The Smith & Wesson 396 Night Guard is a .44 Special revolver with a 3-inch barrel and a 5-round cylinder, built for defensive carry or field use. The build pairs a Scandium alloy frame with a stainless steel barrel, and the cylinder carries a PVD coating over stainless steel, finished overall in blue/black. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Smith & Wesson 
• Model: 396 Night Guard 
• Caliber: .44 Special 
• Action: Double Action/Single Action 
• Capacity: 5 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 3 in 
• Finish: Blue/Black 
• Grips: Hogue Rubber Bantam 
   

Detailed Features 

• XS Sights tritium front sight with a yellow ring for low-light aiming 
• Fully adjustable rear sight for dialing in windage and elevation 
• Alloy frame construction paired with a coated cylinder keeps overall weight down while holding up to repeated firing 
• Hogue Rubber Bantam grip with finger grooves for a secure hold 
• Double-action/single-action trigger gives a choice between quick DA follow-ups and a lighter SA pull 
• No internal lock on the frame

The 396 Night Guard draws a loyal following among revolver carriers who want a .44 Special option that carries lighter than an all-steel gun. Owners generally trust the fit and finish, though a few mention that the trigger needs some dry-fire time before the double-action pull feels smooth.

Carrying a .44 Special in this size means recoil is noticeable, and opinions split on comfort: some shooters find the Hogue Bantam grip tames it well, while others add a larger aftermarket grip for extended range sessions. The tritium night sights get consistent praise for making the gun usable in low light.

Because the Night Guard line has been out of production for stretches, values run higher than a comparable current-production revolver, and owners treat a clean example as worth holding onto. Holster options are more limited than for mainstream carry revolvers, so buyers often special-order gear.