I just purchased a Bodyguard 38 special and took it to the range. I shot American Eagle 158 lead round nose, Win 130 gr FMJ and Win 125 gr JHP +P. I shot at 5,7 and 10 yards using the iron sights. All rounds shot high left. To get close to center I have to aim at the lower right hand corner of the target. I don't have this problem with my other revolvers. A Google search showed that I am not the only one with this problem. Many people are complaining back to 2011.

After reading all these threads, I never found a solution. Even sending the revolver back to SW and getting a new one did not help.

Is there a solution to this problem I have missed? I am surprised SW has not come out with a taller sight. That would alleviate some of the problem.

I'd like to get an XS Big Dot sight so I can see the front sight better, but am not confident that the results will be any different.

Thanks for the input.

Lighter, faster ammo will shoot lower, due to the fact that it clears the barrel faster. It is recoil raising the barrel that causes the gun to shoot higher than bore sight. A firmer, higher grip might help, at least in theory.
Slow 158 gr ammo will be the worst, 110 gr plus P the best.
Magnum revolvers are likely regulated for very fast, 125 gr ammo, and in that case, would shoot 158 gr 38 SPL very high. I would like to see pinned front sights on Airweight revolvers like my M442. Then, we could install tall sights and grind down, if necessary.
In the mean time, aim for the vertical centerline. You may be getting an unintentional head shot!

Best,
Rick

You are shooting a wide range of bullet weights. Did you see a difference in point-of-impact withthe different bullet wieghts

Don't make changes in the sights, such as the Big Dot, until you get the point-of-impact resolved.

__________________
"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

When I had my bg38 I remember doing some research AFTER I got it (silly, I know), and I came across some threads that people have had the same high left you are shooting with these. When I had mine I was a HORRIBLE shot with other guns but for some reason I would always hit near the bullseye with the bg38. With all other guns I would shoot low right...sounds like mine had the same issue and made me seem like a better shot. It's long gone now and I've corrected my flinch and have better trigger control. I wish I could shoot the bg38 again and see where the rounds ended up now.

Sorry nothing useful as to a fix. I remember some of the owners in those threads I googled reporting sending the guns back and the factory issuing new ones since they were not able to repair them.

__________________
Jim

sac-gunslinger:

The 158gr lead RN shoots the highest. The +P was closer to point of aim. I shot from a rest yesterday and on average I was shooting 2" high at 5 yds. and 4.5" high at 10 yds. Not as bad as unsupported. I am going to try the JB weld on the front sight and see how high i need to raise the front sight. Thanks to all for the help.

I've got a model 36 with, as it turns out a slightly canted barrel. I have the top of the front sight dead even with the top of the grove and NO daylight showing through on the left hand side. This brings it back on target such that I can get most shots into the black at 25 yards. It sounds a nuisance but I can shoot five shoots then hand the gun to a friend and then tell them how useless they are with it compared with me

As others have mentioned a heavier bullet should impact higher on the target than a lighter bullet give the same point of aim. I seem to recall that, at least in years past a fixed sight 38 Special would be factory regulated for a 158gr load. If that were the case then if you are shooting high you could go to a lighter bullet to raise the point of impact.

I don't see that you mentioned whether you bought your M38 new or used or what type of stocks it has, factory or aftermarket?

You did state that you sent it back to S&W because it was shooting high and they sent you a new gun so it must have been new? Seems like they would have told you what was wrong with the gun as to why it could not be repaired and instead, had to be replaced.

I may have misunderstood your post. Was it the people you read about that had their guns replaced or you?

I did buy the revolver new and it has the factory grips. I have not sent it back because from what I have read on other forums this did not solve the problem. SW does not seem to have a fix or taller sights for sale.

I glued a 9 shot lead pellet to the top of my front sight to see how much this lowers the POI. I don't know when I will be able to get out and try it but I will let you know.

The amount that this lowers the POI can be calculated if we know the sight radius, the range to the target, and the diameter of the #9 shot.

Edit: It looks like #9 shot is .079 inch diameter.
Assume a 4 inch sight radius, like my M442 and a 10 yard range, I get a drop in POI of 7.1 inches.

Best,
Rick

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would post anyway. I was having similar problems with mine. I installed an XS big dot sight and a Hogue grip to mine. I believe giving my big hands a better grip helped more than anything. The factory grip was too small and awkward in my hand, along with a long trigger pull, makes an accurate shot almost impossible, especially under duress. The Hogue Grip gives me a much better handle on the gun and I can still pocket carry it, and the XS Big Dot sight ($54 on amazon and a 10 min install) gives me a much easier sight to acquire. I would recommend those two upgrades highly. Look at this guys video on youtube with these upgrades. I believe accuracy can be achieved with a Bodyguard 38, but it takes practice and a couple essential upgrades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp82Hkk1MQk