Smith & Wesson(R) Introduces New BODYGUARD(R) Line

prnewswire.com ^ | 19 January, 2010 | Smith & Wesson

[marktwain]

Company Launches New Compact Pistol and Revolver with Integrated Laser System

Smith & Wesson® Holding Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 158-year-old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced today the introduction of company's newest line of firearms designed for personal protection – the Smith & Wesson BODYGUARDS. The BODYGUARD 380 semi-automatic pistol and BODYGUARD 38 revolver have been designed in conjunction with Insight Technology®, a leader in the laser optics field, to offer consumers a new and uniquely engineered, lightweight, self-defense firearm with built-in laser sights.

Debuted this week at the 2010 Shooting Hunting & Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the BODYGUARDS combine the latest advancements in laser technologies with Smith & Wesson's innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. The new BODYGUARD line features a uniquely designed compact frame, an integrated INSIGHT laser and several other new high-tech advantages.

"Throughout the development of the BODYGUARDS, our engineers and product managers worked closely with end users to design and produce an innovative line of personal protection firearms," said Michael Golden, CEO of Smith & Wesson Corp., a division of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation. "Both the BODYGUARD 380 pistol and the BODYGUARD 38 revolver have been built with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. Each provides a reliable and logical choice for those seeking a firearm for personal protection. In addition, our engineers worked closely with Insight Technology to design an integrated laser that not only improves target acquisition but also reduces the price of this technology so more customers can afford to use laser sighting systems. We are very pleased with the positive feedback we have received on the new BODYGUARD line from the numerous retailers and media professionals at the 2010 SHOT Show."

[marktwain]

New self defense pistols.

[Does so]

It's been awhile since S&W had anything like a 380Auto!

[RC one]

I have a Smith and Wesson M&P 340 in .357 mag with an aftermarket crimson trace laser sight and a tritium front sight. At 13.3 oz(unloaded), it's a pleasure to carry and the potency is reassuring. The five shots of .357 magnum coupled with the laser sight and the tritium front sight make it a lot of pistol in a little package. It has another trick up its sleeve too, the hammerless feature allows it to be emptied from/through your jacket pocket if need be which is a big deal if you really think about it. I like a full sized .45 for concealed carry but, more often than not, this little pistol is way more practical. It kicks harder than my .500 magnum though.

[03A3]

Great. Another toy some will have to have further deplete the already depleted .380 stream. Least it doesnt have the zit.

[catfish1957]

I love the smell of a new firearm thread in the morning.

[Renegade]

I put in a request for a new Ruger SR9c for my birthday present .

[fso301]

Very nice. I had been seriously considering the Ruger LCR but will have to give this a hard look.

[Qwackertoo]

I think I’ll put the .38 on my wish list. Just picked up the .380 Ruger LCP I ordered before Christmas.

[meyer]

The revolver reminds me a lot of my Colt Detective Special, but with 1 less shot and no external hammer.

[Texas Jack]

It kicks harder than my .500 magnum though.

I was going to ask about that.

I have a Kel-tek PF-9 (9mm) which is about the same size and it's a beast to shoot. I have to wear a glove on my right hand if I plan to shoot more than a magazine. I can't even imagine how much recoil a .357 would produce.

Also, what holster, or method, do you use to conceal your .45?

[BobbyT]

As someone living in the only state completely banning the right to bear arms, I criticize your choice of a sub-caliber to carry!

Get yourself a proper defensive round!
/sarc off

[pappyone]

Price?

[TexasRedeye]

I just started carrying the newly released Taurus 709 SLIM 9mm. I ran 200 rounds of various ammo (including Speer Gold Dot 115 gr +P+ as a true defensive round). Absolutely flawless. No malfunctions of any kind. At about 19 oz it seems to be a perfect carry weapon. Even a regular t-shirt hides it on my waist with an OWB silhouette slide holster. Another .380 on the market only makes ammo harder to find and it is hard to compete with a 9mm the same size/weight.

[ExSoldier]

Also, what holster, or method, do you use to conceal your .45?

If you want discreet super comfortable carry all day long the only choice is a "Super Tuck Deluxe" from CROSSBREED. I've been an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor for over 20 years and I can say definitely that I have never found an IWB holster that is so comfortable in hauling around a full size service auto. Nor one that conceals as well. I have a Super Tuck Delux for my new Springfield Armory XD45 compact and for my H&K P30 9mm and I used to have one for my Sig P226 Blackwater Special Edition, but I sold that gun and the holster along with it.

[ExSoldier]

I like a full sized .45 for concealed carry but, more often than not, this little pistol is way more practical. It kicks harder than my .500 magnum though.

I'll agree but submit that the imagined enhanced performance of the 357 in such a short barrel is illusory. You're going to get waaaaaay more muzzle flash and recoil but you'll also bleed off velocity like nobody's business and in the end there's not much greater expansion or stopping power than if you chose a standard pressure .38sp. Sometimes, I don't feel like gearing up with my 45 in a CROSSBREED. If I feel a tiny bit lazy, I'll shove my Smith M642 into a front pocket holster with a spare speedloader and go on my merry way. Here in South Florida, I load all MAGSAFE SWAT loads anyway. If I lived where it was cold, I'd have to reassess that choice. The recoil in the 642 is sharp, but I still enjoy practicing. I don't think I'd do that much practice if I were loading 357. That's masochistic.

[PatriotGirl827]

bookmark

[Crolis]

Thanks for your informational post. I’ve been looking for something to more comfortably carry my H&K P7M8 and this may fit the bill very well.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

looks just like my airweight. The crimson trace is less obtrusive than that stupid bolt-on laser.

[Texas Jack]

Thanks for the holster info.

I've got a Sig P245 which I would like to carry instead of the Kel-Tek but haven't found the right system. The Crossbreed looks very good.