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'{{Short description|Family of small, J-frame revolvers}} {{about|the line of revolvers|the semi-automatic pistol|Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380}} {{lead too short|date=May 2018}} [[File:S&W Bodyguard left.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Smith & Wesson Model 49 Bodyguard .38 Special]] The '''Smith & Wesson Bodyguard''' is a family of small J-frame [[revolver]]s with shrouded hammers manufactured by [[Smith & Wesson]]. They are available chambered in either [[.38 Special]] or [[.357 Magnum]].<ref name="Boorman2002">{{cite book|last=Boorman|first=Dean K.|title=The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jnqqkW85u8C&pg=PA78|date=1 December 2002|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn=978-1-58574-721-4|page=78}}</ref> == Models == ===Model 38=== The Model 38 is aluminum-framed, has a carbon steel [[Gun barrel|barrel]], a carbon steel [[Cylinder (firearms)|cylinder]] with a five-round capacity, and is chambered in .38 Special.<ref name="Ahern2010">{{cite book|last=Ahern|first=Jerry|title=Armed for Personal Defense|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3coK8za7q4C&pg=PA47|year=2010|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-1643-5|page=47}}</ref> === Model 49 === The Model 49 is an all-carbon-steel-framed revolver chambered in .38 Special.<ref name="Ahern2010"/> === Model 638 === The Model 638 is aluminum-framed with stainless steel cylinder and barrel. Chambered in .38 Special.<ref name="Ahern2010"/> === Model 649 === The Model 649 is an all stainless-steel framed revolver. Chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special.<ref name="Ahern2010"/> ===M&P Bodyguard 38=== {{Anchor|M&P Bodyguard 38|MP Bodyguard 38|Bodyguard 38}} {{For|the pistol|M&P Bodyguard 380}} The M&P Bodyguard 38, introduced in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/first-look-smith-wesson-mp-bodyguard-handguns-crimson-trace-lasers/|title=First Look: Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard Handguns with Crimson Trace Lasers - Guns & Ammo|date=2014-07-15|website=Guns & Ammo |access-date=2016-05-21}}</ref> is the latest incarnation of a Smith & Wesson revolver using the Bodyguard name. It is a polymer framed revolver chambered in .38 Special, and available with a Crimson Trace (previously Insight) red-dot [[laser sight]] integrated in to the grip.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/MPCTFinal.pdf |title=Smith & Wesson® Introduces New M&P® BODYGUARD® Handguns with Crimson Trace® Laser Sights |publisher=Smith & Wesson Corp. |date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Shideler2010">{{cite book|last=Shideler|first=Dan|title=Guns Illustrated 2011: The Latest Guns, Specs & Prices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eT2t8PBVmVMC&pg=PA58|date=20 August 2010|publisher=F+W Media, Inc|location=Iola|isbn=978-1-4402-1624-4|page=58}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://ir.smith-wesson.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=90977&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1376451&highlight= |title=Smith & Wesson(R) Introduces New BODYGUARD(R) Line. Company Launches New Compact Pistol and Revolver with Integrated Laser System |publisher=Smith & Wesson |date=2010-01-19 |access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref> The lockwork is different than any other Smith & Wesson revolver and the model has no parts interchangeable with the J-frame series.<ref name="americanrifleman1">{{cite web|author=Wiley Clapp |url=http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/smith-and-wesson-bodyguard-reviews |title=S&W's New Bodyguards |work=[[American Rifleman]] |access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref> In 2018, S&W announced a new version of the Bodyguard which lacks the integrated laser sight. It is most closely related to the [[Smith & Wesson Centennial|Centennial]] models.<ref name="americanrifleman1"/> ==History== {{expand section|date=May 2018}} ==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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D8qXdU45SCUC|title=Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson|last1=Supica|first1=Jim|last2=Nahas|first2=Richard|date=2007-01-03|publisher=F+W Media, Inc|isbn=978-0896892934|language=en}}</ref> * [[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.<ref name="Buckley">{{Cite magazine |last=Buckley |first=Tom |date=April 1972 |title="Portrait of an Aging Despot" |url=https://harpers.org/archive/1972/04/portrait-of-an-aging-despot/ |magazine=Harper's}}</ref> *[[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 (actor)|Charles Gray]] points a blued S&W Bodyguard at [[James Bond (literary character)|James Bond]] in the 1971 film ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (film)|Diamonds Are Forever]]''. * Guido Mista in ''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]]'' shoots a pistol that resembles a S&W Bodyguard. * == See also == * [[Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380]] * [[Smith & Wesson Centennial]] * [[Smith & Wesson Model 36]] ==References== <references /> ==External links== * [https://www.smith-wesson.com/sites/default/files/owners-manuals/M&P_BodyGuard_38_Rev-04-20-2015.pdf User Manual] {{Smith & Wesson}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith and Wesson Bodyguard}} [[Category:Revolvers of the United States]] [[Category:Smith & Wesson revolvers]] [[Category:.357 Magnum firearms]] [[Category:.38 Special firearms]]'