S&W Bodyguard 38 2.0 Review: The Snub That Finally Fixed the Bodyguard
Smith & Wesson has quietly replaced the 2014 M&P Bodyguard 38 with a genuinely refined successor. Ambidextrous cylinder latch, cleaner trigger, and an integrated laser option that is actually usable. Here is what changed and whether it earns its price.
The Bodyguard 38 that S&W should have shipped in 2014.
Real ergonomic improvements, a genuinely improved trigger, and enough thoughtful detail work that this stops feeling like the compromise snub in S&W's carry lineup. The integrated laser is still optional and still a mixed bag, but the base pistol is now competitive with the standard J-frame in ways the original was not.
What we like
- Ambidextrous cylinder release — finally
- Trigger is meaningfully smoother than the 2014
- Better factory sights than the original Bodyguard 38
- Integrated laser option remains for buyers who want it
- Grip shape reworked for less trigger-guard slap
What could be better
- Still 5+1 in .38 Special — no capacity gain
- Weight sits between an all-steel J and the airweight competition
- Integrated laser drives price up meaningfully
- Old Bodyguard holsters may not fit — verify before carrying
What changed from the 2014 M&P Bodyguard 38
The original M&P Bodyguard 38 launched in 2014 as S&W's answer to the polymer-frame concealment snub category, with an optional integrated Insight (later Crimson Trace) laser as its differentiator. It never fully caught on. Common complaints included a right-side-only cylinder release that punished left-handed shooters, a trigger that was heavier and grittier than the equivalent J-frame's, and grip geometry that put the shooter's middle finger uncomfortably close to the trigger guard under recoil.
The 2.0 addresses all three. The cylinder release is now ambidextrous. The trigger has been reworked with revised geometry and a lighter double-action pull that measures cleanly in the 9 to 10-pound range — comparable to a well-tuned J-frame rather than heavier. The grip has been reshaped with a slightly higher tang and a subtly repositioned trigger guard that keeps the middle finger clear.
How it shoots (analysis)
Independent reviewer reports on the 2.0 have been consistent since the pistol hit shelves. The trigger is described as the biggest single improvement — not just lighter, but smoother through the stack, with a cleaner break at the wall. Recoil impulse feels similar to the original because the frame weight and caliber have not changed, but reviewers who take repeat range time with both note that the reworked grip geometry reduces the trigger-guard slap that made the original tiring at 50+ rounds.
Accuracy is J-frame-class: acceptable at 7 to 15 yards with the sighted-in load, which is exactly where a 2-inch defensive snub is intended to be evaluated. Nobody buys a Bodyguard 38 for 25-yard bullseye work.
Specifications
| Chambering | .38 Special +P rated |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 |
| Frame | Polymer over aluminum insert |
| Barrel length | 1.9" |
| Overall length | ~6.6" |
| Weight (unloaded) | ~14.4 oz (base) / ~15.2 oz (integrated laser) |
| Sights | Improved fixed front + rear notch |
| Action | DAO, hammer-fired concealed |
| Cylinder release | Ambidextrous |
| Trigger pull (measured) | ~9-10 lb DAO |
Best for / Skip if
Best for…
Left-handed carriers looking for a modern polymer-frame snub with a real ambi cylinder release. Owners of the original M&P Bodyguard 38 who wrote off the platform after the first-gen trigger. Buyers who want the integrated laser option in a current, refined package rather than as an aftermarket add-on. First-time snub buyers cross-shopping the J-frame family who prefer a polymer frame's slightly softer felt recoil.
Skip if…
You want capacity beyond five rounds — nothing about this pistol changes that math. You already run a J-frame and its trigger is broken in — the 2.0 improvement is real but probably not $500 real. You do not want an integrated laser and are cost-sensitive — a standard 642 or 442 does the same job cheaper.
Bottom line
The Bodyguard 38 2.0 is what the original should have been. Ambi controls, better trigger, better grip. It is still a five-shot .38 Special snub — no revolution in capability, but a genuine step forward in usability. If the original Bodyguard 38 turned you off, the 2.0 deserves a second look.
Check current availability
S&W Bodyguard 38 2.0 stock rotates constantly at Ammunition Depot.
Frequently asked questions
What is different between the Bodyguard 38 2.0 and the original 2014 M&P Bodyguard 38?
Three main things: the cylinder release is now ambidextrous instead of right-side-only, the trigger has been reworked with revised geometry for a lighter and cleaner double-action pull, and the grip has been reshaped to reduce trigger-guard slap on the shooter's middle finger under recoil. The frame material, chambering, capacity, and overall size class are essentially unchanged.
Is the integrated laser worth the price bump?
It depends on how you train. Integrated lasers on defensive snubs make sense for shooters who practice with them regularly and understand the failure modes — dead batteries, sun-washout, alignment drift. If you will not train with the laser, save the money and buy a base 2.0 or a standard J-frame.
Does the 2.0 use the same speedloaders as older Bodyguards?
Yes. The 2.0 uses the same J-frame-compatible speedloader pattern as the original Bodyguard 38 (HKS 36-A and equivalents). Existing speedloaders and holsters designed for the internal cylinder profile will run the 2.0, though holsters molded for the exterior geometry of the original may need to be verified before carrying.