Very first S&W

[jeffpolaski]

My very first S&W, and at my age, very probably my last firearm:

S&W BODYGUARD 10062 38 1.9 CT BLK

Taking delivery in a few days. Everything is pretty much self explanatory, except for no mention at all of an "internal lock" that seems to be disliked by many J-Frame owners.

Simple question: does this model, factory new, have the lock? I'm used to good trigger locks and would rather not change my routine.

 

[jeffpolaski]

Whoops. I did sort of have a S&W a long time ago, issued by the US Army.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! I am not familiar with this (more modern) version of the Bodyguard but per the factory web page it does not appear to have the internal lock.

Thank you for your service. If you were issued an S & W (revolver) during your time in, you were probably in the Army more than a few months ago .

 

[OldChief]

I assume you're purchasing a new Bodyguard and if so, the internal lock is located just above the thumb piece. I can't comment on the lock other than that because all my Smiths are older models without any internal lock. I do know that I've read that many people remove them and there's some type of plug you can get to close the hole in the frame.

 

[jeffpolaski]

Just Found the User Manual - It says "no

The online "Bodyguard_Revolver_Manual_09_10_13" says on page 27 in big, bold type:

This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious wounds or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that you keep this firearm locked in a secure place and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventative steps may result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in your liability for these deaths.

This looks like a strong disclaimer of responsibility by S&W. I'll know for sure next week when I receive the weapon whether it has an internal lock. I'll check the date of manufacture by serial number (hopefully I can do that).

Then I'll post the results here and put this forum thread to rest.

I thank the good people who answered my question, and I will continue to use an external trigger lock and safe storage. And, yes, the .38 US Army 6-shot revolver was issued to me in 1969. I kept the WWII vintage holster and the olive drab handcuffs.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

It's the manual for the new composite frame M&P Bodyguard 38.....

https://snwcdnprod.azureedge.net/si...ls/S&W_Bodyguard_Revolver_Manual_09_10_13.pdf​

The don't have the Internal Lock System (ILS) S&W's conventional metal revolvers do.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congratulations!

 

[Texas Star]

The online "Bodyguard_Revolver_Manual_09_10_13" says on page 27 in big, bold type:

This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious wounds or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that you keep this firearm locked in a secure place and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventative steps may result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in your liability for these deaths.

This looks like a strong disclaimer of responsibility by S&W. I'll know for sure next week when I receive the weapon whether it has an internal lock. I'll check the date of manufacture by serial number (hopefully I can do that).

Then I'll post the results here and put this forum thread to rest.

I thank the good people who answered my question, and I will continue to use an external trigger lock and safe storage. And, yes, the .38 US Army 6-shot revolver was issued to me in 1969. I kept the WWII vintage holster and the olive drab handcuffs.

You don't seem too heavily into guns. I don't suppose that you know which S&W the Army issued?


If you had handcuffs, I gather that you were CID or an MP? Pilots usually got M&P/ Model 10, often with round butts, some square, all with four-inch barrels.


Female MP's had those, too. I think male MP's mainly got .45 autos. There may have been exceptions.


What was your WWII holster like? There were three belt models. Was yours brown or dyed black? I thought all Army holsters were black by 1969.

 

[Breakaway500]

S&W Bodyguard revolver is one of my favorite designs. I like the ability to deep conceal (snag free design) but still have a single action option. With a trigger tune..they are even better.

 

[John Rus]

The internal lock makes the gun no safer that an external one, use your common sense and you'll be all right.

Best to have some sort of safe with or without a lock. Locks are easy to pick or get past and the person just has to steal it and then take his sweet time to undo it. Safes require more than a screwdriver to get through and would most likely need to be done on spot which at that point the neighbor or yourself would be aware of the situation and take the appropriate actions.

John.

 

[g-dad]

Welcome to the forum jeffpolaski and congrats on your new Smith. Shoot it in good health!

 

[jeffpolaski]

Brown leather snubnose size holster with a thumb strap. Worn on outside of belt. It's a long time ago and my memory keeps saying Chief's Special, but I also remember six rounds. I once rode a Huey in a convoy escort from point A to B in Italy and the pilot asked if anyone was armed. I was the only one; he confirmed six rounds, and he told me if the balloon went up, he'd make one pass and I'd better use all six. Everything was thankfully peaceful.
Except when he found it was my first time in a chopper, he cut the engine out once just to see how I would react.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Model 10's were Air force issue-Army was the 1911.