May be looking at a J frame in the future, which would you recommend and why: Bodyguard or Centennial? Obviously it would be for light CCW, and I chose a revolver for its ability to shoot in clothing (no slide to get caught). It will be wearing a pair of CTs no matter what. Thanks in advance for the info.
J Frame: Bodyguard vs. Centennial
- Thread starter CQC.45
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When I made this choice a couple of years ago, I went for the Bodyguard style because it offered the option of single action operation in addition to double action. I no longer think that option is as important as it seemed to me at the time, but I like the appearance of the bodyguard so I'm glad I got it. I even like the style so much I bought a .44 caliber humpback, the model 296, to keep it company. That one does NOT have a a single action option. It's just an enclosed hammer DA with a really big bore.
I don't have anything against the Centennial, which is a fine and well respected gun in its own right. If I needed a pocket-suitable small .38 right now and the Centennial was the only thing on the shelf, I would buy it without qualms.
I don't have anything against the Centennial, which is a fine and well respected gun in its own right. If I needed a pocket-suitable small .38 right now and the Centennial was the only thing on the shelf, I would buy it without qualms.
Glock 'em down
Member
Ah! One of my very favorite topics! Ye olde Humpback vs hammerless debate.
Let me start off by saying welcome to the Blue forum!
There are some great, and extremely knowledgeable folks here! So dig in and post often!
Let's see...J frames. Well, first of all, I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that the mighty J frame is probably my very favorite of the bunch, with the K frames running a very close 2nd. The trouble with J frames is that they are a little tougher to shoot, until you "learn" how. ESPECIALLY the Airweights.
Most folks go and buy a 442/642 Centennial (probably S&W's best seller) fire 5 or 10 rounds thru it, don't hit squat, then they either sell it or stick it in a sock drawer. Here is the reason I recommend the Bodyguard series as a first time J frame.
With the Bodyguard, you get the best of both worlds. You get the convienence of "snag-proof" pocket carry with it's shrouded hammer, but yet...you have single action firing capabilities. Now I'm not saying in a self defense situation, you should consider single action. God forbid! What I'm saying, is this...
As I said earlier, the mighty J frames are kinda tough to master. With the Bodyguard, you can take it to the range, fire 20/30 rounds thru it in single action mode, just to get accustomed to the recoil and see where it's hitting. Then, when you don't flinch everytime you pull the trigger and your patterns are getting a little tighter, you can switch to double action mode and viola! You realize that you patterns haven't changed much, if at all!
Now then. Everybody always talks about crud and lint and coins getting down inside the Bodyguards shroud. I ain't gonna lie to you. Yes, you do get a ball of lint in there after you pocket carry for a few days. However. My model 38 Airweight Bodyguard gets wiped down and blown out every Sunday afternoon. A ball of lint always comes out of the shroud, but I don't blow it out. What I do is unload the revolver and SHOOT it out. Meaning, I dry fire it about a dozen or so times just to see if everybody's theory about the crud locking up the revolver, making it useless, holds water.
It doesn't.
It just pops right out and then, I blow the shrouded area out some more.
The Centennials are great revolvers, don't get me wrong, but I consider them better off with experienced shooters.
Get a Bodyguard as well as a good pocket holster, and dedicate the pocket it goes in to that weapon and holster ONLY! I could go on and on about pocket holsters, but that's another story.
Anyway...get a Bodyguard. You'll thank me later.
Let me start off by saying welcome to the Blue forum!
There are some great, and extremely knowledgeable folks here! So dig in and post often!
Let's see...J frames. Well, first of all, I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that the mighty J frame is probably my very favorite of the bunch, with the K frames running a very close 2nd. The trouble with J frames is that they are a little tougher to shoot, until you "learn" how. ESPECIALLY the Airweights.
Most folks go and buy a 442/642 Centennial (probably S&W's best seller) fire 5 or 10 rounds thru it, don't hit squat, then they either sell it or stick it in a sock drawer. Here is the reason I recommend the Bodyguard series as a first time J frame.
With the Bodyguard, you get the best of both worlds. You get the convienence of "snag-proof" pocket carry with it's shrouded hammer, but yet...you have single action firing capabilities. Now I'm not saying in a self defense situation, you should consider single action. God forbid! What I'm saying, is this...
As I said earlier, the mighty J frames are kinda tough to master. With the Bodyguard, you can take it to the range, fire 20/30 rounds thru it in single action mode, just to get accustomed to the recoil and see where it's hitting. Then, when you don't flinch everytime you pull the trigger and your patterns are getting a little tighter, you can switch to double action mode and viola! You realize that you patterns haven't changed much, if at all!
Now then. Everybody always talks about crud and lint and coins getting down inside the Bodyguards shroud. I ain't gonna lie to you. Yes, you do get a ball of lint in there after you pocket carry for a few days. However. My model 38 Airweight Bodyguard gets wiped down and blown out every Sunday afternoon. A ball of lint always comes out of the shroud, but I don't blow it out. What I do is unload the revolver and SHOOT it out. Meaning, I dry fire it about a dozen or so times just to see if everybody's theory about the crud locking up the revolver, making it useless, holds water.
It doesn't.
It just pops right out and then, I blow the shrouded area out some more.
The Centennials are great revolvers, don't get me wrong, but I consider them better off with experienced shooters.
Get a Bodyguard as well as a good pocket holster, and dedicate the pocket it goes in to that weapon and holster ONLY! I could go on and on about pocket holsters, but that's another story.
Anyway...get a Bodyguard. You'll thank me later.
Vulcan Bob
Member
As Glock em down has noted about the Bodyguard, pocket crud can be a problem but with a little maintenance it's not a real problem. If you do use a pocket holster the only thing that goes into that pocket is the holster and gun. I prefer the Centennial as I shoot em double action only anyway's, but there is no real difference other than personal taste.
I feel very strongly both ways.....
Glock 'em down
Member
I feel very strongly both ways.....
Damn! What a gorgeous pair!
649 and 640, I presume?
Yep. And I do like 'em both. If you expect bad guys at 25 yards, then the 649. Anything at shorter range, the 640 does just fine.
Wee Hooker
Member
I have owned several of both and would agree that for pure CC purposes, your choice would be a wash. Both are Very sweet choices for CC carry. That said, I do favor the humpbacks a bit more as my J frames tend to spend as much carry time in the wild as much as through the city. ( Unpure use I guess? 
)Sometimes I like to squeeze off a couple of aimed shots at pine cones, mushrooms, snakes, etc. As mentioned, she'll shoot allot tighter in SA when you have the time/need. Lastly, since I sometimes keep a shot load in the first hole, the hammer allows me to safely decock to the next conventional load if I choose.
p.s. While not quite as snag proof for pocket shooting, I also often choose a mod 60 with a bob'd hammer. Same reasoning/uses as the x49 but allot easier and cheaper to come by in the used market. Of course, if your like me and many of these guys around here, your going to end up whith one of each anyway . Give in and get started;-)
)Sometimes I like to squeeze off a couple of aimed shots at pine cones, mushrooms, snakes, etc. As mentioned, she'll shoot allot tighter in SA when you have the time/need. Lastly, since I sometimes keep a shot load in the first hole, the hammer allows me to safely decock to the next conventional load if I choose. p.s. While not quite as snag proof for pocket shooting, I also often choose a mod 60 with a bob'd hammer. Same reasoning/uses as the x49 but allot easier and cheaper to come by in the used market. Of course, if your like me and many of these guys around here, your going to end up whith one of each anyway . Give in and get started;-)
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photoman
Member
I have both but use the 642 Centennial Airweight the most.
Forgot to add...for pocket shooting...the Centennial is your best option.
Forgot to add...for pocket shooting...the Centennial is your best option.
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38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I own one Bodyguard, an old 49, and seven different Centennials, spanning four different models. Therefore, I prefer the Centennial, seven to one!
Seriously, here's my take: I have no use or need for SA capability in a snubby revolver, and I think Bodyguards are ugly little critters. The "crud around the hammer" issue is often overblown, but one thing often overlooked is that one can take a bit higher grip on Centennials than Bodyguards, improving controllability.
Seriously, here's my take: I have no use or need for SA capability in a snubby revolver, and I think Bodyguards are ugly little critters. The "crud around the hammer" issue is often overblown, but one thing often overlooked is that one can take a bit higher grip on Centennials than Bodyguards, improving controllability.
Yellowstone
Member
Once, a few shooters (some from here on this board) got together after cleaning out our closets, and making a trip to the local thrift store to buy all sorts of coats, jackets, hoodies, etc. Shrouded or enclosed revolvers did seem easier to retrieve from pockets... however, they all (autojammers and all) blew "gun-sized" holes in the pockets when fired from inside a pocket (without a holster) and we simply thrust our strong hand into either an isosceles or Weaver stance and continued firing. A slide may get hung up if you don't "follow through", but we didn't try that. This was outer garment packet carry only.
We destroyed a lot of coats that day... and several mannequins also fell by the way IIRC.
I like the design of the Bodyguard in that it seems to have been a combat-oriented improvement to the original Centennial design. It allows the only catastrophic malfunction clearance available to a revolver... one that is only available with access to the hammer. If a cylinder fails to turn (remember this is in combat) due to (choose: high primer, loose ejector rod, damaged forcing cone, warped or bent frame), then you will need to have access to the hammer (while turning the outside of the cylinder, and/or pulling the trigger) to get all the force necessary to get that cylinder to align to the next charge hole. Trust me, pulling the trigger alone (at least on a K-frame) is not enough to accomplish this in all cases. It happened to me.
It could be used for single action shooting also... that would be good practice for hammer manipulation on a gun that has a modified shaped hammer to begin with... sorta factory bobbed for the Bodyguard.
In reality, this sort of catastrophic failure is highly unlikely except for maybe a K-frame anyway... but that might have had some bearing on the Bodyguard design nonetheless... especially the Airweights. It is good to know all the remedial action drills available to a revolver shooter… and which guns have any limitations.
+1 on the CTCs And that hump can allow for some people to get a slightly higher grip. For those who use such holds on 1911s and such it helps in a way a beavertail would.
I'd go for either though... both are well suited for pocket carry, and IWB, and ankle, and gun box, and cetera. Excellent grab and go guns rating high on reliability factors.
eaglebeaver
Member
I agree with the excellent evaluation by Glock-Um-Down concerning the bodyguards. I alternate between carrying my 49 and 649. The humpbacks will REALLY grow on you if you let them!
regards
Eaglebeaver
regards
Eaglebeaver
jframefreak
Member
I'm partial to the centennials. No need to shoot that little guy single action. Not my favorite for target shooting anyway.
HEADKNOCKER
Member
I have always prefered the Centennials & probobly always will..
Standard weight, Airweight, Airlite, I just prefer the shrouded hammer for a pocket gun..
My two current pocket revolvers are my 940 & 642/942..
Nothing against the Bodygaurd..
Gary/Hk
Standard weight, Airweight, Airlite, I just prefer the shrouded hammer for a pocket gun..
My two current pocket revolvers are my 940 & 642/942..
Nothing against the Bodygaurd..
Gary/Hk
DHENRY
Member
Easy to carry, easy to shoot.
Don
Don
Railbender
Member
Another Centennial vote times 3. I have a 40 Classic, 640 & 940. I love the trigger pull on the 640 & 940, no need for SA.
DougDubya1970
Member
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Throwing my love to the Bodyguard. I really like the humpback, not for it's single action, but with a good pocket holster, it looks like a square wallet if it should print in a pocket.
davidmcw
Member
Bodyguard vs. Centennial
I just purchased a Bodyguard model 438 for the following reasons. Black finish doesn't catch the eye as much as silver finish for concealed carry. I think a Crimson Trace laser grip is mandatory for a 2 inch barrel. Without it I shoot 8 inch groups at 7 yards. With it I shoot 2 inch groups and acquire the target much faster. Single action is handy to sight laser in. I just prefer the look of the Bodyguard vs. the Centennial.
I just purchased a Bodyguard model 438 for the following reasons. Black finish doesn't catch the eye as much as silver finish for concealed carry. I think a Crimson Trace laser grip is mandatory for a 2 inch barrel. Without it I shoot 8 inch groups at 7 yards. With it I shoot 2 inch groups and acquire the target much faster. Single action is handy to sight laser in. I just prefer the look of the Bodyguard vs. the Centennial.
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