S&W has returned to basics with the new Night Guard series of revolvers. Proof of that lies in the fact that short-barrel, compact, double-action revolvers have been a mainstay of the American firearms market for well over a century, long preceding the modern market focus on semiauto pistols. But at the same time, these new revolvers also incorporate significant innovation in that they embody a variety of advanced construction and design features, and they share a common configuration that encompasses three different frame sizes and five different chamberings.

The six individual members of the new Night Guard family are the Model 329NG .44 Magnum (N-Frame), the Model 325NG .45 ACP (N-Frame), the Model 327NG .357 Magnum (N-Frame), the Model 396NG .44 Special (L-Frame), the Model 386NG .357 Mag. (L-Frame), and the Model 315NG .38 Special (K-Frame). All six models feature matte-black scandium/aluminum-alloy ultralightweight frames; stainless-steel cylinders with matching matte-black Physical Vapor Deposit (PVD) finish; and 2.5-inch, sleeved, steel barrels with matte-black shrouds. All six models also employ Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty fixed U-notch rear sights, XS Sights 24/7 tritium front night sights, and Pachmayr Compac grips.

They all look nearly identical, and to a remarkable degree, they all feel, handle, and balance alike--in spite of their different frame sizes and chamberings. One of the primary reasons for this commonality of feel is the fact that there is only 5.3 ounces of weight variation between the heaviest member of the family, the M329 .44 Mag. at 29.3 ounces, and the lightest member of the family, the M315 .38 Spl. at 24.0 ounces. Another reason is the common configuration of their Pachmayr Compac grips, which have very little difference in external dimensions whether for the N-Frame models or the L/K-Frame models.

Weighty Matters
The core element of the Night Guard concept, of course, is the revolvers’ notably lighter weight compared to other similarly dimensioned revolvers in the same chamberings. This is made possible by S&W’s exclusive use of scandium-alloy frame construction. The company originally pioneered the use of scandium alloy in 1999 with the introduction of its AirLite Sc L-Frame and J-Frame .357 Mag. revolvers with titanium cylinders, resulting in the lightest .357 Mag. revolver in existence, the J-Frame Model 360PD (12 ounces). The concept was also later adapted to titanium-cylinder N-Frame magnums as well, with the 4-inch Models 327PD .357 Mag., 357PD .41 Mag., and 329PD .44 Mag. weighing just 24.3, 27.5, and 26 ounces, respectively.

Some technical background:
Aluminum-frame revolvers for medium-pressure loads such as the .38 Spl. have been around for a long time, but typical firearms-grade aluminum-alloy frames absolutely cannot handle the pressures associated with magnum cartridges, which is why S&W never offered any of its previous Airweight aluminum-frame/steel-cylinder medium- and small-frame revolvers in magnum calibers. Even an all-titanium magnum revolver, which is certainly strong enough, cannot be as lightweight as a comparably sized aluminum-frame revolver with a titanium or steel cylinder because aluminum is two-thirds of the weight of titanium. So for a magnum revolver to match the weight of a medium-power Airweight revolver, something entirely different is needed: a frame material with the margin of strength necessary for safe magnum use at aluminum’s weight.