Bodyguard help please...

[elphius]

hi guys and girls

I am new to this forum and signed up to the forum specifically to ask the crowd one question and I appreciate if anybody could answer it. but I will ask you guys to abide by some rules

- it is a technical question and I would like a straight technical answer. ie yes or no and why.
- I would like everyone to stay away from opinions and the "why" I am asking this.
- please only answer if you KNOW and TRIED for SURE.

there it goes.

does the de santis clip grip fit on the bodyguard 38 like all other j frames without the need for modification??? or is the BG 38 different???

I have a 637 with these grips on it and I want to buy a BG38 but I want to know if I can use these grips on it as well, and yes I know it might be akward because of the laser but I want to do it anyways

 

[Edmo]

Straight Answer: No...

Why: Although it shares similar lines, size, and five round capacity, the BG38 is not a J-frame revolver. Grips are not interchangeable with a J-frame, therefore a J-frame "clip grip" will not fit.

There are few things the BG38 does share with a standard J-framed revolver. The short list includes: 38 Special ammo, 5 shot speed loaders, and the BG38 will fit into most J-frame holsters.

On Edit, here is my unsolicited opinion: Based on my past experience (and malfunctions) with the BG38, I would recommend a Model 442 or 642 instead.

Edmo

 

[elphius]

thanks for the straight up answer. and by the way, what kind of problems the BG could've had??? it is a revolver

 

[Edmo]

My problem started when the action locked up after about a month. The trigger was frozen to the rear and the cylinder was locked tight.

S&W "fixed" it and on the first range session I had light primer strikes and misfires.

On the second trip back to S&W they told me it would need to be replaced by another BG38. I elected to pay the difference and have them ship me a true J-frame model 642CT with the Crimson Trace laser grips.

I highly recommend the 642CT. You get the same light weight aluminum frame, 38 Special +P caliber, a better laser setup, a wide availability of parts (i.e. grips), and the reliability & serviceability of a J-frame.

If you are bored, HERE is the link to the original thread discussing my problems.

Good luck on your purchase... To be fair, others have had no troubles with their BG38, but mine showed me the fallacy in the statement of "... and revolvers are 100% reliable".

Edmo

 

[RGMoore]

Mt experience was just about identical to edmo.
Mine shot to the left, failed to rotate the cylinder and failed to fire. I also upgraded to a 642CT and like it a whole lot more.