Smith & Wesson Model 310 Night Guard

About the Smith & Wesson Model 310 Night Guard

The Smith & Wesson Model 310 Night Guard is a compact N-frame revolver chambered in 10mm Auto, introduced in 2009 as part of Smith & Wesson's innovative Night Guard series designed for law enforcement and defensive carry in low-light conditions. Built on the company's large N-frame architecture with a scandium aluminum alloy construction, the Model 310 weighs just 28 ounces despite its substantial frame size, making it one of the lightest 10mm revolvers ever produced. The revolver features a 2.5-inch stainless steel barrel, six-shot cylinder, and utilizes full moon clips to accommodate the rimless 10mm Auto cartridge, while also accepting the milder .40 S&W round for reduced-recoil training or duty use. The Night Guard series signature features include an XS Express tritium night sight at the front for low-light aiming, a fixed rear sight, Pachmayr Compac synthetic grips optimized for concealment, and a matte black PVE (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish that reduces glare and enhances corrosion resistance. Introduced a full year after the initial Night Guard lineup at the 2009 SHOT Show, the Model 310 represented the first and only N-frame revolver chambered in 10mm using scandium alloy construction, filling a unique niche for users seeking maximum power in a lightweight, concealable package.

The Model 310 Night Guard holds the distinction of being the first and only production N-frame revolver chambered in 10mm Auto built from exotic scandium alloy. Its brief production run and unique chambering have made it one of the most sought-after Night Guard variants among collectors, with pristine examples commanding significant premiums over the original retail price.

Smith & Wesson Model 310 Night Guard specifications

The Model 310 Night Guard was introduced at the 2009 SHOT Show, appearing a full year after the initial Night Guard series debut in 2008. It was the first 10mm-chambered N-frame revolver built from scandium alloy, making it significantly lighter than traditional steel-framed alternatives. The revolver requires moon clips for reliable extraction of rimless 10mm Auto and .40 S&W cartridges; S&W included two full-moon clips with each purchase. The matte black finish uses Physical Vapor Deposition (PVE) technology rather than traditional bluing or Melonite, providing superior scratch and corrosion resistance. Due to the lightweight scandium frame and powerful 10mm chambering, felt recoil is substantial, particularly with full-power 10mm loads approaching 650 ft-lbs of energy. Production lasted only two years (2009-2011), making the Model 310 Night Guard one of the rarest Night Guard variants and highly collectible today. Original MSRP was approximately $1,149 USD. The XS Express tritium front sight features a large white dot surrounding the tritium vial for rapid target acquisition in varying light conditions.