I was just wondering how many carry the older Bodyguard Model 38? It's inceasingly difficult to find one on the previously owned market, and the ones out there are commanding a high asking price.

Mine is a flat latch made in th early '60's. I picked it up used in the early '70's as an off-duty/back-up piece. Back in the day the Vice guys carried them and we thought that was pretty cool.

One word of caution. After shooting/practicing with about 50 rounds check the cylinder latch screw as well as all the side plate screws. They have a tendency to work lose, about a quarter turn.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I just started carrying one myself, one that had spent 25 yr's
riding around in a Michigan State Police Trooper's pocket.

I took the Pachmayr Grips that it used to wear off
and replaced them with Herrett coco bolo grips.

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Ogy

I bought this one in the early 90s. I carry it often.

I actually think these are some of the best looking J's to come out of S&W. I'd post a pic of mine but will need to wait until one of the grandkids comes by.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I carry mine all the time and love it. A fine example of a J frame.

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I'm with the banned ...

Had a 638, not the same gun I know, but I have arthritis in my hand and could never keep the gun from recoiling up and had to re set my grip for the second shot. Sold it and got the 642 and that move seem to have helped the situation. Miss the 638, loved that gun.
Frank.

My Model 38 is my pocket/backup gun. When I'm in shorts and a t-shirt in the summer, it's my primary. Has a great deal of holster wear - it isn't pretty any more. Have a set of Pachy's on it. Makes it a little fatter, but much easier on the hand when shot.

I carry my 638 in a front pocket more than anything else.

I purchased this one new and fired 12 rounds through it. Just sits in the
safe now.

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Yep - Model 38 no dash along with a Model 60-7. The Model 38 has #405 CT Lasergrips (the one with the air pocket on the backstrap), while the Model 60 is equipped with #105 CT Lasergrips.

Regards,

Dave

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Sorta.....a 638-3 and a 49 no dash, Love'em both.
C6

I've got the all-steel 49 in mint condition and it's a real tack driver. I love old Smiths. I wish they still made them that way.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Old cop,I carried an all steel Bodyguard as my BUG for duty for years,and used it for off duty too.I agree it's one of the best J's ever made.

Ogy,that's a really sharp piece you have there.These little wheelies are timeless.I need to find me another one.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I've been carrying this model 38 for over 15 years in a pocket holster. I always make sure to blow the lint out of the hammer "well" every so often, and manage to shoot a couple hundred lead swc reloads every year. Classic "always" gun.

I bought one around 1972. I went on the job in 1976. I have carried it either on or off duty, sometimes both, as a No 2, nearly daily, since I bought it...

I have shot a fair amount of small game and snakes with it as well.

Now that I am retired, I still, never leave the house without it.

It is always a No2...

Hmmmm. Seems a shame...

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I carried a '70 M38 for 30+ years.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

I don't have one on my now but, when I went downtown this afternoon,
my ex-MI State police M38 was on my person.

I've been carrying it a lot lately due to it's weight advantage over my pair of M649s.

Wife carries the 638 does that count. Great gun

I've got a 70's m49 LNIB. It's a safe queen...I've got a lot of other, less vulnerable, snubby options...but I love it.

My model 49 goes with me every time I leave the house. It's a bit heavier than an Airweight but since I like to shoot my guns, I don't mind. Mine was made in 1982.

One more 'Real' Bodyguard carrier. M49 in old scuffed leather holster, rt front pocket. A Speed-Strip rides in the opposite pocket.
Whoever says these little blasters are only accurate at 'bad breath' range has obviously never practiced with one--or can't shoot in the first place!

Sold my 49 years back. Dumb move.

But last year tried the 638 and have been extremely happy with. It's first out
the door with me every day...

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Take your time..quickly.

I so want a 38 or a 49. I've have been looking!!! The last time I saw a 49 in a pawn shop they wanted $600 for it. A little high for my budget. Can not beat the old school stuff for function and reliability.

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Centennial Every Day

Carried one for years before "shall carry" allowed me to get my CCW. Now I carry a 242 which, come to think of it, is like an over grown Model 38.

Now I'm in trouble. At the gun show last weekend, I found a new 638 for $355.00. I may be visiting the gun store pretty soon.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Not a Model 38, but I carried this 649 today:

Close enough.

Too bad it cracked . . .

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Now go make God proud...

I had one for about a year, and to be honest, I could not wait to get rid of it.

First, the shroud would constantly collect lint and required frequent cleaning.

But more important, the temptation to use the weapon in single action was always there. And de-cocking that weapon is clearly more dangerous than almost any other revolver. Especially in a self defense situation where the stress levels are high.

I traded it in for a fully shrouded bodyguard. I think these were called "Centennials" and not "Bodyguards" at that time.

The modern guns with totally enclosed hammers ('hammerless'), the 442, 642, etc have been christened 'Centennials' by S&W, in recognition of the predecessor you mentioned.

Lint in the hammer channel has not been an issue when I shoot; the hammer wipes it out. Because I practice DA, I honestly forget about the SA ability!

I carried a Centennial for a while, and traded it for my Bodyguard. No doubt you have noticed this, but the trigger stages nicely as the hammer comes back to full-cock. With practice, this can be used like SA for longer shots, if you wish.

I used to stage shots. It certainly works. But it is slower even then hand cocking the hammer and shooting. So slow that I think to even practice it is an error. I've given up on staged shots, concentrating on a steady pull through for accuracy.

My m49-2. This little gun has been with me a long time.

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do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God

Here's my contribution; carried in the front pocket from time to time...

My No-Dash Model 38 was my first revolver. It's my summer EDC and BUG in the cooler months. Great gun and light as a feather.



The only complaint I have is the black front sight. Have any of you guys painted your front sight?

Drop-dead gorgeous!

The only time I try SA or 'staged' shots is for long ones, and that's just for fun.
As soon as a local range gets its 100yd steel plates back up, I'm going to give it a whirl!

Re: the black front sight I use a dollop of white appliance touch-up paint. It really makes the front sight "pop" when looking for flash sight picture.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

You'll never see it in the real world....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I like your style.

Yep, this shooting thing has to have some fun, along with the serious training.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but what non+P SD ammo do you guys like in your Model 38s?

Here are a few to start out with. See which one your gun likes and you shoot best...

Hornady 110gr Critical Defense
Remington 110gr SJHP
Winchester 110gr Silvertip
Federal Gold Match 148gr wadcutter
Speer 125gr Gold Dot

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Centennial Every Day

with 9" paper plates at 100 yards; one of my co-workers would regularly shoot at 100 yard paper plates with his snubbie; he was like a bench rest; 6 for 6 hits. I shot a 10 round magazine of .45 acp out of my ParaOrd Warthog (sub-compact 1911) and hit the plate 5 times out of 10. Once you figure out the range and the flight of the bullet it gets easier!

A few years back, I regularly dinged the 100yd plates with my 5.5" Buckmark.

When my Father-in-law walked my wife down the isle 34 years ago, he had an original Bodyguard in his cumberbun. I carry a Mod 49 no dash every day. Speer Short Barrel 135 grain have knocked racoons out of the tree twice now(2 for 2). I also bought a new airweight last summer, it has the worst trigger(and only lock) I own.

I carry my 49 every day, usually as the second gun, but none the less - it's always with me. Hands down the best trigger on any revolver I've handled.