opinions on the S&W Bodyguards

[texas297]

Anyone here have any opinions on the S&W Bodyguard series of revolvers?

Thanks

[WildBill]

I have no experience with the S&W Bodyguards, but I do have an opinion.

Have you ever shot with lasersights? They seem cool at first, but after the novelty wears off, I find them distracting. I suggest that you try out a couple of guns with lasersights before investing in a handgun with integrated sights. If you don't like them and don't use them, it's a waste of money, IMO.

[Teamless]

I like my SW Bodyguard (.380), but I see you are asking about a revolver (I noted after I started typing)
I never use the laser

[SkipB]

I have both the Ruger LCP and the S&W Bodyguard. The bodyguard has a better trigger pull (smoother). I bought the LCP for me. I don't care wheather it has a lazer or not. I bought the S&W Bodyguard w/a lazer for my wife. For me if I need to pull the trigger I will, no biggie on that. For my wife if she has to pull her weapon I want her concentrating on the lazer beam reather that the person she is about to pull the trigger on. For some people the lazer can be an important part of a weapon, for some not so important.

[SkipB]

Sorry I thought you were talking about the .380.

[JCole]

Are you asking about the new 'Bodyguard' designated revolvers, or the older guns like the model 38 and model 49 with the shrouded hammer?

[77346]

Anyone here have any opinions on the S&W Bodyguard series of revolvers?

Thanks

I was a long time revolver owner and recently acquired the Bodyguard 380 (semi-auto). When I got the BG380, I also looked at the Bodyguard revolver, and in my opinion something like a Taurus 605 in .357 Magnum would be a better choice. Similar size, more versatile (shoots 357 & 38) and for less $$$. The S&W looked kinda fragile to me, like a toy gun. You get a laser on it, but for me that was not a factor.

I ended up getting the 380 for EDC and frankly have only turned the laser on twice... for me the deciding factor between the LCP and BG 380 was how it felt on my hand and S&W's reputation and warranty.

[texas297]

Are you asking about the new 'Bodyguard' designated revolvers, or the older guns like the model 38 and model 49 with the shrouded hammer?

Well I guess I started asking about the BG itself but open to other ideas too. The problem with that is, everyone will say that "their way is the best way" :)

[PUCKER]

I have the new version, here is my thread/write-up about it:

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=36601" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I carry it everyday. Right front pocket of my shorts/pants in a pocket holster. It's light and comfy and VERY easy to conceal. Is it my first choice for a gunfight? Well, no....sure, I know, someone is going to say..."well, it's the gun you've got"....and it is....my answer is that, "well, I showed up with a GUN to a gunfight!"

My first choice is my Kimber Compact Aluminum in .45 ACP, then my Glock 17 9mm....and then the .38 S&W Bodyguard....however, it is the MOST comfy of all my carry pieces, well, with the exception of my NAA .22 Mag Revolver!

[Richardc]

I carry a 340pd which a J frame just like the bodyguard. It is a joy top carry simply for weight. I say buy it the others are cheaper but the Smith is a better gun.

[CC Italian]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... 7751_image

This is my current snub nose and let me tell you why I picked it and what I think about it. Same as Pucker's.

I wanted a snub nose revolver that could shoot .38 special +P, lightweight, and a near full grip which is not that easy to find to replace my .380 acp for reasons I won't go into. I tried all the Smiths and the LCR and while they were around the same weight I hated not being able to get a good grip on it (only two fingers). That problem was solved with the new bodyguard. I can get all three fingers on the grip and control it very well with my 38 special +P 135 grain gold dot carry load. Of course I have very long and skinny fingers.The gun is pretty accurate for a snub within 10 yards which is fine for a snub imo. Also, I really don't think you are going to have time in 90% of the situations where you use the gun for personal defense to fumble with a laser button.

The only two problems I have are that the laser is ok and does help with accuracy but I had a few problems with it turning off and not turning back on. S&W couldn’t replicate the problem when I sent it in but it does it from time to time. The recoil when shooting must jar the laser and it won’t turn back on for a couple of minutes. Weird but it has happened three times. The other thing is that while the grip is longer it is much thinner then the LCR grip. The LCR that I shot had those fat short grips so it soaked up recoil a little better but I am a better shot with the S&W Bodyguard and of course the trigger pull is better on the Bodyguard. It doesn’t matter which you shoot after 50 rounds your hand will be sore with either but the recoil is transferred a little more to the hand with the smith because of the thinner grip.