Smith and Wesson has produced a lot of quality firearms throughout the years. However, I think Smith and Wesson will always be known for making some of the finest revolvers in the market.
At the 2008 SHOT show, Smith and Wesson has introduced a new series of home defense revolvers: the Night Guard line. These bead-blasted black revolvers are a slight departure from what Smith and Wesson has done in the past. The revolvers feature a Scandium-alloy frame with a stainless steel cylinder, so they are lightweight, yet heavy duty.
The front sight on all of the Night Guard revolvers is a “big dot” type night sight from XS Sight Systems. The rear sight, the Extreme Duty from Cylinder and Slide, is a wide, blackened notch allowing for fast visual pick-up of the front sight. Smith and Wesson has installed Pachmayr grips on all of the Night Guard revolvers.
The Night Guard revolvers are all medium framed revolvers with a 2 1/2″ barrel. These Smith and Wessons will come with six to eight shot cylinders depending on caliber. Calibers include .38 Special (model M315), .357 Magnum (model M327 in 8 shot, Model 386 in 7 shot), .44 Special (model M396), .44 Magnum (model M329), and .45 ACP (model M325).
The Night Guard series of handguns are “specifically built for self defense,” said Tom Taylor, President of Smith and Wesson.
Frankly, these handguns look good! But don’t misunderstand: these revolvers are meant for self-defense work, not show. MSRP runs $980-1044 depending on the model. Considering all of the custom work and parts that have gone into these guns, the price tag is very reasonable. Some models have already started shipping, with the rest “in the market in the next 30 days,” said Taylor.
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They look like winners – in the sweet spot for size and weight as carry guns, matte black, and have nonsnagging sights. The 327 might even be a credible single solution for carry (OWB) and nightstand gun – 8 shots of .357 Mag, 2.5″ barrel, and 27.6oz weight.
Bought one in .45ACP about two months ago.
At 50 feet, it shot about 6 inches to the left and about 1o inches low. Hold on a bad guy’s right
ear and it should hit about mid chest. Not too good for a “custom” revolver…… Bought another today, a salesmens sample. Thought this demo revolver might just hit where it looks.
And it does, – two inch group, dead on the sights at 50 feet. A great carry gun and a keeper……
Paul Berquist/Tucson, AZ
The Night Guard revolvers look like winners. I’m still concerned about the weight to caliber issue. I would think they’re hard to shoot being that they’re so light. Anyone try the 8-shot model yet?
I’ve shot a couple of different variants of the 386, and the night guard is the tamest of the range. The 386PD has a more bite in the hand…the 386SCS more bite as well (to me). Of course, the Night Guard is the heaviest of the 386 lineup at 24.5oz. – if you consider that heavy…
Is it hard to shoot? Not really…it’s snappy but controllable, even with full .357 loads. No where near as bad as a 360, which is brutal. But it’s not a 19/66 or 586/686 either – but it also won’t pull your pants down like a full steel gun either.
I just purchased a new 2.5″ 386NG today. I hope the one I got isn’t indicative of the quality one can expect from S&W. I fired 50 rounds of Remmington 38 special ammo through it and had 4 misfires. I also fired 11 rounds of Hornady 357 magnum 158 gr. XTP with FIVE misfires. The only way I could count on this gun as a dependable defensive weapon would be if I used it as a hammer. Sad, but true. I was told by the dealer that even though it was brand new, I’d have to send it off to S&W for repair. Nothing like spending $800 for a hammer.