At a Glance: The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .38 is a lightweight (14.2 oz), polymer-framed 5-shot revolver rated for +P ammunition. Featuring upgraded rubber grips and an integrated high-visibility sight package, it fixes the major flaws of its predecessor to offer a reliable, budget-friendly ($449 MSRP) backup and concealed carry option.
S&W M&P Bodyguard .38 Spec Sheet
- Caliber: .38 Special (+P rated)
- Capacity: 5 Rounds
- Unloaded Weight: 14.2 ox
- Frame Material: Aluminum-Alloy Upper / Polymer Lower
- Cylinder Release: Ambidextrous Top-Strap Latch
- Front Sight: Bright Orange High-Visibility Fixed Post
- Rear Sight: Integrated Top-Strap Notch
- Primary Use Case: Off-Duty / Backup Gun (BUG) / Pocket Carry
- MSRP: $449
The original M&P Bodyguard ruined me on revolvers; it was one of my earliest experiences with a snub nose, and I thought it was terrible. It turned me away from concealed carry revolvers for quite some time.
The trigger sucked, the sights sucked, the grip was extremely small, and besides being affordable, it didn’t have much going on. I wasn’t exactly excited at the release of the upgraded S&W M&P Bodyguard .38. However, I had previously hated the original Bodyguard .380 too, but the 2.0 version of the .380 blew me away.
The S&W Bodyguard series goes all the way back to the original Model 38 in 1955, and it’s now in its sixth generation. The Bodyguard guns have always fascinated me. They’ve always been a little different than the typical snub nose, and the M&P Bodyguard series is no different.
S&W introduced the M&P Bodyguard 38 in 2014. This was a partially polymer, five-shot, J-frame .38 Special. The polymer frame made it radically different from S&W’s previous Bodyguards. As mentioned, the early iteration was terrible, so can this current version be the great redeemer?
The Budget Option
Let’s talk dollars and cents. Revolvers aren’t cheap. Good revolvers certainly aren’t cheap.
The S&W Bodyguard .38 2.0 retails at $449, making it a fairly affordable snub-nose revolver for concealed carry.
It packs the same capacity as other snub-nose .38s, and it weighs only 14.2 ounces. It’s not quite scandium or titanium light, but it’s light, without the cost of those higher-end, expensive metals. The use of polymer not only keeps the gun light, but also helps keep it affordable.
Breaking Down the Engineering Updates
Like the first gen of the M&P Bodyguard, this revolver does have a rather nice ambidextrous cylinder release. Instead of placing the release on the left side of the gun, it sits where a hammer would usually sit. Press it forward and the cylinder releases.
While it’s far from traditional, it works rather well for both right- and left-handed shooters. I can’t help but appreciate it.
Another big fix is the sights. We get a big orange front sight that’s bright and easy to see. S&W built a rear sight into the backstrap. It’s not dovetailed like an Ultimate Carry gun, but an integrated part of the top strap.
It acts as a real rear sight rather than the traditional rear trench. We’ve seen S&W add pronounced rear sights to the Ultimate Carry and the new 940. However, both of those guns cost more than double the Bodyguard .38 2.0.
Another necessary fix over the first generation of the M&P Bodyguard is the grips. Instead of having super-thin, super-small grips, S&W let them eat. They fattened them up.
The big, fat rubber grips are still short for concealment, but the extra rubber allows them to better fill your hand. Bigger grips give better control, and for me, increase my accuracy a fair bit.
Blasting Away With the M&P Bodyguard .38
Shooting a 14-ounce .38 Special is never going to be super easy. Revolvers aren’t for everyone, and the little gun has some recoil. Still, those fat grips are doing their job.
They don’t beat your hand up. I shot 250 rounds in my first range session, and I walked away without any pain or real fatigue in my hand. Sure, the gun jumps a bit, but I don’t mind getting the practice necessary to master that recoil control.
The extra grip allows me to dump five rounds in less than two seconds at seven yards and lock them into an IPSC-sized A-zone. Hold on tight and let it rip! Even shooting +P rounds didn’t feel tough.
The big grips also made basic manipulations with the gun easier. I like to pocket carry my snub nose revolvers, and those big grips make it easy for me to grab the gun and draw it—rapidly, with a sure and ready grip.
I also practiced my revolver reloads, which are admittedly optimistic in a gunfight, and the big grip means I don’t have to shift my hand to release the cylinder. The ejection rod is short, but every time I hit it, all five cases eject smoothly, making my reloads just a little faster.
Little Gun Accuracy & Range Performance
The S&W M&P Bodyguard .38 doesn’t have a Performance Center grade trigger. It’s not exceptional, but it’s miles better than the original M&P BG. It’s smooth, but there is a distinct little jump about halfway through the trigger pull.
The trigger pull doesn’t affect my accuracy in any way. I did notice that my gun consistently shoots a few inches to the left at 15 yards. It’s hardly noticeable at 10 yards and in, but if I aim dead center at the A in the A-zone, it’s hitting on the edge of the A-zone box.
It does this consistently, so it’s predictable and easy to adjust for. The sights cannot be adjusted, so a little Kentucky windage is required. When I moved as far back as 25 yards, I could keep all of my rounds inside an 8-inch circle, but I aimed at the right edge of that circle.
Up close, the bright orange front sight is fast and easy to see. The front sight contrasts well with the gun’s inky-black finish. Just throw the gun up, see the orange front sight, and I say again, let it rip.
I ripped through 350 rounds of .38 Special in the M&P Bodyguard .38 without a single malfunction. I had zero issues ejecting empty cases. I tried to reload every other cylinder using a variety of speed strips. I got fairly fast, and hope to keep improving.
Zeroing In: The Verdict
For a budget-friendly revolver, I’m impressed. The grips and presence of a rear sight make the M&P Bodyguard .38 2.0 stand out. I’d honestly prefer it to something like the more expensive Model 442. For me, good sights and a good grip make a huge difference in my ability to handle the gun.
This updated Bodyguard .38 is exactly what the original should have been and is an excellent redemption arc for the Bodyguard .38 series as a whole. Both of the new S&W Bodyguards are impressive guns, and if you’re in the market for a revolver that’s both capable and affordable, you’d be hard-pressed to beat the M&P Bodyguard .38 2.0.
