Plastic fantastic... J-frame?
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 in .38 Special. The picture was taken at my FFL where I was supposed to pick it up for testing & evaluation - except that the Bodyguard 38 is not an "approved" firearm. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, involving much creative expletive generation towards the state of Massachusetts, it needs to go back to Springfield where it will hopefully be sent to a new and loving owner somewhere in America.
I found it interesting that both Ruger and SIG SAUER - both based outside of MA - were cognizant of the MA Approved Firearms Roster and would not ship non-compliant handguns into the state (including the SR1911-HATERAGE). Smith & Wesson, apparently, not so much - I was shocked to hear that the Bodyguard 38 was not on the roster, especially since a) the Bodyguard 380 very much is on the roster; and b) pretty much every other Smith & Wesson revolver in the line-up is on the roster. I'd say it's the polymer frame, but the Ruger LCR makes the cut...
Before it went back to Smith & Wesson, I did get a chance to snap some pictures and try it out. The trigger pull is unlike any double action revolver I've ever fired - very smooth and even. It's too bad I didn't get a chance to put a few rounds through it - it really seems like it would be enjoyable to shoot. The three J-frames I have are both DA/SA, so the trigger's not quite comparable (although to be fair all three have so much dry-firing and shooting time the triggers are pretty close). The S&W 242, my only hammerless revolver, has a nice trigger but not in the same league as the Bodyguard. The guys at the gun shop all took a turn and agreed that it has a very nice trigger.
Sadly, it's not "safe" enough for me to take home, so until I move to America, I can't test it out for you. That makes me sad. Arbitrary and capricious regulations that prevent law-abiding citizens from owning lawful products should offend every free people, whether you're a gun person or not. This gun a mere 10 miles north of me is perfectly legal to be sold; yet across some random demarcation it mysteriously becomes unsafe. Infuriatingly, the "consumer protection measure" was written by someone who, I'd wager, doesn't even know which end of the gun the bullets come out of...
Yeah, I'm a little bitter - does it show?
That is all.
11 comments:
It really is time for the grand old firm of Smith & Wesson to move it's operations to the United States. This is where most of their customers reside, and there are states that would happily welcome them with open arms and sane regulations.
My guess is S&W has the lion's share of small-frame revolvers in Massachusetts (especially given that Taurus refuses to play games with our anti-gun AG) so maybe they didn't think it was worth all the expenses to put such an unorthodox gun into Mass gun cases.
Neat idea, neat design. I'd like to get a Ruger LCR in .357 as soon as they're "Safe" (They aren't WTF?) but I think Smith blew it with this gun in the placement of the cylinder latch. Its awkward to use, and while the placement is "Ambidextrous" the cylinder crane only swings one way so its not like that makes it any easier for a south-paw to run it.
Carteach0,
I brought that very idea up at a Q&A session we had at a S&W factory visit.
Fact is, the folks that work at S&W have, in many cases, worked there for decades. The knowledge base and skill set cannot easily be replaced, and not everyone would just pick up and move.
Besides, the rules don't affect S&W, just the peons in MA.
Weer'd,
I have no idea. I would have thought that the BG38 would be MA compliant given that their competitor already had a polymer revolver *and* the BG380 was approved.
You have to try the trigger, though. It is literally unlike any DAO revolver pull I've ever tried that wasn't heavily modified...
Duuude. There are like 3 houses for sale in my neighborhood here in Louisville, KY. We're 40 minutes from the legendary Knob Creek Gun Range if you stop for coffee on the way. We can own and buy any damn gun we want here and shoot them too.
You should move out of MA to a free state.
You blog about the failings of MA all the time. I know its not easy to leave your home, but what is keeping you and your family happy enough to ignore this stuff?
Remember Jay, it has nothing to do with safety, it's all about the money. S&W just chose to not pay the bribes to have this model approved. I mean, if IIRC, doesn't MA require a separate submission (and fee) for different colours of each model gun?
They pretend that using the OD green coating instead of the desert tan could somehow effect the operation of the gun and make it "unsafe", and somehow they can make that claim with a straight face.
It's nothing more than officially sanctioned bribery. The money goes to the state on the record, rather than to an individual under the table, but it's still bribery.
Also, I am a bit surprised that your dealer would even order it without making sure it's on the roster. Doesn't having an unapproved gun in inventory put him at risk?
You know, having a Gun Safe at a friend's house in some small town in a Free State, like, I don't know, Mason, N.H. let's say, would be a nice thing to have. That way, if your friend just happens to buy a Plastic J-Frame, and doesn't like it, why I'm sure that you could give them a Cash Refund and ask them to hold it for you until you can get to it. Heard that there's a Store in Reno that does it for all the Kalifornians who have stuff that their VolkRepublik won't let them have. Just an idea....
Freiheit,
I have my reasons. I'll just say that if it were up to me, I'd be out of MA so fast I would leave dust trails...
Jake,
See "Choir, Preaching to the"... :)
And no, the dealer does not put themselves at risk - they can transfer it to any FFL in the country. It's only when they transfer it to a MA resident that it becomes a problem for them - to the tune of $5000 PER TRANSFER.
Yeah, it really is all about the Benjamins...
It's similar to the new "Knife Licensing" scheme going on that a bunch of folks e-mailed me. It has NOTHING to do with preventing people from buying knives - there are no provisions for age limits, etc. in the bill - it is straight up a scheme to make stores get a licen$e if they want to sell knives...
They can also sell it to police departments. Departments can buy whatever they want. Individual officers are exempt from the AG's regs, but not the EOPS roster.
Thanks for reminding me why leaving MA was a great idea. I lived there till I was 31 and any shooting I did was at Camp Squanto with the BSA and at Fort Devens before it was decommissioned. In my current location I can buy a gun and/or ammo and not be treated like a criminal. When I visit my family still in MA I sometimes think of stopping at a gun shop to check things out and quickly say "meh, not worth the bother"
There is an old proverb that says "You have made your bed, now lie in it". This is a variant of "Reap what you sow".
Enough of this talk of leaving Massachusetts, as it may change your personal circumstances, but it has with it the high cost of relocation. Ensure that your representative understands fully their folly in passing these laws. Work for change in attitude and hence the laws of Massachusetts. Remember that your governor, representatives, attorney general and district attorneys are elected by the people of Massachusetts. If a law is discussed that might be unconstitutional, oppose it. If a law is passed that is unconstitutional, file suit to have it invalidated. Stop waiting for someone else to do it for you.
Post a Comment