You might assume modern, high-capacity micro-compacts completely replaced the classic snubnose revolver. But try grabbing a semi-auto for a quick five-minute walk to the convenience store while wearing gym shorts. Suddenly, an ultra-light, easy-to-conceal snub gun makes a lot of sense.
Smith & Wesson clearly understands this market hasn’t gone anywhere. They recently released the S&W Bodyguard 38 2.0.
Weighing just under a pound, this five-shot revolver features a one-piece aluminum alloy frame and a short stainless-steel barrel. Now, let’s see what more it’s got.
Specs:
- Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
- Capacity: 5 rounds
- Action: Double-action only (concealed hammer)
- Barrel Length: 1.875 inches (stainless steel)
- Frame: One-piece aluminum alloy upper
- Weight: 14.2 ounces (unloaded)
- Dimensions: 4.6 inches tall, 1.35 inches wide
- MSRP: $449.00 (Standard) / $549.00 (with integrated Crimson Trace red laser)
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Ambi Cylinder Release
Being a leftie in the world of revolvers often means you need to adapt to right-handed controls layout and the simple fact that the cylinder drops to the left. Most cylinder releases are positioned on the left side of the frame, forcing southpaws to either break their grip to press it with their trigger finger or use the cross-hand method.
The Bodyguard 38 Gen 2 revolver features an ambidextrous, center-mounted cylinder release right at the top of the backstrap. You can push it easily with either thumb. That said, the rest of the reload still depends on your technique because you still need a clean ejection stroke and a stable way to feed rounds back in. Still, an ambi cylinder release feels more natural for lefties, especially during stress or one-handed manipulation.
Better Sights and Grip
Small revolvers normally make aiming difficult. The heavy double-action trigger and short sight radius demand a lot of practice just to hit a target at close range. To help with this, S&W ditched the old trough-and-ramp setup.
Instead, you get a machined U-notch rear sight paired with a bright orange dot on a partridge-style front blade. Your eyes catch that orange dot quickly, even in low light.
S&W also swapped in a polymer boot grip. This new shape fills the hand better to help tame the snappy recoil of 38 Special +P rounds, without creating a giant bulge under a t-shirt.
Why Carry a Snubnose Today?
Why buy a five-shot revolver when you can carry a 12-round 9mm? It comes down to sheer simplicity and context. A hammerless double-action revolver won’t snag on clothing during a hasty draw. You can literally fire it repeatedly from inside a coat pocket without the action jamming – that’s something a semi-auto pistol cannot do. It doesn’t need a good hand strength to rack a slide, and verifying an empty cylinder takes one simple glance. Plus, weighing under a pound, it practically disappears into a pocket holster for those lazy days when putting on a belt feels like too much work.
Price
The upgrades aren’t ground-breaking, and the real appeal here is the price. At just $450 MSRP for the base model from a reputable brand, it’s an excellent entry-level option for anyone considering a beginner snub nose revolver.