S&W Nightguards

[Seven For Sure]

What happened to the 396?
They're light carry guns, does the 327 make sense when there's the 386?
Why is'nt the 310 a seven shot?
Why is'nt there a 346?
Why no 10mm L-frame?
Why not add 1/4" or 1/2" of barrel to the N-frames? They are'nt pocket guns though I won't argue they can't be carried in the pocket.
I'll leave all comments about the Hillary Hole alone, please do the same.

Otherwise, I really like these things and am looking at adding one to the collection. Guess it won't be the 396!

 

[bromdenlong]

If they're not making it, it's probably because they don't think it will be profitable enough to bother with.

I'd really like to try shooting a Nightguard or 3, but the local range never seems to have one in stock.

 

[Steve_NEPhila]

TO answer your questions:

Not really sure, and I do not care. The .44 Special is as mediocre as many other defense rounds.

Maybe, different strokes, different folks. I have both a 386 and 327 (actually two of the latter). My 386 is my EDC, the others are range queens.

Physics. I doubt space exists for a 7 shot 10mm. However, I have yet to sit on the senior management team at S&W, so I cannot say why.

Smith abandoned the .40 cal revolver a long time ago. For technical as well as commercial reasons. Whatever the 40 cal can do, the .357 can do it...

Smith goes by market research. Just like why the 3 inch barrel is only popular among enthusiasts, what makes sense on the market they will produce. Send them a letter...

 

[Brian Williams]

Why are they "fixed" sight guns with that ridiculous honking big front sight and that silly "rugged" fixed rear.
I like the concept but S&W missed the point of a really lightweight carry gun. S&W should have picked the typical carry round for each and set the gun for that.
Two examples; 45acp, the 230gr JHP and 38 spec, the 158 gr LSWCHP +p

 

[Stainz]

The 646 had to go to a Ti cylinder due to the .40 S&W pressures... wonder what they could use for a 10 mm's pressures??

I still love my old 296 - but will admit that my 642 gets carried a lot more. Taurus produced a 5-shot .45 ACP in an L-frame-ish sized frame - long gone now. A similar S&W would be nice - but, not possible - look at my 296/696 thin forcing cone now at .430" bore vs that .452" - no way.

Stainz

 

[jfh]

Yup, a marketing idea--i.e., build a "product image" I guess.

I've got a 386. It's a good gun--but the barrel could really be a half-inch longer, of course, and that silly rear sight design needs to be fixed. Even if one uses the sights carefully, vertical stringing is all but impossible to avoid.

I would buy a 396, however--unlike Steve, I do think the .44 Special is a decent round.

Jim H.

 

[Wolfeye]

I too lament the passing of the 396. There just aren't many carry-sized .44 specials out there; the only other one I can think of is the Charter Arms Bulldog, and I'd shop carefully before buying one of those.

 

[Elmer]

There's still 396 Night Guards around if you want one.

I agree though, they should have added a half an inch or even an inch and a half. Unfortunately I don't think there's an easy way to even customize them to a longer barrel.

 

[Seven For Sure]

For you guys that don't like the rear sight: They are easily changed and if you wanted to, sell the rear online for a profit even after paying for the adj. rear. Those things sell for like $100 or so on their web site. Should be able to get $50+ easy if they're not scratched up.

 

[rbernie]

I picked up a 315 (not shown on the S&W web site but in the distributor pipeline) earlier this summer and think very highly of it. It's a K frame 38 Special Nightguard. I dunno if I'm going to keep the front sight on it or swap it out, but so far it's been a non-issue when drawing from my standard K frame holsters.

It's going to eventually replace my Model 12's in the carry rotation. I've put about 1200 rounds through it so far and have been been very pleased with it.

Nothing like K-frame yumminess.