The Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 38 is a new “hammerless” revolver like those found in the Centennial line. Â Unlike those guns, the new Bodyguard 38 has a polymer frame and integral laser. Â It is one of two new compact handguns called Bodyguard introduced by S&W at the 2010 SHOT Show.
First, the basics, it is a five-shot, 38 Special revolver that is rated for +P ammunition. The hammer is fully concealed, and the gun is double action only. The gun is black with a grip. At first glance, it looks a lot like a model 442. But, this revolver is actually very different.
The Bodyguard 38 is a polymer-framed revolver, the first-ever by Smith & Wesson. This means that Smith had to go back to the drawing board to design this firearm. The lower frame (roughly from the rear of the cylinder back), is polymer, while the upper frame (surrounding the cylinder and housing the barrel) is aluminum. As you might expect, the revolver is very light, weighing only 14.3 ounces.
A significant change on the Bodyguard 38 is the relocation of the cylinder release. Instead of being mounted on the side of the frame, the release has been moved to the top of the frame, where an exposed hammer would normally be. Since the cylinder release is along the midline of the revolver, it is now ambidextrous.
Speaking of the cylinder, one of the problems sometimes cited by owners of Smith & Wesson J-frames is the extractor rod is too short to reliably eject fired brass. This is an annoyance at the range, but a possible deadly problem in a self-defense shooting. While not full length, the rod on the Bodyguard 38 is noticeably longer to provide a more sure ejection of spent cartridges.
Smith and Wesson lists the barrel length as 1.9″. Traditionally, S&W has listed the barrel length of their “snubbies” at either 1 7/8″ (1.875″) or 2″. I assumed that Smith was rounding up the 1.875″, but the company rep insisted the barrel length was exactly 1.9″.
Sights are fixed and black. The rear notch seems wider than the notch on the 442/642, but that is my impression only. I didn’t measure them, and the Smith rep was not sure.
Significantly, the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 38 ships with an integrated laser from Insight Technology. The red laser mounts high and back on the right side of the frame. The laser is adjustable for drift and elevation. Two laser modes are offered: steady and pulse. To activate the laser, the shooter may turn the unit on by pressing a button on the unit.
What I am curious about is the collaboration with Insight on the development of this revolver. Smith & Wesson has offered Crimson Trace Lasergrips on many of their models, and I would have assumed they would bring CT in on this type of project. However, according to an Insight rep I spoke with, Insight worked hand-in-hand with Smith to develop this gun.
While I think lasers can be useful in certain circumstances, I do not know how useful this laser unit will be, as an extra step is required to activate it. Most self-defense shootings happen very quickly, and I am not sure that someone would have the time to click it on in its current configuration.
I’m certainly not a Crimson trace fanboy, but the activation of the Lasergrip is very intuitive and easily managed under stress. For that reason alone, I would have liked to see a CT laser used, or a different activation method of the Insight unit.
Dry firing the trigger was a pleasant experience. The Bodyguard 38 trigger was typical of S&W factory triggers, which is to say it was a smooth, and very manageable double-action pull. It was slightly smoother than that of my own 642, but not quite as smooth as the Ruger LCR revolvers I have shot.
Looking at the revolver, I immediately noticed the rubber grips come up higher on the frame, covering the portion of the frame where the web of my shooting hand normally rests. While this is undoubtedly good for shooting the Bodyguard 38, the grips are not available for other J-frames. So, don’t get excited when you look at the picture and see the grips.
I look forward to shooting the new Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 38, and when I do, you can expect a full review here.  MSRP is $509 and there is a Massachusetts compliant version.
87 replies on “Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 38”
I was able to get a Hogue Bantam grip, supposedly to fit S&W J-frames with rounded butt, and a whole list of models it was supposed to fit. I got the factory grip off just fine, without messing up the stock pin. However, I was not able to get the Bantam all the way up on the frame to the point where the stock pin would engage in the holes in the grip, plus it was rubbing at the top. I have emailed S&W for suggestions, and plan to do the same with Hogue. will keep this updated. Thanks
Update on the Hogue grip for the BG38 – got an email from smith-wesson today, and they confirmed that the Bantam does not fit and as far as they know, there is not a replacement grip out there (as yet). Oh well, perhaps later….
As an NRA firearms instructor my partners and I purchase some of the most popular firearms and evaluate them for our students. I have always owned and enjoyed shooting S&W revolvers until I shot this new Bodyguard. First of all, Ruger got it right with the LCR. I’ve fired well over two thousand plus-P cartridges through my LCR. Easy to shoot and NO problems. Felt recoil has definitely been reduced. Now for the New Bodyguard .38 special. It also is lightweight and has very manageable recoil even while firing plus-P loads. I do find the LCR is even more manageable. When the New Bodyguard is fired, the double-action trigger must be completely released after it’s fired. No short stroke of the trigger on the Bodyguard revolver because it will not reset and fire the next cartridge. While the trigger must also be reset LCR trigger is more forgiving. I also find that as the New Bodyguard heats up while firing it seems to somewhat bind. It will continue to fire but not as smooth. I’m sorry to say that the New Bodyguard revolver is not what I’m used to from S&W revolvers. Normally, do to my dissatisfaction I would trade this firearm in for another, however I’ll keep it to share with our students so that they may make their own determination. Maybe it’s my age talking, but I would much rather shoot my older S&W J,K,L & N frame revolvers then the new ones. I like S&W’s new rail system for revolvers which allows the mounting of a tactical light, but I have little use for the lasers on these five shot guns (hideout/back up firearms) and I don’t like the built in safeties on these revolvers. Lastly, I like the New Bodyguard .380 ACP pistol and I think the S&W M&P Pro 9mm pistol is great!
Al,
Thanks for posting your experiences with the Bodyguard. I haven’t had a chance to shoot one yet, but I have shot the LCR’s quite a bit now. I really like them a lot. My constant companion (S&W 642) might have been replaced with an LCR if I wasn’t so attached to it. Carrying it for some 10+ years on and off duty…well, I guess I’ve grown a bit fond of it.
Thanks again,
Richard
Richard,
I agree with you on the S&W Model 642. I also carried one as a backup for years. I have since replaced it with the Ruger LCR. While the Model 642 is an excellent carry gun it was not so pleasent to shoot with hot factory loads. I strongly believe we must practice with what we carry. I have fired well over two thousand rounds of plus-P ammo through the LCR in recent month. While it may not be as “fun” to shoot as my 1911 or a new Sig Elite Model 220 or 226 it certainly is very shootable. Unlike my previous practices with S&W J frames or the Colt Detective Specials loaded hot, at the end of the day I don’t find myself complaining or swearing after shooting a couple hundred rounds through my LCR. I wish I could say the same about the Bodyguard .38 special. It has less felt recoil the J frames but as stated previously I don’t like it’s trigger while actually firing it and I did notice some binding when hot. While dry firing the Bodyguard at the store I thought it felt rather good but I was disappointed at the range. I do like the new S&W Bodyguard .380 ACP pistol but I’ll leave that for another post. y