Bodyguard .38 - any experiences?
- Thread starter bcj128
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IMO, the 642 is a much better gun. I’d hold off; something better will come along and you’ll be glad you have a gun fund set aside.
rjm6120
Well-known member
The gun is extremely light for concealed carry, but the recoil is not that bad IMO. It locked up on me about a year ago when I was at the range, sent it back to the mother ship and it came back good as new, and they even replaced the Insight laser with a Crimson Trace. Definitely not a gun to shoot a couple boxes through at the range.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
The original S&W Bodyguard revolvers, the Model 38 and its offspring (Model 49, 438, 638, 649) are my favorite J-frame revolvers. I EDC a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. I have no interest in the newer Bodyguard. The Model 642 is my 2nd favorite J-frame and is the favorite handgun of my young daughter and my wife. Both of them like the simplicity of point and pull the trigger.
Regards,
Dave
PS, Update - added photos: My EDC consisting of a Model 38-0 and Model 638-1. The Model 38-0 has a nickeled cylinder from a donor "parts" Model 38 to make my version of the MSP (Michigan State Police) back-up gun. Also pictured are my Model 638-1 and Model 649-0 (the Model 649 is on the bottom in both photos.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
PS, Update - added photos: My EDC consisting of a Model 38-0 and Model 638-1. The Model 38-0 has a nickeled cylinder from a donor "parts" Model 38 to make my version of the MSP (Michigan State Police) back-up gun. Also pictured are my Model 638-1 and Model 649-0 (the Model 649 is on the bottom in both photos.
Regards,
Dave
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white cloud
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I am pretty much in Double-O-Dave's camp. I believe the model 649 and similar revolvers are the best pocket guns ever made and that the "Centennial" style guns are close runner up. I recently purchased a 640 Pro and it seems like a nice gun so far.
I was at a range to schedule some training yesterday. The guy who ran the range asked me what sort of gun I would bring to the training. I said the S&W 640 in my pocket. He looked at me like I was some sort of Neanderthal for bringing a revolver to class. I did not point out that I was armed and he didn't know it or that I could establish a firing grip on my revolver without him knowing that either.
I was at a range to schedule some training yesterday. The guy who ran the range asked me what sort of gun I would bring to the training. I said the S&W 640 in my pocket. He looked at me like I was some sort of Neanderthal for bringing a revolver to class. I did not point out that I was armed and he didn't know it or that I could establish a firing grip on my revolver without him knowing that either.
Got one soon after they came out. Had timing and fitment problems from Day 1. Had it back to the factory twice, no joy. Finally, the gunsmith at the LGS said it couldn't be fixed. Had enough by that time, took a beating, traded it in toward a Model 36. Hopefully, they're better now. Maybe mine was the exception. My advice? Pass on the Bodyguard and keep what you've got.
BubbaBlades
Well-known member
Bodyguard .38
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbaPUemCcXg[/ame]
I've been using the BG38 since the first year that they came out. I've had zero issues with my BG38.
I made this video to show that my carry load (158 +P Lead HP) can be shot quickly and accurately with this gun.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbaPUemCcXg[/ame]
I've been using the BG38 since the first year that they came out. I've had zero issues with my BG38.
I made this video to show that my carry load (158 +P Lead HP) can be shot quickly and accurately with this gun.
rockquarry
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J-frame guns are certainly among the very best for carrying. I'm unaware of any safer handguns. However, they are not for novices and are difficult to shoot well. They are quite accurate in the hands of a skilled shooter. The alloy-frame guns are very light and the difficulty for the less-than-skilled shooter increases with these guns over the regular versions.
Before one delves into laser grips, trigger enhancements, headlights, bobbed hammers, speedloaders, and other accessories of questionable worth, it's very important to practice sufficiently with an unmolested, out-of-the-box J-frame gun. Learn to shoot well. If you truly see a need for gadgetry at that point, that's when to accessorize as you'll have a real feel for the gun and your own abilities.
Practice and carry whatever ammo works best - what shoots to point-of-aim, allows for quick recoil recovery, doesn't project a vicious fireball from the barrel, and that you can hit the target consistently with. All other ammo considerations are secondary despite the gospel preached by the sedentary gunfighting theorists.
You only deceive yourself by shooting at close targets. Shooting up close may show that you are an excellent marksman when you are far from it, masks your shortcomings, and shows that all ammo, even the sorriest stuff, is accurate. Good luck-
Before one delves into laser grips, trigger enhancements, headlights, bobbed hammers, speedloaders, and other accessories of questionable worth, it's very important to practice sufficiently with an unmolested, out-of-the-box J-frame gun. Learn to shoot well. If you truly see a need for gadgetry at that point, that's when to accessorize as you'll have a real feel for the gun and your own abilities.
Practice and carry whatever ammo works best - what shoots to point-of-aim, allows for quick recoil recovery, doesn't project a vicious fireball from the barrel, and that you can hit the target consistently with. All other ammo considerations are secondary despite the gospel preached by the sedentary gunfighting theorists.
You only deceive yourself by shooting at close targets. Shooting up close may show that you are an excellent marksman when you are far from it, masks your shortcomings, and shows that all ammo, even the sorriest stuff, is accurate. Good luck-
I’ve had J frames since I started my career in 1991. They are excellent weapons - so much so that I deeply regret selling my original 640 (no dash, just .38 special goodness). I’d hunt for another if getting one into CA wasn’t such a pain.
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Cal44
Well-known member
Which type of Model 38's are we talking about here?
There are two. The old humpback ones, or the new current production ones.
The older ones look like my Model 49 below. They are lighter, however, as they have an aluminum frame, whereas the 49's frame is steel.
I consider the older humpback 38 very desirable and I'd love to fine a nice one to go with my 49.
Then new ones aren't so great, and I'd consider the 642's a better choice.
There are two. The old humpback ones, or the new current production ones.
The older ones look like my Model 49 below. They are lighter, however, as they have an aluminum frame, whereas the 49's frame is steel.
I consider the older humpback 38 very desirable and I'd love to fine a nice one to go with my 49.
Then new ones aren't so great, and I'd consider the 642's a better choice.
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rockquarry
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Sort of hate to mention this, but after having many J-frame .38 Specials in various configurations, the most accurate of them all has been a straight-out-of-the-box 638 (don't know how many dashes it has) that I got new about ten or twelve years ago. It has the lock, ugly black plastic grips, etc., but it really shoots well. Maybe it's one of a kind.
wetdog1911
Well-known member
I went just a slightly different path, going with the Model 49 (the all steel version of the M 38), mainly for the recoil reduction of the slight extra weight, because of 'arthur' in my hands.
I also have zero interest in the newer Bodyguards.
Rob
Rpg
Well-known member
The current offering from Smith named the Bodyguard38 isn’t a j frame: it’s an action not used in any other gun.
These things are notorious for locking up and otherwise not working reliably.
Smith hasn’t (and won’t fix) fixed the design flaws that contribute to its unreliability.
I won’t use an inherently unreliable gun for sd: the Tupperware Bodyguard 38 is the paradigm case of an inherently unreliable handgun.
Any real j frame is a better choice.
These things are notorious for locking up and otherwise not working reliably.
Smith hasn’t (and won’t fix) fixed the design flaws that contribute to its unreliability.
I won’t use an inherently unreliable gun for sd: the Tupperware Bodyguard 38 is the paradigm case of an inherently unreliable handgun.
Any real j frame is a better choice.
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max503
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rockquarry
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Yes, there seems to some confusion here. I believe the OP was talking about the M&P Bodyguard .38, which can be had for under $300 with the military/first responder rebate. It’s not a J frame and is radically different from the models 38 and 49.
Here’s a photo:
My mistake in my post about a J-frame 638. I have only around three or four S&W revolvers that aren't at least twenty -five years old and am not up on the current stuff. I was unaware S&W builds such a revolver as the one depicted. That's a real looker and so are the stocks...I don't think I need one.
The_Truth
SWCA Member
If anyone has a Model 38 or Bodyguard Airweight for sale you'd be better off shelling out the extra loot for a better quality firearm with some character and history 
max503
Well-known member
If anyone has a Model 38 or Bodyguard Airweight for sale you'd be better off shelling out the extra loot for a better quality firearm with some character and history
Got me - for a second.
joe44va
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Bought one a couple of years ago because I thought it unusual. Mine worked fine but I don't carry it because of the negative hype it got back then. Only put about 100 rounds thru it. Quite frankly, I had forgotten about it.
white cloud
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My new 640 Pro seems like a nice gun so for but I wish it were a 649 Pro. I do like the single action capability. I sometimes carry my 649 around the farm and the single action comes in handy every once in a while.
