Smith & Wesson's M&P Bodyguard 38

So I opened the M&P Bodyguard 38 display box and found a diminutive zippered soft case. Then I opened the diminutive zippered soft case and found a slightly more diminutive revolver. In fact, the Bodyguard is so small I could cover its entirety with one hand. The Bodyguard’s dimensions are 6.6″ long x  4.2″ high x 1.3″ wide at the cylinder and it weighs just 14.2 Oz. Not a new concept, a laser sighted Bodyguard 38 was released in 2011.

The very old, often shot and holster worn aluminum frame S&W Model 37, above top, leaves a lot to be desired. The grip is too small to offer a solid grip, the hammer is a hook in search of anything to snag and its ammunition power limit is standard pressure 38 Special. The current Model M&P Bodyguard 38 grip is fuller and made of resilient material, there is no exposed hammer and the beefier upper frame (see top strap) permits liberal use of 38 Special +P ammunition.

Manufacturers are challenged to find ways to keep good, value priced firearms within their product line ups. In this case, the right choices within a combination of materials and processes get the job done. The result is a 38 Special +P capable, lightweight and highly concealable revolver at what could only be termed a modest price.

The flow of the aluminum frame is… interesting as it extends from the breech face to the muzzle end, joined to a poly grip frame at the rear.and acting as a shroud at the front, surrounding and supporting the stainless steel barrel. The hammer is not visible, however, the thumb latch has been moved from the left side to the top and poly covered. The cylinder is release to swing left when the center thumb latch is pushed forward. The rear sight is in the form of an aperture and grooved top strap, that leads to a ramped front sight.

The Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 38 is an excellent example of a point and squeeze revolver. Therefore it comes as no surprise that S&W’s recommended application for this small frame product are “concealed carry, home protection and personal protection”. This would put shooting distances, in all probability, inside ten yards where a firearm simple in operation and compact in size has advantages. Notice I used the term “small frame” and not “J Frame” as these are unrelated and the two offer no part interchangeability.

Practicing with firearms of this type is essential. Paper targets are set at 10 yards and are shot without deliberate use of the firearm’s sights, but rather to condition point and shoot techniques. With a good deal of practice, grouping of shots can be surprisingly tight, certainly tight enough for center of mass shot placement. Practice is also done with quick follow up shots to break the tendency of firing once and pausing to check the target. By the same token, shooting until the gun is empty to avoid being in a situation where a more careful shot needs to be taken, but the gun is empty and there is a need to reload. Not suggesting this is a method to follow, just an expression of my own methods and this is how live fire for the Bodyguard 38 was conducted.

Live fire…