S&W Night Guard Revolvers

[KansasPaul]

Anyone out there have experience with any of the Night Guard revolvers?  I am considering one in .357 mag - model 327 (N frame).  I've not been able to find any at local gun shops and I really would like to have a little bit more knowledge about them before I shell out a pile of dollars. 

I will appreciate all opinions - good, bad or ugly.

Thanks!

Paul

[Adawi]

I've had my 315Ng since Sept. '08, and have put close to 3000 rounds through it. Like all S&W's, the action gets better as you shoot it. I dumped the stock grips for it and got some ebony grip panels for it, as the rubber grrips get in the way of the speedloaders. The sights are a thing of beauty, and are very easy to use. It is very accurate at 25 yards thanks to a slick SA, and the DA is great, too. Out here in the Nv desert I appreciate its light weight on long hikes in the heat, and despite it's "snubby" appearance, it performs just as a 4 inch barrel does (I've never shot any loads that weren't +P's through it). Mine loves 158 gr bullets, and I've loaded up and down several different powders to get the best results for her.

As long as I stay in the low desert where there isn't much dangerous game, this is what I have (cross draw) with me. I load 2 rounds of shot in it for Mojave Green's when they appear, as they are neurotoxic and I don't want me or the dogs nicked by one of those, and the rest of the 158's are available for whatever else drops in on us.

 I realise that some shooters are put off by the scandium, or the IL, or just the fact that its a newer S&W, and that's fine. Just consider that this type of gun has never been offered before by S&W with this combination of good stuff! I've been shooting S&W's for over 30 years since I bought my first at age 14, and this is as close to having one personally made for me as it gets! I love this K frame, and it has far exceeded my expectations for a dusty carry gun. Oh, and don't let anyone pull the "carried often, shot little" cliche on you- it'll keep shooting +P's for a long time to come!

[KansasPaul]

Adawi, thank you for the detailed information.  Knowing that you have 3K rounds down the tube provides some comfort. I always intend to shoot my guns often, barrel life and frame strength are really important to me. I like K frames for their handy size, however I need more punch than that which a .38 provides.  It's too bad that the .357 isn't available in a K framed NG.  I think that the biggest draw for me is the sight configuration - quick to pick up and visible in low/no light conditions.

I appreciate your input!

Paul

[Adawi]

Not a problem at all, Paul! I'm currently looking around for a 357 NG in .41 to see how it'll do, as that's my all time favorite round. I want to see what how it'll do with some Unique, 220 gr bullets, and travelling around 1000 fps!

Adam

[Mohawk]

Hey, Adawi. Are you shooting jacketed or lead? I was curious if the NG's had issues with bullet creep with lead bullets.

[Adawi]

I'm shooting both with no sign of creep. I don't think that the .38 recoils enough to creep much as I haven't experienced it in my M60 3", M38 2", or M638 2.5", and I've shot the same loads through all of them. If it became a problem I'd probably crimp more tightly and check for signs of pressure, but it's been good thus far! I've heard that it happens with the magnum models on occasion, but my friend shoots his 325 NG without any issue and he's never said anything about creep/crimping in his either. I'll see if I can get ahold of him to see if he crimps differently or not. Good question!

[SHOOTALL]

Not a night guard but similar is my 340 PD . I have shot it with 357 mags mostly 300 or so rounds and it is still tight . It was a split between 158 and 125 gr jacketed bullets. Not a great amount of shooting really but my mod. 38 Body guard got out of time and was loose after less shooting with 38 spl. I would not like to not have the 340 PD . Never had a bullet problen , the bbl has no bullet less than 120 gr. The new ones don't have that.