S&W Night Guard. 327NG Vs. 386NG

[jakk280rem]

386=24.5oz on an L Frame.
327=27.6oz on an N Frame.

If you were to choose between these two for winter carry, would you choose the 327 or 386? Would you choose the smaller, lighter gun, and accept the 7rd capacity? Or would you go with the larger heavier gun to get the 8th rd?

 

[scythefwd]

What caliber? I would hate to live where you live if you need 7 rounds of .357 to get out of trouble. I'd go with the smaller of the two, just because.

 

[WC145]

With a good belt and holster you won't notice the 3oz weight difference. However, you will notice the size difference between the L and the N frame when it comes to concealment.

 

[Chuck Perry]

I have the 325NG; it's alot of gun. With the right holster and clothing it can be concealed, but it's not an "everyday no matter what" type of concealment weapon. For me, neither would the L frame be. I have found the only type of gun I can carry every day, no matter where I'm headed or how I'm dressed, is that which I can pocket carry.
If I had to chose between the 386 and 327, I'd just go with the 327.

 

[Wedgester]

I have the 327 and it's very easy to conceal . I use a Galco holster and can carry it wearing a loose fitting T-shirt. I like the N frame as it makes
shooting it a breeze. It's also very lite. You will forget your wearing it.

 

[Oro]

it's not an "everyday no matter what" type of concealment weapon. For me, neither would the L frame be.

+1 - I would get a 2.5" K frame. Actually, that's what I've done. Two of them, in fact.

Would you choose the smaller, lighter gun, and accept the 7rd capacity?

Carrying a 3" N-frame is a bulky project - I've done it. The 2.5" L frame is better, but still a bit bulky. I've tried carrying that, too - albeit in the 686. The weight was not the issue, the size was. I think you should focus on that and not the absolute weight. The 2.5" K frame offers considerably more ease of concealment. The issue of 6 vs. 7 vs. 8 rounds is fairly moot for civilian cc based on actual "shots fired" data.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would go with the N frame because there's nothing wrong with an extra round considering they are both very light. I don't think they made the L and N frame NG revolvers different in size like the Stainless revolvers. From what I read about them they all look very close in size and are very close in weight. (all are small and light) The only revolver that's really smaller is the M315NG which is a .38 Special K frame.

IMO before you decide I would try and see both side by side because I don't think they are noticeably different in size. (remember, I'm only talking about the Night Guard line)

 

[WC145]

The L and N frame Night Guards are dimensionally the same as any other L and N frame S&W's. N frames are bigger all over, including the grip frame. The L frame size falls between the K and the N but has the same grip frame dimensions as the smaller K.

 

[Balog]

I wish Smith would make a scandium K frame .357.

 

[MrTuffPaws]

I had the same question and settled on the 327. The main difference in size between the two is that the N frame is a tad taller and the cylinder is wider. Concealing either could be challenging is you don't have the right holster.

Sadly, good concealment holsters for the N frames are difficult to find, but that isn't much of an issue for me being that I make holsters as a hobby. If you can find a good holster for the N frame off the shelf, you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Sadly, good concealment holsters for the N frames are difficult to find

Amen brother! What's even tougher to find are N frame duty rigs that offer security beyond a thumb break. Seems to be enough choices out there for the K's and L's, but nothing for us wanting to take our N's to work!

 

[TheBandit]

I have a 327, I love the gun, but have been considering selling it. Shoot me a PM if you might be interested.

I have a couple comptac holsters one IWB one OWB both conceal fine with something like a jacket or sweatshirt over top

 

[medmo]

The diameter of the cylinders are significantly different. I have the 327 and wish I had opted for the L frame with one less round. I have a good Kramer IWB holster but there is no getting around the width of the large cylinder.

 

[TheBandit]

Personally, I don't have an issue with the width of the cylinder. The hardest thing to conceal is the handle which with the proper clothing isn't that hard.

 

[20nickels]

Tough decision.

L frame, due to size and no good available speedloaders for the 327 yet.

 

[TheBandit]

moonclips > speedloader everyday

 

[Wedgester]

Thunder Ranch makes 8-shot speedloader and Comp Tac makes the holder for them.

 

[Stainz]

I love my 627s. I cannot imagine carrying a shortened barrel/lighter version in my pocket - my preferred method of CC. I do have a 2.5" hammerless L-frame AirLite 5-shot in .44 Special, a S&W 296, that carries in a Mika's pocket holster in 2/3 of my britches front pockets. I also have a 642 - the same thing, essentially, in .38 S&W Special +P. That thing will carry in all of my pants' front pockets in a Mika's pocket holster. That 100% carry capability trumps caliber and capacity. It is unlikely that, in use, one would find the .44 Special, .357 Magnum, etc, more effective than the 'FBI Load', +P 158gr LHPSWC, in the 642. One can argue the need for capacity if one 'protects the peace', but, for personal protection, five will be enough.

It would be far better to carry a 5-shot .38 Airweight 24/7 than to have that 327NG in the night stand when you need it. Believe me, before the Mika holster, I carried that 296 OWB in a proper holster - occasionally. I EDC that 642 24/7 - even at church - and while mowing the yard.

Of course, I'd rather have that 327NG in the night stand when I needed it - stoked with those 158gr LHPSWC +P's I mentioned. That should be enough of an excuse to buy it - it's a neat revolver!

Stainz

 

[20nickels]

Okay, I stand corrected. Didn't realize these were released;
http://www.thunderranchinc.com/8shot.html
Thunder Ranch 8 shot speedloaders.