Smith & Wesson Bodyguard

This article is about the line of revolvers. For the semi-automatic pistol, see Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380.
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38 Special

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard is a family of small J-frame revolvers with shrouded hammers manufactured by Smith & Wesson. They are available chambered in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum.[1]

As the name entails, the Bodyguard model of pistols is valued by bodyguards, agents or undercover police officers who need to carry a highly-reliable weapon clandestinely, as a secondary weapon or a backup gun, and need the option of single and double action fire in a firearm that will not jam inside a pocket when fired from one. Its compact frame, shrouded hammer which allows thumb-cocking but minimizes snagging, and light weight make it easy to hide. Every Bodyguard model has a five round capacity.[2] This is lower than the capacity of many .380 ACP and .32 ACP semi-automatic pistols of similar size, but those are less powerful cartridges.

Models

Model 38

The Model 38 is aluminum-framed, has a carbon steel cylinder with a five round capacity and barrel. Chambered in .38 Special.[2]

Model 49

The Model 49 is an all carbon steel-framed revolver chambered in .38 Special.[2]

Model 638

The Model 638 is aluminum-framed with stainless steel cylinder and barrel. Chambered in .38 Special.[2]

Model 649

The Model 649 is an all stainless-steel framed revolver. Chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special.[2]

M&P Bodyguard 38

The M&P Bodyguard 38, introduced in 2014,[3] is the latest incarnation of a Smith & Wesson revolver using the Bodyguard moniker. It is a polymer framed revolver chambered in .38 special, and is only available with a Crimson Trace laser sight integrated in to the grip. Like previous Bodyguard models, it has a five round cylinder and a concealed hammer but unlike the previous models, the hammer cannot be cocked for single action fire.[4][5] The lockwork is different than any other Smith & Wesson revolver and the model has no parts interchangeable with the J-frame series.[6] Chambered in .38 special, it is only available with a Crimson Trace (previously Insight) red-dot laser sight integrated in to the grip.[7] It is most closely related to the Centennial models.[6]

History and usage

Clyde A. Tolson, special assistant to FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, owned a Model 38 Airweight, serial number 512236, with his name engraved on the side.[8]

Nguyễn Ngọc Loan, South Vietnam's chief of National Police, was photographed using a Model 38 Bodyguard to execute a Viet Cong prisoner, Nguyễn Văn Lém, during the Tet Offensive of 1968.[9] The picture, which earned photographer Eddie Adams a Pulitzer Prize, is credited with increasing public antipathy towards the Vietnam War.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Boorman, Dean K. (1 December 2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-58574-721-4.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ahern, Jerry (2010). Armed for Personal Defense. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 47. ISBN 1-4402-1643-6.
  3. ↑ http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/first-look-smith-wesson-mp-bodyguard-handguns-crimson-trace-lasers/
  4. ↑ Shideler, Dan (20 August 2010). Guns Illustrated 2011: The Latest Guns, Specs & Prices. Iola: F+W Media, Inc. p. 58. ISBN 1-4402-1624-X.
  5. ↑ "Smith & Wesson(R) Introduces New BODYGUARD(R) Line. Company Launches New Compact Pistol and Revolver with Integrated Laser System" (Press release). Smith & Wesson. 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wiley Clapp. "S&W’s New Bodyguards". American Rifleman. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  7. ↑ "Smith & Wesson® Introduces New M&P® BODYGUARD® Handguns with Crimson Trace® Laser Sights" (Press release). Smith & Wesson Corp. July 15, 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  8. ↑ Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson By Jim Supica, Richard Nahas http://books.google.com/books?id=D8qXdU45SCUC
  9. ↑ Berryhill, Michael (2011). The Trials of Eroy Brown: The Murder Case That Shook the Texas Prison System. University of Texas Press. p. 34. ISBN 9780292742185.
  10. ↑ Goldberg, Jonah. "'There Are Tears in My Eyes', Eddie Adams & the Most Famous Photo of the Vietnam War". National Review Online. Retrieved 13 November 2014.

See also