QUESTION#1: Should it be possible to pull the trigger when the cylinder is open?

[summars]

I purchased a new Smith&Wesson Body Guard 38 Special for my wife on 31-MAR-2012 (see below).
The first time she fired it was on 18-DEC-2016 at a gun range.
She pulled the trigger once and the gun only made a single click sound.
I then noticed that the cylinder was open slightly.
I took the gun from her hands and closed the cylinder, and the gun fired less than one second later without pulling the trigger (fortunately, down-range).
I think the discharge was the result of the firing pin hitting the rim of the 38 caliber shell, which caused a delay in the discharge.
Had I not closed the cylinder with the correct round in the chamber, the gun might have exploded in my hand, or my wife’s hand.
There is a spring-loaded nodule/switch at the bottom of the frame below the cylinder.
I have noticed other revolvers that (one an older S&W 38 Special) do not allow the trigger to be pulled when the cylinder is open. However, this S&W 38 Special allows the trigger to be pulled when the cylinder is open (even if only slightly).

QUESTION#1: Should it be possible to pull the trigger when the cylinder is open on the Smith&Wesson Body Guard 38 Special ?

 

[OldChief]

Frankly, this shouldn't happen with the normal S&W revolver but this new body guard has different lock works than the other Smiths. I'm not familiar with the new design so I can't comment much. All I know is that this revolver apparently doesn't have a hand to rotate the cylinder.
If I were you I would direct this question to S&W Customer Service and see what they have to say.

 

[Amp]

Clear the gun of all ammo and try it. Something sounds wrong there but its safe to try on an EMPTY gun.

 

[Texas Star]

What ammo are you using? Are these reloads with possibly bad primers, or very old ammo r cheap stuff?


Remarkable that you waited so long to fire the gun. That should be done ASAP after purchase.


Good luck. Glad that you weren't hurt.


I don't buy current S&W products, so can't answer your question.

 

[Rpg]

These things are not well thought of generally.

Odd controls, funky action.

There's a reason they are infrequently discussed here.

 

[Muss Muggins]

To answer Question 1, No, it should not be possible with the run of the mill S&W revolver. These things, however, are a different breed. S&W's attempt to copy Ruger's LCR design, which clearly did not go well. Haven't thought of these since they came out, and never seen one or held one. Should be covered under the lifetime service policy, though. Send 'er back. Good luck . . .

 

[patrickd]

Can't say for the Smith, but my Ruger will if the cyl release button is pressed amd held down first. Pressing the cyl release button will allow you to cycle the trigger with the cylinder open. If the same feature applies to your Smith then it could be the cyl release mechanism is gummed up and stuck in the open position.

 

[summars]

Was using Magtech "38 Special" ammo (158gr, FMJ-FLAT 38P) when this happened.

Yes, I checked several times, and it IS possible to pull the trigger with the cylinder open (on this Smith & Wesson 39 Special Bodyguard). I checked my other revolvers, and it is NOT possible to pull the trigger when the cylinder is not locked into place (for an older Smith & Wesson 38 Special and a Taurus 45LC/.410).

I was using Magtech "38 Special" ammo (158gr, FMJ-FLAT 38P) when this happened.

I just sent an email to [email protected] to find out if this pistol is malfunctioning, or whether it is operating as designed (poorly designed in my opinion if designed) this way (i.e. whether it should be possible to pull the trigger with the cylinder open).

 

[Bowyer]

I would like to see a pic of the spent cartridge, the primer.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[summars]

Was using Magtech "38 Special" ammo (158gr, FMJ-FLAT 38P) when this happened.

Thanks. Yes, I would like to see the spent cartridge also.
Unfortunately, I failed to think to examine the spent cartridge afterward, which would show where the firing-pin had struck.
That might have helped to corroborate the delayed discharge (Hang-Fire) due to the firing pin not striking exactly dead-center because the cylinder was opened slightly, and the ability to pull the trigger when the cylinder is not closed & locked.

 

[one eye joe]

THIS WHOLE THREAD GIVES ME A VERY UNEASY FEELING ! ! ! NONE OF MY EXPOSED HAMMER, PRE-LOCK, S&W REVOLVERS ALLOW COCKING THE HAMMER AND/OR PULLING THE TRIGGER. THAT ACTIVITY HAS NEVER BEEN MY PRACTICE, BUT I FEEL THAT I MADE A TRUE STATEMENT......

I HAVE A 642-1, NO LOCK, INTERNAL HAMMER. I DO NOT KNOW, NOR DO I WANT TO TRY TO FIND OUT, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. I DO NOT WISH TO DAMAGE MY REVOLVER BY TRYING THIS EXPERIMENT. I AM INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT S&W HAS TO SAY, HOWEVER......

 

[Mister X]

Glad no one got hurt.

Those new bodyguards are a completely different design from other S&W revolvers. It's the only model that uses that particular mechanical operating system as far as I know.

If it were me, I would get rid of the bodyguard and pick up a standard(and proven) S&W model like a 642/442.

 

[one eye joe]

Glad no one got hurt.

If it were me, I would get rid of the bodyguard and pick up a standard(and proven) S&W model like a 642/442.

I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MY 642-1, AND THIS STATEMENT GIVES ME A MEASURE OF REASSURANCE.......

 

[TAROMAN]

Rather than e-mail, I would recommend phoning Customer Service.

(USA) 1-800-331-0852
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time


Smith & Wesson will be performing our yearly maintenance and will be shut down from December 23-January 2nd. During this time, all departments will be unavailable. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Many here report better response speaking with a real human.

Be sure to report back, too.

Happy New Year

 

[andyo5]

No. Opening the cylinder prevents trigger motion, unless you pull back on the cylinder release latch. Then you are able to dry fire the gun.

 

[Mistered]

No. Opening the cylinder prevents trigger motion, unless you pull back on the cylinder release latch. Then you are able to dry fire the gun.

This issue inspired me to go test this out on one of my three no dash pre locks and is in fact the case. That is a little unnerving in the case of that new S & W.

 

[sw282]

Trigger can be pulled on ANY Colt Revolver with an open cylinder..


They are certainly SAFE ... So why the alarm??

 

[Mistered]

They are certainly SAFE ... So why the alarm??

Probably none - as long as one makes sure the cylinder is CLOSED properly before firing/holstering etc. I know I do after loading and always do a slight 'pushback' on the cylinder to make sure

 

[Muss Muggins]

What needs to be said is that the BG38 operates in a completely different manner than any other S&W revolver, which all operate essentially the same way. The BG38 cylinder even rotates the opposite direction. No comparisons can be made, and there aren't enough of them out there for a depth of knowledge to exist. Nobody seems to know for sure what the proper function checks are. I certainly don't, and I've been to armorer's school in Springfield and worked on a ton of S&W revolvers in my time . . .

 

[Edmo]

I tried a BG38 back in 2012...

Mine was a new gun purchase and lasted for a month of range trips and dry firing before the action locked up. Back to the mothership it went and upon return it misfired (light primer strikes) about 50% of the time.

Second time back to the mothership and it was deemed unrepairable... I had them replace it with a 642.

Good luck with you revolver and keep us posted on the progress. If you want to stick with the S&W brand, a 442/642 is a better alternative. If a polymer revolver is your preference, I've found the Ruger LCR is a much more robust design than the BG38.

Edmo