S&W model 38 Bodyguard
I just picked up a S&W model 38 Bodyguard Airweight. It is nickle with a square butt frame. The serial number on the bottom of the frame is AVW 2xxx. Can anyone tell me the year it was manufactured?
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Square butt? I've always thought the 38/49 had a round butt only. 0 -
Made in July 1987. I suspect it has sq butt grips on it. The model 38 was made with round butt only as Doug mentioned. 0 -
There are some grips for a S&W round butt that look like they have a square butt. 0 -
Did Smith ever make a nickel bodyguard with aluminum frame? 0 -
Thanks for the info. You're right....after comparisons, it definitely is the round butt. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
Did Smith ever make a nickel bodyguard with aluminum frame?
Yes, the model 38 was also made in nickel.0 -
One more time: 
For what its worth, the rounded profile of the round butt is intended for more comfortable concealed carry (ie less edges to rub or print). Most (but not all) Smith J-frames are in the round butt profile, and at the moment Smith does not manufacture ANY square butt J-frame guns.
Some people like the feel of a square butt more, and there are "conversion" grips that will change a round butt gun into the look and feel of a square butt.
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
Did Smith ever make a nickel bodyguard with aluminum frame?
Yes, the model 38 was also made in nickel.
Nickel yes.
Nickel on top of an aluminum or Al-alloy frame? Hmmmm. . .
There were some 442s made with matte nickel finishes. In fact, there is one for sale on the auction site right now:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=161093810
I don't know if there were any "bodyguard" type aluminum alloy guns with nickel finishes.
I suppose if you really crave one, you could always have a regular 638 refinished in nickel, though personally I don't think its worth the expense.0 -
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
Did Smith ever make a nickel bodyguard with aluminum frame?
Yes, the model 38 was also made in nickel.
Nickel yes.
Nickel on top of an aluminum or Al-alloy frame? Hmmmm. . .
There were some 442s made with matte nickel finishes. In fact, there is one for sale on the auction site right now:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=161093810
I don't know if there were any "bodyguard" type aluminum alloy guns with nickel finishes.
I suppose if you really crave one, you could always have a regular 638 refinished in nickel, though personally I don't think its worth the expense.
I have an older 2" 37 and a 3" 37 both factory original and both in nickel. I wasn't under the impression they were anything unusual. The nickel finished guns finish between the alloy frame and steel cylinder/barrel match up perfectly, on the "blued" version the anodozed alloy frame has a markedly different look than the blued steel cylinder/barrel.0 -
Here is an example of how different the frame color versus the barrel & cylinder colors turn out on the blued model 38. These are my models 49, 649 and 38. Notice the shade difference on the bottom model 38.
[img][/img]0 -
After calling Smith & Wesson today, they confirmed this was a factory nickle Airweight manufactured in 1983. With the grips off it appears to be nickle over aluminum alloy. 0
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