Smith & Wesson Bodyguard

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 implies, 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]

On December 22, 1984, Bernhard Goetz used a Model 38 Airweight in the shooting on a New York subway train of four men who he believed were about to rob him.

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. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 2 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" (PDF) (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

• .357 Magnum
• Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380

Smith & Wesson Revolvers Top Hinge Model 1 Model 1 1/2 Top Break Model 2 Model 3 Safety Hammerless I-frame Model 30 Kit Gun J-frame Model 36 Bodyguard Model 60 Model 340PD Centennial Model 640 K-frame Model 10 Model 12 Model 13 Model 14 Model 15 Model 17 Model 19 Model 617 Model 64 Model 65 Model 66 Model 67 L-frame Model 581 Model 586 Model 619 Model 620 Model 646 Model 681 Model 686 M-frame Ladysmith N-frame Triple Lock .38/44 Model 22 Model 27 Model 28 Model 29 Model 57 Model 610 Model 625 X-frame Model 460 Model 500 Z-frame Governor C-frame (experimental) Model 73 Semi-automatic pistols Model 1006 Model 1913 Model 22A Model 39 Model 4006 Model 41 Model 410 Model 422 Model 4506 Model 457 Model 469 Model 52 Model 5906 Model 6904 Model 59 Model 61 Model 645 Model 910 Bodyguard 380 M&P M&P22 SD VE SW1911 SW99 Sigma Long guns Model 1940 M&P10 M&P15 M&P15-22 Model 320 Model 76 Assault Shotgun Cartridges .22 Short .32 S&W .32 S&W Long .35 S&W Auto .356 TSW .357 Magnum .38 S&W .38 Special .40 S&W .41 Magnum .44 Russian .44 Special .44 S&W American .44 Magnum .45 Schofield .460 S&W Magnum .500 S&W Special .500 S&W Magnum Horace Smith Daniel B. Wesson