Looking to round out my J frame collection

[Tyrod]

Currently, i have:

442
642
317 Kit
60-15
60 nodash

I'm in the market for a M36 that needs some TLC that I can restore and an early model 60 with adjustable sights. I know I'm missing a bodyguard, but I'm having a hard time getting over the humpback effect. Are there any humpbacks out there with unique or unusual features that would entice me to buy a bodyguard? Of course, I'm referring to metal humpbacks and not the new plastic one. Obviously, I don't really need another ccw gun. But, I have really become unnaturally attracted to J frames for some bizarre reason.

P.S. Is there such a thing as a pre lock pre mim 637 or is that a somewhat new offering from S&W?

 

[Hondo44]

I agree, Bodyquards are too ugly for me as well.

Sent you a PM on a uniquely modifyed one for sale.

637s were introduced in 1989 and are therefore pre MIM and pre lock but only about 560 were made. When re-introduced in 1996 on the Magnum J frame, only the earliest were pre MIM and pre lock. So there are some out there.

 

[Tyrod]

Thanks Jim, this is something I'd be interested in. I asked the seller if he had any better pics of the grip safety. I realize this isn't a very good pic of the grip safety, but other than being on the wrong gun, something doesn't look quite right about it.

 

[Ashlander]

Seems to me you might need a 640 in your collection -- they pair up well with the model 60s.

 

[JCS&W]

Tyrod, you will get over that "humpback look" when you realize how easy it is to carry concealed. The steel ones are a little on the heavy side when compared to the plastic ones, but I like them in steel, and of course nickel.

 

[Sebago Son]

Thanks Jim, this is something I'd be interested in. I asked the seller if he had any better pics of the grip safety. I realize this isn't a very good pic of the grip safety, but other than being on the wrong gun, something doesn't look quite right about it.

What would appear to be a grip safty on this Body Guard is probably just poorly fitted aftermarket stocks...

 

[Tyrod]

What would appear to be a grip safty on this Body Guard is probably just poorly fitted aftermarket stocks...

From the ad.

"Grip safety has been added by Dornhouse & Dixon. Serial number 421xxx. 90% finish."

 

[Hondo44]

I believe that the grip safety is compressed at the bottom instead of at the top.

OR:

The original production Centennials had a pin that could be inserted to keep the safety compressed (aka bypassed) and the one shown may be in that position.

 

[Sebago Son]

From the ad.

"Grip safety has been added by Dornhouse & Dixon. Serial number 421xxx. 90% finish."

This would not be factory work.

Dornhouse & Dixon were the origional manufacturers of the ill-fated Bren-10, the starting place of the 10mm autopistol round designed with Jeff Cooper, circa 1983 or so.

 

[Hondo44]

This would not be factory work.

Dornhouse & Dixon were the origional manufacturers of the ill-fated Bren-10, the starting place of the 10mm autopistol round designed with Jeff Cooper, circa 1983 or so.

No, it's a unique Bodyguard. It's understood there were no grip safety equipped Bodyguards from the factory.

 

[RHINOWSO]

You need a 640-1, 357 Magnum.

Pretty much my favorite revolver... Love this thing...

 

[BearBio]

This is probably an anathema but I really like the looks of a C---t Detective Special with a hammer shroud.

Personally, I used to hate the Bodyguard look until I carried one; now I have 2 of them. End up being carried the most.

 

[H Richard]

You need a flat latch 36

and a 36-6

and a 940

and maybe a mod 63 for practice

 

[cjtraining]

Humpbacks

My two favorite Bodyguards.

 

[Tyrod]

Thanks Jim, this is something I'd be interested in. I asked the seller if he had any better pics of the grip safety. I realize this isn't a very good pic of the grip safety, but other than being on the wrong gun, something doesn't look quite right about it.

The seller graciously complied with my request for more pics of the grips safety. It doesn't look quite the cobb job I originally thought. But it doesn't look like the centennial grips safety either.

 

[LeMans]

You might want to look into a 640 and a 940...

 

[Hondo44]

The seller graciously complied with my request for more pics of the grips safety. It doesn't look quite the cobb job I originally thought. But it doesn't look like the centennial grips safety either.

I agree, apparently Dornhouse & Dixon's own custom part. It does look professional.

This gun might be one of those special pieces in a collection to show contemporary after market custom modifications like King or Micro sights are on pre war and early post war Smiths. That was what caught my attention. But I'm focusing assets on 50's era I frame models now.

 

[Tyrod]

I kinda like this oddball sort of stuff. I feel though, in this case, since it's aftermarket, it takes away from the value of the gun. I would much rather they adapted a real S&W grip safety. Besides the grip safety, the gun is in raggedy shape and I just can't part with $400 for it.

 

[Hondo44]

I kinda like this oddball sort of stuff. I feel though, in this case, since it's aftermarket, it takes away from the value of the gun. I would much rather they adapted a real S&W grip safety. Besides the grip safety, the gun is in raggedy shape and I just can't part with $400 for it.

Very true. I like customs that use factory parts in different ways than as produced by the factory. Something that prehaps looks 'factory' and could have been made but wasn't. For example; my 30-1 with .22/32 Kit Gun target sights added.

 

[photoman]

Thanks for the extra pics Tyrod. Very interesting gun. It would be fun to have one of those for the collection.