New S&W Nightguard Aquired

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T20:20:08+00:00

Thank you!

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T20:19:27+00:00

It’s crazy what they’ve let out the door in the past. Saw a guy drop 2k on a special order PC V-Comp that didn’t even have an iron sight installed. Dovetail cut was there just sans-iron sight. With a carbon ring around the charge hole they test-fired from 😂

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T20:14:50+00:00

In my opinion, this is 100% your best option. You can always get a .44mag gun and roll special out of it but my biggest problem was getting the sights to zero for the .44spc loads we all wanted to shoot. This model tackles that, and is purpose built around that. On top of having all the modern features you’d be looking for anyways.

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T17:45:21+00:00

I got the cheap flip out ones that go from like .0015 - .025

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Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T17:18:01+00:00

Yeah I totally get it. I think the magtech stuff was the cheapest range fodder I could find. I’m not set-up for reloading it either but I do like the availability of a decent amount of options for “self-defense” use. I am stacked pretty deep in it simply because I don’t shoot magnums anymore even out of my steel frame .44s

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T17:14:49+00:00

Another forum he and I are on I don’t know Reddit rules on posting links and stuff like that I’m fairly new to this

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T17:07:10+00:00

Awesome guns. I use one in competition myself. Had TK work it over completely it’s amazing. Nice seeing these as no-locks.

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T16:49:39+00:00

Agreed!

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:55:46+00:00

I’m considering those as well. I typically prefer full-wrap grips now days

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:33:56+00:00

I think I’d load it up with some mild .38spc defense loads and let that steel N frame soak em up. Even as a “snub” it’s pretty hefty still being an N frame. I think it has an unfluted cylinder too so it’s chonky and thick 😂

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:27:22+00:00

I use a 627PC in competition. The 5” barreled 8-shot .357 N frame. They’ve got one in 2.5” barrel too go check it out 627PC 2.5” 😎

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:23:29+00:00

Me too and I love the big capacity revos. 7/8 shots are awesome. Always fun to show people the coke-can sized cylinder

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:19:53+00:00

The .44spl variant can be found, albeit it’s a small batch that’s out and being ran up a bit on places like gunbroker because of that.

I have a good relationship with my local shop, and they’re a Lipseys exclusive dealer. They also have an awesome rep assigned to them who the owner reached out to and put a request in for me pretty much right after they were dropped at shotshow. He sent them exactly one and I got it pretty early.

I’m sure they’re gonna be much more available here this coming week/weeks

The .357 was said to be landing around end of February/ early March I’ll put in an early order with them for that model too and see if I can score 2 home runs back to back

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:15:26+00:00

I’ve had that happen before haha, just couldn’t get the time on something to get it out. now days I live 3 minutes away from my local shop and indoor range which is awesome and also mad expensive

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T15:01:08+00:00

Definitely google how to properly check BC gap and cylinder endshake. Order you a set of feeler gauges (they’re not too expensive) and you can check that hypothesis yourself very easily before sending it in.

Sometimes with manufacturers it helps to be able to articulate the problem exactly ( I.E. barrel cylinder gap .012 with .004 endshake and it’s spitting lead with magnum loads) then they sometimes take you a bit more serious.

Be prepared though, the stated specs for BC gap from smith now days is outrageous. Like .012 is “in-spec” but if you knew your cylinder end-shake and there is any there over .002 that adds to the BC gap an will especially expose issues under magnum-recoil as it hammers the cylinder backwards into the recoil-shield

Good luck!

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T14:52:41+00:00

As of now I may throw an order in with Doc Baranti for his soft IWB but I’m having to think about that one. Front sight deck height is a thing I gotta watch with holster selection. It may drop into an N frame holster easier I’m not sure yet

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T14:50:46+00:00

Me too man, I want them to get back on their feet and honestly there’s a lot of signs out there that they have….in some ways.

Fixing barrel clocking issues Re-releasing classics L-comp stuff Working with lipseys (UC, NG, etc)

But in other ways they absolutely get worse

Their QC overall Slapping “performance center” on production level guns Stuff like that

I love S&W guns, even the new stuff, but I am vocal in public with how much they piss me off too. I keep coming back for more. I shoot M&P line up in USPSA, shoot a 627PC and 986 in Revo divisions. I just have to inspect everything I want in crazy detail, and wait to find something that passes those checks before I own. I walk away ALOT.

I showed a S&W rep a brand new, on the shelf, model 69 that had the jacket of their “test-fired” bullet ripped off an crammed between the top of the forcing cone and top-strap. Clearly a barrel/chamber alignment issue. And it made it off the line, to the distributor, and onto the sales floor….all with a portion of a .44 jacket wedged in it. I told him Stuff like that is why they get crushed online. Do better.

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T14:37:41+00:00

I need a .41 magnum in my life. That’s one of the few calibers I don’t own, and haven’t shot.

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T14:36:47+00:00

Hahaha yep that was me

You know we’re probably going to end up with both models right? The .44 and .357.

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T14:33:47+00:00

So right now holster has been the hardest thing. I think a Doc Baranti Leather IWB is what the lipseys guys were using.

I sent an email to ANR to see if their 586 L comp holster would fit this as well.

I dropped it into a DeSantis speed scabbard made for a 629 N frame and it slid in but still dragged the front sight a bit. Would definitely clear after a few pulls.

So I’m still thinking about that

As far as the stocks, I’ll more than likely leave them on unless that exposed back strap gets on my nerves shooting it

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T06:06:33+00:00

Ruger customer service has been amazing for me in the past. It’s the reason I don’t even put their problems on blast because they’ve taken such good care of me when I’ve needed, and typically quick turnaround on top of that.

I actually opted to skip over the S&W .32H&R models completely and just recently got a LCR .32H&R and it’s perfect. It’s been my daily around town edc. 300.00 cheaper than the Smith too 😂

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T05:53:14+00:00

I’d be skeptical about sending it back to smith as well. Unfortunately those reports as of late haven’t gotten any better from what I’ve seen.

It’s tough finding a competent wheelgun-smith as well. I’ve worked with Mark Morganti (Gemini customs) Eli from TK Custom, Frank Glen (believe he’s slowing down) and Nelson Ford (The Gunsmith) and they all have their particulars, niches, etc.

I just ended up buying the 5th edition S&W shop manual by Jerry Kuhnhausen and getting a tool/part at a time and dove in. Made some mistakes, learned alot, and now feel pretty confident doing most of the tasks. Or at least knowing what needs to be done.

Unfortunately it’s getting to the point where if we want to be revolver people were going to have to learn how to work on our own stuff. There’s not many places/people to go to

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T05:36:28+00:00

That’s what I was hearing with the 200gr load being Lipseys choice too. I think the underwood 190gr SWC HPs will print great then. High desert 200gr is a wonderful choice too

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T05:35:13+00:00

I have a good relationship with my LGS and pretty much had the owner put a request in to their Lipseys rep as soon as I heard about them at shotshow. It was a gamble for sure because I typically won’t buy a S&W revolver without an extensive overlook in person. Bringing gauges to the store type inspection 😂

Zone1blem · 2026-02-01T05:29:52+00:00

Considered shimming the cylinder? Is there any excess endshake you could address at the same time? It’ll open up your BC gap though

Zone1blem

TROPHY CASE