My second post here, so I will introduce my newest S&W:

The Bodyguard .38spl

So far, from just fondling it and dry-firing it, I like it. I haven't shot it yet, but that will change this weekend. Oh, and I must say that this is my first revolver. So all the differences about this one from previous revolvers don't really apply to me, since I'll be learning on this weapon.

I like the top mounted cylinder release and it just feels natural to me, as an un-seasoned revolver shooter. It is easy to activate with my thumb. I'm anxious to see how the the Insight laser works on the range and to zero it in for defense distances.

I haven't been able to shoot it, yet. But that will change this weekend. I have a 100rd box of WWB .38spl to break her in with.

Welcome to the forum, we'll be interested in your observations after shooting your new gun.

Yeah, shoot wad cutters or something slow for a while. I don't care for lasers but I carry a 638 so we ain't far away. welcome

Jim

Welcome to the forum. A lot of traditionalists have been concerned about that model because of its break with more than a century of revolver design, but actually some of the changes represent a return to 19th century design features that came back in a re-engineered revolver (frame-top opening, clockwise cylinder rotation). I looked at one at a gun store and found its design interesting. I'm not ready to buy one yet, but I am not prejudiced against it.

Please do give us a range report. I'll be interested to hear how you feel about it.

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David Wilson

I have an older bodyguard, a 649 in nickle, I think bodyguards are good looking as well as practical in design.
Good choice. Enjoy!

You'll be quite impressed with it when you hit the range. The ability of the new Bodyguard to soak up recoil is truly amazing. With my other J frames I'll shoot 20/30 rounds and then had enough. With the new BG I've gone over 200 rounds in a range session. This is one comfortable revolver.

I just got one today. I'll try it out tomorrow. It seems very well made to me. Locks up tight, trigger is relatively light but a bit gritty. Slight push on the cylinder release with the thumb does the job with either hand.

As far as deviating from traditional design is concerned, I disagree, it's a revolver using well established components with a modern material combination, an evolution in design. To borrow a phrase from Thomas Hobbes, "...though I reverence those men of ancient time that either have written truth perspicuously, or set us in a better way to find it out ourselves; yet to the antiquity itself I think nothing due. For if we will reverence the age, the present is the oldest..."

Each of us new BG 38 owners will see how they shoot and report to the Forum.

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Bob

I do not know anything about this particular revolver.
Have never fired one like that ever.
I also would like to read your comments and feelings about it.
Not that much older than you on that forum.
Anyway: Welcome.

Well, I sighted mine in using the Winchester White box 130 gr FMJ Range Ammo, pretty tame stuff. The manual's instructions for adjusting the laser sight are incomplete. Updated, final, instructions are posted at the S&W site and seem counter intuitive when you actually follow the procedure, but they get it done.

I sighted mine in at seven yards using a sandbag rest. Once I got on the paper, it was a couple three round strings to get fairly close groups. The trigger is gritty and seems to be smoothing out between dry firing, live firing, all following an initial cleaning and light lubrication.

Unsupported, rapid fire shooting was pretty consistently within the area of the 9-ring of a B-3 target, not target level shooting but certainly acceptable for self defense.

The felt recoil didn't seem to me all that much different from the same ammo in my 642-1. Both revolvers weigh about the same. The laser certainly helped keep me on target better than I could do with the laserless 642-1.

The MSRP for the Bodyguard 38 is $625 with the laser. The 642 with the Crimson Trace laser has an MSRP of $901. Bud's Gunshop offers the two models at $499 (down from $518 yesterday) and $610 respectively, delivered. I paid $525 locally for the Bodyguard 38. The box is one-piece blue & white cardboard—not blue plastic—and comes with a nice, discreet, zippered black nylon case, rectangular in shape with a sewn internal holster and a second sewn pocket for something about the size of an almond joy candy bar.

My first impression is that this is a perfectly servicable, well made, self defense revolver.

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Bob

Thank you sharing with us.

So... where's the lock?

.

The M-649 is stainless, a much better deal than nickle!

And most new revolvers need some use to smooth up the trigger pull. They tend to "wear-in" pretty well.

T-Star

No lock. In the manual on page 27: This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users.

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Bob

Well, that's something positive... I guess.

Thanks.

.

I tried one out that my dealer had as his personal gun along with the Ruger LCR with the lase grip. I found the Ruger a bit better both from the standpoint of shooting (a bit more controllable) and the ease of activating the laser from the front of the grip as opposed to having to 'reach up' to turn on the laser on the Smith. I bought the Ruger. I am a big fan of the snubbie Smiths and have several iterations including an early Nickel Model 40. I just found the Bodyguard not as 'fit for purpose' as the LCR. Dave

First off I'm new to the forum..I'm an old 1911 kind of guy and have been teaching Gun safety for 40 years, and Conceal Carry since it passed in Missouri.. I've shot competition in my younger years and still shoot a variety of arms ..Not just 1911's..LOL

Well to the point...

Purchased S&W Bodyguard 38 and not totally sure I did the right thing yet...Fired 150 rounds

First from a rested postion to check fixed sights...Trigger pull about 9 pounds though it felt lighter...Shooting federal 158 grains standard.@ 7 yards...Horrible results..Dead on vertically..Strung out to the left 12-14inches..FROM A REST?..Had to be me I thought..Took out my Kahr k9 All shots in the ten touching..Ok...Now tried again.. Still to the left by about 7 inches..At this point I tried the laser...Yikes....High and to the right by 16 inches..LOL..Ok I'm going to throw the gun at the target now....

Next..Tried to adjust laser..No movement of shot impact (Still shooting from rest)..Frustrated I took a break and discuss issue with one of the range officers friend..He's shot lasers before ..I haven't.. He suggest I move both elevation and windage minutely at the same time and not just try and correct one issue (eg windage)..That worked..He claims the little lamps often freeze against the opposite adjustment screw..Anyway..It did work..Got one shot atop another from rest dead center @ 7 yards with just the laser..Physical sights looked to be spot on with laser..Laser dot easily seen on light color back ground, .Standard Black B-27 target..Forget it..At least when the lights are on.

So again I tried to shoot with just the fixed sites..Now I just bit closer, in the 9 ring but still to the left (stringing left).. Never had this issue with Ruger LCR or Colt detective and even the LCP which loves to jump around in the my hand LOL But shoots dead on..I own the Detective.

Getting tired at this point..Senior Range training office (also friend) Steps on the range and teases me about grouping as he's seen me shoot often at much great distances with my 1911, etc offhand..

I asked him to try it..Low a behold..LOL..He is also shooting to the left in the 9 ring..He's scratching his head..Another range office ( Really young, Good eyes) also trys..He's also in about the same point of impact..WE each try lighter Remington 130 grain..No change..I did not even think to ask them to try the laser.. Duh! Both said the grip acted like it twists upon firing, but that doesn't explain why I can shoot it with the laser...

I have to be doing something totally odd with the trigger geometry...while focusing on the front sight..I know each firearm has a personality..But I've never shot that far left using fixed sights in my life at 7 yards...And from a rest!.

Going to do a alot more dry firing with it between now and next weeks range visit..

First groupings were strung out horizontally..Settle down to roughtly 2-3 inch groupings normal..It's not a target gun obviously.. Got much smaller groups with laser.. In the 2 inch range, several atop each other.?...I need to drink more I think...LOL

I bought it to just drop in the pocket and be able to shoot in the pocket if needed..But... I guess I can just rely on the laser...No I can't!..I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong....Or the blooming thing is going back to Smith & Wesson..

Any thoughts out there?...

We will endeavor to persevered

Be Safe

"If you tell the truth..You don't have to remember anything!"

Problem with the sight. Wouldn't turn off until timed out, wouldn't turn on. Removed the sight assembly from the revolver. Batteries OK. There's a foil-like but thicker contact plate between the sight and the frame that completes the circuit when the sight is activated. Slight pressure on the contact plate before remounting the sight activated the laser. Release of pressure activated the pulse mode, second release shut the laser off. So I suspected the switch under the activation button might be the problem. Remounted the sight. Activation button was canted, slight pressure to align it and the whole button popped out. The flange at the bottom of the button is bigger than the hole it came out of and there was no visible way to disassemble the sight further even if I were willing to try and I wasn't.

Drove to Insight Techologies in Londonderry NH, a 45 min drive, on the off chance I could get instant service. No such luck.

Two huge, modern multi-storey buildings. Very nice staff, helpful customer service rep apologized for not being able to provide instant service. Gave me phone & email for contact about the sight at Smith & Wesson. I went back to my fave gun store where I made the purchase and they're taking care of it from there.

NOTE: a minor inconvenience but the Insight Appendix in the manual instructs the removal of the sight before cleaning the gun.

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Bob

Yup, follow the procedure for sighting in on the S&W site: Updated, final, instructions. They work.

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Bob

I plan on picking up a new Bodyguard next week but the aim problem with the gun sights that Shootist2121 described makes me nervous. Anyone else have a problem with the gun sights?
I am sure I can adjust the laser but who knows in a defensive situation if there will be time to turn it on. This will be my carry gun.

The button is within easy reach of at least one thumb in a two handed grip. No worse than snicking the safety on a 1911. I haven't practiced with it but the ergonomics seem suitable. I'll mess with the procedure when I get mine back.

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Bob

Purchased the Bodyguard .38 about 6 months ago and have been hitting the range about once a week (about 500 rounds so far). At first everything to the right about 6" at 7 yards. Over time grouping got better (adjusted my finger on the trigger so that it was on the crease/joint instead of the pad). Lately have been grouping nicely and have gotten used to staging). Great little gun with no problems. I have to re-adjust the laser about every 2 trips to the range but that I hear is normal. Perfect gun for pocket carry (I have it on me all the time at home). Recently got my ccdw license and plan on this being my summertime carry and winter BUG.

Ok, took the Bodyguard out to the range on Saturday morning. I didn't have a lot of time, due to some afternoon family time.

Anyway, I put 50rds of WWB 130gr FMJ through the gun without a flaw. Of course there was noticeably more recoil to me, being a semi-auto guy up to this point. But, it was not anything a good grip couldn't handle.

I zeroed the laser on the WWB first and after that I loaded up a full cylinder of Speer short barrel 135gr JHP +P. Then re-zeroed for the carry load. POA=POI for me out to 10yds.

I left the range feeling confident about the gun and the laser, with my carry load of choice. Of course, I will be putting in more time with the gun, ASAP. I will update the thread accordingly.

So far, I'm pleased with the Bodyguard and have nothing but nice things to say about it.

Just a couple shots of the little "dayplanner" style case that comes with the BG38:

*For reference, the knife in the shot is a Gerber Paraframe

I have a question about the fabric cased that comes with the BG38. I understand the sewn holster but what is the sewn, open ended sleve designed to accomodate? Any guesses?

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Bob

It fits a nice folder knife 3-4" blade very well

Hi 5Wire,
I have the BG380 that has the same case.I understand the sown sleeve is provided for an extra magazine.
S&W uses the same case for both.

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JR

Thanks, Ranger98. That makes sense.

The sleeve in the revolver package isn't wide enough to hold speedloaders, speed strips, or even the cable lock that comes with the gun. Something like a folding knife might fit but then it wouldn't be in my pocket. Same with the gun, actually.

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Bob

S&W returned my BG38 within 10 days. New sight was set to point of impact. Old sight was returned in the same box.

I'm still getting used to the trigger. Lots of dry firing. I've put maybe 65 rounds through the gun total. Once the laser was set, I've gotten several three-of-five-shot groups within about an inch of each other at 7 yards unsupported Weaver. Flyers out to about six inches. I'm attributing them to the jerk behind the trigger.

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Bob

Hi first post here and first S&W. I bought a bodyguard .38 to replace my glock 27 for home defense and occasional carry. I have owned many auto's in just about every caliber but this is my first revolver. I was very surprised at how accurate it was out of the box. The laser sights on my were spot on. I was able to do 3 inch groupings at 15 ft. I thought that was pretty good for a DA with a 2" barrel. A lot more accurate than the glock 27. Anyway I had no problems and like the pistol a lot. I will be going back to the range this weekend.

Welcome to a great forum! Nice shooting, too!

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Bob