New S&W for 2010

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I'll tell ya, despite the fact that is not much to look at (hey, neither am I), if it turns out to be both a)lockless, and b)reliable, I can see getting one.

While I'm not a huge fan of lasers, they are a great addition to a J-frame (or whatever S&W is calling this frankenframe Bodyguard) and the addition of a pinned front sight means it can be replaced with a more useful one. The only think that I really don't like is the strange location of the cylinder latch. I suppose its something to get used to, but since I can't really see trying to speed reload any J-frame it might be a moot point anyway.

Its interesting, that is for sure. The other Bodyguard offering, a .380 ACP, generates nothing but a yawn from me. I could care less about the .380, but for those who like it, it looks like a neat little design.
 
So my question is... can anyone verify that it uses a standard J-Frame grip?

Because I think this may be the first viable revolver+laser+Barami Hip-Grip option I've found.

Everything else puts the laser in a grip, and since Crimson Trace has consistently said they wouldn't make a hip-grip version...
 
J-frame 5-shot.
They aren't as small as folks would want you to believe.

I'll stick with my G26 12-shot.

With what they'll probably try to charge for that laser gimmick addition, the Glock is probably the less-expensive.
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To each his own. I don't have a single pair of pants in which a Glock 26 fits comfortably in the pockets. Conversely, I don't have a single pair of pants in which an Airweight doesn't fit comfortably in the pockets. While the sizes may be similar, the shapes are not, so IME the J-frame is a much better pocket gun. That, and the 10 ounce lighter loaded weight.

On the other hand, I'm sure the new laser equiped S&W will cost more than a Glock 26.
 
An Airweight set up for pocket carry is a tad smaller and a good deal lighter than a steel J-frame with that nasty Pachmayr on it, too.

Ambidextrous cylinder release, though? Looks more like a cylinder release that can get hung up on things. I've always liked the regular S&W release design, myself.
 
I'll tell ya, despite the fact that is not much to look at (hey, neither am I), if it turns out to be both a)lockless, and b)reliable, I can see getting one.
Click to expand...

Uh, can we not see the lock in the picture?

I dont know how I feel about it. Its kinda.. whatever. Probably wont be cheap.
 
W.E.G. said:
J-frame 5-shot.
They aren't as small as folks would want you to believe.

I'll stick with my G26 12-shot.

With what they'll probably try to charge for that laser gimmick addition, the Glock is probably the less-expensive.
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Landric said:
To each his own. I don't have a single pair of pants in which a Glock 26 fits comfortably in the pockets. Conversely, I don't have a single pair of pants in which an Airweight doesn't fit comfortably in the pockets. While the sizes may be similar, the shapes are not, so IME the J-frame is a much better pocket gun. That, and the 10 ounce lighter loaded weight.
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Yep, though they are similar in size on paper, the J Frame's only large spot is the cylinder. Plus, the J Frames (shrouded and enclosed hammer varieties) have a nice, rounded backstrap wheras the G26 has a big chunk of slide in the same location. The rest of the J Frame is very slender, depending on the stocks you put on it. Take 100 people and hand each a J Frame and a G26 (and the same brand pocket holster for each) and tell them to put it in their pocket. I'd bet my house the vast majority would say the J Frame feels smaller in their pocket, despite the similar overall dimensions.

A brick and a large bananna have about the same external deminsions (if significantly different weights), but I guarantee most would find the bananna easier to carry in their pocket as far as shape is concerned.

But as Landric pointed out, to each their own. If you can manage a "Block" 26 ;) in your pocket, go for it!

---

Back to the OP. As a right handed shooter, the cylinder release alone would be a deal breaker. I practice speed reloads based on the S&W/Taurus and Ruger cylinder release setups. I don't own a Colt, if I did, I likely wouldn't use it for SD because the reverse operation of the cylinder release would likely trip me up in the heat of the moment (though I could probably learn).

For a southpaw, maybe, but I've heard southpaws state that the existing location of the cylinder release actually works quite well for them. An answer to a question no one asked perhaps?

Oh, and it is butt freakin' ugly, but you know what they say about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder. At least the ugliness of the "zit" is somewhat lost in the ugliness of the rest of the gun. :D

Landric didn't see it afterall :neener: .
 
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Uh, can we not see the lock in the picture?

I dont know how I feel about it. Its kinda.. whatever. Probably wont be cheap.
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I can see what appears to be an allen bolt slightly above where the lock would be on most new S&W revolvers. However, there is another bolt that looks exactly the same above the trigger where the front side plate screw is on traditional S&W revolvers, so I'm not convinced that the bolt on the left side is a lock. In fact, I think that it is not. I think its a bolt holding the polymer part of the frame to the metal part. One will note that a number of new S&W revolvers with concealed hammers are now available without the lock. At first glance this appears to be another of the lockless variety. On the other hand, the gun could now have two locks, one on each side. One can never tell with S&W. :)

NEWSW1.gif

Back to the OP. As a right handed shooter, the cylinder release alone would be a deal breaker. I practice speed reloads based on the S&W/Taurus and Ruger cylinder release setups. I don't own a Colt, if I did, I likely wouldn't use it for SD because the reverse operation of the cylinder release would likely trip me up in the heat of the moment (though I could probably learn).

For a southpaw, maybe, but I've heard southpaws state that the existing location of the cylinder release actually works quite well for them. An answer to a question no one asked perhaps?
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I can't say I practice a speed reload at all with J-frames, other than the "draw another J-frame" reload. I probably should, but I have never been able to load a J-frame with anything like speed, when compared to reloading a larger K, L, or N frame. I carry two revolvers and hope not to have to reload either of them. I do carry spare ammo just to make myself feel better though. So, while I think changing the location of the cylinder latch is silly, it probably won't effect me if I decide to buy one of these (and I will seriously consider it).

Oh, and it is butt freakin' ugly, but you know what they say about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder. At least the ugliness of the "zit" is somewhat lost in the ugliness of the rest of the gun.

Landric didn't see it afterall .
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I didn't miss it, I just don't think its "the" zit. See above.
 
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Well, hey, the thinking at S&W might be that one lock could malfunction and fail to lock the gun, so it never hurts to have a second that can also lock the gun. Its doubly safe, right? :)
 
I think "Bodyguard" is the name for a new line of guns, kind of like they are using M&P for the other new line. The 638 is no longer the "Bodyguard" according to S&W, just like the K-frame isn't the "M&P" anymore. Their new .380 ACP is also called "Bodyguard".

I know it doesn't really make sense, but that does seem to be what they are doing.

ETA: And now there is this Taurus POS. At least they are so proud of their internal lock that there is no doubt it has one.

http://www.taurususa.com/2010newcatalog/?catalog_page=11
 
jbewley said:
So my question is... can anyone verify that it uses a standard J-Frame grip?

Because I think this may be the first viable revolver+laser+Barami Hip-Grip option I've found.

Everything else puts the laser in a grip, and since Crimson Trace has consistently said they wouldn't make a hip-grip version...
Click to expand...
It has what looks like an allen screw towards the lower end of the grips so I suspect this is a new design.
 
I agree that it looks like the grip is held on with a roll pin or allen screw, but that doesn't necessarily mean that older J-frame grips won't fit on it also. I guess it just remains to be seen. It looks like standard RB J-frame shape, but who can really tell from the picture.

A poster on the S&W forum pointed out that from the picture it appears that the cylinder rotates clockwise also. What is with that?
 
Well, hey, the thinking at S&W might be that one lock could malfunction and fail to lock the gun, so it never hurts to have a second that can also lock the gun. Its doubly safe, right?
Click to expand...

anyone remember the days when S&W made guns?
 
Landric said:
I agree that it looks like the grip is held on with a roll pin or allen screw, but that doesn't necessarily mean that older J-frame grips won't fit on it also. I guess it just remains to be seen. It looks like standard RB J-frame shape, but who can really tell from the picture.

A poster on the S&W forum pointed out that from the picture it appears that the cylinder rotates clockwise also. What is with that?
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Judging from the cylinder lock cuts this is correct; the cylinder does rotate clockwise.

I think Hell just froze over...
 
Judging from the cylinder lock cuts this is correct; the cylinder does rotate clockwise
Click to expand...

The way God intended

I remember S&W making guns.... but why make guns when you can make complex and unnecessary locking mechanisms?
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selling locking mechanisms carries less liability than selling firearms. A good business decision
 
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