Is the polymer Bodyguard revolver known to have problems?
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DelawareDave
Member
I've only resold three guns I've owned, and the Bodyguard 38 is one of them. Mine was an older model with the Insight Laser sight. I bought it to be a lightweight summer carry, and it certainly was light and comfy to carry. I have several J Frames, (36s and 37s) but I wanted a CCW a hammerless.
The problem was, when I shot it, it would "light strike" causing at least two rounds not to fire. This was true with commercial ammo and handloads. An internet search found many of the same complaints from other owners.
I sent mine back to S&W and they replaced the firing pin and tuned it a little, but by then, I lost faith in it, and sold it on.
In it's place, I bought a M442 Pro series. No laser, but the same weight and a much better trigger. Best of all, it goes bang when I want it too.
The problem was, when I shot it, it would "light strike" causing at least two rounds not to fire. This was true with commercial ammo and handloads. An internet search found many of the same complaints from other owners.
I sent mine back to S&W and they replaced the firing pin and tuned it a little, but by then, I lost faith in it, and sold it on.
In it's place, I bought a M442 Pro series. No laser, but the same weight and a much better trigger. Best of all, it goes bang when I want it too.
5Wire
Member
I have a relatively early model, CRP1005, purchased new in 2010. The only mechanical problem I've had was the Insight laser had to be replaced, the activation button popped out. The other problem was S&W published incorrect instruction on sighting in the laser. I believe I posted S&W's corrected instructions a few years ago. Once dialed in, it has worked reliably. You do have to allow the trigger to fully reset or you may skip a chamber. Other revolvers have similar issues but that failure is easier to accomplish on the BG38.
S&W moved to Crimson Trace, so having new Insight laser faults are now moot. Mine continues to work just fine.
S&W moved to Crimson Trace, so having new Insight laser faults are now moot. Mine continues to work just fine.
SWOOP01
Member
I have one of the early models, and I get the light trigger strike. And sometimes you pull the trigger and the cylinder won't rotate. Then the release would not open the cyli der. I had a hard time relying on it and got a M438 to use as my CCW.
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I don't own any Polymer or Ruger Revolver but I have shot several of them a few of times with different loads. At least to me, the Ruger's LCR felt recoil is much stiffer than any all steel J frame (with +P SD loads). Just remember, light & small framed Revolvers are a pleasure to carry however when you need to shoot them fast, they loose their appeal real quick! If you are hell bent on getting one - SHOOOT ONE PRIOR TO BUYING WITH CARRY LOADS!!
I much prefer an all steel vintage S&W J Frame as a CCW.
Just my opinion and YMMV.
I much prefer an all steel vintage S&W J Frame as a CCW.
Just my opinion and YMMV.
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Thanks, everyone. I was really intrigued with this revolver because of the ambidextrous cylinder release. It looked like a very cool innovation, but it doesn't appear S&W's QC is up to snuff or the design is flawed.
It's nice to know you can come here and get sound advice on S&W's, even when it's not a good report.
It's nice to know you can come here and get sound advice on S&W's, even when it's not a good report.
Rpg
Member
Keep in mind that these things aren’t J frames, they’re totally different: a new action Smith hasn’t used in anything else.
They’re buggy: easy to lock up the action. This is a design defect Smith won’t acknowledge or fix.
I sure wouldn’t rely on one to do the one thing a sd gun must do: work every time.
joeintexas
US Veteran
Just recently picked one up, an early model with the Insight lazer, which works very well, however, it misfires every 10 or so rounds with both factory rounds and reloads. Sent in to S&W and they replaced the firing pin, still misfires, not as often but still misfires. I imagine a light primer strike. I completely let the trigger reset before firing the next round, sometimes several seconds. I guess back to S&W. Otherwise a very nice carry revolver, if you don't need to shoot it. Others experience may be better. I do like the revolver, hope they can fix it.
I think that about sums it up.
How about a nice Model 37? Or an old (maybe a new) Colt Cobra. I really like the Model 10, 36 and 37 snubs, but I also like 6 shots, so I usually carry either the Colt or the Model 10. Colt is lighter though! But of course these don't have bobbed hammers if that is what you are looking for.
5Wire
Member
I have two LCRs, 9mm (5 rounds) and .327 Federal (6 rounds) as well as the BG38. The LCRs are better, in my opinion, and the 327 has a six round capacity.
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DelawareDave
Member
I was right where you are now. After having accumulated some snubbie Smiths (two model 36s, two model 37s, two model 19s, a model 10, and a model 686) I wanted a lightweight hammerless 38 (to complement my heavier weight 640-1 hammerless 357) and was intrigued with the ambidextrous cylinder release.
What I found was the internals of the gun are quite different than the standard, reliable J Frames we all love. The cylinder, for instance, has an ejector rod which is spring-dampened. I supposed it is to apply rearward pressure on the cylinder and may be the cause of the "light strikes" so many have complained about. That was the main reason why I parted ways with the Bodyguard 38.
The things I like best about my 640-1 Pro Series are the great sights, great trigger, and that it's cut for moon rings. It's heavy stainless steel and absorbs the 357 recoil enough that easy to run through a box at the range. But, it's a bit much with loose, hot weather clothes.
What I eventually found was the 442 Pro Series. Although it doesn't have the tritium night sights like my 640, it has the great Pro Series trigger and fast moon clip reloads. At 15 ounces, it feels the same as the bodyguard but now I'm confident it will back me up when needed.
Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 442 Moon Clip | Smith & Wesson
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I've always hoped they'd intro one of them WITHOUT the silly laser, and at lesser cost. But...alas....
5Wire
Member
Ya don't have to actually use it and it is easily removed. Which of course, doesn't confirm it to be silly. Far from it, IMO.
.455_Hunter
Member
The one I tried at the LGS would not advance the cylinder unless it was manually rotated to the next station before pulling the trigger. Horrible design...
Perhaps the kid running Smith will wake up and re-introduce a few of the real classic J/K's, heck even Ruger finally got it -SP101 9mm, I didn't buy one, I bought two..
Then again knowing what to do is quite different from being able to do it.
Perhaps Smith could get in touch with some of the retired people and start the 'old fart Dept.' it could be right next to the current 'Pro' shop....
Then again knowing what to do is quite different from being able to do it.
Perhaps Smith could get in touch with some of the retired people and start the 'old fart Dept.' it could be right next to the current 'Pro' shop....
cmj8591
Member
Other than trying to woo Ruger customers, I'm not sure what the purpose of the BG38 is supposed to be. There are so many better options when it comes to J frames that I don't know why anyone would buy one. I must say that I do own a BG380 that has been nothing but reliable and carries nicely in a pocket during the summer, which is the reason I got it in the first place. But the BG38, when you have the 442, 360 or even the 36, why would you buy one?
Old Corp
Member
I was working at a LGS not too long after the BG38 came out. The store was having a big sale and in attendance was a S&W Rep and a S&W 30+ year veteran employee assigned to the Performance Center. The latter was doing small repairs and adjustments to any S&W revolver brought in by customers, and the store had a large 'tip jar' for this where all proceeds went to the local Boy Scout Troop.
Asked the veteran S&W guy about the BG38. He just nicely shook his head and said "I don't work on those - they're like a chinese puzzle inside."
Asked the veteran S&W guy about the BG38. He just nicely shook his head and said "I don't work on those - they're like a chinese puzzle inside."
