Smith & Wesson is one of the United States’ leading firearm manufacturers — and it’s easy to see why. With a company history nearly 170 years long, the Springfield, Massachusetts-based company has had plenty of time to improve and perfect their diverse lineup of semi-automatic pistols and rifles — and even though not exactly the latest and greatest in firearm design, Smith & Wesson’s revolvers are widely regarded as some of the best.

Hunting revolvers, plinkers, regardless of what you’re after, you’re likely to find something in Smith & Wesson’s catalog. One of the company’s more interesting concealed carry products however is their Bodyguard 38.

The Bodyguard 38 is a very small, light-weight revolver built abound the company’s small J-frame and made out of a light but nevertheless strong aluminum alloy. And while the J-frame is robust enough to handle the recoil generated by shooting cartridges as powerful as .357 Magnum, this particular revolver is chambered in the somewhat shorter though still powerful .38 Special +P and has sufficient cylinder space for five rounds.

As the Bodyguard 38 is intended as a concealed carry revolver, it is covered in its entirety with an unreflective matte black finish, and its synthetic rubberized grip is likewise matte black. Whereas the revolver’s frame is aluminum, both the Bodyguard 38’s barrel and cylinder are made of stainless steel, which is corrosion resistant and a boon to maintenance. 

Interestingly, there are two variants of the Bodyguard 38 available, one with a crimson trace red laser integrated into the frame, as well as a stock version, sans laser. In either case, the Bodyguard 38 comes with a short, snub-nosed barrel that is just under two inches in length.

One of the revolver’s defining features however is its ambidextrous cylinder release button on the back of the frame, typically where a revolver hammer would be located. By simply pressing forward on the cylinder release button, the cylinder is able to swing outward for loading. This is a particularly attractive option for left-handed shooters who don’t have to contend with the typical revolver cylinder release button optimized for right-handed shooters.

As far as revolvers go, both versions of the Bodyguard 38 are not particularly expensive. If opting for the Crimson Trace laser, the revolver retails for under $550 on the Smith & Wesson website, whereas without costs just above $400.

Smith & Wesson has clearly thought through every aspect of their Bodyguard 38 and is able to offer a product optimized for concealed carry. And like all Smith & Wesson products, the revolver is backed by the company’s lifetime service policy.

Caleb Larson is a Defense Writer with The National Interest. He holds a Master of Public Policy and covers U.S. and Russian security, European defense issues, and German politics and culture.

Image: Flickr