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S&W Nightguard Info??

rhmc24
I'm thinking about getting the Nightguard in either .44 Mag or the 8 round .357. Would appreciate opinions particularly from those with hands on experience. My use would be household, car-carry and occasionally in the woods. This is a 'want' new-toy purchase more than a 'need'. My pocket piece is a Ruger LCR. Thanks
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  • beantownshootah
    I don't think you'll have any issues with any of the pistols themselves. I haven't tried the "night guard" guns per se, but they're effectively the same as other tried-and-true Smith revolvers that have been around for decades, just with lighter weight frames, a dark finish and different sights.

    I would add that in my opinion a 44 magnum is a bit heavy (weight AND recoil) for carry, indoor, or car/pistol use, especially a lightweight version. Its probably not the best gun for the application you suggest. I wouldn't even want to imagine firing something like that from INSIDE a car!

    Yeah, you "could" load it with .44 specials, but those cost nearly as much as the full .44 magnum rounds, are harder to find, and I'm not sure why you would want to gimp yourself that way.

    IMO for what you are describing, the 8-shot .357 is probably the better choice. Also, if you are going to use for household and/or in a car, you might consider the 2.5" bbl version for ease of storage and better handling.
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  • ruger41
    rhmc just in case you didn't know they have had firing pin issues with some of the Night Guards. Seems some of them have been shipped with pins that are just too short and won't set off the primers-some folks didn't even get 1 round fired. Brand new guns out of the box have had to be shipped back to S&W and they do fix it-just be aware that it has been an issue. There are more than 2 or 3 folks on the S&W forum who have had this problem. It won't be an issue so long as a person makes sure to drop 200 or 300 rounds through it before relying on it for carry-the last thing you would want is take 'er out of the box and carry without at least a few hundred rounds and need it at a bad time only to hear a click instead of a bang.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Awesome gun...Extremely accurate for a snub nosed revolver. Very light and the recoil is very manageable. I like the front sight too...it pulls your focus to the front sight. The factory grips leave a little to be desired though. I have found that Crimson Trace Laser Grips make a considerable difference in felt recoil. Very nice guns.

    We've had two come through that had finish problems...but Smith corrected the problems by replacing the frames.
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  • rhmc24
    With good advice & some brainstorm I bought the .357 8 shooter, same price as the .44 Mag. At first I was fixed on the .44Mag but practicality such as price/availability of ammo plus the extra couple rounds in the cylinder decided me. I also reasoned that not being fun to shoot .44Mag from a 2.5" bbl, lightweight piece would have had me shooting .44 Specials and the .357/.38Spl was a good compromise. I checked all the auctions, found the best price I could for the .44Mag took it to my local gunshop and they met the price. All in all a couple dollars less including sales tax than auction with S&H. See it below.
    Nightguard357-8.jpg
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  • rsnyder55
    44 magnums in a 2 1/2" barrel aren't bad. I carry one with me when fishing and I have no problems with the recoil or accuracy shooting it.

    My main reason for choosing this caliber is the number of pistols and several rifles I already have in this caliber. More of a matter of logistics convenience than any logic.

    The issue I might have is just how efficient it is as a cartridge in that short of a barrel.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by rsnyder55
    44 magnums in a 2 1/2" barrel aren't bad. I carry one with me when fishing and I have no problems with the recoil or accuracy shooting it.

    My main reason for choosing this caliber is the number of pistols and several rifles I already have in this caliber. More of a matter of logistics convenience than any logic.

    The issue I might have is just how efficient it is as a cartridge in that short of a barrel.



    Check this out:

    http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/44mag.html

    Good stuff there.
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  • rhmc24
    I did some firing with my .357 Nightguard 8-shooter mainly to get a feel for its recoil. Not bad. Same time I was shooting my old 1911 from 1918 and found them comparable. I know it's apples vs oranges with differences in grips etc but to me the Nightguard is a little more comfortable to shoot.
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