S&W should be ashamed.

Win75 · #1 01-03-2011, 08:56 PM

I saw my first in the flesh S&W Bodyguard 38 today. To say the least, I was horrified at the trigger pull on this little handgun. It felt like I was rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together at the start of the pull, then there was a space where I felt no resistance at all, and then a harder pull with the trigger breaking...finally.

I would never have believed that S&W would put out a trigger like this.

I still love S&W handguns but unless I find one that is better, I won't buy a Bodyguard.

seagill · #2 01-03-2011, 09:16 PM

Hate to say it, but you may be better off with a Ruger LCR.

Farmer17 · #3 01-03-2011, 09:33 PM

What do you expect from a 200 dollar .38 snubnose? Oh...I forgot...it costs a bit more than 200 dollars.

dallascj · #4 01-03-2011, 11:41 PM

I've got one and I like it a lot. The trigger pull on mine is comparable to my 638. Maybe the sample you tried was bad. I also have an LCR, and I like this one, too.

Nanook 450 · #5 01-03-2011, 11:50 PM

try some oil and work it a bit.

chief38 · #6 01-04-2011, 04:08 PM

Any manufacturer will occasionally have a bad piece slip through. I have a Colt SAA that when I first bought it would not fire more than two rounds! When I called Colt (this was in the early 80's) they told me to send it back for repair which I did...............got it back two weeks later, still did not work! Then I got really mad and drove it up there personally ( only a few hours from my home ) and they then took me seriously, because they not only fixed it, but they changed the barrel and cylinder as well.

I have has a few Smith's that out of the box were out of time, and had a model 36 (NIB) come with a broken hammer stud. I am not defending them or saying it is the right way to run a Company, but unfortunately it seems to be the way things are.

The good thing is that they will fix it if you send it back.

chief38

Hmebuildr · #7 01-04-2011, 06:15 PM

I wanted to like this gun BUT mine is going back to S&W it has issues. The number one reason I got it was for Personal Protection. I wanted a small light 5 shot wheel gun to replace the Glock I carry. This gun suited my purpose but after shooting it and having the cylinder not rotate 3 different time I would not trust my life or my family's life on it.

jimmyj · #8 01-04-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hmebuildr

I wanted to like this gun BUT mine is going back to S&W it has issues. The number one reason I got it was for Personal Protection. I wanted a small light 5 shot wheel gun to replace the Glock I carry. This gun suited my purpose but after shooting it and having the cylinder not rotate 3 different time I would not trust my life or my family's life on it.

For dependability, keep the Glock!

AKsRule · #9 01-04-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Win75

I saw my first in the flesh S&W Bodyguard 38 today. To say the least, I was horrified at the trigger pull on this little handgun. It felt like I was rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together at the start of the pull, then there was a space where I felt no resistance at all, and then a harder pull with the trigger breaking...finally.I would never have believed that S&W would put out a trigger like this.
I still love S&W handguns but unless I find one that is better, I won't buy a Bodyguard.

Why the surprise?

It's a cheap plastic revolver designed for mass production
and meant to be bought by people who only own one gun
and will probably never fire it again after 10 shots.

aquagear · #10 01-04-2011, 10:29 PM

Welcome to modern day manufacturing, this is one reason I will pay good money for an older Smith & Wesson, but won't touch the new stuff. It is a shame, and not just S&W. I had trouble with a Ruger that I bought last year. The new way of thinking is quantity, not quality. Put it up for sale and deal with the problems later. I may sound jaded, but I speak from experience.

Gamecock · #11 01-04-2011, 11:36 PM

I have a problem with the cylinder latch . . . uh . . . ambidextrous
cylinder release. I've handled three different guns, and I had trouble
operating all three. An ambi release is a good idea, but not if it's
sticky and hard to operate.

Joe

Cruiser RN · #12 01-05-2011, 12:09 AM

I think this is the way of "Modern" manufacturing.When my Model 640's frame cracked using factory ammo S+W sent me a new replacement.I took it to the range and the trigger pull felt like grinding sandpaper.When we popped the sideplate off the mechanism was full of metal shavings.In earlier days this would have never left the factory.When production increases quality control does suffer....Mike

hastings · #13 01-05-2011, 12:14 AM

It's really sad how only quality, but expectation and mentality too, have all headed downhill. I went to a local appliance and large-item store this weekend looking for a treadmill (my stomach has jumped on the quantity over quality bandwagon, too). I was told I should also buy the extended warranty and service plan (for something like $75 to $100 more). I asked if their products were so poorly made that they required extensive repair immediately, or broke down often. The salesman said "Of course not, they are reliable and sturdy". I then asked him why he was attempting to sell me an unnecessary service plan if the products were reliable and sturdy. While he attempted to sort thru the these difficult questions, I decided to go look for some snowshoes, instead. Smaller investment, and less to go wrong.

It seems to me that the polymer revolvers are an answer to a nonexistent problem. How a airweight J-frame snubnose revolver can be to heavy is beyond me. Between cell-phones, ipods, seventy-five credit cards, and automobile key-fobs bigger than a well-fed snapping turtle, you'd think the general public has become used to carrying more baggage than a pack mule. Still, a device intended to potentially save your life is unacceptable unless it weighs less than a chapstick dispenser. Recoil absorbtion is irrelevant since these guns will seldom be shot. This means lots of people packing guns they never practice with. Sounds like a winning recipe to me.

I know a lot of S&W fans will buy these, and practice with them. But that's not who they are marketed to and intended for. It's hard enough getting a die-hard S&W owner to buy a new gun with the lock and mim parts, let alone a polymer framed revolver, so they must be aimed at first-time gun owners.

I really don't get it. With models like the 49, 638, 640, 60, ...etc, why go for a polymer framed revolver that seems so unrefined and coarse? They seem like a novelty rather than an improvement or advancement.

Please don't take offense if you own one of these and like it. I know variety is the spice of life, and my opinions are often ill-advised and un-informed. I just can not see what, other than weight savings, is gained by going with these guns. And since beyond a certain point weight reduction is a bad thing, I find myself scratching my balding, pointy head in confusion.

Maybe

seagill · #14 01-05-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

I really don't get it. With models like the 49, 638, 640, 60, ...etc, why go for a polymer framed revolver that seems so unrefined and coarse? They seem like a novelty rather than an improvement or advancement.

I couldn't agree more! The ambidextrous latch seems like a waste also, and I'm left handed. If the cylinder doesn't swing out the right side, this does me no good.

dallascj · #15 01-05-2011, 01:01 AM

I'm not trying to sell anyone on this, but there were 2 features that I really liked about this gun. First, the rubber grip mimics the old wood grips and I could get a 3-finger hold, and second, it has an integral laser that is positioned above the cylinder, and alongside the fixed sights. I'm not really a laser fan, but thought this might be a good feature to have if needed at night with my aging eyes. BTW, the fit and finish of mine is comparable to my other S&W's.

MT · #16 01-05-2011, 02:29 PM

I looked at the Bodyguard a few days ago and was underwhelmed to say the least. It's the worst Smith trigger I've ever witnessed being gritty, mushy and I would estimate on the order of 15# heavy. The laser makes no sense to me in that it has no intermittent function. One push is constant on; 2nd push is strobe; 3rd push is off all of which is activated with a button next to the top strap. I like the alignment of the laser but would never use a laser in a SD scenario in constant-on or strobe that activates from the top strap. IMO, it encourages bad tactics and I felt the whole package was sort of "gimmicky".

I did compare it side by side to the R-LCP and it seemed a very nice package for its intended purpose with a nice trigger to boot. If the Bodyguard is Smith's answer to the R-LCP, Smith needs to rethink the question.

The Nightguard on the other hand... it better represented what I've come to expect from Smith & Wesson. Unfortunately the price point is apples and oranges.

For me, I'll pass on the Bodyguard and stick with my extremely slick, accurate, heavy 640.

ColColt · #17 01-05-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hmebuildr

I wanted to like this gun BUT mine is going back to S&W it has issues. The number one reason I got it was for Personal Protection. I wanted a small light 5 shot wheel gun to replace the Glock I carry. This gun suited my purpose but after shooting it and having the cylinder not rotate 3 different time I would not trust my life or my family's life on it.

My suggestion-Get a Ruger SP101... built like a tank, small and you don't have to worry about shooting it loose with full bore 357's in favor of using 38 Special +P loads.

Paraguns · #18 01-05-2011, 10:20 PM

I bought a .38 BG a couple of weeks ago per the wifes request and have to say i got a good one. the first couple I handled had a "sticky" cylinder release and less than impressive trigger. I handled every one the store had and got one that is awesome! The trigger is better than my 642, 340pd, and 332Ti. My wife like it because the grip was better suited for her hand than her 442 was. Now my 351pd has the best trigger of them all.

Yes I have a J frame issue!

Stainz · #19 01-06-2011, 07:39 AM

I shot a couple of LCR's - no thank you. By extension, I don't need the BG .38. Besides... I discovered this new fangled pocket carry - that works! It was in my pocket.... been a 'frequent rider' there for years - a 642! What a neat firearm... If you already have a wheel... and it works...

Stainz

18DAI · #20 01-06-2011, 02:47 PM

Well said hastings. I couldn't agree more. Regards 18DAI.

redlevel · #21 01-06-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiser RN

I think this is the way of "Modern" manufacturing.

. . . but, . . . . but, . . . . but, I am reminded daily on one forum or magazine or another that MIM, CNC, DTs, EMPs, etc are better methods, the IL is our savior, polymer is God, and that I am just an old fogey who is stuck in the middle of the last century.

JC4013 · #22 01-06-2011, 06:56 PM

Red, welcome to the old fogey's back bench. J-frames have always had trigger pull problems, but that was because of the need to design a double action trigger in a small frame. Physics still plays its role. Once in a great while S & W used to turn out a gritty trigger that had to be honed down, but those were rare and easily fixed. As to polymer frames ala Glock etc., give me cold blued steel. I had trouble getting used to stainless and will use them, but I still prefer that beautiful bluing job on the old guns. To me Military and Police Models are still a Model Ten, pencil or heavy barrell and I still resent giving the name to a series of modern toys on steroids. Yep, I'll generally spend a little more for an older gun (although those three inch 686s look pretty good) and sleep soundly. I'm not sure whether this is a matter of age, or a matter of prefering what we used to get through the night when we faced having to shoot something more serious than a character on a computer screen.

lebomm · #23 01-06-2011, 07:31 PM

+1, JC ! If those are the criteria, then call me another old fogey !

Larry

mag318 · #24 01-07-2011, 02:08 AM

My experience has been nothing but good with the Bodyguard 38. I've owned several J frame Smith from 1966 to present and this polymer framed Smith has the best out of the box trigger pull I've felt on a J frame size revolver. I have well over 1000 troublefree rounds thru it and I'm more impressed with it everytime I shoot it. This model handles recoil more comfortably than any J frame I've owned, it is even comfortable with hot +P loads. I've handled a few with sticky cylinder release latches and my dealer has sent some back for that reason. But most are fine and I carry mine everyday with confidence.
Now the Bodyguard 380 is a totally different story.

J.P.60 · #25 01-07-2011, 06:35 AM

aquagear has it right. I've only bought one S&W new in 10 years - the Night Guard .45acp snub and I anticipated having to get a trigger job out of the box. I was not disappointed. There are too many good S&W's for sale, all the time, to waste a lot of money on the newer guns. I bought this new one for the snub. A friend is going to chop a 1917 into snub for all the same reasons.