Great little piece. Very practical, I love the small pieces. S&W speaks for itself and the luminous paint on the site, Brilliant Touch. This is nicely priced too, especially compared to the Ruger, another nice Piece. The Ammo is pricey though.
One of the best small handguns Smith and Wesson ever produce it's got features that the other revolvers don't have like the 642 and the 442 the front sight is removable you can put a night side on it with a gunsmith also it's easy to load much faster and it's lightweight only 14 oz comes with a longer grip in gray color rubber that gives it a nice two-tone effect I've seen this gun in action at a shooting range and tried it myself even with plus p you don't even know you're shooting it it does have a slight little jump but nothing much if you hold it tight I would recommend checking it out and buying it if you could find one they're on backorder a lot of places don't waste any time I give Smit five stars in this video ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🇺🇸💯👍
I have some of that Winchester Defender ammunition, but I use the "Train" rounds that were included with it for my snub revolvers. The Train rounds are 130-grain truncated nose bullets (FMJ, but with flat tips.) I just got one of the Bodyguard models yesterday from someone who is moving out of the country. She never got around to shooting it. Seems pretty slick and nice. Definitely lighter than any of my other wheelguns. Looking forward to trying it out. Thanks for sharing.
Never been a fan of a "laser" on a firearm. 2 to 1 when you need it the battery will be dead or the unit will fail. Good night sights are a more reliable option for me.
Winchester makes some really good defensive rounds. Theres something about that crown design that always performs good in Gel and flesh. The US military was using it for almost 20yrs in there side arms
You're the only one I've seen on RUclips to mention the "clockwise" direction of the cylinder. I was surprised to find that is the case when I tried one. I updated the grip to the Hogue Tamer which makes it more comfortable to shoot.
I also picked up a bodyguard 38 recently. Got to shoot it and it was very easy to handle and didn’t hurt my hands at all. So I decided not to upgrade the grip. I did order a concealment express holster and was super disappointed because it was way too tight and hard to draw. Couldn’t adjust it either so I sent it back and got a kosibate leather holster on amazon that is great. Check it out
I had the same issue with the CE holster. I did work it down a bit where it locks to the gun so it's not as bad now and I set it up for left hand draw then gave it to my son who's also bought one of these guns.
Yep, the Kydex holsters just are that good for revolvers it seems. My IWB Blackhawk leather holster is awesome as is the DeSantis pocket holster. You might check out those two as well. Thanks for the comment.
I bought this one about a year ago with the factory laser. I actually had a chance on a Taurus .357 snub but I really like the size of this better. +Ps will make up the difference.
I agree, a laser device can help you work on trigger pull. To many people have the idea that the bullet will automatically go to the point where the laser is at which we all know isn't true. As we all know, the minute you really need something battery powered the battery will be dead. I'd rather rely on "old school" sights.
Man this looks better than all the early reviewers made it out to be! I wish that I had bought several before the whole corona BS. They were practically giving them away just a few months ago.
I'm in the market for this gun, so I'm watching as many videos as I can. At 5:15 I noticed when you set the cylinder into the gun, you pulled the trigger and the cylinder did not rotate. Have you been able to recreate that? That's troublesome to me. I'm thinking that after I load the weapon and set cylinder, it may not go pop on first pull, the time when you need it the most. Thanks for your review and time for an answer.
If all the chambers in the cylinder are loaded and it's already indexed it'll fire the round in that chamber then move to the next one when you pull the trigger again. No worries.
If all the chambers in the cylinder are loaded and it's already indexed it'll fire the round in that chamber then move to the next one when you pull the trigger again. No worries.
I'd use the FMJs or Flat points for self defense only decent Hollow points out my 637 snubby are the HST micro other than that nice piece do one when you get the grips
Because of the way the cylinder gets rotated sometimes the first pull will fire the round in the chamber under the firing pin instead of rotating to the next chamber. Nothing wrong with the gun, it's just the way it works.
The cylinder release actually moves when he pulls the trigger, so he probably didn't positively lock up the cylinder before dry firing. Like the presenter stated, You will see this behavior on many revolvers. After loading I typically manually index the cylinder until I feel a good lockup, it's not actually required and that's the nice thing about revolvers you can just keep pulling the trigger until it goes bang. Good video, and peace dude.
Hey bud Fellow Tennesseean here. Just bought me a bodyguard.38 Used to older wheelguns and used to seeing the firing pin protrude after dry firing I noticed this model the pin doesn’t seem to protrude upon dry firing Any experience with that I’ve heard of similar incidents with other owners Some say it’s a free float pin and retracts after firing Idk Just worried about light strikes Thanks bud
Yeoman it's a rebounding firing pin so it'll not stick through the frame like a gun with an exposed hammer. Also, if you noticed, the cylinder rotation is to the right like a Colt and not the traditional left. I was born in Tennessee but didn't move back to live until later. Still, I love Tennessee and claim it as my Home State even though I now live in Arizona where my wife's family lives. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy the Bodyguard, it's a great little carry gun.
I enjoy your vids there TN Frank, but I must ask--are you a native Tennessean? It doesn't matter of course, it's just that you don't sound at all like you are from the Volunteer State. Oh and btw, I so love my Bodyguard, one of the best purchases I EVER made.
@@TennesseeFrank Sadly, to say I was unable to figure out how to do that, so I had to have the gun store do it for me. I wonder way it does not come with Houge grips like the Ruger
Great little piece. Very practical, I love the small pieces. S&W speaks for itself and the luminous paint on the site, Brilliant Touch. This is nicely priced too, especially compared to the Ruger, another nice Piece. The Ammo is pricey though.
One of the best small handguns Smith and Wesson ever produce it's got features that the other revolvers don't have like the 642 and the 442 the front sight is removable you can put a night side on it with a gunsmith also it's easy to load much faster and it's lightweight only 14 oz comes with a longer grip in gray color rubber that gives it a nice two-tone effect I've seen this gun in action at a shooting range and tried it myself even with plus p you don't even know you're shooting it it does have a slight little jump but nothing much if you hold it tight I would recommend checking it out and buying it if you could find one they're on backorder a lot of places don't waste any time I give Smit five stars in this video
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🇺🇸💯👍
Do you know if this gun takes regular jFrame grips
I have some of that Winchester Defender ammunition, but I use the "Train" rounds that were included with it for my snub revolvers. The Train rounds are 130-grain truncated nose bullets (FMJ, but with flat tips.)
I just got one of the Bodyguard models yesterday from someone who is moving out of the country. She never got around to shooting it. Seems pretty slick and nice. Definitely lighter than any of my other wheelguns. Looking forward to trying it out.
Thanks for sharing.
Crimson Trace makes several beautiful grip activated Lasergrips for J-frames. I swear by them on my Glocks too.
Never been a fan of a "laser" on a firearm. 2 to 1 when you need it the battery will be dead or the unit will fail. Good night sights are a more reliable option for me.
This gun is not considered a J frame
Winchester makes some really good defensive rounds. Theres something about that crown design that always performs good in Gel and flesh. The US military was using it for almost 20yrs in there side arms
picking one up tomorrow for a back up gun, thanks for the great video I am sold
You're the only one I've seen on RUclips to mention the "clockwise" direction of the cylinder. I was surprised to find that is the case when I tried one. I updated the grip to the Hogue Tamer which makes it more comfortable to shoot.
I also picked up a bodyguard 38 recently. Got to shoot it and it was very easy to handle and didn’t hurt my hands at all. So I decided not to upgrade the grip. I did order a concealment express holster and was super disappointed because it was way too tight and hard to draw. Couldn’t adjust it either so I sent it back and got a kosibate leather holster on amazon that is great. Check it out
I had the same issue with the CE holster. I did work it down a bit where it locks to the gun so it's not as bad now and I set it up for left hand draw then gave it to my son who's also bought one of these guns.
Yep, the Kydex holsters just are that good for revolvers it seems. My IWB Blackhawk leather holster is awesome as is the DeSantis pocket holster. You might check out those two as well. Thanks for the comment.
I added a houge grip to mine, much more comfortable. I carry underwood extreme defender +P’s.
I bought this one about a year ago with the factory laser. I actually had a chance on a Taurus .357 snub but I really like the size of this better. +Ps will make up the difference.
In a short barrel like this 38 +P is the way to go.
Best CCW, just my opinion. I have 14 micro to compact guns and this is the best to carry with extra 10rds for backup.
Excellent video,.......
The laser is great for practicing your trigger pull.
I agree, a laser device can help you work on trigger pull. To many people have the idea that the bullet will automatically go to the point where the laser is at which we all know isn't true. As we all know, the minute you really need something battery powered the battery will be dead. I'd rather rely on "old school" sights.
Man this looks better than all the early reviewers made it out to be! I wish that I had bought several before the whole corona BS. They were practically giving them away just a few months ago.
No BS not so Proud Boy...
@@georgegeorge5901 say what? WTF is that supposed to mean?
I have one. I have a Houge Grip on it. I paid less than $350.00 for mine, it was actually on sale when I bought it.
Did you ever do a video with your G-10 grips?
@@kylewood8327 I sold the gun quite a while ago. For low recoil the Chiappa Rhino is the best with it's low bore axis and grip design.
I'm in the market for this gun, so I'm watching as many videos as I can. At 5:15 I noticed when you set the cylinder into the gun, you pulled the trigger and the cylinder did not rotate. Have you been able to recreate that? That's troublesome to me. I'm thinking that after I load the weapon and set cylinder, it may not go pop on first pull, the time when you need it the most. Thanks for your review and time for an answer.
If all the chambers in the cylinder are loaded and it's already indexed it'll fire the round in that chamber then move to the next one when you pull the trigger again. No worries.
If all the chambers in the cylinder are loaded and it's already indexed it'll fire the round in that chamber then move to the next one when you pull the trigger again. No worries.
@@TennesseeFrank Thank you for the timely reply. It just made me nervous seeing the cylinder not move.. Thanks again, great review as well.
Nice paint job! Thanks!!
Nice paint job! What's your secret?
Making sure the sight is cleaned off good with alcohol then using a pointed toothpick to apply the paint.
mine got the laser nice piece
What front sight did you end up getting? I’m trying to figure out which of the Hi-Vice brand sights fit this model. I may go with the Big Dot though
I ended up painting the front sight. There are 1 pin and 2 pin sights. They didn't make anything for mine.
@@TennesseeFrank ah ok, yours is the 1 pin or 2? I have the 2 pin and the only sights offered, I think need to be drilled with a drill press
I'd use the FMJs or Flat points for self defense only decent Hollow points out my 637 snubby are the HST micro other than that nice piece do one when you get the grips
Notice at 5:18 dryfire on the first trigger pull the cylinder did not rotate.
Because of the way the cylinder gets rotated sometimes the first pull will fire the round in the chamber under the firing pin instead of rotating to the next chamber. Nothing wrong with the gun, it's just the way it works.
The cylinder release actually moves when he pulls the trigger, so he probably didn't positively lock up the cylinder before dry firing. Like the presenter stated, You will see this behavior on many revolvers. After loading I typically manually index the cylinder until I feel a good lockup, it's not actually required and that's the nice thing about revolvers you can just keep pulling the trigger until it goes bang.
Good video, and peace dude.
good video!
Will any J frame grip fit this bodyguard revolver?
No, technically this is not a J Frame. It's a polymer frame that's it's own thing.
Great review with unique details.
What luminous paint did you use and where did you get it? I'm wanting to do that to some of my guns. Very nice video.
It was Glo paint from Amazon. It didn't work as well as it does filling in a dot sight so I removed it and put some bright red paint on the sight.
Hey bud
Fellow Tennesseean here. Just bought me a bodyguard.38
Used to older wheelguns and used to seeing the firing pin protrude after dry firing
I noticed this model the pin doesn’t seem to protrude upon dry firing
Any experience with that
I’ve heard of similar incidents with other owners
Some say it’s a free float pin and retracts after firing
Idk
Just worried about light strikes
Thanks bud
Yeoman it's a rebounding firing pin so it'll not stick through the frame like a gun with an exposed hammer. Also, if you noticed, the cylinder rotation is to the right like a Colt and not the traditional left.
I was born in Tennessee but didn't move back to live until later. Still, I love Tennessee and claim it as my Home State even though I now live in Arizona where my wife's family lives. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy the Bodyguard, it's a great little carry gun.
Holster ideas?
I like the Blackhawk leather IWB with the clip. See my later videos about this gun.
I enjoy your vids there TN Frank, but I must ask--are you a native Tennessean? It doesn't matter of course, it's just that you don't sound at all like you are from the Volunteer State. Oh and btw, I so love my Bodyguard, one of the best purchases I EVER made.
Long story short I was born in Harriman and later lived in Crossville for 20 years. So I guess you could say yep, I'm a native.
Metal trigger
If you shoot plus P in this gun without changing the grip (I suggest Houge), you'll be sorry.
That's why I changed the grips.
@@TennesseeFrank Sadly, to say I was unable to figure out how to do that, so I had to have the gun store do it for me. I wonder way it does not come with Houge grips like the Ruger
Hand buster
Yep, if you've got arthritis you'll sure feel it. My Taurus 856, on the other hand(pun intended) at 22oz is very comfortable to shoot.