Smith and Wesson night guards are back! (Page 1 of 2)
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Posted: 1/19/2026 9:25:09 PM EDT
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Just saw this posted on the s&w Instagram page. Looks like a 3” 357 and I hear the MSRP is $1300. Gonna be curious to see what they release, a light weight revolver potent enough for GDs fear of bears may make for an awesome carry set up. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Labrador_Remy: I had wanted a 696 since reading the “do I need a 44 spl” post that was in here. The 396 looks like a perfect hiking and woods gun for me! Especially if I can play around with some 44 spl loads. @Labrador_Remy My post?!? I’m flattered Attached File |
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Except for S&W's shitty QC, these look like a winner. I used to own both of these original models. The .357 mag will be on my short list once all the beta testers have worked out the flaws. Lipsey's Exclusive Smith & Wesson Night Guard Series |
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Originally Posted By DuneShoot: Where to order the .357!? Lippeys  Now THAT'S a Real Fighting Revolver | S&W Night Guard at SHOT Show 2026 |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Except for S&W's shitty QC, these look like a winner. I used to own both of these original models. The .357 mag will be on my short list once all the beta testers have worked out the flaws.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZeRRjdwygAYeah I’ve been in this game to not try and be an early adopter but considering they have done these kinds of frames before I’m not crazy worried. Originally Posted By Glck1911: Could you even cut a revolver like this for an optic? I wouldn't think so. There are dovetail optics plates available. There are some mounts that allow red dots and that would be easy enough. Top of the gun is too thin to drop even a K optic onto. Personally I don’t like shooting revolvers with dots, they seem to sit too high for me to come up quickly, but I don’t have a ton of time trying. As far as the light, I’m torn. No rail means it will work with the billion holsters many of us already have. Plus I’ve not seen a decent way to work a light on a weapon without getting your finger a head of the cylinder gap and I would hate to do that. |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Yeah I’ve been in this game to not try and be an early adopter but considering they have done these kinds of frames before I’m not crazy worried. There are some mounts that allow red dots and that would be easy enough. Top of the gun is too thin to drop even a K optic onto. Personally I don’t like shooting revolvers with dots, they seem to sit too high for me to come up quickly, but I don’t have a ton of time trying. As far as the light, I’m torn. No rail means it will work with the billion holsters many of us already have. Plus I’ve not seen a decent way to work a light on a weapon without getting your finger a head of the cylinder gap and I would hate to do that. Seems like "light grips" similar to laser grips would be doable these days. Occasionally light manufacturers make lights with wired switches that come back to the grip. Maybe if there was enough interest. But honestly a handheld light may not be optimal but there are techniques. |
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Originally Posted By Stryfe: Seems like "light grips" similar to laser grips would be doable these days. Occasionally light manufacturers make lights with wired switches that come back to the grip. Maybe if there was enough interest. But honestly a handheld light may not be optimal but there are techniques. I think it's @backbencher that has shared some light grips in other threads, but I think they are for j frames. I would imagine it's more battery problem than anything, since those end up being like 50 lumen, or not quite as good as a keychain light. Better than nothing but still not ideal. I wouldn't mind a quick-clamp adapter to throw a light on at night or something but I'm currently not in the camp of "all carry guns need lights all the time" yet. Yes I understand the uses, but with where and how I live I'm not too worried about being in a shooting situation where I can't already see what's going on. |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: I think it's @backbencher that has shared some light grips in other threads, but I think they are for j frames. I would imagine it's more battery problem than anything, since those end up being like 50 lumen, or not quite as good as a keychain light. Better than nothing but still not ideal. I wouldn't mind a quick-clamp adapter to throw a light on at night or something but I'm currently not in the camp of "all carry guns need lights all the time" yet. Yes I understand the uses, but with where and how I live I'm not too worried about being in a shooting situation where I can't already see what's going on. Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Originally Posted By Stryfe: Seems like "light grips" similar to laser grips would be doable these days. Occasionally light manufacturers make lights with wired switches that come back to the grip. Maybe if there was enough interest. But honestly a handheld light may not be optimal but there are techniques. I think it's @backbencher that has shared some light grips in other threads, but I think they are for j frames. I would imagine it's more battery problem than anything, since those end up being like 50 lumen, or not quite as good as a keychain light. Better than nothing but still not ideal. I wouldn't mind a quick-clamp adapter to throw a light on at night or something but I'm currently not in the camp of "all carry guns need lights all the time" yet. Yes I understand the uses, but with where and how I live I'm not too worried about being in a shooting situation where I can't already see what's going on. It's a 100 lumen light: https://hyskore.com/products/30265-compact-revolver-grip-light/ S&W J frame only. |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Except for S&W's shitty QC, these look like a winner. I used to own both of these original models. The .357 mag will be on my short list once all the beta testers have worked out the flaws. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZeRRjdwygAIf S&W would get it together they’d sell more. There’s no reason to pay S&W prices for Rossi quality. Sure, S&W will warranty them but Taurus does too. |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Except for S&W's shitty QC, these look like a winner. I used to own both of these original models. The .357 mag will be on my short list once all the beta testers have worked out the flaws. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZeRRjdwygABeta tester? The 357 NG is a 586 L-comp with a different barrel. What needs to be proven? |
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Originally Posted By ckbk: Beta tester? The 357 NG is a 586 L-comp with a different barrel. What needs to be proven? I guess you forgot about the scandium frame. The 629 MG is just a pencil barrel 4” 629, but there was enough complaints, that per my local GS guy, they pulled them and fixed the issues before shipping the next batch. There always seems to be some bugs that need to be worked out with these new releases. Maybe these will be GTG out of the box. But there also seems to be a lot of QC issues, and why many have sworn off new S&W’s. In fact watching Gunsmith Nelson Fords videos, he’s of the same opinion. |
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Originally Posted By DuneShoot: My FFL ordered me the .357. No price yet and he was told the ETA is "very soon". Originally Posted By akethan: I'll be the guinea pig Keep us posted on how much these end up costing and post when you get them! I'm trying to get the store I work in to order a few for the sales floor so I can see it in person, and then use my discount to get one if they rock 
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Oh my. This is something in both calibers that interests me. Enough sight radius to do good work but as light as my J frame Model 60 .357 little demon. Math is not my raison d’etre but 7 is more than five- even in New Hampshire. I have the same kind of front sight that they put on the new Night Guards on my 442 UC and the tritium/fiber combo is a peach. |
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Originally Posted By gtsteve03: Night Guard? But no picatinny rail for a light nor cut for optics mount? Shame.  Attached File |
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Originally Posted By 03RN: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/20240816_123839_jpg-3703241.JPG @03RN I thought we decided you hated red dots after you lost a snowball fight or something? |
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My experience with the scandium magnums & big bores is that they're much more fun to look at and carry than to shoot. Holy hell they are uncomfortable. The old 325NG kicks like a 629 Mountain Gun running full power .44 Magnums, which is no slouch. Don't get me started on the 329PD or the ultralight magnum J frames. A 396 would be about the same as a 325, I imagine. There are lots of all-steel S&W and Colt magnums in the safe. Don't see much need for a 20oz hand punisher. With that said, I may be convinced to get something like a 327PD (4" .357) and put rubber grips on, then mostly shoot .38s. Or a 327JM reissue, though it would probably be a $2500 gun in this day and age. |
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Originally Posted By akethan: My buddy says .44s are available but the .357 won't be for another month or so. I have a 357 on soft order, in that I get to check it out when it hits the store without the obligation to buy it. Have the cash in my pocket as we speak so that's the plan, check out their QC and decide from there. Originally Posted By hkcavalier: My experience with the scandium magnums & big bores is that they're much more fun to look at and carry than to shoot. Holy hell they are uncomfortable. The old 325NG kicks like a 629 Mountain Gun running full power .44 Magnums, which is no slouch. Don't get me started on the 329PD or the ultralight magnum J frames. A 396 would be about the same as a 325, I imagine. There are lots of all-steel S&W and Colt magnums in the safe. Don't see much need for a 20oz hand punisher. With that said, I may be convinced to get something like a 327PD (4" .357) and put rubber grips on, then mostly shoot .38s. Or a 327JM reissue, though it would probably be a $2500 gun in this day and age. @hkcavalier I haven't shot much in the way of the featherlight stuff, but did set off a 329 with super magnums. I don't really have the desire to do that ever again. That said I shot a Ruger LCR 38 yesterday, and it's 13 ounces. Shot both target ammo and some decent SWCHP rounds through it and it was much less punishing than I had thought. Honestly more comfortable to shoot than some steel/wood grips J frame I've shot before, so I wonder if it's the rubber grip. My plan is to get the Night Guard in 357 and shoot a bunch of 38s to see how it does. I'd like to know how 357, especially some spicy bear loads, work out but I don't see myself shooting a heavy diet of those. Mostly carry with 38+P or some non-crazy HST but have the option of slinging hard cast when I head out innawoods. |
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I just picked one up on special order. Got it home tonight. BC gap is an exact .004, carry up is clean on all chambers, the ratchets are dressed and smoothed (no crazy burrs from the cutter). Absolutely zero discernible endshake. Obviously the barrel shroud is TDC (2-piece) night sight glows bright, double pins on front sight flush. Maybe 1-2 “blemishes” on the matte finish, but the PVD cylinder is deep and smooth black. I buy a lot of smiths, I’m also the dude who will show up with feeler-gauges and roll through 4 guns outta the back to find one that passes all the checks. May be my one example? May be lipseys put a fire under S&W (think back to the UC line release) May be S&W is triple checking this first batch so YouTube doesn’t eviscerate them out the gate? Either way, I took a gamble ordering one from the reps, and receiving it sight-unseen, an it’s absolutely paid off. It’s nice seeing a DA/SA without a lock on it, especially in a scandium .44spc snub lol. I will be ordering the .357 when it becomes available simply because this one came in so flawless. |
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Originally Posted By KhyberPass85: I just picked one up on special order. Got it home tonight. BC gap is an exact .004, carry up is clean on all chambers, the ratchets are dressed and smoothed (no crazy burrs from the cutter). Absolutely zero discernible endshake. Obviously the barrel shroud is TDC (2-piece) night sight glows bright, double pins on front sight flush. Maybe 1-2 “blemishes” on the matte finish, but the PVD cylinder is deep and smooth black. I buy a lot of smiths, I’m also the dude who will show up with feeler-gauges and roll through 4 guns outta the back to find one that passes all the checks. May be my one example? May be lipseys put a fire under S&W (think back to the UC line release) May be S&W is triple checking this first batch so YouTube doesn’t eviscerate them out the gate? Either way, I took a gamble ordering one from the reps, and receiving it sight-unseen, an it’s absolutely paid off. It’s nice seeing a DA/SA without a lock on it, especially in a scandium .44spc snub lol. I will be ordering the .357 when it becomes available simply because this one came in so flawless. Thank you for this post. I’m super interested in a 44spc or 44 mag (mostly shoot Spc). Would love to see one in person first. |
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Totally understand. I’m almost always the same way with any revolver purchase. It still felt/feels like it was a dice-roll on quality but I’d love to believe there is some sort of extra-accountability with the NGs. When he handed me the box, and it was the only one they had ordered, I was prepared to have to turn it down and walk. Every chamber the hand carried up was like a countdown to disappointment lol. Sad it’s come to that. I will say the newer 2-piece barreled variants have been coming in better as a whole. I hope you’re able to find someone local to you that has a couple in stock you can cherry pick from because they’re really well thought out. It’s probably my happiest S&W wheel gun purchase in a long time. |
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Originally Posted By tgmr05: The stainless cylinders assist somewhat with reducing recoil versus the titanium cylinders. They are slightly less punishing. They will still be a little snappy with full power loads, though. For sure. I have a 329PD with the Hogue tamer grips on it. I don’t even play with .44 mag is a .44spc gun only. I have shot most of the underwood special loads through it and they’re manageable but not what I’d call super pleasant. Especially the 255grain hardcast. I still feel em. Still get crimp-jump too. I think I’m gonna try High Desert 200gr HPs, the Underwood 190gr SWC HPs, and the 165?gr Critical Duty out of the night guard and see what feels best and what prints best with the regulated sights. Also I get annoyed with the Ti cylinders now days. I have one on a competition revolver I put a hefty round count through and they’re just more trouble than they’re worth. Sticky chambers, can’t scrub em hard, mild solvents only, and eventually even when you try to do it all by the book they still lose the clear coat and erode anyways. Glad they stuck with steel. |
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Originally Posted By KhyberPass85: I just picked one up on special order. Got it home tonight. BC gap is an exact .004, carry up is clean on all chambers, the ratchets are dressed and smoothed (no crazy burrs from the cutter). Absolutely zero discernible endshake. Obviously the barrel shroud is TDC (2-piece) night sight glows bright, double pins on front sight flush. Maybe 1-2 “blemishes” on the matte finish, but the PVD cylinder is deep and smooth black. I buy a lot of smiths, I’m also the dude who will show up with feeler-gauges and roll through 4 guns outta the back to find one that passes all the checks. May be my one example? May be lipseys put a fire under S&W (think back to the UC line release) May be S&W is triple checking this first batch so YouTube doesn’t eviscerate them out the gate? Either way, I took a gamble ordering one from the reps, and receiving it sight-unseen, an it’s absolutely paid off. It’s nice seeing a DA/SA without a lock on it, especially in a scandium .44spc snub lol. I will be ordering the .357 when it becomes available simply because this one came in so flawless. @KhyberPass85 thanks for "biting the bullet" and being an early adopter. I was hoping their "we have be listening to our customers" quote on one of the shot show videos also included that they were increasing QC. I think it's a weird offering but seems like it might play well. Some of us don't hate revolvers and that includes me sitting here with coffee and a 351pd stuffed into my pajamas on a cold morning. I have been thinking that a ~full size light weight real caliber would be an amazing combination for those times we get out a bit further in the world than Publix. I don't want to pretend that I live in the back country like a mountain main but I do drive/hike/fish off the beaten path a few times a year so something that works with a single cylinder on critters with no legs, 2 legs, or big hairy legs, is appealing. You going to carry it? I was thinking the old style fixed rear sights would make it more comfortable, but obviously not help adjustability. |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: @KhyberPass85 thanks for "biting the bullet" and being an early adopter. I was hoping their "we have be listening to our customers" quote on one of the shot show videos also included that they were increasing QC. I think it's a weird offering but seems like it might play well. Some of us don't hate revolvers and that includes me sitting here with coffee and a 351pd stuffed into my pajamas on a cold morning. I have been thinking that a ~full size light weight real caliber would be an amazing combination for those times we get out a bit further in the world than Publix. I don't want to pretend that I live in the back country like a mountain main but I do drive/hike/fish off the beaten path a few times a year so something that works with a single cylinder on critters with no legs, 2 legs, or big hairy legs, is appealing. You going to carry it? I was thinking the old style fixed rear sights would make it more comfortable, but obviously not help adjustability. Yeah I plan on carrying it. Around town and backwoods. I do quite a bit of backpacking all year long and it really does fit the bill being an ultralight hiker. The problem is backpacking is ROUGH on kit lol. When revos are as nice as this one it is harder for me to just subject it to 3 straight days of rain and sweat I may get one for the woods and one to throw in the safe in case these things end up disappearing again Holsters are gonna be a bit of a pain right now. I tried to fit it in a Simply Rugged K frame sour dough and the front sight ramp/barrel combo seems to be what knocks it out of most holsters I own. Tried a Desantis N frame speed scabbard. it fit but dragged the front sight a bit (it would clear that eventually) Tried a garret K frame Kydex no go I’m looking at a Doc Baranti IWB (I think that’s what the Lipseys guys were using for theirs) but DB comes with a stout wait time, albeit well deserved. As far as Kydex AIWB goes ANR looks like they make a nice one for 3” L frames specifically so I’ll give them a call monday and see what they think about the front sight deck in conjunction with their l frame holster seeing as it’s dressed around the 586 L comps |
Smith and Wesson night guards are back! (Page 1 of 2)
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