I recently traded off a problem prone Ruger SP101 that was my wife's nightstand gun. It surprisingly left her more upset than I bargained for so I landed up getting her a new S&W Bodyguard for mother's day (which was a great success actually).
Figuring there's plenty of expert reviews on the build of this thing, I'll spare you my pointless detailed opinions figuring I am far from an expert. In short, it seems well enough made, has a nice trigger and is plenty light (very light actually, 14.3oz). I know some complain about the laser position but it doesn't bother me figuring this is a home defense firearm and more than likely, in a "wait for them to come to me" situation that is my home, I can easily turn it on if I need to.
I took it out to the range to run some rounds through it...started off with cheap-o Winchester White Box 138gr WWB followed by some 125gr Federal Semi-jacketed hollow point +P rounds and last, some Remington Golden Saber 125gr +P.
All fired well, I do some marker tests on the rounds to see if the bullets in the 5th round were becoming unseated (recommended in the S&W manual) but I had zero problems with any of the three. The built in laser is plenty bright in full daylight and again, gave me no issues...I find it to be a welcome addition to s snub-nose revolver.
Everything functioned perfectly with the 50 rounds I put though it and I found it to be accurate. I was very pleased once I got used to the trigger pull (it's DAO for you guys that haven't heard about these yet).
As far as recoil goes, it is definitely there in the little guy but what do you expect with a 14oz revolver. The .38spcl were pussycats, I could easily shoot these for an extended period of time. The Federal rounds were noticeably stronger but again, nothing insane. The Remington rounds however were strong...very strong. I could say this is pretty close to how hot .357 rounds felt though my SP101. I can 100% say I will NOT leave it loaded with the GS rounds when my wife is concerned...they are borderline painful.
Of the pictures included, all were shot a 15 feet. Figuring we do not have concealed carry here in Illinois, this will be a home defender only, thus the distance I used. I was able to consistently get this thing to group as long as I didn't jerk the trigger...all groups were taken from shooting the Federal 125gr +P rounds on a "B-27" mn target:
A-15' standing (laser assist)- 5 shots 2"
B-15' leaning against post (laser assist, written on target as "rest")- 5 shots 1" group
C-15' rapid fire (laser assist)- 5 shots, 7" from top to bottom, 4" left to right
D-15' standing (iron sights)- 4 rounds 2", 1 stray
E-my father, 15' leaning against post (iron sights)- 5 rounds 1.25" (He's far better with a revolver than I am...what can I say, he's old-school)
Pics:
A
B
C
D
E (and a view of the built in Insight laser)
To put it mildly, I am more than pleased with this revolver. Especially figuring how much I suck with revolvers when compared to my skills with a semi-auto. It didn't break the bank ($450), it's lightweight, it has a nice trigger and I shot better with it than I ever did with my SP101 at the same distance (granted, that gun had issues). I will say this thing is LOUD with +P rounds (shooting under an awning)...I bet it would be a serious firecracker in a house...
