New Bodyguard 38

[mag318]

My dealer finally recieved his first shipment of 5 Bodyguards today, so I was a happy camper when the one I ordered months ago arrived. Overall I'm really impressed by it as it is much more than a polymer J frame. This revolver is full of new design innovations. First off this revolver has a really great trigger out of the box, it rotates clockwise which is a change, but how it turns is the innovation. Opening the cylinder you notice the lack of the traditional hand coming out of the receiver, instead you see a star shaped piece that retracts into the frame upon pushing the new top mounted cylinder latch. This piece fits pecisely fits into the star in the cylinder and turns it, very neat. The factory grips are very comfortable even for my large hands. I was happy to see that the timing is still the S&W trademark double action where the cylinder indexes before dropping the hammer. The laser is easily activated by touching a button located on top of the module and mine was perfectly regulated to the iron sights. One tape to turn on, two taps for a pulsating beam and a third turns the unit off. The cylinder rod goes all the way into the frame when pushed and is therefore longer than your typical J frame ejection mechanism. All in all one very well designed and executed revolver. If it shoots as good as it looks and feels S&W has a winner.
My dealer was also informed by the factory that his shipment of the 380 Bodyguards is enroute and I'm hoping to get mine by the end of the week. It feels like Christmas this month.

 

[mag318]

More pics

I really like the location of the laser since I have large hands and Crimson Trace grips on J frames usually just lights up my finger. Last photo shows it with my AirLiteTi 337.

 

[boykinlp]

Nice. Let us know the range results.

 

[Landric]

Can't wait to see one in person. I have a couple of questions:

- Does it have any sort of internal lock (I get the impression from the pics it doesn't)?

- Does it have a standard round butt J-frame grip, or its is proprietary?

 

[MSgt G]

I'd like to see one in-person. The only thing I dislike at this point is the "DANGER" sticker or whatever it is on the side - is it removeable?

Congratulations and let us know how it shoots.

 

[AKsRule]

There are a couple on Gunbroker now for $500 buy it now price.

 

[Black_Talon]

How does that new-fangled cylinder latch operate? Do you push it forward? Down? Up?

 

[VermilionSTi]

These really are starting to interest me. I didn't give it much thought at first but they are growing on me definitely.

 

[mag318]

The cylinder latch operates very smoothly and I like the placement, you push it forward to open the cylinder. The warning sticker peels right off. As far as the grips I don't know but I have a feeling the frame is probably different, I have to figure out how to detach them. There is no internal lock. I've seen a few on GunBroker and one dealer puts no reserve or starting price so bargains are out there. The revolver comes in a neat zippered case by the way.

 

[stevieboy]

From your description the gun contains numerous innovations that make it a radical departure from Smith's traditional revolver design. I wonder: is this the dawn of a new era? Will Smith introduce more models, including models in a larger frame size, incorporating these design changes? Will these changes eventually replace that which Smith has used traditionally?

I'll be very curious in seeing a range report on this interesting new gun. I've noticed, btw, that none of the gun magazines have thus far reported on it even though the gun was introduced at the SHOT show back in January.

 

[mag318]

I was talking to a Smith rep who said that if this initial Bodyguard sells well, which I'm sure it will, that other models will be forcoming. Perhaps by the next Shot Show, look for one without the laser and look for a six shot version in 327 Magnum. He told me that they have been working on this new design for two years, but the real test will be when there are a lot of them on the street. Look at how their M&P line has taken off with all the new models, I think the same will happen with the new Bodyguards. I can't wait to get my new 380 Bodyguard, and when I do I'll post some photos for you guys.

 

[Landric]

I would buy a laser equipped 327 version in a heartbeat.

 

[photoman]

I'd buy one for $350 without the laser just to see if I could shoot it to death.

 

[.357 Magnum]

Thanks for providing the great photos of your new Bodyguard 38. Very helpful and very informative. Enjoy!!!

 

[mag318]

My Bodyguard 380 just arrived at my dealers this afternoon, I'm posting a thread with photos in the semi auto section. Another great Smith & Wesson.

 

[Prime Winner]

hey mag318, in your original post, the 4th pic shows scratches. how scratched up is it now? worse? I noticed mine has a small scratch and Im really hoping it doesnt get much worse.

 

[Prime Winner]

any other bodyguard 38 owners having a scratching issue with the back of the cyclinder (as seen in pics from first post) ?

 

[mag318]

The scratching you see is common to all S&W revolvers, and it is a normal result from just closing the cylinder and nothing to worry about.

 

[RAMS]

"I've noticed, btw, that none of the gun magazines have thus far reported on it even though the gun was introduced at the SHOT show back in January." stevieboy

I suspect that the writers, after falling in love with the Ruger LCR, are as disappointed with the Bodyguard's proprietary, thin, hard grip design, and with the heavy trigger pull as I am. Here's hoping that we soon will see a recoil absorbing after-market grip (Pachmayr/Hogue are you listening?) and that an average gunsmith will be able to reduce the pull weight to about seven and a half pounds while retaining reliable ignition.

The thin, hard grip on my Bodyguard feels really good to hold, but not much fun to shoot a lot with +Ps. The Ruger's LCR Hogue grips are far superior regarding recoil.

It's funny, and maybe just because I'm a S&W nut, but I swear I can still feel real quality when working the Bodyguard's action compared to the LCR's action, even though I like to shoot the LCR better.

 

[Prime Winner]

The scratching you see is common to all S&W revolvers, and it is a normal result from just closing the cylinder and nothing to worry about.

thanks. this is my first black revolver. guess I just didnt notice the scratches so much on my nickel 12-4.