With the new Bodyguard 38 2.0, Smith & Wesson (re)launches a purpose-built defensive revolver designed to deliver reliable personal protection in a compact, lightweight package. Chambered in .38 Special +P, this five-shot, double-action-only model combines the ultra-classic small-frame revolver architecture with a set of refinements aimed squarely at modern concealed-carry use.
But is the Bodyguard 38 2.0 a totally new product? Well, already in 2018 Smith & Wesson introduced the now-discontinued M&P Bodyguard 38 model with the exact same features, the only apparent difference being the front sight – a ramp type. Anyway, we can't expect gun manufacturers to reinvent the wheel every time, so let's welcome this comeback (sort of) and take a closer look at its highlights.
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 2.0, an EDC handgun with or without integrated laser
At the core of the design is a 1.875-inch (47mm) stainless steel barrel and a one-piece aluminum-alloy upper frame paired with a polymer lower including the trigger guard, a combination that keeps weight down – just about 400g – without sacrificing structural integrity. The hammer is shrouded, and with a height of 117mm and a width of 34mm, overall dimensions remain highly carry-friendly. The revolver features a stainless steel cylinder with a PVD finish, combining corrosion resistance with added surface durability.
One of the platform’s most notable features is its ambidextrous, center-mounted cylinder release, engineered to allow intuitive access and straightforward manipulation with either hand. In keeping with small-frame revolver tradition, sights consist of a machined U-notch in the frame that works in conjunction with a Partridge-style front sight with orange dot.
Handling is further enhanced by the polymer boot-style grip, designed to improve purchase and recoil control while preserving the revolver’s compact profile. For users seeking an integrated aiming aid, Smith & Wesson also offers a variant equipped from the factory with a Crimson Trace red laser.
Simple, concealable and compact, with an MSRP of $449, or $549 in the laser-equipped configuration, the Bodyguard 38 2.0 positions itself as a competitively priced option in the defensive snub-nose category.
