Hello from SC - Advice on .38 Bodyguard

[TCarter]

Hello,
I am 53 years old and widowed. I took the concealed weapons class after my husband died for security purpose. Me and my husband use to shoot some, but not alot. I have really enjoyed shooting with my grandson's. I am looking at the Smith and Wesson Bodyguards with laser if anyone can tell me about it. I have heard there has been some problems with them, if so could someone let me know what problems they may have had.
TCarter

 

[snubbyfan]

Welcome from the panhandle of West Virginia.

 

[mod34]

TC,
Welcome to the forum and sorry for the passing of your husband. I believe that some folks consider the laser to be the panacea for all of that which creates accuracy which I personally do not believe to be true. The BG is OK for concealed carry and for the nightstand I suppose, but I would get very proficient in shooting it (or any other firearm) accurately prior to becoming reliant on the laser.

 

[olskool]

welcome, i am in SC also. near summerville, i live on the longest black water river in the US. the edisto.

 

[7shooter]

I don't own a Body Guard but I did shoot one at a range where I was working as a range safety officer for a national firearms retailer who had brought in 180 gun sales people from across the country and had most of the major manufacturers bring their firearms for the sales people to shoot. The Body Guard seemed like a good gun but I liked the Ruger LCR better because it had a smoother trigger and appeared to me to have less felt recoil probably due to the excellent grip that Ruger used . I ended up buying one which was counter productive for my financial situation since I ended up spending more than I earned that day.

I would suggest two things to you . First ask your carry permit instructor ( or other experienced hand gun shooter ) for his or her advice and if they are willing ask them to accompany you to a well stocked local gun store to help in selection.

The second idea is to Google " Problems with S&W 38 special Body Guard " and see what comes up. I just did that and found mostly positive reviews. Here is the first site that popped up:
S&W Bodyguard .38 special review - Survivalist Forum

Good luck and with whatever you decide your best plan is to practice a lot.

 

[7shooter]

Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[gkitch]

I also recommend taking a hard look at the Ruger LCR. Also, do not rule out a good steel J-frame S&W such as the Chief's Special, Centennial, or original Bodyguard.

 

[fdw]

My wife and I have Ruger LCRs. I'd look at a 38 in the LCR. We have been very pleased with ours. Personally, I'd pass on the laser.

 

[5Wire]

The laser is a great teaching tool. I practice with and without it on my BG38, the idea being to diminish my relying on the laser while learning to get well placed shots off in a hurry.

 

[Hapworth]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have personal experience with the Bodyguard 38 beyond palming a few at gun shows.

The early gun magazine reviews were positive, but gun magazine reviews tend to be. I recall a notable amount of initial user disappointment, which might have been birthing pains for the new model that are now ironed out, or might indicate a problem gun. Bear in mind that in online land more people post their frustrations than their lack of them, so appearances can be skewed.

Two more involved threads on the Bodyguard 38 from this forum are these:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/226520-s-w-bodyguard-38-any-problems.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...47-38-bodyguard-another-lead-balloon-s-w.html

Some people like laser grips, others don't. They can be good at the range, but in a defense scenario I don't believe they add anything -- one is likely to naturally go to point shooting in such a situation (and probably should), so that should be trained for.

If the smaller J-frame short barreled guns like the Bodyguard work for you (they do have a more steep learning curve than their larger, longer-barreled siblings), I'd strongly suggest looking at a 442 Moon Clip or a 640 Pro. Moon clips allow for fast, reliable ejection and reload, and are a great addition to a defensive revolver, in my opinion.

The 442 is a lightweight, snub nosed J-frame; the 640 is all steel and has a touch more heft; it also has larger, three dot night sights, while the 442 has the more basic, small fixed sights that some shooters have trouble seeing (I don't).

Product: Model 442 Moon Clip

Product: Model 640

Good luck with your search; many good and knowledgeable folk around here to help you find what will work best for your needs and preferences.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[RGMoore]

BG38

Welcome to the forum. I bought a Bodyguard a couple of years ago for concealed carry. It shot to the left with the sights and I had 2 light primer strikes and it failed to rotate the cylinder once in the first 100 rounds. I sent it back to S&W and they deemed it unrepairable. I decided to get a 642CT and am frankly much happier. The CT has a button on the front of the grip and an on/off switch on the bottom so if you want to use it w/o the laser you just switch it off but if you want the laser it is on when you grip the gun. No funky switch to find.
Also I found the cylinder release to be harder to use than the conventional one on the 642. If you are left handed, it may be better for you.

 

[Rodinal220]

I have a S&W BG38 with the poly frame/laser if thats the one you are talking about,also have a newer(lock/mim) 638 air weight.The first BG38 I purchased had about a 20%+misfire rate and terrible accuracy with 158gr LSCW +P loads and even the 135gr Gold Dots,shot high and left at 7 yards.

Sent S&W an email and they sent me shipping label,turnaround three weeks and they sent me a NEW revolver as they stated the original one could not be repaired.
The new BG38 has been 100% reliable so far 500 rounds(not much)but is still a bit ammo sensitive. My gun does not like lead ammo,especially in the 158gr range. It prefers 110/125 jacketed ammo if you want to hit to point of aim. 135gr Gold Dots still shoot a little high and left(7 yards) but not as bad as the first gun.

The laser on the BG38 is usable but not as good as the Crimson Trace models.Once adjusted it shoot to point of "point" and is good for low light(can't see it during daylight hours) and unconventional shooting positions.Its really uncanny not "aiming" in the traditional sense and the bullet goes right where the red dot is at,my gun is set up for 7 yards.The little activation button is small and can be a problem for some to press.It requires some getting used to but I have made it workable for me.

The BG38 is very light and easy to carry and conceal.I like the trigger on mine.Its very smooth compared to my other vintage J-frames.It is very fast too,with that ratcheting mechanism compared to the older S&W lock work.I can two stage the trigger no problem for precise shots,its very controllable.
With +p recoil is a little snappy but I carry standard pressure ammo now.The grips will favor those with smaller hands and they are easily cleared by HKS speed loaders.
The grip and angle allow a pretty good high grip for recoil management.

Once I have 500 more rounds through it without issue I will carry it and retire some of my vintage air weights.

 

[roger b]

Check out the sw638-3 air wieght or the 642 air wieght. Check out this ammo hornady critacal defense 110 gr ftx standard or plus p, look it up on ths site, you tube, any decent reputable gun store. Good shoping to you.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Check out the sw638-3 air wieght or the 642 air wieght.

Model 638-3, on left, & Model 642.

Either of which can be easily outfitted with laser grips.
Crimson Trace LG-305's shown on the
top M632-1 & LG-405's on the Model 642.
There are other CT Grips available for J Frames.

 

[gregC.]

Hello , i own both Bodyguard & ruger LCR , nothing agianst the bodyguard : but the Ruger is what i carry ,and if your sold on the laser sight the Ruger LCR is a much easier system to use . If you want somthing for the house used mod . 10's 4inch. barrel go very reasonable ,269.00 shipped to your local FFL, ck. Buds guns on line . They will handle +P loads no problem, my wife loves to shoot her mod. 10 . .It's not as small as the bodyguard or LCR , but recoil will more managable,Good luck , Greg

 

[snubbiefan]

Only thing I can say.....I found out how REALLY nervous I was the first time I tried the laser sight on a snubbie. That little red dot sure does move around a lot. I shoot by instinct better (at short ranges of course). I have several J-Frames and can kill a coffee-can plum dead at around 15-20 feet.

Sounds like you can handle a gun, but if you have not done so already, shoot a lightweight and see how you can handle the recoil with standard loads. I find that my wife "carries" her Airweight better but shoots the heavier stainless guns much better.

 

[gunny4053]

Sorry for your lose. Welcome to the forum, lots of good folks and information here.

As for the bodyguard, I've never shot one, but the ones I looked at and handled, I'm sorry to say, didn't impress me. The triggers were marginally good at best and, in my opinion, the cylinder lock up in the frame wasn't that solid. As others have stated, the LCR is a much better revolver, can be had with or without a laser, and in .38 or .357. I'm not promoting Ruger, as there are many S&W options available as well. The original bodyguard would be a fine choice and if the laser was something you really wanted, crimson trace grips are available.

Nothing better than an original 49.

Good Luck with you choice.

 

[litenlarry]

At one time I owned a 642 and a BG38..I had the 642 first, good shooter for a pocket snub..Then came the BG..I never really cozied up to it, didn't care for the location of the cylinder release, shot it 10 rds and put it in the safe..
Decided to sell one , kept the 642..

 

[opr1945]

personally, I want a gun to point, pull trigger and go bang. I don't like thing to remember to do, like take safety off, turn lazer on, etc.

So I like crimson trace lazers. grab gun its on ready to go. JMO