I purchased this Bodyguard back in 2012. I have about 200-250 rounds of 38 thru it. Last time we shot it, I noticed what looked like smoke buildup on the shells I ejected. When cleaning, I noticed some for and aft play in the cylinder. I was curious so I got out some feeler gages and measured the cylinder to barrel gap. It measured .018. That seemed a bit excessive to me and I wondered if this is normal/safe. I have 2 Dan Wessons and when I change the barrels the instructions say to close the gap from cylinder to barrel at .006. Any suggestions or comments?

For many many years the maximum acceptable BC Gap was .006". Once S&W got cheap, sloppy and lost control of their production quality they magically increased the acceptable BC Gap to .012" which in my opinion is way too much and classic BS!

If it were mine I'd contact them and request that they repair it so it is .004 - .006" but no more than that.

Thanks Chief 38. I see a number of your posts here and appreciate the quick response. My plan is to call S&W tomorrow morning and discuss this issue with them. I like you think the gap should be around .006. Since the wife confiscated the gun from me as her carry and use around the farm for snakes, I have not shot the gun much. My wife and daughter in law wanted to put some lead DR so I took them out for a shoot. The accuracy was way off and I noticed the burn on one side of all 5 shell casings. Cleaning the gun is when I noticed the looseness (for and aft) travel of the cylinder. I didn' want my wife to carry an unsafe gun, so hence the post. Thanks again for the reply. Maybe other owners of this particular model should check their gun?

Update. after talking with SW tech support, they told me not to shoot the gun and sent me an RMA to return the gun to them. It should be in their hands as we speak. Wonder what they will find?????