Do you have a Bodyguard?
- Thread starter Cal44
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I picked this pre model up in a pawnshop. Looks like new, just a small scuff on the trigger guard and now signs of real use on recoil shield or extractor almost no turn line.
lawandorder
Member
Can not do with out a one or more Bodyguards...........
.............the older ones, not the new fangled ones.
All steel versions for me, never had one crack a frame.
.............the older ones, not the new fangled ones.
All steel versions for me, never had one crack a frame.
The only J I currently have is a 60. I will no doubt end up with an older 38 one of these days, I have always liked them.
samandglove1
Member
My regular CCW is a Model 38 from 1969. Great gun.
THE PILGRIM
Member
loeman
Member
My first S&W was this Md 49 that I bought new in the late 70s. Then later I bought this Md 649-3 in .357. They are two of my all-time favorites.
Richard Simmons
Member
Some very nice Bodyguards! I've got an M38 and an M49.
This M38 is my absolute favorite J frame S&W. Not only because of what it is but also the back story.
As you can see it is absolutely mint with just the slightest hint of a turn line if you hold it just right. I added the Tyler T-Grip and actually carried it a few times for CCW after putting a few cylinderfulls through it. Though I loved the light weight I already had an M49 so quickly decided to make this M38 a safe queen.
I guess it's been at least 10 years since I picked her up at an auction. Besides coming with the original box and manual there was also a Washington D.C. Gun Registration Certificate in the box. It had been filled out but never submitted.
The certificate shows that the original owner purchased the gun from S&W in Springfield, MA in August 1963. The owner filled out the card and dated it 6/11/69 so he had the gun for almost six years before deciding to register it. He also listed his occupation as "U.S. Treasury Dept.". Given that he was born in October of 1903 I've always thought that perhaps as a member of the Treasury Department he didn't need to register it but being that he was only four months away from turning 66 he might have been getting ready to retire and therefore had to register it.
Regardless I always wonder what his job was and what stories if any this gun could tell? From the looks of it I doubt he carried it much at all.
I'll try and take some pics of my M49 and post those. It's a great gun too, just not nearly as interesting.
This M38 is my absolute favorite J frame S&W. Not only because of what it is but also the back story.
As you can see it is absolutely mint with just the slightest hint of a turn line if you hold it just right. I added the Tyler T-Grip and actually carried it a few times for CCW after putting a few cylinderfulls through it. Though I loved the light weight I already had an M49 so quickly decided to make this M38 a safe queen.
I guess it's been at least 10 years since I picked her up at an auction. Besides coming with the original box and manual there was also a Washington D.C. Gun Registration Certificate in the box. It had been filled out but never submitted.
The certificate shows that the original owner purchased the gun from S&W in Springfield, MA in August 1963. The owner filled out the card and dated it 6/11/69 so he had the gun for almost six years before deciding to register it. He also listed his occupation as "U.S. Treasury Dept.". Given that he was born in October of 1903 I've always thought that perhaps as a member of the Treasury Department he didn't need to register it but being that he was only four months away from turning 66 he might have been getting ready to retire and therefore had to register it.
Regardless I always wonder what his job was and what stories if any this gun could tell? From the looks of it I doubt he carried it much at all.
I'll try and take some pics of my M49 and post those. It's a great gun too, just not nearly as interesting.
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RalphK22
Member
My Bodyguards
model 38 from 1966
model 649-1
model 38 from 1966
model 649-1
Bodyguards
Something about those humpbacks,
I have 2 model 38's, 438 which is my
EDC, 49, 649 in (357) and a bodyguard .380
I carry my 438 most times in a fobus, paddle
holster. Makes it easy to slip on as I go out
the door. Add a crimson trace and some speer
gold dots, and I'm good to go.
Something about those humpbacks,
I have 2 model 38's, 438 which is my
EDC, 49, 649 in (357) and a bodyguard .380
I carry my 438 most times in a fobus, paddle
holster. Makes it easy to slip on as I go out
the door. Add a crimson trace and some speer
gold dots, and I'm good to go.
I've got 2 638's, a 649 ND & a 649-5.
Oh yes and 2 .380 Bodyguards sans LASER.
Mostly carry a 638 IWB, with a 380 BG in an ankle holster.
Oh yes and 2 .380 Bodyguards sans LASER.
Mostly carry a 638 IWB, with a 380 BG in an ankle holster.
Cal44:
This is going to be a great thread!!! I'm getting a big smile on my face already, just seeing these "Beauty Queens"!!! I only have one of this style right now, an old fashioned, all steel, Model 49 no dash. I only have a poor cell phone picture here at the cabin, and since the time that this picture was taken, years ago, I have dressed it up with some ivories. I will try to photograph it tomorrow, in its new livery. The all steel Model 49 is a great compact J frame, which won't snag on your clothing during the draw, and yet allows a more precise single action shot if one so desires. I would never part with this little treasure.
When I first acquired it:
Here it is today, with Ivory stocks, a Tyler T Grip, and a sharkskin trimmed Mitch Rosen ARG:
Best Regards, Les
This is going to be a great thread!!! I'm getting a big smile on my face already, just seeing these "Beauty Queens"!!! I only have one of this style right now, an old fashioned, all steel, Model 49 no dash. I only have a poor cell phone picture here at the cabin, and since the time that this picture was taken, years ago, I have dressed it up with some ivories. I will try to photograph it tomorrow, in its new livery. The all steel Model 49 is a great compact J frame, which won't snag on your clothing during the draw, and yet allows a more precise single action shot if one so desires. I would never part with this little treasure.
When I first acquired it:
Here it is today, with Ivory stocks, a Tyler T Grip, and a sharkskin trimmed Mitch Rosen ARG:
Best Regards, Les
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SuperMan
Member
My first snubbie back in 1972 was a Humpy....bought it just after the assignation attempt on George Wallace when there was talk of small guns being banned...(do things ever change?)
It was a blue 49 and was later stolen in a burglary while I was a student in Boston.
A few years ago I picked up a retired Michigan Sate Police backup 38 that was blue with a stainless cylinder...unfortunately the frame is cracked but I just keep it as is...
My favorite of all time however is a 649 I picked up and had TK Custom machine the cylinder to take .38 Super and 9mm via moon clips. First pic is 10 yards with .38 Super, second 7 yards with 9mm ball... Still shoots .38 fine also...
It was a blue 49 and was later stolen in a burglary while I was a student in Boston.
A few years ago I picked up a retired Michigan Sate Police backup 38 that was blue with a stainless cylinder...unfortunately the frame is cracked but I just keep it as is...
My favorite of all time however is a 649 I picked up and had TK Custom machine the cylinder to take .38 Super and 9mm via moon clips. First pic is 10 yards with .38 Super, second 7 yards with 9mm ball... Still shoots .38 fine also...
Attachments
lrb1200
Member
Picked up two 638's a couple of years ago when Illinois was
finally strong-armed into issuing concealed carry permits, that was a long time comin'.
One of my acquisitions was for my other half, simplicity in operation, no worries about "failure to feed", easy concealment,
it's a no brainer. Loaded with "FBI loads" 158gr. soft lead HP's.
She shoots it more than well enough at 7 yards.
Light, small, and stone reliable with that load for summertime carry, I don't feel compromised carrying it.
I collect firearms as artwork, but I also keep a set of them as tools.
A 638 is a fine example of one of the tools.
finally strong-armed into issuing concealed carry permits, that was a long time comin'.
One of my acquisitions was for my other half, simplicity in operation, no worries about "failure to feed", easy concealment,
it's a no brainer. Loaded with "FBI loads" 158gr. soft lead HP's.
She shoots it more than well enough at 7 yards.
Light, small, and stone reliable with that load for summertime carry, I don't feel compromised carrying it.
I collect firearms as artwork, but I also keep a set of them as tools.
A 638 is a fine example of one of the tools.
loeman
Member
I too like the artwork of fine S&W revolvers and some semi-autos. No, the Md 49 will not stand up to the beauty and elegance of some of the big N frames and other classics. But to use an old cliche', Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder", and in my eye the Model 49 and its brethren represents beauty...business beauty.
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