Problem with S&W BodyGuard 38

[shawn mccarver]

I had the same problem with one when they first came out. It seems random until you figure out that you can set up the failure by closing the cylinder in a certain way.

I believe it is inherent in the design, and S&W will not acknowledge it. S&W either will not fix it, or cannot fix it. There are numerous threads on this forum with comments from people such as myself who have experienced this issue. Supporters of this unfortunate revolver always chime in to say theirs is fine, etc., etc.

All I was able to figure out is that whatever it was, I figured out back then how to make it happen every time by closing the cylinder in a certian way. I know it seems implausible. It has been so long that I cannot remember exactly what I was able to do, but it was apparent it was in the design.

Make sure it is unloaded and play with it, closing it and when doing so, apply pressure either clockwise or counter-clockwise, and I think it will become apparent.

I became convinced that most people who deny that it happens to their revolvers simply do not realize it is happening as it is very difficult to notice that the cylinder is not advancing when viewed from the rear, and they do not realize that the round firing is the one already under the firing pin, not the next one as most "range jockeys" simply do not pay attention. Since it seems to happen randomly without intentionally closing the cylinder in a certain way, it is not readily noticeable to someone not looking from the side, and when it does, the range practice ammo is blamed.

My advice is to get rid of it and do not look back.

 

[tinman931]

My advice is to get rid of it and do not look back.

If it were mine, that is definitely what I would do. However, I haven't been able to convince her of that. I plan to keep working on that. In the meantime, I gave her my LCR, which is dead on reliable and convinced her to keep that one handy instead.

If someone can teach me how to get mom to do something she doesn't want to do, I have a long list to start working on

 

[jack the toad]

I feel certain there are satisfied 38BG owners out there. Which is good. Although I've never owned one (there's a good reason for that) and considering my very limited experience with the 38BG along with stories like this one, all I can say at this point is no thank you.
Maybe I'm old school (heck I am old), but I'll stay with the J frames in various steel, stainless steel & alloy configurations.
Good luck in your search for your mom a gun. I remember giving my mom an M36 years ago for a house gun. Thankfully she never had to use it but she did enjoy shooting it.

 

[wrangler5]

If it were mine, that is definitely what I would do. However, I haven't been able to convince her of that. I plan to keep working on that. In the meantime, I gave her my LCR, which is dead on reliable and convinced her to keep that one handy instead.

If someone can teach me how to get mom to do something she doesn't want to do, I have a long list to start working on

If she likes the LCR, could you just trade guns with her? She keeps the LCR, which works, then you sell "your" BG38 and replace it with something you want - another LCR or whatever.

 

[tinman931]

If she likes the LCR, could you just trade guns with her? She keeps the LCR, which works, then you sell "your" BG38 and replace it with something you want - another LCR or whatever.

I don't want to take it from her. It took almost 70 years for her to buy her first gun I do think I have her talked into just keeping the LCR handy and not relying on the BG though.

 

[JKT119]

grips for bg 38

are there any other grips for this pistol? Mine works but hate those little rubber grips

 

[Boogsawaste]

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[ABPOS]

are there any other grips for this pistol? Mine works but hate those little rubber grips

Yes. You can install the Hogue Tamers for the Centennial models. They are made to be able to be used with the Bodyguard. There is some extra steps you have to do. You have to take out these little tabs on the inside and boom.

My Mom had bought a bodyguard and it actually works fine for her. She does not shoot it in large volumes but has not had an issue with it yet. I've dry fired it and never found any problems with it function wise. I was with her once when she shot it at the range and she did decent with it and it worked just fine.

I installed the hogue grips for her from one of my models because I think they are superior and let you get a better grip on the gun. But that's relative. Just depends on the person.

I don't doubt that these models are probably not as good as the other models and don't discount any of the issues other people have had. I'm just going by my Mom's experience and it really isn't a bad gun for her. She likes the laser too and shoots with it.

One upside to the gun is that it has a full length extractor rod. As opposed to the airweight snubbies that don't.

Took this pic right before I swapped the grip but then forgot to take a picture of them after. We then went to the range. It was Thanksgiving 2016.

I forgot where her 5th shot went but those 3 rounds are pretty darned good for 7 yards for an older gal that barely ever shoots. She did take her time to do that. But she did it.