Smith & Wesson Model 325 Night Guard
Smith & Wesson · Pistol · Discontinued · 2008
Also known as: 325NG, Model 325 NG
Overview
The Smith & Wesson Model 325 Night Guard is a large-frame N-frame revolver chambered in .45 ACP, introduced in 2008 as part of Smith & Wesson's innovative Night Guard series engineered for law enforcement backup duty and concealed carry in low-light environments. Built on the company's robust N-frame platform using lightweight scandium aluminum alloy construction, the Model 325 Night Guard weighs just 28 ounces despite its substantial frame size and powerful .45 ACP chambering, representing one of the lightest production .45 caliber revolvers ever manufactured. The revolver features a 2.5-inch stainless steel barrel, six-shot cylinder, and requires full moon clips to accommodate the rimless .45 ACP cartridge, ensuring reliable extraction and rapid reloading in defensive situations. Defining characteristics of the Night Guard series include an XS Express tritium night sight featuring a large white dot surrounding a Swiss-made tritium insert for rapid target acquisition in darkness, fixed rear sight, Pachmayr Compac synthetic grips optimized for concealment while managing the substantial recoil of the .45 ACP cartridge, and a non-reflective matte black PVE (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish that eliminates glare and provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and wear. The Model 325 Night Guard filled a unique niche for users seeking the proven stopping power of the .45 ACP cartridge in a lightweight, concealable revolver format with enhanced low-light capability.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 794 g (28.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Barrel Length | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Height | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Width | 42 mm (1.65") |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 54 N (12.1 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 245 m/s (804 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 447 J (330 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Scandium Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Stock Material | Synthetic |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar, Internal Lock
- Features: N Frame, Tritium Night Sights, Scandium Alloy Frame, Full Moon Clips, Compact 2 5 Inch Barrel, Pachmayr Compac Grips, Xsexpress Tritium Front Sight, Matte Black Pve Finish, Fixed Rear Sight
Production
Production years: 2008-2009
Limited one-year production run as part of original Night Guard series launch
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 2009
Notes
The Model 325 Night Guard was part of the original 2008 Night Guard series launch alongside the Models 327 and 329. The .45 ACP chambering in a revolver format offers several advantages including compatibility with widely available 1911 pistol ammunition, reduced muzzle flash compared to magnum calibers, and proven stopping power with modern hollow-point defensive loads. The lightweight scandium frame and powerful .45 ACP cartridge produce substantial felt recoil, making the Night Guard challenging to shoot accurately without practice. Each revolver shipped with two full-moon clips for the rimless .45 ACP cartridge. The matte black PVE finish uses Physical Vapor Deposition technology, creating a molecular bond that is significantly more durable than traditional bluing or phosphate coatings. Original MSRP was approximately $1,139 USD. The 2.5-inch barrel provides optimal ballistic performance for .45 ACP, maintaining adequate velocity for reliable expansion of hollow-point ammunition while keeping overall dimensions compact. Production lasted only from 2008 to 2009, making the Model 325 Night Guard a relatively rare variant highly sought by collectors of specialty Smith & Wesson revolvers.
Background
The Model 325 Night Guard represents an unusual marriage of old and new technologies: John Browning's legendary .45 ACP cartridge from 1905 combined with exotic 21st-century scandium alloy metallurgy and radioactive tritium night sights. Its brief production run and powerful chambering have made it a highly collectible specialty revolver.