Bitten by the Bodyguard bug

[Tracer_Bullet]

Came across this shooter grade model 49 and picked it up for a reasonable price ($385). Based on serial# and features I'm guessing it's 1966-67 vintage. It was apparently neglected for a while but a good cleaning has everything working smoothly. I replaced the original stocks (numbered to the gun) with a rubber Bantam from Hogue and it is a pleasure to shoot. This is my first Bodyguard style J-frame (have a 60 and a pair of 640s) and I like it so much that I went out and found another to put in layaway at my local dealer's. I think I've been bitten by some kind of bug...

 

[pred]

A couple of new looking model 38s

Then a NIB 649 waiting a 9mm conversion.

And then the 49 that's in my waist band right now.
They are fine firearms and very comfy for IWB carry!
You will grow to love the ugly ducklings that they are and in time they will become very attractive to you!
Peter

 

[winchester1]

Yes, addicting indeed!

 

[texagun]

The Perfect Carry Gun:
Here's one from 1982:

 

[DeadAye]

Range USA in Memphis (about 50 miles from us) now has *Date Night* on Friday and Saturday nights... For $40 you get a lane, 2 targets, 2 boxes of the pistol ammo of your choice and a deli dinner. So, for our 28th wedding anniversary, we went.
I bought my first Bodyguard (M49) last week and couldn't wait to try it out. I was pretty surprised to find the recoil to be most pleasant, to say the least -- But even more surprised to see how well my wife (a fairly small woman) shot it. Now she wants a Chief's Special, since she shot it better SA, but wants a regular hammer.
A new quest

 

[Malysh]

Here's my early 70s Mod 38. I replaced the standard grips with the older Bodyguard high horn diamond grips. They fit my hand a little better:

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I came across this Very Nice Model 649 Bodygaurd yesterday & just had to have it, I have a few Centennials & realy didn't NEED it but it came home with me anyway, And with the condition & accesories I did great IMO..
I almost hate to shoot this little bug, I can tell it was carried some & shot very little..
Gary/Hk
S&W Bodygaurd Circa 1987 Model 649

 

[Glock 'em down]

And then the 49 that's in my waist band right now.
They are fine firearms and very comfy for IWB carry!
You will grow to love the ugly ducklings that they are and in time they will become very attractive to you!
Peter

That is one sexy "experienced" Bodyguard indeed.

I have a model 38 no dash that has ridden in my front pocket DAILY in a DeSantis "Nemesis" pocket holster since October 2008. I consider it my "no excuse" gun, because it's so light and simple to carry, and there's literally "no excuse" for a person to go completely unarmed.

Sometimes the little J is a primary carry gun - short trips to the store and what-not, but it's usual role is that of a BUG when I'm on duty and totin' the plastic duty gun. It's also my BUG when I'm off duty and making a trip to the city or a night on the town with Mrs GED. Regardless of where I am or what I'm doing, if I'm vertical, the little humpback is in my pocket...

Every. Single. Day.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

"You will grow to love the ugly ducklings that they are and in time they will become very attractive to you!"

Yeah, the first time I saw one I wasn't sure what to make of it, just didn't look like a traditional revolver. When I finally got to handle one I really liked the feel of it and the fact that you can cock it for S.A. shots and still have a snag-free carry weapon.
Took it to the range again yesterday and I just like it more and more each time I take it out.

 

[Checkman]

I've owned mine for seven years. Bought it from a retired cop who carried it for twenty-three years as his BUG. Great little model.

 

[albanian]

I wish you people would keep quite about the Bodyguards, everyone will know they are best J-frame if you blabbing about it and there will be less of them to go around!

I wish they would make an ultra-light in the Bodyguard style.

 

[JumpinJack]

Just bought what i hope will be the perfect snub, a 638-2 that was sent back to the factory and fitted with a titanium cylinder. i hope to pick it up from the dealer next week.

 

[SK2344]

I traded my Ruger Mini 14 which was new for a Body Guard Model several years ago. This was an old model but never used very much and was not +P rated. After a 50 round session at the range, I noticed what seemed to be a crack in the frame just under where the barrel fits into the frame.
The owner of the Range shipped it back to S&W, which cost me $35 at that time. About two weeks later I received a call from the Range to pick up my gun. I was ready to pay out some money for the repair but was shocked to see a bran new Bodyguard model shipped to me at no cost and it was +P rated! It's a GREAT GUN and I carry it in a Nemisis Pocket Holster. I'm thinking in the near future about buying the .357 Bodyguard which is all steel construction.

 

[SDH]

I kinda like mine too!

 

[DC7]

About three years ago I ran across this pair of mid-1960's Bodyguards, which came from the collection of an elderly gentleman in Texas. Although the original boxes showed some wear and fading, the guns inside were still in brand-new condition, unfired and virtually untouched since leaving the factory over 40 years earlier.

Model 38 on the right and Model 49 on the left:

 

[fedret]

Bought my first Bodyguard in 1969/70 for use as a BUG and UC, still have it. Hadit nickled by the factory in about 1971. They also tuned it for me and it only cost $15 and change. Bought another one off an FBI S/A, but it ended up with a son. Still carry my first Bodyguard, and qualify with it every year under LEOSA. Only change to it is a Tyler T grip adaptor and orange paint on the front sight.