M-49 Bodyguard, Shiny!

[Cosmoline]

I've only seen one or two of these M-49 all steel "bodyguards." I spotted this one at a low price and snatched it. It appears to have a nickel plating. It's worn somewhat but still shines nicely. SN 942XX with "D13" stamped below. I'm assuming these boys were never issued to LEO's, so I don't know what the second number is. Barrel is pinned.

The trigger is smooth but has a new revolver feel to it. Judging from the lack of burn around the crown, the absence of any wear at the barrel/cylinder gap and the feel of the trigger, I'd say this pup has spent long years in a dresser or coat pocket. Not much range use. There are, however, a myriad number of micro scratches on the nickel. Keys, perhaps? I wonder if it can be buffed smooth again. There are no actual chips or serious dings in the finish, just a slight dullness and a lot of little scratches.

The tiny exposed part of the hammer is surprisingly easy to pull back.

The grips are old pachmayr square-to-round converters. I don't like them and will probably switch over to some vintage square butt J frame ebony grips I have around here... somewhere.

 

[Moonclip]

Nice, I had the same exact gun and grips in the model 649 stainless steel model at one time. I think it was a good looking gun while others find them ugly. I like the concept.

I ended up putting some fake pearl grips on it and selling it after a very high round count. I would think the D13 is just an assembly number. These guns are handy and seem to be around when needed. Mine had the unfortunate distiction of being among only three other guns I've owned I've had to point at another human being. A gunwriter once mentioned the three or four times in his life he though he might have to use a firearm in a serious setting,it ended up being a J frame S&W.

 

[isp2605]

Elsewhere on THR I've posted pictures of my blued 49 and my 649 so you can do a search and see them. I carried the 49 everyday as my second/off duty/backup for 20 yrs. I then picked up the 649 and have carried it for the past 10 yrs. They are my don't leave home wtihout them guns. I had a nickle 38 for a while but got talked out of it. Got offered too much money for it to pass up.
My blued 49 came with grooved trigger but the 649 had smooth.
When I was carrying the 49 I had those same grips on it.
The 49 series J frames are round butts. You can get grips to convert it to square butt but it cuts down on the ability to conceal as well.
They're great shooters.

 

[Cosmoline]

You're right. I just popped the pacys off and it's a round butt. THe existing grips are just bulbous at the bottom for no good reason.

 

[isp2605]

Yup. I've owned 3 Bodyguards and have seen quite a goodly number more. Have never seen a square butt Bodyguard and never seen one advertised.

 

[Cosmoline]

It should do well with those Hogue "bantam" grips for maxium concealability.

 

[BluesBear]

All of the bodyguards were round butt. Those grips are a little big but they sure tame the beast when using +P. I had a pair just like them on both my old blued 49 and my 40. It sure made them easy to snatch from an ankle holster.

However...

That serial numer isn't right. If the serial number on the butt is J149xx then it was made in 1970.


And yes there were several police departments that actually issued them.
But the D13 inside the the yoke opening is an inspection/assembly number.

They are great guns. Very smooth.
I kick myself for selling mine.
I currently have the blued Taurus .357 version.
It's almost as nice but not quite.

If you can find one, the wide target trigger will make it really sweet!

 

[Old Fuff]

CDNN has some round-to-square butt (factory configuration) stocks for very reasonable prices if you're interested.

 

[Cosmoline]

Sorry, wrong SN.

J5709XX

I've always liked the thin small grips on J frames, though I know a lot of people like the oversized ones. Pachys have never agreed with my hands. If anyone wants these I'll be happy to send them to you, just PM me.

 

[CAS700850]

I have a 649. Love it. It came with Uncle Mike's Boot Grips on it, which I traded off for a larger pair of Uncle Mike's grips. Boot grips were too small for my hands, but are excellent for concealment.

 

[BluesBear]

J5709xx makes it early 1977.

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks! I put Hogue combat bantams on it and it conceals much better. I'm contemplating putting it in a left hand Galco holster to balance out my SP-101 on the shoulder rig. It would also serve as a pocket carry along