Como es un J frame y ademas con frame de aleación de aluminio, solo puede usar cargas del .38 Special Standard. No puede usar cargas +P. Pero ni te preocupes por eso ya que esas cargas (las +P) es casi imposible conseguirlas en Mexico.
The Bodyguard Airweight
– “Pre-Model 38”
Caliber: .38 S&W Special. Double-action revolver built on the round butt alloy J frame with four
screws, very similar to the Chiefs Special Airweight with the obvious distinguishing characteristic of
having the frame built up at the top rear to form an integral shroud for the hammer. The intent was to
minimize the possibility of the hammer spur snagging on clothing when the revolver was drawn from
concealment while still allowing manual cocking of the hammer for deliberate single-action shooting
(which is impossible if the hammer is completely concealed as on the Centennial Models). The
Bodyguard Airweight is also unusual in that it was introduced as an alloy frame lightweight model
before the heavier steel frame counterpart (the Model 49 Bodyguard, introduced 1959). Five-shot
steel fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.52”. Alloy frame with a steel barrel and steel
cylinder, shrouded hammer, 2” pinned barrel with some production of 3” barrels (very rare). Alloy
cylinders are not reported on this model. Blued or nickel aluminum finish, walnut diamond grips, flat
latch thumbpiece in three variations, “Airweight” stamped on the barrel. Also found in combinations
of nickel cylinder with blue frame and barrel (scarce). Serrated ramp front sight, .240” shrouded
service hammer, .312” smooth trigger. Serial range 66000 - 786544 in the Chiefs Special series.
Weight is 14 oz. Produced c. 1955 – 1999.
Production Changes
• 1956: Eliminate upper sideplate screw.
• 1957: Continued as the Model 38
Model 38: The Bodyguard Airweight
Caliber: .38 S&W Special. Double-action revolver built on the shrouded hammer alloy J frame
with four screws; 5-shot fluted steel cylinder with a nominal length of 1.53”. Alloy frame with 2”
steel pinned barrel with some production of 3” barrels reported. Blue or nickel aluminum finish,
walnut Magna style grips with S&W medallions and diamond around the screw escutcheon. Three
versions of the flat latch thumbpiece are found, round butt JAS frame, “Airweight” stamped on barrel.
Also found in combinations of nickel cylinder with blue frame and barrel, 1/10” serrated ramp front
sight, .240” shrouded service hammer, .312” smooth trigger. Early production has a clothespin-type
cylinder stop spring. Serial number range 66000 - 786544 in the Chiefs Special series. Produced c.
Engineering and Production Changes
Before 1957, produced as the Bodyguard Airweight (see previous section).
• 38 (1957): Stamping of model number.
• 1962: Internal hammer alteration
• 1966: Thumbpiece change
• 1968: Delete diamond grips.
• 1969: Begin “J” serial prefix: Sales to Michigan Police Supply with stainless cylinder.
• 1982: Eliminate pinned barrel.
• 38-1 (1988): New yoke retention system/radius stud package.
• 38-2 (1990): New sight width on frame and barrel to 1/8" from 1/10".
• 1993: Change to matte blue and satin nickel finish; delete “Airweight” markings on barrel.
“Airweight” markings are deleted for a short period in production.
• 1994: Laser inscribe “Airweight” on sideplate; change extractor; add Uncle Mike’s grips.
• 1996: Change thumbpiece/delete nickel finish for the Model 638; begin shipments in foam-filled
blue plastic case.
• 38-3 (1997): August: Change to J Magnum frame rated for .38+P/ship with Master trigger
lock/change to MIM hammer and trigger/change internal lockwork; CCDxxxx serial range.
• 1999: Model 38 discontinued Jan. 1999.
atriota: