Engineering:Smith & Wesson Bodyguard

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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 barrel, a carbon steel cylinder with a five-round capacity, and is 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 name. It is a polymer framed revolver chambered in .38 Special, and is 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 available with a Crimson Trace (previously Insight) red-dot laser sight integrated in to the grip.[7] name. In 2018, S&W announced a new version of the Bodyguard which lacks the integrated laser sight. It is most closely related to the Centennial models.[6]

History

Users

  • 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 49 Bodyguard to execute a Viet Cong prisoner, Nguyễn Văn Lém, during the Tet Offensive of 1968. [9]
  • Bernhard Goetz used a Model 38 Bodyguard in the controversial 1984 New York City Subway shooting.

Fictional

  • John D. MacDonald's fictional character, Travis McGee, uses an Airweight Bodyguard in Darker than Amber and other novels.
  • Harry Angel, a character played by Mickey Rourke uses an Airweight Bodyguard in the film Angel Heart.
  • Claire Redfield in Resident Evil 2 uses a S&W Bodyguard as her starting pistol.
  • Ricardo Tubbs carries and uses a stainless or nickel-plated Bodyguard model in many episodes of Miami Vice.
  • Ernst Stavro Blofeld played by Charles Gray points a blued S&W Bodyguard at James Bond in the 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever.

See also

  • Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380
  • Smith & Wesson Centennial
  • Smith & Wesson Model 36

References

  1. ↑ Boorman, Dean K. (1 December 2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-58574-721-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=5jnqqkW85u8C&pg=PA78. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ahern, Jerry (2010). Armed for Personal Defense. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 47. ISBN 1-4402-1643-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=U3coK8za7q4C&pg=PA47. 
  3. ↑ "First Look: Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard Handguns with Crimson Trace Lasers - Guns & Ammo". 2014-07-15. 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. https://books.google.com/books?id=eT2t8PBVmVMC&pg=PA58. 
  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. http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/smith-and-wesson-bodyguard-reviews. 
  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) (in en). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. F+W Media, Inc. ISBN 089689293X. https://books.google.com/books?id=D8qXdU45SCUC. 
  9. ↑ Buckley, Tom (April 1972). ""Portrait of an Aging Despot"". Harper's. https://harpers.org/archive/1972/04/portrait-of-an-aging-despot/. 

External links




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