Have you ever owned a firearm that you really liked, but found it just a bit too heavy to comfortably carry around? It’s a common dilemma, and today we’re looking at a couple of revolvers that highlight this very issue. We’ll explore whether the weight difference truly matters when it comes to carrying and shooting.

Key Takeaways

• Material science plays a big role in firearm weight, with scandium frames significantly reducing heft compared to all-steel construction.
• A 12-ounce difference in weight between two similar firearms can be very noticeable and impact carry comfort.
• While lighter guns are generally easier to carry, the difference in recoil and shooting performance might be minimal for defensive purposes.
• The "too heavy to carry" question often depends on personal preference and the availability of lighter alternatives that perform just as well.

The Weight Problem

It’s funny how we sometimes get hung up on the weight of a firearm. I’ve got a gun on me right now that I think is just too heavy to carry. Maybe it’s too heavy to shoot? I don’t know. Take this old all-steel revolver, for example. It’s empty, of course, but even so, when I put it back in the holster, I can feel it. It wants to pull my pants down a bit. It’s a heavy old firearm, a big .44, and I can definitely feel it on my hip. If I tried to play basketball with this thing on, it would probably mess up my jump shot. I can feel it; it’s not an anvil, but it’s noticeable.

Before we go any further, I want to give a shout-out to the Sonoran Desert Institute for supporting the channel. They offer distance learning in firearms technology, gunsmithing, drone technology, and more. Check them out at sdi.edu. And also, thanks to Davidson’s Gallery of Guns. They have a great program with guaranteed lifetime replacement on firearms. Remember them, and remember me, in case I keel over from carrying this heavy gun!

Comparing Similar, Yet Different, Revolvers

I thought it would be interesting to compare a couple of firearms that are very similar, except for what they’re made of. It just so happens that I like little .44 Special revolvers, so this comparison came about naturally. I wasn’t even thinking about this one when I bought the new Night Guard .44 Special. They’ve lengthened the barrel to three inches on the new Night Guard, and it’s the same configuration as this little S&W 696. Smith & Wesson doesn’t make the 696 anymore; they haven’t for a long time. It was only made for a couple of years back in the early 2000s, maybe the late 90s. It’s a really cool gun, kind of collectible.

This new Night Guard is the same thing: a five-shot, .44 Special, L-frame revolver. The early 696s didn’t have adjustable sights, but these new Night Guards do. So, you’ve got the same basic configuration. I’ve compared them myself, and while I’ve always liked the 696, it’s a bit of a chunk. It’s an L-frame, and a three-inch barrel doesn’t necessarily make it light.

The Science of Lightening Up

So, what do you have to do to make a revolver lighter? You either make it smaller or use different materials. That’s exactly what someone figured out with this Night Guard. The frame is made of scandium, hence the model number 396. The barrel and cylinder are steel, not titanium like some revolvers. So, it still has some weight, but that scandium frame, and likely the barrel shroud too, makes a big difference. I assume the barrel is sleeved with steel, but the frame and shroud are scandium. This is where the weight savings really come in.

Weight Matters: A Direct Comparison

We’re talking about whether a gun is too heavy to carry. Let’s look at the numbers. We have two firearms with the same barrel length, firing the same cartridge (.44 Special), and both are five-shot revolvers. So, when that bullet leaves the barrel, the performance should be pretty much the same. The S&W 696, the all-stainless steel one, weighs 35 ounces. That’s a decent amount of weight, about the same as some all-steel 1911s. Now, this Night Guard, with the same configuration, weighs in at 23 ounces. That’s a difference of about 12 ounces. That’s a lot!

We gun folks can get pretty obsessed over a one or two-ounce difference between, say, a Glock 43X and a P365. You can tell a difference with those small variations, but this 12-ounce difference? That’s substantial. It’s like carrying a whole other small, light gun.

Recoil and Practicality

Now, you probably want to see me compare the recoil and how they shoot. I also want to thank Alabama Holster. I need to get one of their concealment holsters for this Night Guard; I’m currently wrestling with a big, thick leather one. Alabama Holster makes some of the best Kydex concealment holsters. And a big thanks to Rent a Gun. They have an innovative system where you can rent a firearm for a week, try it out, and make a more educated decision before buying. It’s a great way to compare firearms.

Let’s shoot these. The weight difference, that 11 or 12 ounces, is noticeable. This 696 really tugs on you. It’s a chunk. When I put the Night Guard in the holster, it fits easily, and I honestly don’t feel it on my waist. It’s like carrying my phone; you don’t know it’s there unless it rings.

So, the question is, do you need that weight? If the lighter gun is more convenient and easier to carry, and it doesn’t interfere with, say, your basketball performance, then maybe the heavier one is too heavy to carry because it impacts your daily life.

Let’s load them both with the same ammo. I know the Night Guard kicks a little more, and has a bit more muzzle rise. It’s not a surprise. The question is, does it matter enough for the intended purpose? These are small defensive firearms. You’re probably not going handgun hunting with them, though a .44 Special with heavy loads could get you out of a scrape in bear country. They’re primarily for defense, whether you’re in the woods or in a rough part of town.

Let’s fire a couple of shots from a few yards. I’ll try to shoot at the same pace. Pull it out, put it on target. Felt pretty good. It’s a nice firearm. Now, let’s do the same with the Night Guard. I can feel a little more recoil, but it’s manageable. Let’s do three shots each, maybe on some steel.

At about 15 yards, I wouldn’t have any less confidence in hitting a target with either one if a threat were approaching. For defensive purposes, the difference in recoil isn’t a deal-breaker. So, is the 696 too heavy to carry? I haven’t carried it much over the years because it is a bit of a chunk. This Night Guard, however, I’m much more likely to carry around. That’s why I want to upgrade my holster.

Let’s try a couple of shots at a longer range just for fun. The sights are a bit different on each, and I haven’t practiced with either at distance. The 696 has standard red ramp sights, which I tend to like. The Night Guard has a big dot sight. I might prefer the standard sights for lining up shots.

With the recoil, I noticed I had to hold a little lower on the Night Guard at distance, as the recoil seemed to throw the bullet a bit high. But overall, both are fine. Short range, long range, they both perform well.

The Verdict

My conclusion is that the all-steel 696 is, by comparison, too heavy for me to carry, simply because I have this lighter alternative, the Night Guard, that does the job just as well. If I didn’t have the Night Guard, I might feel differently about the 696. It’s a bit of a chunk, but not impossibly heavy. But with the Night Guard available, which is lighter, more convenient, and still allows me to, you know, play basketball and deal with life, it’s the clear winner for carrying.

Oh, and before I forget, check out Talon Grips. They make grips for all sorts of firearms, offering different textures to improve your hold. They’re affordable and a great upgrade. Also, Ballistol. It’s a cleaner and lubricant that’s non-toxic and has been around for years. We’re happy to have them on board. Visit talonngrips.com and ballistol.com. And don’t forget to check out our social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.