new bodyguard ?

[sw44spl]

is it me being a lover of the old smiths. or does that new revolver look cheap made? I held one today and myself and the guy at the gunstore felt is was below the old standard of their revolvers.and what is the deal with the cylinder latch on top of the gun?

 

[USAF385]

The barrel and cylinder are stainless steel, the frame is an aluminum alloy. Should be strong enough. They are going for lighter weights since today's concealed carry market loves small and light.

The cylinder release is ambidextrous... so righties and lefites can operate it.

Yeah it's not as pretty as a lot of revolvers, but it'll do the job.

I'd buy one for the right price... after they've been in use long enough to find out if they have any major defects.

 

[Skeeziks]

is it me being a lover of the old smiths. or does that new revolver look cheap made?

It's both.

#1, it looked cheap because it is.... And #2, being a lover of the old (vintage) S&W's, you have an eye for quality workmanship, which is what made the new gun's "cheapness" stand out.

~ P.S. Now that I think about it, "cheap" was a poor choice of words. In comparing revolvers in general, none of the S&W's are cheap. But in comparing the current production with the vintage guns, the older ones just have a higher quality of hand-workmanship...in general. I say "in general" because I have a "pre-lock" (1986) Smith that was so rough around the edges that I got a steel splinter in my finger from a "roll" of metal along the edge of the top strap that broke off.

So, yes...I retract my statement of them being cheap. They just don't make 'em like they use' ta.

 

[5 Shot]

so let me get this right just because it's a new design and made from different materials, it's automaticlly qualified as cheap looking? i love the look and feel of the old models too but sometimes new technology is also good. i guess only time will tell. i like mine so far...

 

[sw44spl]

no its not the materials its made from.and im not saying it wont shoot and operate good.i like the airweight 642 and 638 and they have locks and new materials in them.i will be getting the 638.but it is not up to par with the classic ones.like they say if it aint broke dont fix it.why change a tried and true design.

 

[mag318]

Smith & Wesson just like a lot of gun manufacturers are always looking for ways to produce guns cheaply and still maintain functionality. There is no way the newer S&W handgun can compare to the older ones as far as build quality goes. The older examples were made by craftsmen that went thru an apprenticeship for many years. Considering todays CNC machinery tolerances are still tight but so many things have been simplified to cut costs. MIM parts replaced forged steel because they are easier to fit. Old world craftmanship though not yet dead is in fact dying, and that's just a sign of the times. No wonder 30/40 years old Smiths bring premiums now.

 

[bpeddicord]

New Bodyguard

We looked at two new 38 special Bodyguards today at my favorite FFL.
The laser was off to the right 2.5 feet at 10 yards. The gunsmith on duty could not get either of the lasers on the two guns close to point of aim from 3 feet to 30 feet. I'd hate to try a head shot at 10 feet when the laser was off 4" or more. I'll stick to my 642.

 

[5 Shot]

[Smith & Wesson just like a lot of gun manufacturers are always looking for ways to produce guns cheaply and still maintain functionality. There is no way the newer S&W handgun can compare to the older ones as far as build quality goes.]

this is totally correct and the reasons are...labor cost and material cost. Plain and simple...

 

[RAMS]

We looked at two new 38 special Bodyguards today at my favorite FFL.
The laser was off to the right 2.5 feet at 10 yards. The gunsmith on duty could not get either of the lasers on the two guns close to point of aim from 3 feet to 30 feet. I'd hate to try a head shot at 10 feet when the laser was off 4" or more. I'll stick to my 642.

A laser's point of impact should be off a little at 3 feet because, of course, a gun's bore line and laser line naturally occupy different planes.
As for the misalingment at 30 feet, it's always possible the gunsmith turned the adjustment wrench the wrong way (stuff happens).

 

[Ofc.JL]

Gentlemen, If I might. Look at Ruger's LCR. It's made from injection molded plastics(Engineering polymers, of course!) and cast metal. OMG, Horrors, you say. I'm used to a hand assembled and fitted weapon that was built by a master fitter with 20 years experience. It's a firearm of beauty and fitting.
Well, here's the real story and why the new 38 Bodyguard is manufactured like it is. And Glock(with H&K) pioneered this new material technology. A manufacture(like Glock) can produce several injection molded firearms for the price of 1 machined metal frame pistol from the other manufactures. And modern polymers work. They are corrosion resistant, strong, light, and easy to produce. End result is not a thing of beauty but a firearm that handles Military and Police work w/o problems. Being pretty doesn't factor in to ability to handle the job. SIG is having fits trying to come up with a pistol to compete with Glock. S&W had their problems doing the same until the M&P came along. Now Ruger has gotten into the game with their new SR9 and the LCR. S&W followed suit with the Bodyguard series. If S&W would leave the laser componet off the Bodyguard pistols, the price would drop (I believe) $100.00. Now, S&W would sell a ton of Bodyguard 38's for $350.00 to 400.00. It's about materials for price, and intended use. It doesn't have to be pretty. I will be the first to admit: the old hand fitted S&W revolvers are absolute works of art. In todays world, it's too expensive. Sad but true. Drive on, my Brothers

 

[photoman]

I handled one a while back. It felt cheap to me. Who knows if it will get the job done as they've haven't been out for long.

 

[CWO USN]

I understand the aesthetics everyones talking about. But my question is, "how does it shoot?" From purchase, acquisition to recoil control and follow-up?

 

[Black_Sheep]

I checked one out at the local toy store. It may perform as well as my favorite j frame (or better) but I just can't get past the polymer, etc...

 

[bpeddicord]

Bodyguard

Nope, he didn't turn the adjusting screws the wrong direction. The adjustment screws on the laser on the bodyguard 38s wouldn't work on elevation or windage. Neither gun's lasers could be adjusted. The laser on both revolvers pointed 2.5 feet to the right of the point of aim at 30 feet and would not change when the adjustment screws were turned in either direction. One laser unit was very loose on the gun and the set screw had to be tightened 2 full turns to ensure the laser was tight on the frame of the little revolver (uses a larger size allen wrench).

 

[RAMS]

Well, bpeddicord, that's bad news; it's not like S&W to have that kind of poor QC. Looks like they will be mailing a lot of shipping labels.
My BG38's laser needed very little adjustment, and it was easy.

 

[P&R Fan]

Not to get too far off topic, but does this revolver have a model number or is it simply the Bodyguard?

 

[CWO USN]

BODYGUARD® 38 right off Smith & Wesson's 2010 catalog. Product info: BODYGUARD 38 - Smith & Wesson