New S&W Bodyguard, Move Over 642.

[Phydeaux642]

Well, I was in one of the local shops today and got to fondle the new S&W Bodyguard snubbie. I love the feel of this gun. It feels much nicer than the 642 in my hand. It actually is one of the most comfortable feeling small revolvers in my hand that I've ever felt. On paper it isn't much lighter then the 642 but it feels lighter than what the specs show.

The cylinder release is what I was curious of when I saw pictures of it. In handling it I found it very comfortable to use - just push forward with either thumb and the cylinder is unlocked. Nice ambidextrous design in my opinion.

The included laser is a nice touch but is nowhere near as easy to activate as the CT lasers. It's still functional, but would take a little getting used to.

Over all I really like the gun. I didn't get to try the trigger because this is a shop I don't go into all that often and I didn't want to start squeezing the trigger without asking and I didn't ask since the fellow behind the counter was busy talking to someone else. At $489, I believe this may put a major dent in the Ruger LCR sales. I think I will have to pick one up once I start replenishing funds (I just bought a house).

Oh, and the new Bodyguard .380 is quite cool, too. Same price as the snubbie, I just don't need another .380, I just don't need another .380, I just don't need another .380...

 

[RonBernert]

I got to handle one a couple of days ago also.. I really liked the new cylinder release and agree with you about the laser sight. The grip was a little thin for my liking, but I'm sure that's only $20.00 worth of Hogue to fix.... Great gun!! I know I shouldn't, but I know I'll add one soon....

 

[Phydeaux642]

The grip is thin, but I have short fingers, so, it seemed real comfortable to me.

I stopped in at another shop later today and got to try the trigger. As I expected, it's not as good as the Rugers, but I still like the gun.

 

[David E]

Saw one here for $499 at a shop not known for good prices. The trigger on that one was comparable to the "bad" LCR triggers.

 

[kdstrick]

I probably have more miles on my 442 than any other firearm I own. It goes (almost) everywhere with me, and I'm a huge fan of the model. With that being said, I fondled one at the gun show today, and must respectfully disagree with the execution of the bodyguard j-frame.

The ergo's are all wrong IMO. To activate the laser, you must push the button on the top right upper portion of the grip (imagine it as being on the top of the grip, but higher).

In a short fast CCW revolver, I just can't see anyone having (or taking) the time to activate the laser in the heat of the moment. The very placement of the activation button makes it impractical and unusable in a self defense scenario IMO.

The 442 is a venerable firearm without the gimmick. Smith would have done better to just put a CT grip on the bodyguard.

 

[RonBernert]

I don't see it as a replacement for the J frame at all, just an addition to the product line... I'm with you and your 442. I've been carrying my 442 since 1993, and that one replaced a model 37. I think I'll give S&W a couple of years to clean up the trigger...

 

[harmon rabb]

Is the trigger as atrocious as the 642 trigger? I had a 442 that I had to get rid of due to the trigger. I swear, the pull was 18+ lbs. I don't care how "smooth" a trigger is, when it's that heavy, I can't shoot it worth a damn.

I had a free rental at the range the other day and tried a LCR for the heck of it. The trigger was light years better than my un-dearly departed 442.

 

[Invisible Swordsman]

Check carefully before buying

I had the opportunity to examine and compare four of these the other night. I found some significant variations among all 4, including a couple of major problems.

I had stopped in one of my local shops and the manager, knowing my interest in j frame type guns, called me over to check one out. They had just received 8 of them but hadn't sold one yet. They are priced at $530.00, but this store prices on the high side.

He and I spent a lot of time looking over the display model, noting differences between Smith's standard j-frame and the new model, as well as LCR comparisons. There are some very intriguing design changes.

The display model I first handled seemed OK, and I didn't note any major, obvious problems. As noted above, I don't think the laser is very practical as a defensive aid, since it has to be manually turned on by a button on top of the unit, which cannot be done one handed (at least by me). Once turned on it remains on, either as a steady beam or pulse. It might be useful as a training aid, but I can't see any other role for it. I'd rather Smith offer a version without the laser at a lower price, but that will have to come later.

The trigger was not bad, but it did stack noticeably before final let-off. The manager thought this was a deliberate design element to allow for staging the trigger. As i found out later, this is not the normal trigger feel.

While doing the revolver checkout I noted some cylinder play during lock-up. It wasn't enough to be disqualifying, but I wanted to see if any of the others locked up any better. I asked to see another one from the back room. That's when the fun started.

The second one actually had a little more cylinder play than the first, enough that I would be hesitant to purchase it. The bigger surprise was that the trigger was much better than the first. It was closer to the LCR trigger, and had a nice, smooth pull with no stacking, making it easy to keep the weapon lined up while firing.

This inevitably led to the question "Which trigger is standard?", so we got out a third one. The trigger pull on this was comparable to the trigger pull on the second. However, this gun had 2 major problems. The first was that it had shipped without the laser . The second was that the cylinder would stick closed, and it took some significant effort to release it from the frame. Obviously, that weapon will be going back.

Following this we got out a fourth sample, which was in a different serial number range from the first three. This one had all parts, and the trigger was as good as the previous 2. So we know the trigger on the first one was not right. This fourth weapon showed a tendency for the cylinder to bind up occasionally when trying to close it. Increasing pressure on the side of the cylinder would not force it to close, but turning it slightly up or down allowed it to close readily. I think there must be some variation in the tolerance in the star at one cylinder position, but it wasn't visible to the naked eye.

It's standard wisdom on this and other boards to avoid being a beta tester for new gun models. In light of the variations I found in 4 separate guns, I think that applies even more strongly here. There were features I liked, but I'm definitely going to wait and see how things shake out before I even consider a purchase.

If you decide to take the plunge on one of these, make sure you give it a thorough checkout before it goes out the door.

 

[G27RR]

Wow. Weird deal on comparing those four guns. I bought one a week or so ago and like it. Mine has a good trigger with a lighter pull than most revolvers I've tried. (I'm not a huge revolver guy) The laser is easy to switch on with my right thumb reaching over the top. Those with small hands could have problems.

My laser was way out of alignment, and mine was missing the tool to adjust it so I haven't shot it with the laser yet.

It handles well, but it took some time to get used to the thin grip and also the trigger. I usually shoot 1911s, but once I got used to it groups were pretty decent for me out to 7 yards. I still tend to have them grouping to the left of POA, but I believe that to be my problem working the trigger vs what I am used to shooting.

I'd like to have a j frame to compare it to, but I don't. It has a better pull than my SP101 though.

It is a very light feeling gun, and recoil is not bad at all.

 

[SwampWolf]

Very informative. Thanks for the report, I.Swordsman.

 

[1KPerDay]

These guys did a shooting comparison between 442, 642, bodyguard and LCR fyi... they have other more in-depth reviews also in case you're interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl9k9SU3_dk

 

[amd6547]

As a S&W fan, I am interested in this new revolver. But, having just bought a used, like new Model 38 Bodyguard (dating from '69-'70) for $350, I doubt I will spend the dough to buy one.

 

[Phydeaux642]

The ergo's are all wrong IMO. To activate the laser, you must push the button on the top right upper portion of the grip (imagine it as being on the top of the grip, but higher).

I did mention that I thought the laser was awkward and not nearly as user friendly as the CT on my 642, which is perfectly natural to use (although, I'm still torn on whether or not I really like the laser).

And, I would never by a new design as soon as they are available. If I decide to get one I would probably wait a year to make sure all of the design flaws have been addressed.

Oh, and I would really like one with a big dot front sight like the new LCR. That gun would be a consideration except for the grips. I know you can change grips, but I don't want to buy it and not find grips for it that I like. The stock grips on the Smiths work for me even though I do sometimes switch them out.

 

[Rob1109]

I have a new 642 w/o IL and my has an excellent trigger, although my LCR my be just slightly better. The 642 (mine) is nowhere near even 12#. If it is, Smith is doing a good job masking it. I like BOTH my 642 and LCR (probably) equally.