Took a look at the new Bodyguard .38- UNIMPRESSED!

[Repeat_Defender]

I bought one last Thursday. I haven't shot it yet and it's my first revolver. But so far, I'm liking it. Just dry-firing and fondling it, getting to know it and how it works.

I will take it out this weekend, hopefully. I'll post up a range report with my impressions after shooting. Hope all goes well!

 

[bettis1]

Interesting thread. I just came from a store where I handled the Body Guard for the first time. I'll have to say that I was favorably impressed with it. That is something that I have never said before of the modern Smiths. Of course, the proof is in the shooting and I certainly haven't done that with the new BG.

I seriously considered buying it on the spot but decided to come home and read some of your opinions...glad I did. As with most modern guns, the responses seem to range from -0 to +10.

I've carried a M442 with Crimson Trace grips every day (sometimes as primary, always as back-up) since early 1993. At the store, I even considered getting the Body Guard and trading off the 442. Probably won't do that yet but I am still considering buying the BG. (As you all know, logic isn't the largest factor in the "Buy-a-new-gun" equation.)

Bob

 

[Maximumbob54]

No, logic is not usually my prevailing reason behind a new purchase. I'm in the middle on the plastic revolver issue. After having owned a Glock for years now, I'm over the whole plastic is going to wear out issue. I love the trigger in the LCR but find it a bit ugly. I don't think it has mechanical issues, i just don't think it has any grace in its design. At least the BG has some sweeping lines to it. The cylinder release looks like a last second afterthought in design though. I like the thought that the LCR is tough enough that with minor changes it already has a .357 version even if I would never want to pull the trigger on it. But the BG comes with a decent laser. It makes me think of the upgrade from VHS to DVD and now to Blu-ray... Early adapters usually get the short end of the stick. Ruger has suffered through recalls and they seem to be ok now. I wonder if the BG will suffer the same issues even if for different reasons.

 

[grege33]

It's interesting that the harshest critics of the Bodyguard 38 are those who've never shot one/owned it. Many seem to either not like the looks or don't like it's non-traditional engineering/polymer and alloy frame...nothing wrong with that. There are some, however, that down right bash it without any real experience with the gun. Everyone has a right to their opinion, so I'm not offended or anything...just making an observation.

Seems to me that all who have shot it love it...or at least the posts that I've read.

Also, the laser to me just seems like gravy. You get a J-frame snubby w/ a laser for the price of one w/o the laser; who cares about the button on top vs. the grip if that's the case. That's the sacrifice you make with a laser more in line with the bore of the gun.

I would be interested to see a thread of nothing but Bodyguard owners with range reports and comparisons to the 442/642.

 

[G.T. Smith]

As far as indexing, the exact same skipping thing can happen with any double action revolver. I have a habit of closing the cylinder on all my revolvers with the top chamber lined up with the barrel then turning slightly to insure the bolt has engaged the cutout.
I read this and went and got my favorite revolver, a 65-4, and tried to make it fail to index. I never could get it to fail. I always make sure to align the top hole in the cylinder with the barrel when I close the gun, but only to prevent a drag line on the cylinder. I tried everything. I purposely closed the cylinder in several positions between chambers but when I pulled the hammer back, or squeezed the trigger in double action, the cylinder indexed perfectly. I sure hope I never have one that don't.
Peace,
gordon

 

[bettis1]

Aligning a charge hole with the barrel when you close the cylinder is the proper way to handle a collectible gun, (or any revolver when time permits) and just shows that you are knowledgeable and care for your guns and have respect for another person's guns. However, as you train with a handgun which is to be used in a life threatening situation, aligning the charge hole on a speed reload is adding a step that may put you way behind the curve. Just watch any of the "fast guns" and see if you see any of them aligning after they drop the speedloaders.

There is no set of circumstances that I can envision that would put the Body Guard in the "collectible" category, therefore, it MUST not require that extra step to be a truly successful self defense handgun.

Bob

 

[grege33]

I'm sitting here, w/ my Bodyguard, getting ready to leave for work; I'm testing to see how difficult it is to align the cylinder.

When I close the cylinder, my thumb naturally pushes it to lock in place and aligns the charge hole with the barrel with no additional steps. This is really a non issue for me. I actually never realised that the cylinder didn't align before, until I read the posts complaining about it...and I carry one every day. I also practice drawing and speed loading with no issues.

I think this gun is over-analyzed, by some, to justify not liking it.

I'm not sure how many have noticed, but the gun stores can't keep them in stock...unless they over price them. As long as we keep talking about this gun, I'm sure S&W is happy.

 

[Wayne M]

New models, new engines: wait until the Ruger AND the Smith have a few miles behind them. The proven models are still available.

 

[tripledipper]

Agree that a comprehensive comparison study should be made between the new BG and the very popular 442/642 series. Rugers got the edge on polymer already with the LCR, Smith just trying to catch up. This dinosaur still prefers his 10-5 snub over his 642-1. Nothing feels better in your hand than a steel/ss revolver.

 

[bettis1]

I visited a different gun store this weekend and looked at a different Body Guard. After explaining my concern regarding the gun not "carrying up" on closing the cylinder between the notches, the clerk and I did a little "testing".

Between the two of us we opened and closed the cylinder, being careful not to have a charge hole aligned with the barrel each time, roughly 50 times. When we pulled the trigger the cylinder rotated and indexed properly every time...except one! Don't know what kind of conclusion you want to draw from that.

It did actually take a studious effort to close the cylinder without aligning it, perhaps just my technique.

Bob

 

[TPM]

Bought a BodyGuard 38 a couple of months ago and took to the range 3 times. I liked the look, grip, weight and feel; even how it felt to shoot. The laser was nice but not close to hitting anything and I could not seem to get it adjusted to be close to the mark. Each I shot the BG 38 it failed to fire every other round until the cylinder had recycled the second time. Shot it side to side with my 442 using the same ammo and never had one failure with the 442 in any way. Dealer said no can help; sent to S&W (where it has been for a few weeks now). Finally reached S&W today and they stated they "destroyed the gun". Whatever happens next, I will not end up with a BG38; may go with a scandium J. Will keep all posted. I am counting on S&W to show me what a great company they are (especially now that they are USA-all the way).

 

[ruhip]

I have a Ruger LCR that I enjoy shooting and also have a S&W 637 snub nose. I believe the felt recoil is less with the S&W. I did a test with the LCR with the factory grips and the S&W with the Hogue grips that you need to use the plastic wedge to get them on (unsure the right name of the Hogue grips but they leave the backstrap exposed). The Smith had less felt recoil compared to the LCR. I had a few friends also try it and they felt the Smith was easier to control than the LCR. I found it odd that the exposed backstrap had less recoil than the Ruger wrap around grips with the gel pouch. I like them them both

 

[TPM]

As stated before, I bought one of the new S&W BG 38s. Could not get the insight laser to sight properly, but more importantly every other round would not fire unless the cylinder rotated the second time around. Scary and the dealer was no help at all; just said send to S&W. When I asked if I could get a different gun when they sent it back the dealer said they did not want it and "how would they know they did not have a bad gun". I said, "well, they might send a brand new gun back". Dealer said nope; on my own. Not complaining, just know you are on your own if that happens. After waiting and calling S&W, they told me they destroyed the gun. I asked if I could get another, different pistol, more expensive (and pay an "up-charge") in a J frame and S&W agreed. I now have a 357 in a scandium and am very happy; even added the Crimson Trace 405 to it that has a bit of cushion on the backstrap. What a nice gun to carry; although a bit dramatic when you fire 357 mags in it. The 38s are manageable and I recommend to consider gloves when shooting if you are bothered by recoil. Thanks to S&W for allowing me another option; the up-charge was more than fair.

 

[XTrooper]

A revolver that has to be "hand indexed" after closing the cylinder could cost someone their life.

Not everyone trains a lot or is a handgun shooting expert like many of us here, the "average Joe" who buys a Bodyguard and throws it in the sock drawer, and forgets to "index" the cylinder, or doesn't know he has to, might need it to shoot an intruder and hear the loudest click you could ever hear......

I don't have an opinion on the polymer Bodyguard revolver, but, as a former combat Marine, I do have something to say concerning weapons and their owners.

Those who don't familiarize themselves enough with their chosen weapon to even know what it takes for it to go bang when they pull the trigger and, instead, just buy it and throw it in their sock drawer, deserve whatever fate befalls them.

 

[mag318]

I'm up over 1000 rounds thru my BG38 now and it still looks new. I was initially concerned on how well it would hold up, but not any longer. I use to be a traditional wood and steel type of guy starting out with my Model 60 that I bought prior to going to Viet Nam. I carried that gun as a backup thru most of my police career and it will always be a special gun to me. After I retired I bought an AirLitTi Model 337 because of the weight. Great to carry but no fun to shoot. My Bodyguard 38 has replaced that gun as my carry piece now mainly because it is so comfortable to shoot and the weight is still light enough for hot weather carry. Everyone of my friends who have shot my Bodyguard (totalling 5 now) have gone out and bought one. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to firearms and though the Bodyguard is partially plastic, for it's intended purpose I like it.

 

[Will Carry]

If the Judge is any indication of what people are wanting to buy, then the Bodyguard should be a big hit. I do like the old Smith J-frames.