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]

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 April 4, 1981, Texas prisoner Eroy Brown used a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard belonging to the warden Wallace Pack of the Ellis Unit to kill farm manager Billy Moore before drowning the warden himself.

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.

See also

• .357 Magnum
• Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380

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 Ahern, Jerry (2010). Armed for Personal Defense. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 47. ISBN 1-4402-1643-6. 
3. ↑ "First Look: Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard Handguns with Crimson Trace Lasers - Guns & Ammo". Guns & Ammo. 2014-07-15. Retrieved 2016-05-21. 
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. ↑ Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007-01-03). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. F+W Media, Inc. ISBN 089689293X. 
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.