1956? Bodyguard Airweight

[The_Truth]

I'm pretty sure this gun is not considered a hand ejector but it didn't fit into the other sub-forum due to the year it was manufactured. If it needs to be moved, if the mods would be so kind as to move it for me. Thanks.

Well, I normally wouldn't create a thread for a "new to me" gun, and this one is probably nothing special, but I think I will for this one. I had been waiting for a nice minty Model 49 to pop up for the right price, but I had also been keeping an eye on Model 38s due to the Airweights' easy carry ability, if you will, since this will be a duty weapon for me and not a "safe queen" collector. As it turns out, the market for Model 38s has been producing some very low priced pieces as of late and I feel I lucked out with this one.

I got a pretty killer deal on this one that I couldn't pass up, so I took a chance. I did some testing with dry firing, and got it to fail after about 30 trigger pulls in double action. I had extensive over the phone conversations with the previous owner, and he had never mentioned any issues, so I was a bit confused. I partially disassembled it to try and diagnose the problem, and found some stripped out threads interfering with the cylinder locking mechanism showing evidence that it was out of time. I gave it a thorough cleaning and lube and now it functions perfectly.

Anyway, it was sold to me as a Model 38 that was made between 1958 and 1961. After some research though, and after a thorough inspection, I have deduced that it is actually a Bodyguard Airweight pre- Model 38 made in 1956. It is obviously a flat latch, and has diamond magnas that are numbered to the gun. I do not have the original box unfortunately. Serial number 114xxx.

I've got a really sweet 1982 Model 36 that I love, but for this gun's intended purpose I required a shrouded hammer for pocket carry, and honestly my 36 is almost too nice to pocket carry.

In my other 38s, I carry Buffalo Bore's +p 158 grain lead semi wadcutter hollow cavity, so I was wondering if this pistol can actually handle true +P rounds. I practice with Speer Lawman 158 grain +P rounds, but they are really nothing compared to this Buffalo Bore. I just want to make sure that I'm not going to destroy this gun if I ever have to use it for its intended purpose. I don't shy away from recoil, so that is not an issue for me.

Eventually it will have bronze T grips to match my Model 36.

Without further adieu, here are a couple photos.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Nice looking Bodyguard. Congrats.

I'd say the factory likely shipped it about fall '57 if it were a Chiefs Special. I don't track the Bodyguards, and even though they fall in the same serial number range as the Chiefs I can't say if they sat on the shelf longer or shorter times than the Chiefs.

I don't know why you think it's not a hand ejector. More "search" time required.

Don't shoot +P. The Airweights have a tendency to crack the frame below where the barrel protrudes through the frame without +P ammo; you sure don't want to add more stress there.

Hope this helps.

 

[The_Truth]

Thanks for the tip! I didn't think I should shoot +p, was more hoping I could.

If it makes a difference it doesn't have Model 38 stamped on the crane, only a 5 digit number.

In reference to the hand ejector designation, obviously one would eject the cartridges by hand, but I've primarily been a 1980 and newer collector until now. Been waiting on a nice flat latch for a while so I'm just now getting into that world.

 

[Benton Quest]

While you should not subject this fine piece of history to +P's....it will hold at least five of them....so, if you have to shoot your way out, there is that.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[JP@AK]

I will second two-bit cowboy's 1957. That's about a year before the Model 38 first hit the streets, probably a little bit more. Nice little Airweight.

As for the hand ejector designation, if it has a cylinder that swings out and pressure on the extractor rod is necessary to eject spent rounds, it is a hand ejector. Hand ejectors have been made since 1899 in .38 Special and since 1896 in .32 S&W Long. Before that came the tip ups and top breaks, which had automatic ejection.

 

[The_Truth]

Thanks a lot for the replies, fellas. I think this one has found a new home in my front pocket

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I'm very fond of the Model 38 and its progeny: Model 49, Model 638, etc. My EDC is a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1 usually pocket carried in DeSantis Nemesis holsters in my front pants pockets. I load them with standard velocity .38 Special ammo. I will occasionally carry one of the revolvers in a holster and am fond of the Bianchi 9R shoulder holster, the Bianchi 55L Lightning holster, the DeSantis Combat Master holster, and the Safariland paddle holster - usually worn at the 8 o'clock position. The belt holsters are easily concealed by a T-shirt or Hawaiian style shirt.

Regards,

Dave

 

[The_Truth]

Shot a few different loads out of this fine pistol the other day, figured I'd provide a range report.

The standard pressure 38s shot super easy, of course. I forget what they were exactly, but they were lead round nose, felt really lightly loaded like cowboy loads.

Shot a couple handfuls of Remington 158gr LSWCHC +P's through it which in my opinion are not loaded very hot at all. They provide just a little more pop than the normal pressure rounds. The gun felt fine, not like it was getting beat up. This isn't exactly scientific research, but my opinion. These rounds are my current EDC in this weapon.

Shot (1) full house Buffalo Bore +P 158gr LSWCHC out of it just to see how it felt because this would be my preferred carry round, and honestly, it didn't pop like a magnum like I thought it would. I highly doubt, in my opinion, that a few handfuls of these would ever hurt the gun. Maybe if you put hundreds on hundreds of them through the gun over years of abuse... but for a carry round that you would rarely if ever shoot out of it I don't think it'd be an issue.

As always, YMMV. Love this little piece. The DA trigger is pretty stiff but for an up close and personal carry gun honestly I prefer it that way.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I would recommend the Winchester "Defend" 130 grain standard pressure JHPs like I carry in my 1963 vintage Model 12-2 Airweight.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[shouldazagged]

Buffalo Bore's sstandard pressure 158gr. LSWCHP-GC clocks at the velocity of the older +P FBI load I carried for years--the Remington version--before they watered it down. It's advertised as safe in any S&W revolver.

My opinion is that in an up-close-and-urgent gun like a Model 38, near- .357 Magnum velocity is not necessary; but I don't know your job requirements, so you may need the extra speed
.

 

[The_Truth]

I like a heavy for caliber bullet out of a 38 snubby. I feel like what it may lack in speed it accomplishes with momentum. For now I'll continue carrying the tame +P Remingtons... but I think I'll probably switch over to the BB +P for carry sooner than later. That's all I carry in all my other all steel 38s. Not that the little bit of extra velocity would probably do much except maybe more reliably expand a hollow cavity.

 

[Waveski]

"Maybe if you put hundreds on hundreds of them through the gun over years of abuse... "

It only takes one round.
If it were my Airweight I would not feed it any +P. But it is not my Airweight.

 

[mbliss57]

Nice little piece of history. I have one in the s/n 909xx with the box & docs I keep as a safe queen. Shipped in July 1956 per Roy. I love these ugly Bodyguards. They are just so practical. I carry a newer magnum Bodyguard. Enjoy that old girl!

 

[The_Truth]

"Maybe if you put hundreds on hundreds of them through the gun over years of abuse... "

It only takes one round.
If it were my Airweight I would not feed it any +P. But it is not my Airweight.

Duly noted...

 

[Malysh]

To put into perspective standard pressure 38 Special loads vs. P+ 38 Special, consider the old book "The Book of Pistols and Revolvers" by W.H.B. Smith originally published in 1946.

The standard 38 Special cartridge as tested by the author shows penetration of seven 7/8" soft pine boards at 15 feet. Now, consider that penetration and the wood density compared to the human body. That many pine boards have more density than the hardest bone in a human body - the pelvis.

The common-sense conclusion is that these no-longer-as popular cartridges is that they have a lot more power than we remember to give them credit for, especially at close and dirty contact ranges. We're constantly looking for "new and improved" cartridges or "magic projectiles" The standard pressure cartridge with a old round nose projectile could go through a body at close range and go through another person or two before dissipating it's energy. And folks don't often remember that these standard pressure cartridges can easily smash most of the bones in a body, and don't assume the projectile will merely glance off the bone. When contemplating ballistics it's often assumed the cartridge will just pass through the body and not hit any bone. That's a huge and sometimes unfounded assumption. You shouldn't really assume anything.

According to Smith. even the humble .32acp will penetrate four 7/8: pine boards. Yielding to common sense for a moment, we tend to get lost in ballistic tables and forget reality. Shot placement primarily trumps caliber.

Since you've asked for opinions, I have to say you should use standard pressure Buffalo Bore 38 Special 158 grain LSWCHPs. Using the higher pressure loads will also effect how well you can control these small lightweight revolvers. Control adds to accuracy and shot placement. There is a reason the manufacturers of the older model aluminum alloy frame small revolvers don't want you to use high pressure rounds. Today, they specifically state their products will handle that type of pressure. Listen to them. If you want the latest superduper 38 round, then carry a modern Airweight, not the mid 1950s designed Airweights.

I think you are giving too much consideration to the extra power of the P+ loads.
The standard pressure loads will work fine, as they have for decades, at average confrontation distances. None of them are designed for engaging threats at even 25 yds. Factor in the very short 2 inch barrels. If somebody starts shooting at me from 75 feet away, the first thing I'm going to do is look for cover, not exchange fire. Even with semi auto pistols with longer barrels. Never forget that ANY handgun is considered a last ditch weapon by the military, and for good reason.
Trust in your skills, or improving your skills, rather than obsess over a little power advantage.

 

[Malysh]

And don't use the old fashion round nose lead cartridges. Modern projectile design is where cartridges have made the most improvement over the decades, not the power factors.

 

[The_Truth]

Appreciate the input. You're right. It's pretty silly to give a second more thought to shooting +p out of this one. It's just not necessary.

The round nose stuff is just for fun. Plinking cans and whatnot. My carry round is and always will be a 158gr LSWCHCs in any .38.