I am looking to get a J Frame and I have narrowed my selection down to either a 642 or the Bodyguard .38. does anyone have experience with both? Can you let me know the pros and cons of each. I am just not sure about the polymer frame of the bodyguard and the laser switch seems to be in the wrong place for me but maybe training can overcome that issue.
The new polymer Bodyguard 38 isn't actually a J-frame, IIRC.
I had a 642-1. Too painful to practice with regularly......my hand would sting, shake and go numb from it, however with a good strong grip you can still control the recoil. I shot an LCR side by side, and I would whole-heartedly recommend an LCR over the 642 based on it's better trigger and the fact it doesn't hurt to shoot. I haven't any experience with the BG .38 to offer, however.
I had my 642-1 for about 8 months...FWIW, I sold it and bought a Kahr P380 and am much happier, though I also would have been much happier with an LCR.
It was my understanding that the LCR was plagued with problems, but maybe that was just when they first came out.
I haven't heard of that. I'm not even aware of any teething issues........are you sure you're not thinking of the LCP?Originally Posted by Ga Shooter
IIRC (which I may not) they had some frame issues cracking, or melting or something like that. It was a long time ago and they may have fixed the problem I just don't really follow Ruger.
Flame-cutting, possibly? It wasn't widespread, as if every LCR was flame-cutting the top-strap. If you're genuinely not interested in the LCR, I get that. I just want to make sure you don't prematurely cancel out an excellent option based on misinformation.
There's a few other people with more experience in revolvers than I on this forum. Hopefully they'll be around to give you some opinions as well.
It's not that I am just not interested I just don't know a single person with one and really quit following them after teh flame cutting thing. I am open to any reliable quality small frame revolver. I have not bought a revolver since the early 1990s so I was hoping for a lot of feedback from those who shoot them regularly. I do appreciate your input and googled the LCR problems and did notice that it was the flame cuttng that I remembered. I also saw that there has been no reports of that (that I could find) for several years so I think that problem has gone away. I will try to get by a store and look at one.
i have not yet seen the new bodyguard .38 but i have shot both the 4/642 and LCR. I liked the trigger on the LCR a lot and the gun felt good, however the owner did have some issues with the cylinder and ended up selling it for a 642. That was a couple years ago and I havent heard as many issues with the LCR lately. I currently own a 442 with CT grips and it makes for a great pocket gun. i plan on getting the apex trigger kit for it soon to improve the trigger.
The new S&W Bodyguard 38 Special revolver is a bit of an odd duck to my tastes. It is larger than the S&W J frames and has an entirely different manual of arms for opening the cylinder with the cylinder release being on top instead of the side of the frame. It does feel comfortable in the hand and the sights are more visible or easier to use than the J frames. Other points of interest are it’s a tad bit too large for pocket carry but it is rated for +p ammunition.
If you cut me, I bleed blue & white, so it's like chewing on a cat turd for me to have to say this, but I think the LCR is a much better resolver than the new Bodyguard (which does not impress me at all.)
Although it sounds like damning with faint praise, the LCR has the best out-of-the-box DA trigger I've felt on a Ruger. Since I'm pretty much all stocked up on J-frames, I wouldn't buy an LCR myself, but I sure wouldn't discourage anyone else from doing so.
(Regarding all the CCW-able guns and Evil Black Rifles coming out from Ruger:
Did you know that Ruger has the only totally-green, carbon-free gun factory?
They wrapped ol' Bill's corpse in copper wire and put it between a couple of magnets...)
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