BodyGuard 38 replacement grip?

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Does anyone make a replacement grip for the BodyGuard? the wife bought the gun and feels the grip is a little too small.
 
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Looks like I can answer my own question. None of my searches found anything on line but I looked up Houge based on another thread and found this...
S&W J Frame Round Butt Centennial/Bodyguard Rubber Tamer Grip [60020] - $24.95 : Hogue Inc., The Best Value In Handgun Grips, Rifle Stocks and Accessories - Bar None!

Thanks,
Dave

I put one of these on my Bodyguard .38 today. All I can say for now is sweet! will take it to the range in the next few days to see how it performs in action.
 
Put one on mine also, handles much better with this grip.
 

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BWright,

Can you post a link on how to install this or did you have your gunsmith perform this?

I went to my local gunsmith and also ordered the Hoeg Grips in the link but they said it was for the Bodyguard Centennial. I was stunned to hear the news. Either they didn't want to perform the installation or just passing out wrong information.



Put one on mine also, handles much better with this grip.
 
If you have a hammer and center punch the same diameter as the pin that holds the original grip to the frame it's not a problem. Also a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the nuts on the new pin. If you want me to continue with the procedure come back on and I'll lay it out for you.

The grips are well worth purchasing...feels like the Ruger LCR but with a smoother trigger pull.
 
Looks like I can answer my own question. None of my searches found anything on line but I looked up Houge based on another thread and found this...
S&W J Frame Round Butt Centennial/Bodyguard Rubber Tamer Grip [60020] - $24.95 : Hogue Inc., The Best Value In Handgun Grips, Rifle Stocks and Accessories - Bar None!

Thanks,
Dave

Well, you learn something new every day! Who in the world would have thought that one grip could fit the traditional J frame and that new abomination, the BG38? :)
 
Shawn,

I remember when as a young Marine, they issued us the little black plastic gun and took away our M14s. Had the same feelings you just expressed above...abomination...but it's still there with all kinds of changes along the way. The last Shotgun News I looked at was full of all kinds of variants to the old M16. I think you are looking at the future my friend. It's hell getting old!

Hank
 
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HankG
I would like to see your procedure for putting the Hogue grips on the BG38.
Jim
 
Jim,

First you have to remove the grips from the pistol. I used a center punch and a small hammer. Get your self a bath towel and fold it up until it's about 3-4 inches thick. Check your pistol and make sure it's MT. Lay the towel on your work bench and the handle of the pistol on the towel. Place the center punch on the pin at the bottom of the grip and tap it out of the grip. It is really a snug fit so you will have to smack it carefully a few times to get it to move. Once it begins to move it will move out much easier. When you get it out the grip will slide right off. Look closely at how high up on the frame the grip sits. The new one will sit in an identical position.

The new grip comes in 4 pieces...The large portion, a small flat plastic spring type piece, the base of the grip and a small piece of black threaded rod about 3/4" long, along with 2 small nuts. The threaded rod section is sealed in the larger plasic box that houses the rest of the grip. You can overlook it if your not careful.

There are 4 small pieces of plastic that have to be removed from the large portion of the grip before you install it. The directions say to use a small screw driver or large paper clip to remove them. I used a small eye glass screw driver. You have to slide it down into the top part of the grip and get it under each one and they will pop out, 2 on each side. They are about 1/2" long and 1/8" wide.

Next start a nut on one end of the piece of threaded rod, put the rod through the hole the pin came out of and start a nut on the other side of the rod. Tighten the nuts down on either side of the rod against the grip frame. MAKE SURE there is an equal amount of rod sticking out on each side of the grip frame because the large part of the new grip has a channel cut in it and the threaded rod will slide along in the channel as you slide the grip up and into place. Tighten the nuts down TIGHT with a socket or needle nose pliers. I had to slide the grip up and back a few times because this is not a sloppy fit and the rod peeled off a little of the polymer as the grip moved into position. Once you get it into the same position on the frame as the old grip, then you insert the plastic spring lock...check picture on directions. This went in easily and locked into position quickly.

The last step is to lock the bottom piece in place by opening it up with the tip of a large screw driver... it springs open some what.., pushing it on until it locks. Your done.

Hope this helps...it really makes a difference in the handling characteristics of the pistol.
 
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Hank,
Thank you for the detailed and very clear instructions. I'm sure they will be helpful when the new grips arrive.
Best regards,
Jim
 
Is it hard to conceal with those grips on it. How much longer are they compare to the old grips?


Sent from My Compound
 
shootin,

The grips are about 1/4" longer than the originals and 1/4" wider and thicker. I'm 5' 8" and wouldn't use the pistol as a concealed carry weapon unless I was wearing a bulky winter coat. I purchased it as a home defense weapon for my wife who doesn't like semi autos because of the slide and possible jams. She's 5' 2", 105 lbs and wanted something simple to operate. The lazer also intrigued her.
 
Update: Total cost including grip 80.00 +/-

Parts used:

Bessey 3 inch light duty table vice
Bostitch Pin punch set: Size 1/16 in particular
Kobalt 5oz Tack Hammer
Flat head screw driver not pictured
S&W J Frame Round Butt Centennial/Polymer Bodyguard Rubber Tamer Grip Model: 60020

I did not read the directions throughly. When opening the grip box. You're suppose to remove the black inserts "molars" from inside the grip so it can easily slide into the frame.

1: Place revolver in table vice
2: Remove pin from stock grip with a jewler hammer "small" hammer and a 1/16 punch
3: Remove the molars from Hogue grip and blue inserts with a screwdriver
4: Insert Hogue screw pin/bolt assembly by hand or needle nose pliers
5: Insert Hogue grip and push it through
6: Once the Hogue grip comes through the other end. Insert the butt/handle insert plate to temporarily seat the grip
7: Remove the butt/handle insert then slide butt end
8: The butt end will need to be flexed open with your flat head screwdriver and muscle it onto the Hogue grip
9: Once seated flip it over and tap the butt end with a soft mallet.

Hope what I wrote helped someone.

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My local gunsmith charges 50.00 an hr and he turned my business away stating the replacement could not be done. I had to double, triple check and call Hogue and verify that the handle is indeed for the S&W Bodyguard .38 Revolver....

First time gunsmithing too so it took 1.5 hrs doing it ha ha ha. But now I can do it in 15mins or less.
 
cvang23,

I like the pictures. Have you shot the weapon with the new grips...what do you think?
 
cvang23,

I like the pictures. Have you shot the weapon with the new grips...what do you think?

Not yet Hank. Where I live .38 Special rounds are tough to find. But I will update again when I do. Feels alot like my Ruger LCR .22LR

Just a bit bulkier to conceal and carry. This revolver is my EDC pocket carry. But in time I will adjust. Very happy with the grip though.
 
I just put the Hogue 60020 on my Bodyguard 38 and I love it so far. I have fairly big hands and that hard little stock grip only let me get trigger finger and two more on the grip. Now I can get one more finger on it. Love the thicker feel of it too. Pretty easy install, too. I can't wait to try it out at the range.
 
The Hogue Tamer grip for J frame does work. Didn't put one on my wife's BG 38. Gives it a totally different look and feel. Ordered online. Took 3 mths for delivery.

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