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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 07-06-2011, 02:37 PM
HiCap HiCap is offline
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Default Help in shooting my Bodyguard 38

I sold the last of my J frames for a Bodyguard 38 about a year ago.I like it better than the LCR that I also sold. However, I have a problem.after about 500 rounds, no matter how hard I try, I shoot a tight group that 7 yards, but all to the left of the target. It's obvious that I am pulling to the left, no matter how hard unconsciously I try not to.

Any coaching that anybody sees fit to give me, I would be most appreciative of.

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Old 07-06-2011, 03:27 PM
BobR1 BobR1 is offline
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What I would do.

Equipment: I would replace the grips with a set of Hogue Rubber ones that you can hang on to better.
Next I would add some sight paint to the upper half of the front sight so you can see it better.
Next would be a set of 5 Snap Caps for Dry Fire Practice, so that you can see what you are doing. This will also be good exercise for the trigger finger.

Then I would reload some 125 grain ammo to about book minimum, and give that a try. If you are shooting 500 rounds at a time, the 38 will probably stay together longer with a Lite Load diet anyway. If you are starting to flench after extensive shooting of the J frame, lite loads should help this out also.

I think with that combination you should improve.

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Last edited by BobR1; 07-06-2011 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 07-06-2011, 03:59 PM
ISOM ISOM is offline
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Default Tight group to the LEFT

If you are right handed, shooting to left is normal...
There are two "options", I can think of:
[1] Find a copy of the 2 [left and right] correction targets.
I got mine from the LEE SHOOTER PROGRAM. That wil help you correct your grip.
[2] Aime to the right.
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Old 07-06-2011, 09:46 PM
shootist2121 shootist2121 is offline
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If you do a search, you will find that the BG38 shoots to the left and appears to be a design flaw. I have had three other instructors besides myself shoot my BG38 and each of us put our shots to the left by 3 -4 inches.

I've resorted to filing my front sight and it now is about 1/2 inch to the left @ 7 yards with most weights from 125 to 158 gr. And the added bonus for me is I can pick up the front sight much quicker.

The laser is great in the dark, but I believe a defensive pistol must shoot to the point of aim @ 7 and 15 yards with iron sights. My next trip will be checking the 15 yard poa to poi.

Be safe
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Old 07-07-2011, 07:22 AM
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Shootist2121, you have restored my sanity. I thought it was me. Thanks.

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Old 07-07-2011, 04:09 PM
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Dry fire as much as you can stand (that will smooth up the trigger, too) with the laser after quadruple checking that the gun is empty of cartridges so the bullet fairy doesn't foul you up. Watch where that little red dot goes when you pull the trigger. Change your trigger finger grip to get the pull you want without waggling the point of aim. I'm a big fan of using the distal joint of the finger (farthest toward the end) because you can feel which side of that joint is pulling most and then adjust so the pull is even.

The BG38 does not shoot to the left all by itself, where'd that come from? Ammo might make a difference but I'd like to see proof of a "design flaw". Besides, it's a point and shoot, up close type of gun. Better to practice that way than to treat it like a target gun which it certainly is not.

If you're using the laser, move its point of aim to coincide with the point of impact or move it so it is exactly parallel to the bullet's windage axis. If you do that, the point of impact should remain less than an inch to the left of the point of aim—like any other laser on the right— and just allow for elevation.



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Last edited by 5Wire; 07-07-2011 at 04:24 PM.
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