S&W Bodyguard .38 SPL report

[bluealtered]

As I wrote earlier I got a S&W bodyguard .38 special in a trade deal. I have read all the dislike about them and since I haven't had a wheel gun in many years it was something to play with. Yes since this pistol was brand new, the trigger was bad but after 400 trigger pulls with snap caps it smoothed out and settled at 8.5lbs and became good enough to shoot pop cans at 10-15yds.

That's more than enough for what has always been called a belly gun, and a added bonus was relearning everything I had forgotten about the J series smiths. If you run across one and are looking for something new to shoot, or maybe just something different than all your mag fed pistols, you might give one a try.

 

[6fatrat]

My carry pistol is a internal hammer SS j smith.
Both of my daughters carry it as well, no potential of a jam, one hand needed to fire , counts to 5 very quickly.
Steve Bair

 

[K22]

That pistol was designed as defensive pistol. In my opinion it's fills the bill quite well.

Having a stiff trigger pull is a good thing, not bad. In a stressful situation you absolutely do not want an unintentional discharge. Having a stiff trigger pull in double action mode helps assure that when it's pulled, it's completely intentional because of the deliberate force needed to pull it.

The hammerless design is also an effective feature, so the pistol does not snag when pulled. Most importantly, it prevents the carrier from cocking placing it in single action mode with a light trigger pull which in a stressful situation could lead to an accidental discharge.

The sights are a non-issue. In a highly stressful situation, you will never see them - your focus will be on the threat facing you. This is the reason why instinctive shooting is often taught in real defense courses. This why target shooting has nothing to do with defensive pistol craft.

Bottom line: this is one fine defensive carry pistol.

 

[bluealtered]

I very much agree with you all, to me this was designed to be a point and shoot gun, if you practice a little it will hit pop cans. However if you can hit a milk jug at 5-20 yards with it it has done it's job.

I have found that for me when at the range with it, 125gr make a little faster follow up.

 

[K22]

I very much agree with you all, to me this was designed to be a point and shoot gun, if you practice a little it will hit pop cans. However if you can hit a milk jug at 5-20 yards with it it has done it's job.

I have found that for me when at the range with it, 125gr make a little faster follow up.

I shoot the 125 Hornady XTP's out of my J Frame Smith 38 Special which helps mitigate the recoil yet still retain and effective terminal performance.

Some I know use the 110 grainers which reduces the recoil even more.

 

[SEGARE]

My wife carries a SW 642 in her pocketbook. As mentioned, long and heavy trigger, but at personal defense distances it won't be noticed.

 

[FNSafari]

My wife carries a SW 642 in her pocketbook. As mentioned, long and heavy trigger, but at personal defense distances it won't be noticed.

one of the welcomed safety features of a DA revolver.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I got a nickel airweight model 38 Bodyguard about 35 years ago.
Great carry gun in a Bianchi 55L Lightening holster.

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Nice piece.

 

[1911nut]

Nice piece.

Thanks, I learned to shoot it with 148g HBWC mouse fart loads. It’s not as fun with full power loads cause it’s so light.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

My carry gun is a S&W mdl.60 (chiefs special) with Crimson Trace grips. If five shots doesn't resolve the situation then fifteen won't either.

 

[Shooter13]

I got a nickel airweight model 38 Bodyguard about 35 years ago.
Great carry gun in a Bianchi 55L Lightening holster.

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I've got one in blue, not sure what year but is a 4 digit serial number.

 

[bluealtered]

I ran across to sites for good .38 info. The snub nose files and revolverguy.com

 

[Downhill]

From time to time I carry a S&W Model 60, 5 rounder. Rosewood grips, pretty as a speckled pup. Friends say that's enough rounds for a self defense situation. I always reply " How many times do you plan to miss?"

 

[Brians356]

Thanks, I learned to shoot it with 148g HBWC mouse fart loads. It’s not as fun with full power loads cause it’s so light.

Those 148-gr wadcutters are not only easy to shoot and accurate, but also very effective defense loads. Their penetration in FBI type tests are consistently well within the desired 12" to 18" range, averaging 16" from both 2" and 4" barrels, as illustrated by LuckyGunner Labs:



When push comes to shove, penetration trumps expansion.
-

 

[R.Morehouse]

That's the one you want....Performance Center, Enhanced Action.....15oz. empty

 

[Lesloan]

I have a model 38 too, a Bodyguard Airframe variant. I appreciate that the da trigger has to be high, but does it really have to be >12 lbs? I put a set of Wolff reduced wt. springs in it, but it's still higher than I'd like it to be at ~10 lbs. (for example, I have a 1957 K38 with an action job by Clark Custom Guns that has an 8-lb da pull and is 100% reliable with Federal primers). On the mod 38, I do wish they'd let just a tiny bit more of the hammer spur exposed to make cocking the thing easier, but it's all OK now - just right for carrying in a pocket holster.

 

[farmerjohn]

Love my J frames, even the 357 version, shoot my "hot" loads in it and don't have to feel bad about beating up my old standbys... John