I broke! S&W 396 Night Guard - .44 Spl

[Zee]

Well, as I mentioned before, I want one when they first came out in the 2000s. But, I didn’t and I’m glad I waited.

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Better sights than the original. Different metal. Titanium pins. No better!
I ordered a Galco holster and a set of VZ Grips to add to the improvements.
It’s noticeably light and handles well. It’s amazing how much even a slightly longer barrel and better sights are an improvement over the Charter Arms I’ve been carrying at the ranch. I love the VZ revolver grip. Learned about them from putting them on my Charter Arms Revolvers. They are firmer than factory rubber grips (obviously) and the aggressive checkering keeps the gun from slipping in your hand.

[Zee]

I’ve had it for about a month and it took me a few weeks to get to the range to sight her in and try different ammo.
I had factory rounds and one handload:
HSM 200gr Lead Cowboy Loads
Blazer 200gr GD Loads
Speer 200gr GD Loads
200gr Speer GD Handloads

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Going to end up running my handloads. They had the highest velocity and best accuracy.
Sighted in at 25yrds with my handloads from a rest. Then, confirmed offhand at 10yrds. Very pleased with the results.
I might try to get the velocity up to around 1,000 fps with handloads just to see. But, I’m not in a hurry. Ordered more 200gr GD bullets and brass.
This will be a good ranch gun. For snakes and other necessary endeavors.

PSA: I’ve learned the hard way that if you carry snake shot in your centerfire revolver, along with normal rounds……….that you visually check and make sure that the front of the snake shot capsule does not rest even with the front of your cylinder or even ever so slightly recessed. If you fire a regular round with a long snake shot round in the cylinder, the snake shot capsule will jump forward and protrude out of your cylinder from the recoil. Effectively preventing your cylinder from rotating and bind up your revolver.

My .357 Mag and this .44 Spl is fine as they are recessed sufficiently. My .45 Colt revolver is not. The Colt snake shot capsule is almost flush with the front of the cylinder and one defensive round is enough to eject the capsule enough to bind the cylinder. Ask me how I know……..
Now, I’ve tested the other two guns and they are fine after firing one defensive round. I still need to check if subsequent defensive rounds will eventually project the capsule far enough forward to bind.
I’d never thought about that issue before. But, now I do.

[Elk Creek]

Now there is a revolver I can get behind! Well done!! Kinda jealous.

[breamfisher]

Revolver.
In .44 Special
In a leather holster.


Channeling your inner Fudd?
Surprised you didn't put dead tree carcass grips on it.

[Zee]

Revolver.
In .44 Special
In a leather holster.


Channeling your inner Fudd?
Surprised you didn't put dead tree carcass grips on it.

Ha! That holster is for if and when I want to conceal carry it. At the ranch, it’s riding in an Uncle Mikes Flap Holster. To keep as much blood, sweat, and tears off of it. Not very bougie.

[Zee]

Now there is a revolver I can get behind! Well done!! Kinda jealous.

Well, you started this crap with your Ruger GP100 in .44 Spl!!!

[bullsi1911]

Oh, hell. That is NICE. I want one now to go with my 325PD .45ACP.

Congrats!

[Zee]

Oh, hell. That is NICE. I want one now to go with my 325PD .45ACP.

Congrats!

Thank you. I’ve wanted one for 20 years. I think this new iteration is much better made.

[Elk Creek]

Now there is a revolver I can get behind! Well done!! Kinda jealous.

Well, you started this crap with your Ruger GP100 in .44 Spl!!!

You’re welcome! Just glad to enable

[Zee]

Now there is a revolver I can get behind! Well done!! Kinda jealous.

Well, you started this crap with your Ruger GP100 in .44 Spl!!!

You’re welcome! Just glad to enable

Screw you!!!

[sakodude]

Glad you got one and had the opportunity to ring it out a bit. Wanted one myself since the 696 was introduced. The 396 is my next up when funds allow.

[Zee]

Glad you got one and had the opportunity to ring it out a bit. Wanted one myself since the 696 was introduced. The 396 is my next up when funds allow.

I shot a buddies .44 Mag Scandium (don’t remember the model number). That was not a fun experience.

[Elk Creek]

Glad you got one and had the opportunity to ring it out a bit. Wanted one myself since the 696 was introduced. The 396 is my next up when funds allow.

I shot a buddies .44 Mag Scandium (don’t remember the model number). That was not a fun experience.

Yeah the 239’s are brutal!

[Zee]

Yep

[breamfisher]

Revolver.
In .44 Special
In a leather holster.


Channeling your inner Fudd?
Surprised you didn't put dead tree carcass grips on it.

Ha! That holster is for if and when I want to conceal carry it. At the ranch, it’s riding in an Uncle Mikes Flap Holster. To keep as much blood, sweat, and tears off of it. Not very bougie.

Uncle Mike's?
Fudd.


BTW, I'm currently working on an Askins Avenger-style leather holster for my 1911.

[Zee]

And I’m the Fudd?!?

[breamfisher]

Not the.

A.

[Bigslug]

NICE!

You still got those 255 grainers I sent you? That's the place for 'em.

(Mellllllt the Ingotssssssssss)

[Zee]

NICE!

You still got those 255 grainers I sent you? That's the place for 'em.

(Mellllllt the Ingotssssssssss)

Ah! That’s true. I should give them a try.
Powder?

[jbp-ohio]

After quickly glancing at the thread title. I had to look to see who posted it. Whether it meant, "I spent all of my monies on a S&W 396.''

Or Ned was back. "I broke a S&W 396."

[Bigslug]

NICE!

You still got those 255 grainers I sent you? That's the place for 'em.

(Mellllllt the Ingotssssssssss)

Ah! That’s true. I should give them a try.
Powder?

Titegroup. Red Dot or Bullseye would also stand you in fine stead. Penetration is NOT a problem with them. I think if you load for comfort and control down in the 3.5-4.0 grain range, you'll come away with a severe case of the smiles. Heavy and slow Special loads are FUN!

[Zee]

After quickly glancing at the thread title. I had to look to see who posted it. Whether it meant, "I spent all of my monies on a S&W 396.''

Or Ned was back. "I broke a S&W 396."

Well, it weren’t cheap. But, my Bride got it for me for Father’s Day. So, even though it was…….still my money…….it’s better?

[LMLarsen]

Nice!

[Bigslug]

After quickly glancing at the thread title. I had to look to see who posted it. Whether it meant, "I spent all of my monies on a S&W 396.''

Or Ned was back. "I broke a S&W 396."

Well, it weren’t cheap. But, my Bride got it for me for Father’s Day. So, even though it was…….still my money…….it’s better?

She still thinks your butt is cute enough to insist it be provided with protection. I call that a win!

[sakodude]

Glad you got one and had the opportunity to ring it out a bit. Wanted one myself since the 696 was introduced. The 396 is my next up when funds allow.

I shot a buddies .44 Mag Scandium (don’t remember the model number). That was not a fun experience.

Have not had the pleasure of the 329. Have shot a Scandium 357, it wasn’t a lot of fun. My scandium 325 45 ACP on the other hand is quite pleasant.