ammunition & Research Oklahoma CIty OK.... Google it
Ron offers 7 or so loads including

185 gr. Golden Saber JHPs @ 1050 FPS
225 gr. Barnes XPB HP
as well as two new 250 gr. SWC @ 900 FPS

WHy would anyone carry a .45 ACP revolver for SD and not use
full moon clips for Self Defense reloads?

Pretty Idiotic practice economics IMHO

Penny wise and pounded into the grave foolish

Randall

 

[colt1903]

DAdams,

I bought the only one they had and quite frankly I couldn't believe the price. Bud's Guns online usually has about the best price, but they don't show them yet. My other sources for good prices are Cliff's Guns, Safes, and Reloading in Boise, ID, The Frontiersman in St. Louis Park, MN, and Bills Guns Shop in Robbinsdale, MN. I got this one at Bill's which is staffed by very good people but isn't exactly know for the low, low price. They had a .44 Mag NG priced at $848.00.

 

[20nickels]

Hi, Blindjustice
I'm one of those idiots that do not carry full moon clips when I carry a 625. I carry 1/3 clips in the cylinder and on the belt. One dozen (that's six clips) fit nicely and very flat in a Cabela's pellet pouch. I can do a partial reload of any flavor I want (some bullet types are not full moon friendly) and get the benefits of clipped positive extraction. Sure, it's three times as slow but I was not undergunned in the 1st place.

 

[Glamdring]

How would you rate the recoil with standard 230 loads?

 

[moga]

colt1903, that is one very nice wheelie. Congrats.