S&W M396 .44SPL Night Guard

K

KySilverado

New member
I'm thinking about picking one up. I've handled one and like the way it feels.

Anybody have any personal experience with one? Accuracy, long term reliability. I tend to shoot what I own.... a lot.
 
S

Sig_Dude

New member
If you are going to shoot it a lot, you'd better reload. First off, factory .44 Special loads are getting hard to come by. When you do find them, you're limited to a small selection of bullet weights and profiles. Second, factory .44 Special ammo is EXPEN$IVE!!! I have a blast reloading that round, no pun intended.
 
A

ArkieVol

New member
.44 special

I chose the S&W 396 NG .44 special for several reasons.

First: It is built on the “L” frame which shares its grip size with the “K” models. I have a medium to small hand and the K frame size suits my hand nicely. On a personal note, I have only one useful hand and I can control the 396 well with one hand. I also swapped the stock grips for Hogue Bantams from S&W which expose the back strap but shortens the “reach” to the trigger.

Second: The .44 Special round is quite adequate for self defense and, at the moment, I carry it with 200gr. Winchester Silvertip HP's. The .44 special has been around since 1870 so it obviously has something positive going for it.

Third: The 396 NG weighs only 24 oz., and the 329 NG weighs 5 oz. more but, even with the added ounces, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to fire .44 magnums from it. The .44 magnum version will never be a target gun and I believe the .44 magnum is far too powerful for concealed carry self defense.

I’ve only had mine a short time and fired maybe 100 rounds so far but find it pleasant and controllable. The night sight is nice and easy to acquire. I reload and have only used two recipes with it. 200gr. lead with Trailboss and HP-38, but was happy with the results. Just got some .44 Russian brass to try as some plinking loads.

Ruger Redhawk and S&W 396 Night Guard
44s_march2010_bjpg.jpg


Hogue Bantam grips
model396nightguard_04.jpg
 
G

Gonzo_308

New member
Why not just get the 629 44 Mag Night Guard? Of cours I'm bias, I don't see a need for a 44spl, "Much"!
Click to expand...

Well, other than the obvious differences like the 396 being a 5 shot, alloy L frame and the 629 being a 6 shot stainless N frame gun. I guess I see your point.


Maybe some people want a carry gun that's more carry friendly.
 
K

KySilverado

New member
Thanks for the input guys. Especially Arkievol.

I'm wanting the 396 over a 44 mag for many of the reasons stated. Lighter, still a capable SD weapon, easier to carry and its just.... different.

I do reload and have for years. Shot tons of 44 magnum and usually wind up with plinking loads anyway. Theres only so much full bore magnum loads I can take at a time now.
 
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