S&W Bodyguard 38 owners

[Patriotme]

What are you opinions on this handgun? Worth the money or do you have buyers remorse?
I'm not familiar with this model but I've got several other revolvers and am looking at something for CCW. I've been leaning towards a LCR but a local shop has Bodyguard 38's on sale for $440? Good price?
Does this take the same speedloaders as other J frames? Is it compatible with most holsters made for J frames.
Is this a good gun or just a mediocre handgun with a cool name?

 

[PcolaDawg]

I almost jumped in to answer your question, when I realized you were talking about the 38 and not the 380. Oops.

Anyway, I'm curious about the Bodyguard 38 as well. I've got a 642 J Frame with a CT grip that I am in love with, and I'm wondering if the Bodyguard is an upgrade of that gun, the same gun with a few minor tweaks, or something else.

So I'll hang up and listen.

 

[earlthegoat2]

It will take the same grips, speedloaders, holsters (unless there is a thumb break) and most parts other J frames will take. They are as good of a gun as any other J frame. If you prefer the shrouded hammer then it is your only option anymore. I have one from the late sixties and after some work I put into it, it is one of my favorites.

 

[mongo4567]

I have the original steel M49 and the later airweight M638. They are great guns. If I were buying brand new, I would probably give the nod to the LCR...they have a better trigger and no lock. I would try and find a pre-lock 638 myself though.

Buds has a new 638 for $361 shipped if you have an FFL to do the transfer at a reasonable price.

 

[halfmoonclip]

For defense, I prefer a shrouded-hammer Centennial for two reasons:
-You can choke higher on the frame, reducing the distance below the bore and hence felt recoil
-You cannot thumb the hammer in a moment of stress, increasing the chance of a fumble and an ND

I shoot a J-gun about as well double action as single, so there is no need for the single action option. The hammer enclosing frame of the Bodyguard does facilitate drawing without snagging anything, a characteristic it shares with the fully covered Centennial.
IMHO, the lock is a non-issue, and once in awhile it actually comes in handy; don't hesitate to get a gun that has one. Again, MHO, but the lock issue is more of the 'older guns were better' cachet that was attached to pinned and recessed guns years ago.
Moon

 

[surjimmy]

I have the older S&W Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard, Love it. Drop it in my front pocket and head to town with no worries.

 

[Gato Montés]

I'm pretty sure the OP is referring to the polymer framed, laser integrated Bodyguard 38, not the classical shrouded hammer style J frame.

As for that particular model, I've never shot one but played with one for a while at my gun shop. The laser is neat, but I prefer a passive activation ah la Crimson Trace to one that I have to manually activate. I also don't care to much for the ambidextrous cylinder release, seems like one could accidentally dislodge the cylinder, especially while pocket carrying. I did like the stock grips though.

Does it have to be a polymer snubbie? If not, S&W rolled back prices on their Airweights with usual street prices anywhere from $350-$400.

 

[Patriotme]

I'm pretty sure the OP is referring to the polymer framed, laser integrated Bodyguard 38, not the classical shrouded hammer style J frame.

As for that particular model, I've never shot one but played with one for a while at my gun shop. The laser is neat, but I prefer a passive activation ah la Crimson Trace to one that I have to manually activate. I also don't care to much for the ambidextrous cylinder release, seems like one could accidentally dislodge the cylinder, especially while pocket carrying. I did like the stock grips though.

Does it have to be a polymer snubbie? If not, S&W rolled back prices on their Airweights with usual street prices anywhere from $350-$400.

Yep, that's the one that I was talking about.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Oh dear, I'm having a hard time warming up to the part polymer ones, tho' I'm sure that is much of the future of gunmaking.
Do have a look at the traditional Airweights.
Moon

 

[earlthegoat2]

Since I partially feel like an idiot for not understanding what you were referring too, I will just tell you to forget about that new poly Bodyguard 38 and go for a vintage Model 38.

 

[savit260]

Since I partially feel like an idiot for not understanding what you were referring too, I will just tell you to forget about that new poly Bodyguard 38 and go for a vintage Model 38.

I wouldn't feel to bad about the confusion. It wasn't the smartest thing S&W ever did, to name the new poly .38 the same name already given to a gun in their line up with the same basic size and caliber.

 

[Hutch]

I have 3 j frame .38s and a 9mm. If I ever buy another pocket revolver, it will be a new Bodyguard. A buddy let me shoot his, and while it didn't feel as good in the hand as did the LCR I was also testing, it shot incredibly well in slow, aimed fire. 5 shots to poa in one not-even-very-ragged hole at ~5 yds. I wish they'd 86 the laser and make it $50 cheaper.

Reckon why the cylinder spins the wrong way?

 

[Paladin38-40]

El Cheapo

The new Bodyguard 38 is a K-Mart blue light special with S&W logo. It looks and handles like a "green" gun - made from recycled toothbrush handles and sardine cans. The laser is not naturally activated like Crimson trace, instead requiring the shooter to turn on the switch.

This guns entry is a marketing strategy aimed at cutting into the bargain basement sales of Rossi et al. S&W should be ashamed.

If you are looking for a good lightweight pocket revolver look at S&W's Airweight Centennial and Airweight old model 38 humpback Bodyguard. They will cost more but you get what you pay for.

 

[Ala Dan]

I reserve an opinion on the new .38 Special S&W "Bodyguard". First off, I'm
very surprised that Smith & Wesson took the name "Bodyguard" for this model.
As you probably know, this name was previously used on the original Body-
Guards, from days gone by. I don't own an example of either one; but if I did,
well it would be one of the original's~!

The laser sight on the new models would take some gett'in use too~!

 

[Remllez]

I own a very nice nickel model 49,I put some Uncle Mikes boot grips on it and it fits like they measured my hand before they made the gun! It shoots very well out to as far as I can see with my aged eyes. I carry it both inside the waistband and on the belt with a speed strip in my pocket and feel good about it as my primary carry.

The single action well aimed first shot is a bonus for me....I practice double action shooting and at 7 yards quick fire I hold a 6 inch group. The trigger has become silky smooth in double action. The single action drop has always been great.I bought mine a while back and never looked back!


Enjoy Your Gun Son!!

 

[Dagnabitblah]

My father-in-law got one for my wife thinking it was the one she wanted. It wasn't. What she really wanted was the LCR (she shot both trying to decide) because the laser is easier to activate. The BG has a button on top that even when she is not rushing is hit or miss on activating it. I can't imagine her in an emergency reliably pushing that button, obtaining a good grip, and finally getting a shot off.

It hurts to shoot too. Yes, I know, it is not supposed to be a range gun and it is not treated as such. The last time we went to the range she put 20 rounds through it and had to put it down. Her dad did 5 and was done, I did 5 and went back to my daily carry. We even let the Range Master have a go and he put it down after 3 saying "that really isn't fun at all to shoot".

 

[wep45]

the one.............the only ................S&W bodyguard..................

 

[Photoman]

A plastic Centennial styled five shot and they named it a Bodyguard. Ugh!

 

[Patriotme]

I checked out the Bodyguard at a local gun store. I didn't like the grips, the laser location or the cylinder release location. The trigger was pretty good and it was priced decently for a revolver with a built in laser. It wasn't for me.
I compared it to a Taurus Model 85 and a few other guns. The Taurus was much heavier as it was steel framed, the trigger really seemed bad compared to the Bodyguard and the price was $130 less. I liked the grips better than that on the S&W. I've heard about Taurus's quality but have not had any issues with my Taurus handguns (granted they are several years old). I could see buying the Taurus if I was on a budget but I don't think I would carry the steel J frame unless I was closing up a store at night, making bank deposits, working in a high crime area, etc. The local store didn't have any lighter Model 85's when I was looking. They really were lukewarm about the brand in general though. Of course this was the least expensive revolver of all that I looked at.
I next compared the Bodyguard to a S&W Airweight. I've got one already but it's more of my wife's gun. I liked the weight but the Bodyguard seemed a bit lighter. The trigger on the Bodyguard was much better but I preferred the grips on the Airweight. I'm still pretty happy with the Airweight that I bought over 15 years ago. I sent it off to Magnaport long long ago and put larger grips on it (Hogue). The grips kind of defeat the purpose of having such a small gun but as I said earlier, it's my wife's. She wasn't shooting it with the boot grips and when she did the targets seemed stay remarkably free of holes. She does a little better with it with the larger grips and can still fit the gun in a coat pocket.
I checked out both the Ruger LCR's with and without the laser. I don't care much about lasers but if the price was right I'd pay a few bucks extra for one. The Bodyguard really offers a decent price for their laser mounted handgun. Unfortunately the laser is in an awkward place. I liked the grips better on the regular LCR and the price was definately better. the fit and finish seemed pretty good on the Ruger and I really liked the trigger. I've been looking at LCR's for a few months and I've always been suprised at how good the triggers are. I paid $400 for the Ruger and hope to get some shooting in over this weekend. I will say that the HKS 36A speedloaders will work with the LCR but they don't seem to work all that well. I ordered a speedloader from 5star so I'll check that out before ordering anymore.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Get a real body guard. Not that new fake.