smith & wesson bodygaurd

A

archer215

New member
i just got a used smith & wesson bodygaurd at the gun show today , its blued but in good condition i was told it was one of the first runs and on the inside of the cylinder it has "mod 49" stamped into it . are these good guns ? will it stand up to +p ammo? whats a good carry load in the bodygaurd? i got a fobus paddle with the gun but i cant decide whether to get a different holster or not does anyone use a certain type of holster for theyre snub they like better than another? i got the original wood grips and a set of oversized hogue grips but i think im gonna get the boot grip for it i like the looks of the rubber grip that used to come on the detective specials does anyone know if they still make those ?thanks for any info:D
 
The M49 is an excellent revolver...... I have the airweight version.

Call or email S&W regarding extended +P use in your revolver.
I know that the newer ones were +P rated (as stamped on the barrel).

I think that the boot grips are a good idea.

The Barami Hip-Grip is nice if you want to clip the revolver inside your belt or pants.

side_view_gun_bw.gif

http://www.baramihipgrip.com/hipgrip.html

I like Greg Kramer's pocket holster.

pocket.jpg


http://www.kramerleather.com/
 
Archer,I owned a 49 back in the days before +P was a term.In those days the hottest ammo around was Super-Vel.I wore out that gun in approx. 500 rds.Nowadays I limit My +P shooting to annual qualifications and shoot light loads for practice.I do however carry all My J-frames loaded with +P's.tom.
 
i did some shooting with the gun earlier its a good shooting gun accurate for one with this small of a barrel . i shot some aguila 158 gr jhp thru it and a couple federal hydra shoks which is what ill carry in it im thinking about getting a shoulder holster for it does anyone use a shoulder holster for a j-frame or simular size gun ? if so what kind? id like to get a leather one but nylon is not out of the question thanks for any info:D
 
I have a 649, and it's my "always" gun. I carry it in the right front pocket. I also have a Fobus paddle for it, but it is much more convenient to just drop it in the pocket. I keep my keys, change, Swiss army knife (everything, actually) in the left pocket to keep the right pocket clear. Just be sure to take it out and clean it periodically, 'cause it will gather lint.

As easy as bodyguards are to conceal, I see no use in a shoulder rig. Kinda reminds me of Broderick Crawford in "Highway Patrol". Regarding grips, I like boot grips, but the Pachmayr Compac Pro's are a bit better in my estimation.
 
I'd stick to standard pressure loads in your early Bodyguard.
I shoot Plus Ps in my M649 as a carry load, but only a few have gone through my blued M49.

I am another who likes pocket holsters. I have a few but usually use a nylon Uncle Mike's. I also have a leather paddle holster and a belt holster from Dillon Precision. I'm not fond of the paddle holster, and have used the belt one more. Usually I depend on the Uncle Mike's.

I replaced the wood grips on my M49 with rubber boot grips. The same groups were on my 649 when I bought it. I like them a lot.

The 49 series are quite accurate guns, more accurate than people think. Shooting them accurately is the problem due to the short sight radius.
 
Congratulations, Archer. These aren't good guns, they're great guns! I often carry a M38, the alloy framed version. I do use +P loads for carry and occasional practice, they will shorten the life of the gun-it's up to you to decide on that trade-off. Bianchi used to make a shoulder rig for the small revolvers that carried the gun upside down-this made for good access, even with a buttoned, short jacket, by reaching under the hem line. Your choice of holster will pretty much be determined by your manner of dress when carrying, you may need to make some concessions here.
 
The Bianchi inverted shoulder rig, and the Safariland counterpart, were discontinued some years ago. Lou Alessi makes one, called the Guardian, that is the current best in leather (and a bit pricey). Wth the lightweight J frames, it is a comfortable all-day rig once it is adjusted right. Ken Null makes two, one with a pull-through snap and the other with a hook through the trigger guard, and a retaining, snap-closed strap around the cylinder, released by lifting the guns slightly and twisting it against the snapped strap. Both of these are synthetic, sweat-proof, and wearable in hot weather under almost anything that will cover them. I wear the Alessi under heavier shirts when the weather goes into the 60s, and one of the Nulls when the temp goes above.
 
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I agree with my friend, deputy Tom!:) No sense in
beating a fine S&W J-frame to death by firing +P
ammunition or a regular basis.:eek: :(

Best Wishes,
ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
i dont know exactly when my gun was made but it has the old style thumb latch and wood grips and is stamped m-49 in the frint of the cylinder whats the best non +p to shoot thru this gun for defense also what a good load to shoot thru it just to get used to shooting it and does anyone out here use speed strips or speed loaders ? thanks for all the info everyone:D
 
My favorite .38 Special target rounds are the 148 grain wadcutter, the 158 grain semi-wadcutter and the 158 grain round nose lead, all non +P.

These lead bullets (in that order) are most accurate in my Bodyguard.

The jacketed bullets aren't as accurate for me, though I do use the 130 grain FMJ bullets when shooting indoors, and to keep the bore clean.
 
I carry a couple of Bianchi speed strips with the M649 when I am out and about. They are loaded with six rounds so I have 17 available with the five in the gun. I need more practice in using the strips speedily. If the stirps get cold you'll find the stiffness makes them harder to handle.

I have speedloaders for the J-frames but haven't found a good way to hide them. I've used them in competition and found them faster than Speed Strips, although I need more practice with them too.
 
ACP230,Your speed strips might get stiff while out in cold weather at the range but carried in a pocket,body heat will keep them pliable.I'm still using 25-30 year old Bianchi Speed Strips without any trouble.tom.
;)
 
i like the compactness of the speed strips but i think im going to try a speedloader and see how i can carry it i like to have at least one extra reload for everything i carry no matter what it is auto, revolver , :D
 
Love the Bodyguards.
About to pick up number 4 at the range when it goes on sale 15 Nov. for $249.
;)
 
Mine was a 638 model in SS

I bought my used creampuff mod 638 .38 spcl and kept it box-stock. I thought the gun was just about ideal for pocket carry as it was right down to the stock grips. I shot a few +P rounds through mine but don't think that is a necessary all-the-time diet. My favorite .38 loads? All Georgia arms. What a beautiful, well-balanced, sweet shooting gun. What an idiot I am for selling it!!
 
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