Anyone shoot the 649 "Bodyguard"?

[Triggernosis]

They look like the perfect concealed-carry gun to me. How manageable (or unmanageable) is that rascal when shooting .357?
If it's bad, I'd rather get the .38 version, but would prefer the extra punch of the .357 if it's not unruley.

 

[Triggernosis]

They look like the perfect concealed-carry gun to me. How manageable (or unmanageable) is that rascal when shooting .357?
If it's bad, I'd rather get the .38 version, but would prefer the extra punch of the .357 if it's not unruley.

 

[G-Mac]

Triggernosis,

I have a 649-1 Bodyguard that I bought new and carry often. It's .38 Special only...not even rated for +P rounds.

I've shot it a lot at the range (years ago) because I wanted to be familiar with it.

I would not want a Bodyguard in .357. I can't imagine that any "real" .357 round would be controllable in a small J-frame snubby. It is what it is.

If I want to carry a .357 snubby, I grab my 66-1.

 

[Jim PHL]

Triggernosis; it's completely subjective. Some years ago I had a 640-1. (Hammerless j-frame .357-very similar in size and stature to the 649.) To me it was more "giggle factor". I used to shoot magnums in it and literally laugh at how powerful it was in such a small package. My bro-in-law shot it only two rounds of .357 and my dad would not shoot it at all unless it had only .38's in it. Obviously you can practice with .38's and carry magnums but you should practice some with the magnum rounds you intend to carry as well. To some people, good +P rounds are unpleasant in a steel j-frame.

 

[thomasinaz]

I used to shoot mine quite a bit, and figured if it's a 357 I'll use 357 ammo. It kicks pretty hard with the 158's, and the 125's a little less. Definitely not at all as bad as the scandium/titanium J's. The flash and noise will get the attention of those around you at the range. With the longer grips, like on the top gun in the photo, it's not as bad. Also there's some rubber on the back strap that cushions it some. Wearing the shorter grips, it's pictured with here, the recoil feels quite a bit harder. I haven't tried it with anything made of wood, and don't feel any need to.

 

[Mediumbore]

Triggernosis,

The capabilities of the .357 in a J-frame package are going to depend on your abilities and willingness to practice. To its credit, I believe that S&W has now out-engineered most shooters abilities. The gun should be capable of handling it. I would stick with the full 3-fingered grips as supplied. The full grip and rubber cushioning on the backstrap may allow you to shoot without much pain. Once you've mastered that, controllability will be the other bugaboo. Only you can provide the answer to that. I would suggest starting with 110 or 125gr loads, possibly the Remington medium velocity loads. The .357 will be a more effective load, but you need to determine if it is enough to offset the controllability issues. I have a Scandium .357 and it was not fun to shoot with those same full grips.

Matt

 

[cometpx4]

I just put 50 rounds through my 49 airweight bodyguard last night. i ran a box of winchester 110 grain silvertips through it and it was actually fun to shoot-very mild almost like shooting a .32 magnum. I know there are faster heavier ,38 loads out there but this was a perfect balance. They are $30 a box but normally i shoot the 130 wwb hardball at the range.

 

[.357magger]

Trigernosis,

I carried a 649-1 in .38 special for about 7 years as a Detective in an ankle holster. It would shoot 38 +p's too but I just loaded wadcutters in it. Pretty accurate shooter, would do very well at the 15 yard line if needed and any closer, heck, WAY more than accurate enough for close groups and only the hits count right?

Hope this helps ya out.

Tim

 

[smousefam5]

My 649 is a -2 so it won't handle .357 Mags. It isn't a problem with +P loads though.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally posted by G-Mac:
Triggernosis,It's .38 Special only...not even rated for +P rounds.
.

I beg to differ, they are all rated for +P.

I own them and the no dash 649 no dash made in 1982 is still tight as a drum.

 

[Jetsbud]

Had a 49 and been shooting it for Oh my that long 30+ years. +p no sweat so far. It even went back for a reblue once.

 

[G-Mac]

Originally posted by 500 Magnum Nut:

Originally posted by G-Mac:
Triggernosis,It's .38 Special only...not even rated for +P rounds.
.

I beg to differ, they are all rated for +P.

I own them and the no dash 649 no dash made in 1982 is still tight as a drum.

The recommended ammo chart in the factory manual that came with my 649-1 when I bought it new says that the use of +P and +P+ could "...affect the wear characterisatics...", "...exceed the margin of safety....", "...
and could therefore be DANGEROUS."

I think I'll go with that for me and my gun.

I think that the "heat treat package" was introduced on the 649-2.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally posted by G-Mac:.

The recommended ammo chart in the factory manual that came with my 649-1 when I bought it new says that the use of +P and +P+ could "...affect the wear characterisatics...", "...exceed the margin of safety....", "...
and could therefore be DANGEROUS."[/QUOTE]

Yes, that is what the manual says.
The key word here is could. It does not say "it will" or is "not recommended".

If you don't want to shoot +P that is fine. I do without any worries.

 

[pace40]

I put a cylinder of .357 thru mine when I first got it. Saw no reason to do it again

 

[G-Mac]

Originally posted by 500 Magnum Nut: If you don't want to shoot +P that is fine. I do without any worries.

I have absolutely no desire to take this risk.

I've got enough guns that ARE rated for +P that I have no reason to abuse my 649-1.

It will be loaded with standard-velocity .38 Special only, as S&W intended.

If I need "more gun", the options are there.

 

[cmannie]

I have a 649 in .357...and YES...to Me...it VERY unruly...Fun...but,"A little goes a long way"
Recoil and blast are severe.
However,when I carry it,I DO pack full house .357 loads.
The Uncle Mikes rubber grips do seem to help...Wood grips...OUCH.

 

[Noah Zark]

Originally posted by MOONDAWG:
Triggernosis,

Find a real good solid brick wall. Stand next to it, open your shooting hand into a flat palm. Now swing as hard as you can and slap the sh*t out of the brick wall five times in quick secession.

If you enjoyed this experience, then buy yourself a .357 magnum Airlite J-frame.

I agree with Moondawg regarding Airlite J-frames, but the M649 is all-stainless and has enough mass to be reasonable with +P 38 Specials and 357 Magnums. I have a prelock/preMIM 357 M649 and use it for occasional carry. With the Uncle Mikes boot grips, recoil with 357 ammo is pretty smart, but tolerable. I have no problem shooting a box of 50 or more in one session.

Noah

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks for the responses, guys. It looks like I should probably stick with a steel-framed version or drop down to .38 Spec. if I go with the lightweight version.

BTW, didn't S&W used to make a blued version of the Bodyguard in .357?

 

[40SX]

Originally posted by MOONDAWG:
Triggernosis,

Find a real good solid brick wall. Stand next to it, open your shooting hand into a flat palm. Now swing as hard as you can and slap the sh*t out of the brick wall five times in quick secession.

If you enjoyed this experience, then buy yourself a .357 magnum Airlite J-frame.

If you did not enjoy it, stick to standard .38 specials and practice till your gun handling skills are at the level you desire.

Will and Skill win gun fights, not macho BS and magic bullets.

MOONDAWG

Moondawg, according to what you wrote above, my hand and my girlfriends hands should look like raw meat. This past weekend was our monthly practice session with my S&W 340PD and M&P 340. Again this month as with the previous 37 month, the only casualty was my wallet after shooting fifty rounds of Winchester 145 grain .357 magnum Silvertip rounds. She fired ten rounds and I shot the other forty. We only do this once a month because it is not pleasant but in no means is it torturous. The S&W AirLites are not fun range plinking guns, but a very serious firearm to always have as a companion. After shooting the M&P 340, she continued on with my S&W 1911 DK and I took on my Sig P229 357 Sig.

I really think this is an over exaggerated account by some people that do not grip the weapon properly. We never had the least bit of discomfort, redness or blood associated with firing any of my 12 or 13 ounce .357 magnum revolvers. The few people that want to shoot these revolvers while were at the range do so very well after just a bit of instruction. The comments that I hear most often is "wow, that sure does kick", and not "get me to the hospital."

I carry a handgun for at least sixteen hours a day and the lightweight and powerful 340PD and M&P 340 fits the bill to the "T". I don't think any "J" frame shooting .357 magnums is a great idea for the beginner. Just start off shooting .38 specials, then +Ps and latter down the line give the magnums a try.

BTW, both me and my girlfriend find shooting my S&W 629 with its three inch barrel and full .44 magnum loads is more objectionable than my AirLites. Recoil, different things to different people. Actually I do more damage to my hands drumming than I ever do shooting.

Dennis

 

[40SX]

MOONDAWG, likewise about taking my reply personally. I don't beleive I ever say that I liked shooting .357 magnum rounds from a "J" frame.

It's something that has to be done with some regularity if a person chooses to carry such a weapon and use the .357 magnum round for defensive applications. I would like much more to shoot my S&W 34 than my AirLites, but I would never carry a .22 for protection. I chose the 340PD and M&P 340 because of its great light weight to power factor, not because I'm a masochist.

As I said above with over a couple thousand rounds over a three years period, neither me or Wanda ever injured our hands shooting these weapons.

Take care,
Dennis

 

[burntmypiston]

Not to hijack the thread, but anyone know what kind of grips are on Photoman44's 649? Got a 640 that I think could benefit from those.

 

[photoman]

I'm not positive, but I think they are Ajax grips. I bought them used from the Classified section.

 

[G-Mac]

Originally posted by Photoman44:
I have a 649 no-dash that lives on a steady diet of +P's. No problems. No worries.

Please define "steady diet".

How many +P rounds have been through this gun?

 

[Ed333]

This kinda turned into a .38 vs magnum in J frames thread, but as to the 649 specifically, i have been A/B'ing various J frames, a 36,37, 40, 49, 60, 640 no dash, 640-1, and a 649, and maybe it is just luck of the draw, but the 649 has one of the best triggers and tightest groups, and the groups are at point of aim at 15 yards, I really like it. this is with .38s only. It gets my vote.

 

[Dosgatos]

I bought my wife a 649 15 years ago - she's pretty athletic (and pretty) and has no problem shooting it, the little she shoots it. I enjoy shooting this gun and find it very controllable and reasonably accurate at 15 yards, and I wouldn't expect any more than that. Carried in a Fobus paddle holster its weight is noticeable, but not objectionable. On the other hand, I'm a sissy: I sold my pre-dash 4" M66 for the simple reason that it was unpleasant to shoot with .357. Based on that, I KNOW I wouldn't like shooting .357 in a J-frame! If I want more punch, I'll use my 4" M24-3! Talk about heavy to carry...

 

[Dosgatos]

Forgot to mention: I use a Tyler T-Grip on my 649, and find it makes it quite a bit easier to handle.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by G-Mac:

Originally posted by Photoman44:
I have a 649 no-dash that lives on a steady diet of +P's. No problems. No worries.

Please define "steady diet".

How many +P rounds have been through this gun?

Probably 300-400 or so. I haven't had the gun but for a few months. I shoot +P's in all my J frames. I will say this, I don't own any old, pre-model marked J's.

 

[LH2]

What year did the 649 change from .38 to .357? Did the dimensions of the gun change at all when that took place?

I just picked up a NIB 649 .38 Spl with a DOB of 1985 and it's real nice. Feels solid like +P ammo should be no problem. Might put some Crimson Trace grips on it though...

 

[2hawk]

Looks like I'm late to the party, haven't been at this site for a little while.
The comments about brick walls and not needing to repeat the experience ring true. On a lark, I ran 3 cylinders full of Winchester 180 gr Partion Gold through this guy, and although everything was A and B zone on a B27 (fast shooting, 10 yards), I definitely felt like I might have made a mistake for the next couple of days. No blood, but plenty sore.

That said, I do carry with Corbon 125gr, and figure that in the event I need to use them I'll not be worried about the effect on my end.
I specifically got rid of my 442 and got the 649 so I could have some semblance of control with hot loads.ymmv

 

[OIF2]

I have a 649 .38 that I won in the first PPC Match I shot with the LAPD Pistol team in 1986. It is a superb revolver in .38, but I can't imagine one in .357. LAPD still gets them in .38 (special LAPD order) through the Academy store. I've carried mine with stock grips and a grip adaptor as my backup-off-duty gun for over 20 years. The new 135 grain LAPD Gold-Dot load shoots to POA in my gun and has performed well in several OIS (Officer Involved Shootings) since its' adoption as our official .38 load.
Bob