Smith n Wesson bodyguard 38

[JFA]

I purchased the bodyguard 38 revolver this summer n what a great concealed carry gun. The insight built in laser is great feature n the gun seemingly weighs only a little more than some new smart phones. This is a gun you can carry so well in a pocket. Slip it into a Desantis pocket holster etc..... N you won't even see or notice it's there. And that's the objective... A concealed carry firearm is of no use if u don't like to carry it n therefore don't carry. Smith has a real marketplace winner here.The Ruger lcrs are also great CC guns but this Smith just fits my hand like a glove is so well constructed. Ambidextrous top thumb release n laser activation button are perfectly placed.

 

[5Wire]

I like mine.

 

[mag318]

Mine has been a great CCW and the new ones with the Crimson Trace lasers are considered an upgrade.

 

[lonestarjeff]

I've been looking at the Bodyguard as a Christmas present for my daughter, but I haven't handled one myself. What she has shot & liked was the 442/642. The Bodyguard appears overall to be the same to handle. I thought the laser might be a nice upgrade, but don't know how it's activated. My concern is her purse-carry....will the laser get accidentally activated while bopping around in there?

 

[Earthquake Jake]

The Crimson Trace on my 642 stays "on" all the time, but is only activated when it's squeezed.

I would think the built in's on the Bodyguards would be the same... Or is it totally different than the lasers that are in the grips?

 

[Shooter6br]

638 CCW

638 is my CCW . 38 Special +P Single action / double action

 

[Boogsawaste]

I thought the laser might be a nice upgrade, but don't know how it's activated. My concern is her purse-carry....will the laser get accidentally activated while bopping around in there?

I didn't have a crimson trace model but I assume it has a similar activation to the insight model I had. Yes, the insight could be activated by bumping it and stay on unlike a regular j frame with a crimson trace grip that's activated by a momentary switch. It also had some weird flashing laser function that activated after the second push of the button. Never figured out what that was for.

 

[5Wire]

I didn't have a crimson trace model but I assume it has a similar activation to the insight model I had. Yes, the insight could be activated by bumping it and stay on unlike a regular j frame with a crimson trace grip that's activated by a momentary switch. It also had some weird flashing laser function that activated after the second push of the button. Never figured out what that was for.

There's a 5 minute "time out" on Insight's activation. A significant push is required to activate the Insight laser, not likely to happen accidentally using a proper holster. Flashing aim point is easier to pick up than a steady aim point when ambient light is daylight or near daylight.

The CT grips are either off, on standby until gripped, or on.

 

[Boogsawaste]

There's a 5 minute "time out" on Insight's activation. A significant push is required to activate the Insight laser, not likely to happen accidentally using a proper holster. Flashing aim point is easier to pick up than a steady aim point when ambient light is daylight or near daylight.

The CT grips are either off, on standby until gripped, or on.

Didn't know about the time out. Mine activated fairly easy.
And interesting about the flashing...for the life of me I never could figure it out. But then again I think I used the laser for one or 2 cylinders full and never activated it again. Just wasn't for me, that's all.

 

[David R]

I had one of those BG 38. I loved it like you did and shot the heck out of it. I got pretty good but the gun loosened up, so I sent it in after a couple months. I got it back all tight and ready to go. I shot it a bunch (hundreds) more and it got loose again. I traded it for a 637 which I later upgraded to Crimson Trace laser grips. I carry that one every day.

My laser worked perfect. Turn it on, shoot then turn it off. It would turn off in 5 minutes. I never wore out the battery, and I used it a lot.

34 feet

This is where I think it wore out.

David

 

[JFA]

I like mine.

I'd like to order HKS 36 5 shot speed loader for my bodyguard 38 n was wondering if anyone had one n does it fit/ work well so as not to be obstructed by the grip etc...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[5Wire]

I'd like to order HKS 36 5 shot speed loader for my bodyguard 38 n was wondering if anyone had one n does it fit/ work well so as not to be obstructed by the grip etc...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I use speed strips because they're easier to carry. However, the HKS apparrently works just fine. S&W has seemingly forgot about that on their accessories page. Another thread on this forum has the same answers.

 

[RSKELLY]

I have 250 rounds 38 spl fired through it with out problem, 115 gn Corbin +p is painful after 25 rounds but she's well

 

[David R]

In a direct comparison with a model 36, the BG 38 was easier to shoot with hot loads. If it would only last like the model 36.

David

 

[5Wire]

In a direct comparison with a model 36, the BG 38 was easier to shoot with hot loads. If it would only last like the model 36.

David

How long do we have to wait to find out?

 

[shil]

My Model 38 is an oldie-but-goodie. I had bought it many years ago for pocket-carry but retired it (still have it!), replacing it with a Model 442. It was a non-+p gun, so my carry cartridge was the Nyclad 125 grain "Chief's Special". They are neat guns.

 

[Boogsawaste]

How long do we have to wait to find out?

I think because David had issues with his shaking loose 2 times. Don't know how many for the first time it shot loose, but after it was repaired he noted it was only hundreds of rounds until it was loose again. I've also seen others post that they shot thousands and thousands of rounds through theirs with no issues.

 

[5Wire]

I think because David had issues with his shaking loose 2 times. Don't know how many for the first time it shot loose, but after it was repaired he noted it was only hundreds of rounds until it was loose again. I've also seen others post that they shot thousands and thousands of rounds through theirs with no issues.

Yup. Saw that.

 

[Shooter6br]

I have Speed loaders and 5 shot strips.Strips easier to carry in your pocket

 

[JFA]

I have Speed loaders and 5 shot strips.Strips easier to carry in your pocket

Yes strips are easier to carry... But sure not nearly as fast reload as a HKS speed loader etc...