I'm looking to buy a new J frame again and I'm looking on S&W website at the Bodyguard 38 no laser or night sights with MSRP $385 SKEW#103039 and see no mention of the gun not having internal lock like they do for similar gun in Pro Series. Does anyone know it this model with the top mounted cylinder release has no internal lock? In their pictures it doesn't appear to have a lock on side plate, but it could be on top out of sight like some other brands is why I ask.

Also considering the Pro series 442 that's a $100 more and not sure why other then no lock and different front sight IIRC and is side mounted cylinder release.

Can someone bring me up to date on these questions and the guns?

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

Hi Old Navy:

I'm not tying to cause any problems here, but quite a few people aren't/haven't been happy with the modern "Bodyguard" revolver by S&W. I would encourage you to do a bit of research on this particular piece. I am a owner and user of several of the older, original Bodyguard revolvers (Models 38-0, 638-1, and 649-0). None of them have the internal locks. I EDC the Model 38-0 and 638-1 with standard velocity ammo. Unless you have an aversion to the older S&W revolvers, I would suggest looking into them, or even the current issue of the Model 638:

Model 638 | Smith & Wesson

There's nothing wrong with either the Model 442 or it's stainless steel brother, the Model 642. Some have noted a finish problem with the Model 642 (the clear coat flakes off and the finish starts to go), so you might want to stick with the Model 442 if that is going to be an issue for you. If I had the money, I might consider a Model 442 Pro to go with my Model 642-1, but in all likely hood, I'd probably spend it on another (original) Bodyguard instead.

Good luck,

Dave

The Bodyguard 38 IS NOT a J frame!

It’s an action used in no other gun.

It has proved predictably unreliable: it freezes up.

It’s a design defect Smith won’t acknowledge or fix.

Since the first requirement of a sd gun is that it always works, the Bodyguard 38 isn’t a viable sd gun for me.

Smith makes lots of J frames (eg M638,642, 36, 37 etc) : they work. Get one of them.

Thanks guys, I was leaning toward the 442 pro w/o the lock and was not sure about the new Bodyguard and having had lot of J frames over the years and most being 642's and a couple older Bodyguards. Always traded them off due to stupidity on my part.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy