Gads, what an ugly little thing ...

[Ron H.]

Greetings, all:

I've been sporadically looking for a steel J-frame for a while now--a pre-lock Model 36 or 60, something like that. What few I've seen locally have been priced around $500, some at $600+. Ack.

And then I stumbled across this thing. The price was right, but man ... what an ugly little beast. The finish wear didn't bother me, being as I planned to carry it, but I've always thought the Bodyguards just dreadful aesthetically. Still do.

But ugly is as ugly does, I suppose. This one's good mechanically (surprisingly nice trigger), and the shrouded hammer offers little to snag on a pocket or shirt-tail, while still allowing single-action shots. OK, I can see the value in that. It's also got a ratty Tyler T-Grip coupled with some old Barami Hip-Grips, which I last saw in the late '80s. It feels surprisingly good in the hand, though, and the Hip-Grip thingie makes a holster optional--nice in the summer. OK, that's good, too. And it's a 49, so it's all steel--good, good.

OK, so it's ugly. But most of the uglies are practical. Hmmm.

All right, where do I sign?

Left side. Told ya it wasn't much to look at.

Right side, Barami Hip-Grip

From above and behind: Notice the protruding grip horn. BTW, that Federal Nyclad stuff ($1.20 a shot!) was the only kind of .38 special ammo the shop had.

BTW, the serial number is 1J435xx. Any idea when it was made? It lacks the barrel pin, so I'd guess early '80s at the oldest.

Semper Fi,

Ron H.

 

[ENH]

If only it could talk. I bet it still wants to be carried and shot and not put in some safe somewhere.

 

[bronco45]

Pretty is as pretty does! Old cliche but it is appropiate to that handgun.

If they didn't work, and fill an important niche, Smith wouldn't build them.

 

[UserName]

That is a thing of beauty.

 

[Frizzman]

I find the Bodyguard to be one of those things that's so strange looking that it is attractive. The finish doesn't look that bad to me. I picked up an old pre-36 a couple of years ago that makes your gun look like NIB condition. It still shoots fine though and is back on the job for me. I would be pleased to find a Bodyguard like that one. The wear is actually better for me on a gun I intend to use.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I've seen worse, and you know the quality is good, and replacement parts are available. For the right price, it would have come home with me. I know what you mean about the ammo situation. Last week I was in wallyworld and saw a box (100 rounds) of .38 Special +P, 125gr hollow points at a good price(approx. $32.00). I own 3 different pistols I could shoot these in, and this particular loading is a good SD round. But prior to the "ammo shortage", I wouldn't have bought either such a large amount, nor so willing to buy them at that price.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Well anyone who starts a thread with (gad's) has got ta be alright but Sir, that is not an ugly gun! You want to see ugly, look at a new Arminus revolver! For style in a J frame I sorta prefer the fully enclosed models such as the M-40 and M-640.

 

[tate razor]

That's what I'd call a classic stomach pump!

 

[KeithCarter]

An Emergency Room physician recently wrote he didn't see much difference in the insides of people who had been shot with the latest "tactical" round than those who had been shot with full metal jackets.

Elmer Keith also wrote his hollow points did a lot more damage to (smaller) animals than his solid cast bullets.

Are we victims of marketing men when we pay super high prices for bullets? Seems to me a plain old soft lead slug is all I need.

 

[pred]

I have it's brother,

Peter
The Bodyguard never appealed to me,,, But they begin to grow on you and you will hold them fondly in many ways very soon.

 

[whitecoyote]

That S&W 49 you have is awesome looking. Been there done that!

I have it's Uncle.

 

[Red Rover]

Post a picture of it with the wood grips installed and without that T-Grip, functional but ratty looking, and that little gun will take on a whole different look.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Ron H, to me that revolver ain't ugly. It's got character. My old M28-2 and my 32 Regulation Police both have legit wear on them. It's part of their history.

 

[jframefreak]

Those aren't ugly, they're experienced.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Congratulations on your new 49. According to the SCSW 3rd Edition it was born in 1983.

 

[WC145]

She'll look better at closing time, all those homely ones do!

So what kind of a deal did you get on it?

 

[rdykmans]

I recently bought one NIB and it will probably stay that way except for the Spegels I got for it.

 

[Speedo2]

Be very, very careful with it. It sort of looks like one of those things (much like an accordion) that if you were to leave unattended on the seat of your parked truck, you'd come back to find your windows smashed in and 2 or 3 more of them laying on the seat. -S2

(sorry, I couldn't resist. that thing is truly butt ugly)

 

[Match10]

That's an honest working gun. I'd have it in a minute!

 

[NCBeagle]

That's not ugly at all. It looks like it has an interesting history. My favorite revolvers looks like that...because they have been with me down many dark alleys / road trips, etc.