Smith & Wesson Model 38

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard is a family of small J-frame revolvers with shrouded hammers manufactured by Smith & Wesson. They are available chambered in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum.

The Model 38 is aluminum-framed, has a carbon steel cylinder with a five round capacity and barrel. Chambered in .38 Special.

The Model 49 is an all-carbon-steel-framed revolver chambered in .38 Special.

The Model 638 is aluminum-framed with stainless steel cylinder and barrel. Chambered in .38 Special.

The Model 649 is an all stainless-steel framed revolver. Chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special.

The M&P Bodyguard 38, introduced in 2014, is the latest incarnation of a Smith & Wesson revolver using the Bodyguard moniker. It is a polymer framed revolver chambered in .38 Special, and is only available with a Crimson Trace laser sight integrated in to the grip. Like previous Bodyguard models, it has a five round cylinder and a concealed hammer but unlike the previous models, the hammer cannot be cocked for single action fire. The lockwork is different than any other Smith & Wesson revolver and the model has no parts interchangeable with the J-frame series. Chambered in .38 special, it is only available with a Crimson Trace (previously Insight) red-dot laser sight integrated in to the grip. It is most closely related to the Centennial models.

Clyde A. Tolson, special assistant to FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, owned a Model 38 Airweight, serial number 512236, with his name engraved on the side.

Nguyễn Ngọc Loan, South Vietnam's chief of National Police, was photographed using a Model 38 Bodyguard to execute a Viet Cong prisoner, Nguyễn Văn Lém, during the Tet Offensive of 1968. The picture, which earned photographer Eddie Adams a Pulitzer Prize, is credited with increasing public antipathy towards the Vietnam War.

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