.38 Bodyguard - Another lead balloon for S&W???

[Maximumbob54]

I look for recent threads or reviews on this new revolver from time to time and I'm noticing that they just aren't getting much talk. The bulk of what is posted about them here or anywhere else tends to be a year old for the most part. Most of what comes up if you search for a Bodyguard is either the new .380 pistol or the older humpback revolver. I have personally been waiting to see if they offer it without the laser. Are they just not selling? Do people buy them and not get excited enough to post about them? There seems to be yet another Airweight being posted every day. And yet the new BG gets no talk. The only negative I have seen so far is the one used one I held had the front of the trigger loop wobble back and forth like it might break or bend under too much pressure. The initial reviews made them out like it may just be the next new thing. I don't hear of any of them having any major issues, but I also don't read much on them at all… What gives???

 

[Rangel]

I agree that the BG380 got a lot more attention, both good and bad. They had, as is all too common with gun companies today, some growing pains but seem to have it right now. I have a BG 380. (LCP) It has about a 14 pound trigger pull and I am fine with that and the gun as a whole.

The BG Revolver drew some negatives as to the Insight laser and how it is turned on and off. Also, the trigger, as I personally noticed on several samples, leaves a lot to be desired. On a pocket pistol, I don't think a pull in the range of 10-14 pounds is unreasonable, but I noticed a great deal of 'creep' on the BG LCR--the trigger just felt loose, long and not ready for prime time and I don't think its improved much, if any.

The Ruger LCR costs quite a bit more, but with a Crimson Trace laser, that set up works much better and the trigger feels far superior. That said, you pay quite a bit more for the Ruger and even for the cost most gun smiths would charge to do a trigger job and make the S&W 'right', you'd probably still be paying more for the Ruger.

It's too bad, because you can make a great, small light weight revolver and there's nothing as elegantly simple as a revolver--no slide to pull back, it's easy to load with available speed loaders--you just pull it out, pull the trigger and it goes 'bang'. They last just about forever, with no springs and less parts overall than semi automatics.And many of them can shoot the 38P load--there's some good critical defense 38 ammo out there.

 

[MLeake]

I haven't fired one, but have handled one.

I thought the ambi cylinder release was an interesting idea, but it would take some training for me to get used to it.

I didn't care for the trigger, and don't know how hard it would be to tune.

I found the grips too small for my hand, and I'm not sure about aftermarket replacements.

But I think the gun is a good idea, and hope it will be refined a bit.

 

[Dragon88]

Carrying a revolver these days is something the "old school" types are more likely to do. However, many old school types balk at the thought of a plastic revolver, and a S&W no less. S&W should dump the 38 Bodyguard, and release a 380 Bodyguard with no laser and a lower price. Let the 642s and 442s fill the CCW revolver niche, which they are already doing quite well.

 

[photoman]

If they would sell one without the laser and priced accordingly, I would try one.

 

[Andy Taylor]

1. The laser is difficult to turn on and off.
2. The cylinder release is goofy, IMHO.
3. The trigger stinks.
Frankly I see nothing to like in this revolver. Add to this, it really irritates me that they took the name of another .38 revolver and re-used it, which adds confusion to the mix. The BG380 and the M&P semi-autos were bad enough, but at least they are a completely different type of firearm.

 

[coach22]

#1. If someone never owned a Smith before, I guess it's ok.
But for someone who has shot Smith's most of their lives,
your brain will still tell your thumb to look for the latch on the side.
In a life and death reloading scenario, it could cost a person their life.

#2. Most shooters I believe are right handed. To activate the light,
a rightie has to cross over the top of the gun with their thumb.
At that moment, your hand is NOT in a shooting position
and has to be re positioned. Another things that takes time.

#3. The cylinder rotates the opposite way from all other Smith's.
WHY?
If you had time to load just one bullet to save your life,
a Smith shooter would load at 1 o'clock out of memory.
If you do, the bullet will wind up at 4 o'clock, because it rotates clockwise.
You would have to remember that in this Smith ONLY
to load at 11 o'clock. That could also cost a person their life.

#4. The ejector rod looks flimsy. Like a toothpick.

#5. Already mentioned, the grips are nothing to write home about.

Instead of Smith & Wesson spending their money to create a gun
that really wasn't necessary (442, 642, etc.)
they should have spent the money to make the 351C California legal.

Bad decision by a big company.

P.S. I work at a gun store and very few people buy the "new" Bodyguard.

 

[MLeake]

I hadn't noticed the clockwise rotation. I agree, that could be problematic.

I guess I like the concept of the inexpensive, polymer revolver, but am not sure why they put in some of the features they did on this one.

 

[mag318]

I for one like the Bodyguard 38 and have carried one daily since they came out. Any gun I choose to carry I practise a lot with and the BG38 is a very comfortable revolver during extended range sessions. My previous carry gun was the 337 AirLiteTi which was wonderfully light but no fun to shoot. I find the BG38 to handle recoil much better due to the new grip and the flexing of the polymer frame. The timing is classic S&W with the cylinder indexing well before the hammer falls making staging easy and resulting in near single action accuracy. I find the laser very easy to activate uipon drawing should I decide to use it. I think S&W hit a home run with the Bodyguard 38 and several friends who tried mine bought one for themselves.

 

[1jimmy]

i know they had trouble with the 380 especially with the laser buttons, could be the same on the 38. however living in mass and having a friend that a s&w dealer i do know there production levels are horrible. maybe there is not many out there yet.

 

[5Wire]

After sorting out faulty laser instructions early in production, one laser replacement, and a whole bunch of dry firing I find the BG38 a decent self defense revolver with a smooth trigger pull all perfectly adequate for its purpose. A good entry level firearm for someone interested only in self defense.

 

[celticfisherman]

The BG 38 IMHO is a waste. I played with one for a while at the LGS last week. The laser quite frankly sucks and the overall fit and finish to me is just lacking.

I agree with a post above about for the money... Spend some more and buy the Ruger LCR. Or do what I did... Buy a Mod 65 4" HB... Just sayin...

 

[southchatham]

The Ruger LCR did well because it was Ruger's only lightweight snubnose and it was new and innovative with a nice trigger and grips. Ruger fans had a whole new gun. The S&W Bodyguard 38 is competing with themselves. S&W has the air-weight j frames covered, plus they lowered the prices. I think most people will choose the air-weight over the polymer 38. I did.
The fact their is not much buzz tells me they are not selling well.

 

[moxie]

I don't understand some of the comments on pricing. If you check some of the auction sites, you will see that the BG .38, with laser, sells for about $420, on average. The LCR, without laser, is about the same at $420 or so. A laser equipped LCR runs another $150 or more. So, looks like the S&W is actually cheaper than the Ruger, apples to apples.

 

[HiCap]

I think S&W hit a home run with the Bodyguard 38 and several friends who tried mine bought one for themselves.

I agree. Although I had a POI issue with mine, which has been rectified, I really like it. It goes with me regardless of how I'm dressed and shoots very easily, allowing lots of practice. It's purpose is self defense and it satisfies this purpose admirably.

HiCap

 

[weedfarmer]

I carry a BG38 and don't even know it's in my pocket. Not bad on close shots,7~10 yards I need practice.

 

[Andy Taylor]

I don't understand some of the comments on pricing. If you check some of the auction sites, you will see that the BG .38, with laser, sells for about $420, on average. The LCR, without laser, is about the same at $420 or so. A laser equipped LCR runs another $150 or more. So, looks like the S&W is actually cheaper than the Ruger, apples to apples.

Yes and you get what you pay for. Actually, even though I don't like the gun, I think it could be a big seller if they offered it for about $100-$125 less without the laser. A reliable .38 pocket revolver for about $300 would sell very well.

 

[DCWilson]

I have looked at the new BG revolver, but doubt I will buy one. I am mostly a curio and relic guy, and I'd rather put my money in something a half a century old or better. I have two or three small .38 revolvers that address the same need a BG seeks to serve, so I just don't have the need. But I am not hostile to the gun and its design. I just don't need one.

My LGS usually has one on the shelf, but it's not the same one; he has had up to three. He seems to be selling them, though he is geared mostly to market to the Sig, Glock and CZ semi-auto crowd.

I don't think the model is either a lead balloon or a runaway success. Looks to me like just a steady seller in its market niche.

 

[TACC1]

We Heard a Lot of Horror Stories .....

We heard a lot of horror stories about the BG380, not much
at all about the BG38. Sounds like it must work as advertised, but
also does not make an emotional bond like traditional revolvers.
We've heard lots of stories about 442/642, with the underlying
feel that they are universally likrd/loved, and people want them
to be perfect, ie, action jobs, etc.No stories has got to mean okay
but no love. It's hard to love plastic. TACC1

 

[Defilade]

I just picked up a used BG38 on Saturday morning. I looked at a 642 airweight and a Ruger LCR 357. I really liked the fact that the Smith had the lazer already on it. So anyway I took it to the range later that day and found that it does not shoot POA, but with the lazer you can fix that. I never did miss the target even with the gun not hitting the POA. I have to say for the money the BG38 is a great little gun. The recoil was a little sharper than I thought it would be, but I think the Airweight would have been the same way.