Your content is so engaging because there are no wasted words. No fluff. And you're honest about what you like and what you don't. You are also safety and enviromentally concious. A great ambassador for your beloved sport/hobby! 🤘🇺🇲
@@jsj297 I love that the "real" Bodyguards (38 and 49 and my 638) let you have the option of a single action shot for those aimed, long distance shots (wing and a prayer) when you have time. Metal frames will last a lifetime, polymer who knows. I'll stay old school.
I just read the manual. Twice. Clearly says the cylinder will rotate every time you pull the trigger. I gather from the manual, the lockwork won't spin the cylinder unless the trigger goes all the way forward after firing.
Well, that sure is a departure from the tried, true, and traditional revolver action to be sure. Look, ma - no hand. Why that star-shaped mechanism might advance the cylinder on the first shot only intermittently is a head-scratcher. I guess that as long as it lights the first round up in the rotation and continues to cycle them into battery with subsequent trigger presses, all is well. The redesigned cylinder release would take me some getting used to, but I think it wouldn't take long for this old dog to learn that new trick. Nice review, as usual. Stay safe out there.
I thought I was going to really hate the thumb release but I actually liked it once I got used to it. The release is fast, easy to push and works very well. Thanks for the compliment and you also stay safe.
Hello again sir! That's an interesting quirk ; I'm not sure I've ever seen a revolver, randomly not cycle the cylinder. But hey,...you went to length to prove that it bangs every time you pull the trigger and that's what we like. By the way, there's worse things to smell like than RootBeer...just sayin. lol Good to see you today and stay blessed my friend!!
I've had one of these for a number of years. (Before they put the Bodyguard name on it) Mine operates as a revolver normally does. Always rotates on the first pull. Had to get mine out and dry fire it just to make sure I wasn't crazy. Really curious as to what's up with that. I always enjoy your videos. Keep 'em coaming.
In all the confusion I can't remember if I fired five shots or only four. So I check and there's one round left. Where do I align the cylinder? Then I ask myself "Do I feel lucky ?".
I lost track: Did you start with an empty chamber in the bore line, and it fired? That means that it DID revolve the cylinder even if you did not SEE that, right? Yet when dry firing it did NOT revolve a full cylinder! I am easily confused staring at a monitor..........................elsullo
I appreciate that you cover "budget" guns in some of your reviews. This is the price range many people are in (including myself), and you are helping them not waste their hard earned money on junk. Thank you
I love reviewing "budget" guns and they always get more views than my more "expensive" gun reviews. I will get 7000 views on a $3000 Staccato pistol video and over 200,000 views on a cheap Kel-Tec P17 .22 pistol review. You're right, many people are interested in budget guns and I'm glad I am able to purchase and review budget firearms and give my honest opinion. Thank you for the great comment..... I really do appreciate it.
Good review but I, too, find the non spinning cylinder a little disconcerting. That's me being old-fashioned. I would certainly get over it if my revolver always went BANG when it's supposed to!
Mine did the exact same thing and eventually locked up completely. I had to send it in for factory repair twice. The first time, the revolver was returned to me in even worse condition and they sent me a letter claiming I did not know how to shoot a revolver. After the second time and my included letter telling them I have been shooting S & W revolvers since 1977, they repaired it. Now it works fine
I love how they assumed you were dumb out of nowhere. Even if you were a new gun owner, that wouldn't mean that you didn't do your research beforehand.
Did you practice with snap caps by any chance? Mine locked up too after about 250+ practice trigger pulls with the Tipton snap-caps. The hammer pin on these BG38s is thin and sharp like a needle so it was chipping the brass off the cheap snap caps. I didn't think much of it until it completely locked up, presumably from all the brass dust accumulating inside (outside too which I would wipe off after practicing). They repaired it without any explanation but since then I've only used the A-Zoom snapcaps to be on the safe side. Although since then I haven't shot it much either, fearing it might lock up again :/
Sometimes spin. Sometimes doesn’t. No bueno. I live in sneaky snake country and load my first round with rat shot. I guess I could load two but. I don’t want to.Because I also live in meth head/crackhead country.
Did your Bodyguard .380 give you trouble? I have the engraved bg 380 and have had no problems, it's a little hard to rack the slide and has a long heavy trigger pull with a long reset. But I carry it in a sticky pocket holster. I will carry it because it's easy to conceal and 7 rounds of .380 is nothing to joke about.
I haven't seen one piece of S&W literature that says that this revolver was designed this way. This is a double-action-only revolver and It can't fire in single action mode if there is no hammer to cock back.
My thoughts is that the star device is not engaged with the cylinder when the cylinder is re closed, and the bolt is stopping the cylinder from rotating to engage the star.
He closed the cylinder and made sure the cylinder was locked up by trying to rotate it both ways, so the cylinder had to have been locked up in position.
I bought this puppy like 5 years ago because it works out for my wife since she's left-handed and the release is up top. Never had an issue with it. I reload 38s and have shot a few thousand rounds through it, not one hiccup.😊
Sorry, but not a design feature per S&W. They don’t know how to fix it, and they are gambling that it will never come back to haunt them. Shame on S&W.
@@tlock4616same here…the only S&W I have left is my Model 19…all my other compact revolvers are Ruger LCR, both the LCR hammerless and the LCRx…never any issues 🤘🤘🤘…enjoy your channel mixup98 and stay safe 🙏🙏🙏
I was told that it was engineered not to rotate on the first trigger squeeze. The hammer falls on the cylinder immediately beneath it. That is supposed to make the first squeeze lighter because it's all double action. It always begins rotating on the second squeeze. I'm not sure if that's accurate. I've never had a problem with mine, but it's weird to me. I prefer my 36.
@@mixup98 Exactly. Weird but it works. I tend to stay away from light frame revolvers. LEOs used to like them being lightweight for running after suspects but I have heard the horror stories from LEOs of them failing to fire from frame wear. I will take durability over lighter weight every time. Thanks for sharing.
Is the first pull actually lighter when it doesn’t spin? Seems like a more complex design to force no spin on the first shot to get a better trigger pull.
Does make sense tho and it's just locking up on the first spin when it does. I'd say that is prob right. And when it had engaged he was playing with it. And it may be a design flaw that it doesn't not rotate all the time. Either way it would only make the trigger pull harder the times it does. It must cam to the rear or something after the trigger is pulled. I wonder if u short pull and then rest if it would be enough to make it lock. I never played or took one apart
My Bodyguard does the same thing I can get it to spin after closing the cylinder if I rotate it counter clockwise while closing it. if I line it up clock wise it will lock up and not rotate until the 2nd shot .
The old S&W bodyguard “humpback” in my opinion is much better and often is much cheaper. Most used bodyguards have been carried a lot but seldom fired.
I love my little bodyguard revolver. After a little practice I'm hitting well from 15 yds out. I have it in the lower fairing in my bike as backup gun. Mine has the laser but I don't use it. I painted the front sight bright orange which helped a lot with sight picture acquisition. i use Hornady +P hollow points in it. Got app. 800 rds through it with no issue whatsoever.
Every time the Cylinder is swung out, the revolver cylinder does not rotate. But the hammer will still strike the primer making the gun go boom, then the second pull rotates the cylinder until the cylinder is swung out and reloaded. starting the process over. I think this may be how it was designed.
It is. I sent mine back because it did this, and received a letter from a higher up with a pictorial explanation stating it was designed to do just that.
So, I bought one of these recently after having watched this video and have about 200 rounds through it so far without issue. I tried to recreate the cylinder rotate/not rotate issue and here's what I found (just my experience; not a Smith or a revolver expert). The cylinder rotates clockwise or to the right as explained, and when you close the cylinder if it doesn't lock, then rotate counterclockwise or to the left and it will rotate the cylinder every time. If you rotate to the right when not locked (which I was used to doing with my Rugers) it will NOT rotate with a trigger pull. If it happens to lock when you close the cylinder then it rotates every time also. These are results with about 15 tries each way FWIW. Don't profess to know the design of the mechanism but this seems an easy way to train myself for peace of mind.
I've been shooting revolvers for over fifty years and I've never had one that didn't spin on the first shot. You won't convince me that it was designed this way. Neither the S&W website nor any of its advertising mentions this "unique and modern" lack of cylinder rotation. Can you name just one other revolver that doesn't spin the cylinder on the first shot?
@@mixup98the little NAA revolvers will rotate to position whether they are in line with the chamber or the safety notch. That is engineered into the gun, as is the timing on the bodyguard.
I'm happy with my Taurus revolvers which has always performed well for me. My first revolver was also in 1977 , it was a Ruger Super Blackhawk with the longest barrel available at that time which I believe was 11 inches or so. I paid like 280.00 for that new 44 and I wish I would have bought 10 of them and put away as an investment but when you are 19 in 1977 you just don't know what the future holds. Great video once again.Thanks.
It sounds like you and I have the same taste! My first revolver was a 73 Ruger Blackhawk my dad got when he came back from Vietnam. I just bought my first Taurus 856 2 inch barrel with the bobbed hammer!
Even if it's a inexpensive revolver that is sad for a Smith and Wesson...especially if your life might depend on it ! Rock Island has several inexpensive 2 inch 38 special revolvers that work reliably all the time so why would i waste my hard earned money on this one !
Ok so several years ago I traded my 642 in for a Bodyguard.38 and here’s why. The Bodyguard has a smaller grip that has a higher cushion making it slightly more comfortable to shoot. The thinner grip makes it easier for conceal. The 642 grip snagged on a lot of clothing. The cylinder release on the Bodyguard makes using speed loaders a bit easier. I’ve never had a problem with mine. I also like that it’s comfortable in iwb, owb, pocket holster and bellyband. Great content as always. Keep it coming 👍
Are you sure you’ve never had a problem. This is what S&W is counting on. No one looks at the cylinder when shooting. To see the failure you have to actually watch for it. Since every single one has this problem, my guess is yours does also, and you haven’t noticed.
Chose this as my first carry revolver for the same reasons listed. Everything else on the market has significantly wider and taller grips. These grips make this thing unnoticeable in appendix
@@shawnm6411 i never noticed that this gun did the no move cylinder thing lol! it always goes bang when I fire it though! I'd rather have an old stainless S&W but this one works. it's a backup anyway.
Lol my ffl buddy is closing his shop on 2 week and was selling alot of his guns for cheap. He say he will sell me this S&W m&p bodyguard .38 brand new for $200 flat. But i decline it cause i already own a 1977 s&w chief special model 36
The whole intro my wife was saying over and over" just shoot it, it's probably fine". Then it was fine, what have you done to me man. I think I'm going to have to start watching outside.
Is there projectiles coming back at you? It sounded like you had more than root beer jumping at you. Thanks. My wife bought one of those last month. I havent shot it yet.
Hello Tom. No, the bullet didn't come back toward me. The root bear was sitting on a wooden block and what you heard is that piece of wood hitting the ground when it fell off the stand. 👍🤠
@@mixup98 If that was sugar root beer you will have flies on your hat even after you wash your shirt. As a bus driver I learned to only bring diet sodas so that when it spilled there was no sticky residue........................elsullo
Mixup: Another You Tube poster (HillBilly Musings) described this rotation issue and showed that after closing if you rotate the cylinder "counter clockwise" to engage the cylinder stop to lock up, then it will engage with the star that rotates the cylinder and will rotate as usual on first trigger pull. As opposed to manually rotating it clockwise. Apparently a quirk of the "handless" design 😯Doris
Hello Doris. I pulled out my Bodyguard and rotated the cylinder counter clockwise and guess what? The cylinder did lock up and rotate correctly when I pulled the trigger. I did it several dozen times and it locked up each time. I wish S&W would mention this in the owners manual. I will do an update video in the future on this revolver and I will be sure to mention this technique. Thank you so much....I really appreciate the info.
@@mixup98 My pleasure always glad to be of help or contribute but the real thanks should go to "Hillbilly Musings" for pointing it all out. I looked to see if he ever discussed it with S&W, as he said he planned to, but apparently he got rid of his BG-38 as per a subsequent comment reply on his video. Looking forward to to your next video as always. 👍💗 Doris
Its not "handless" the hand is internal, so less dirt can come in. I think its a good design for a pocket carry. Same with the hammer what some call hammerless but of course it has a hammer its just internal.
The star clicks into place after the first tripper pull...the first shot will always go bang...and every subsequent tripper pull will advance the cylinder (because the star is fully engaged) and also go bang. Nothing wrong with the gun if its loaded with five rounds. If you want to f around with Russian roulette you take your chances.
Is it me But that Smith cly Rotation is clock wise? Like a Colt and the barrel is screwed in rifling Is ccw Not sw pin No Hammer can take pluse ps Not Bad for all you Non Law Enforcement and Good Guys its A belly Gun Better than 25 Auto 32 acp
I've had one for a year, put several hundred rounds through it, never noticed the cyclinder not turning on first shot, did notice it always went bang. That's what counts for me.
Where did you get that for $350? They are like 5-600 everywhere I look! Damn shame to as they look quite cool! I want a lady smith tho... Gotta shell out some beans for one of those..
I would not recommend this particular model to anyone. I've sent it to S&W twice in 6 months! It's going to the back of the safe, never to see the light of day again.
My thoughts are that it is working the way it was designed to. Why would you need the cylinder to rotate for the first shot? It takes a split second of time for that to occur when you probably have a fully loaded chamber and one under the hammer already. It’s a new way of approaching this but it makes sense when you think about it.
Smith & Wesson is starting to make junk. Stay away from them these days. A person buys a revolver for reliability. If the revolver hasn't got this then what is the point. This is a disgrace.
I do not see the problem if you load it with five shells close it up and pull the trigger why would the cylinder need to turn the hammer is going to drop onto a loaded cylinder the next time you pull the trigger the cylinder will turn you are looking for problems where no problem exists.
off topic ... speaking of inexpensive revolvers .... 35 years ago, I bought a Taurus 82, a 4" .38 cal, 6 shot revolver. Only fired maybe 1000 rds through it, and for some reason I sold it off. Kicking myself for years wanting a good cheap revolver. I saw a YT clip recently talking about the Taurus 82, finding that they are still making them. A rubber grip, black parkerized instead of blued ... but the same weapon ... for under $400 so I bought it. Feels more comfortable, but just like it did 35 years ago.
A blued steel 82 with wood grips was my first gun in the early nineties and I really wish I still had it. I also owned a model 65 in 357. Both were excellent!!
I have always kived my S&W sbubbies. However. Inoticed prices rising and not my pay so I tried a Rossi snub SS and I liked it. My wife did too. So...I tried Taurus' 85. Liked it, and their ultra light, and continue to enjoy these snub nosed revolvers. Sorry S&W. Stay safe
I've had this firearm since it was released. I did have to send it back to S&W for the cylinder rotation and trigger issues. They repaired it no questions asked. I have not had any problems since. Admittedly, no one wants to have to send their firearm back to the manufacture and it's not good that you are having similar issues this many years since it's release.
Got one when they first came out and have had no issues with it. Period. Good trigger, lighter weight compared to steel, fires every time and has a smooth DA pull. I replaced the front sight with a night sight and installed a new set of larger Hogue Overmolded grips more suited to my hands. The oversized grips make the perceived recoil less snappy and the night sight raises the POI. Shoots dead on with 158 grain bullets. Great little revolver.
I had the same issue. It eventually would only spin once every 10 pulls. And then even worse, it completely locked up where the trigger was stuck and the cylinder would not release. Sent it back to S&W but haven't shot it since.
I'm a huge S&W fan, but right now, the price difference between this gun, and the 642 (or IMO, the superior 638) is $70. If $70 is the difference between owning a gun, and not owning a gun, I could see buying this (although in that situation, I'd probably buy a Taurus G3C, and take my wife to Taco Bell with the leftover cash), but the 642 just seems like a much, much better gun, to me. It's a tried and true design, has classic looks, and enough weight to keep recoil under control. I'm fortunate enough to have a decent firearms budget, but I often get lured in by the "budget" guns. They're usually fun, but a few years after I buy them, I look in the safe, and think, "if I hadn't bought all of these Turkish CZ clones, KelTec oddities, and Taurus discount guns, I could have bought a really nice Beretta or CZ." YMMV, but this is one S&W revolver I'll stay away from, if for no other reason than I can get a 638, 637, or 642 for a few bucks more, and those are classics.
The biggest fault of the M&P Bodyguard .38 is the 70+ years of J-Frame. Why fix what's not broken? With the scandium-framed J-Frames, it's not like they needed a polymer revolver to save weight. Going with new and different lockwork instead of using a hand like every other revolver is probably why it has the first-round rotation issue. The dimensions are different enough that it doesn't fit many J-Frame holsters or parts.
It's defective even if it "works". Mechanical behavior should NEVER be inconsistent. I quote from the S&W manual for this model: "The M&P® Bodyguard®38 has a double action only mechanism, wherein the shooter fully pulls the trigger to the rear, causing the internal hammer to fully cycle rearward, the cylinder to turn and then the internal hammer to release - firing the cartridge. There is no external hammer spur. This revolver cannot be fired in single action mode by manually cocking the hammer." Despite the "interesting" indexing mechanism, it should NEVER fail to rotate the cylinder to the next charge hole.
I owned so many S&W revolver and Auto M-39 and 59, I never had any issue with old firearms quality. I heard that any new American Made S&W including Colt FA does had a quality issue. I stopped buying new guns made oversea using Amerucan name. I used to be QC/QA for a top corp for 30 years.
Yeah, this and the Charter Arms South Paw have some appeal for lefties. It's nice that there are two revolver options more optimal for our Southpaw friends.
I would have been all over this gun had it been out when I was on the job as a left-handed cop. As it were, my BU/OD gun was a Charter Arms Undercover, bought the day I got my badge back in the 80s. It was years before the Southpaw came out. When I first handled one, I only thought, "this would really mess me up." I had had too much experience with "normal" revolvers, and my primary sidearm was still one, so that's what I stuck with.
I have an S&W 686, a model 19, and a 629 Classic, all older versions. The non-rotating cylinder on the Bodyguard on the first shot creeps me out. Seems like an answer to a question nobody asked. Nope, not for me.
The Rock Island M206 snubby costs about $150 less than the S&W but the M206 properly cycles and fires every single time I pull the trigger. Honestly, if I had to choose between the S&W and Rock Island I would choose the Rock Island.
I remember the day Elvis died. I was sitting on my bed playing my guitar when a friend came over and told me. And yes, I stood in line to watch Star Wars when it first came out. 👍😎👽
Stick some blue masking tape in the flutes and it will be easier to see if it spins or not. Write numbers on them and see if it is always the same time that fails.
I bought the original laser version of this in 2012, and it wouldn’t fire every other round sometimes. I’m pretty sure it was rotating but just not hitting the primer, basically skipping every other round, but it only did it sometimes. I sent it back to S&W, who replaced the hand, but it immediately did the same thing again. I sent it back a second time and S&W returned it saying nothing was wrong, so I immediately sold it. I haven’t owned another S&W, but that left a bad taste in my mouth about the company.
If it were designed this way, and I have my doubts, S&W should put a note in the box explaining how the action works. It would probably save them a lot of phone calls and complaints.
One thing that is good about these, is they come with the classic panel sized grips. It's a great revolver for a female. The trigger pull and those panel sized grips are great for someone with small hands.
