Mod 49 bodyguard

[creamofs&w49]

Hello all I am new and have been reading here for the past couple of days,very informative sight.I recently obtained a Model 49 bodyguard in steel and was wondering if any of you may be able to tell me the born on date.My serial number is J9330xx.A very helpful person directed me to this sight. He had a couple truly tricked out Bodyguards. Love this gun!Thankyou in advance and I apologize if I posted this in the wrong place.

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum!

Bodyguards are my favorite J-frame.

Looks to me to be 1982 so it's in the right forum. Is the barrel on yours still pinned?

 

[creamofs&w49]

Thank you sir! 1982? I was hoping it was 85. Damn. No the barrel is not pinned. The gun is in %80 condition but it seems to be in good mechanical order. Cylinder lock up is still very tight. I wish I had a camera.....Thanks!

 

[creamofs&w49]

One more question to you guys. Is this an MIM free gun? Or was it made before all that jazz? How many parts are constructed of forgings?

 

[RussellD]

Mim free

And yes model 49's are my favorite J frame. They just look cool!

 

[MSgt G]

The little model 49s are a favorite of mine also! Congratulations on a great gun and WELCOME to the forum!

 

[sheriffoconee]

49's are great pocket guns, just as designed. I carry mine every day, all day

 

[creamofs&w49]

Thankyou to all for the replies and warm reception. Anybody recommend a quality ankle rig? I have a small frame, very lanky build. Tried hip carry but didn't work out to well. This is a back up gun anyhow, so I'm not worried about fast presentation. And I prefer not to pocket carry. Is the steel 49 too heavy for the ankle? Anybody carry one this way? And how did you like it?

 

[1 old 0311]

Why would anyone want a Bodyguard..........when you can have TWO!

 

[ispcapt]

Is the steel 49 too heavy for the ankle? Anybody carry one this way? And how did you like it?

I carried my blued 49 everyday as my backup in an ankle rig for 20 yrs. Then I got a 649 and carried it everyday in an ankle rig for the next 10 yrs until I retired.
Like anything new you wear it takes a while to get use to having something new on your body. After a couple of weeks of everyday wear I got to where I didn't notice the ankle rig any more except I would notice it when it wasn't there. It just becomes part of you.

 

[creamofs&w49]

ISP its you again! Might I ask what ankle rig you used? You have been very helpful.

 

[ispcapt]

ISP its you again! Might I ask what ankle rig you used? You have been very helpful.

Most of the time I used a Top Line nylon rig. Unfortunately Top Line is no longer in business. It had a wide ankle strap which distributed the weight. It also had a pouch for extra ammo.
It finally started showing wear and I was looking for a replacement. I was in a local shop and they had a new Bianchi Triad rig in their $5 bin. The dealer said they didn't have much call for revolver ankle rigs and he was clearing his inventory. I snatched that one up. It carries pretty well but it uses two 1" straps instead of one wide strap so it's not quite as comfortable as the old Top Line. The Triad comes with a pad velcroed inside which is intended to go against your ankle to give some cushion from the gun. I removed mine. Didn't see a need for it. Just added bulk. The Triad keeps the gun pretty secure and after wearing it for a while I got use to the 1" straps.

 

[Lew Archer]

Is the steel 49 too heavy for the ankle? Anybody carry one this way? And how did you like it?

I used to carry the Model 49 on the ankle. It's certainly doable. You just have to get used to it.

I highly recommend ankle rigs by Lou Alessi, Ken Null or 5-Shot (John Ralston).

Mr. Alessi has passed on, sadly, but his family has the company up and running. Alessi ankle holsters are very highly regarded (the former chief of the FBI Firearms Training Unit at Quantico once hailed Alessi rigs as the best ankle rig made, bar none). The Null and 5-Shot holsters are of equal quality and similar in design to the Alessi. Any of these would give great service.