Safety & Instruction Manual Revolver Read the instructions and warnings in this manual CAREFULLY BEFORE using this firearm. 2100 Roosevelt Avenue • Springfield, MA 01104 1-800-331-0852 • Fax: 413-747-3317 www.smith-wesson.com Copyright © 2010 Smith & Wesson® All rights reserved.
WARNING READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CAREFULLY. BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM. FAILURE TO READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU AND OTHERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. This SAFETY & INSTRUCTION MANUAL should always accompany this firearm and be transferred with it upon change of ownership or when presented to another person.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 AMMUNITION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AMMUNITION SELECTION FOR LIGHTWEIGHT REVOLVERS . . 12 MODEL AND FEATURES IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 INSPECTING YOUR REVOLVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 PREPARATION FOR FIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 LOADING . . . . . . . .
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D • ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Never point a firearm at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot whether or not it is loaded. This is particularly important when loading, unloading, or cleaning the firearm. ALWAYS control the direction of the firearm. • ALWAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED AND WILL FIRE. Do not take anyone’s word that the firearm is unloaded – always check for yourself.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D • APPROPRIATE USE FOR YOUR FIREARM MEANS USING YOUR FIREARM FOR LEGAL PURPOSES. For example target shooting, hunting and lawful resistance of deadly criminal force. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances regarding the use of your firearm. • NEVER RELY ON MECHANICAL FEATURES ALONE. Only your safe gun-handling habits will ensure the safe use of your firearm. This is your responsibility.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D • BEFORE HANDLING ANY FIREARM, UNDERSTAND ITS OPERATION. Not all firearms are the same. Familiarize yourself with the mechanical features of any firearm you intend to use. If you feel uncertain about any operational aspects of your firearm, please contact Smith & Wesson at 1-800-3310852, ext. 2905 before proceeding with its operation. • NEVER ALLOW A FIREARM TO BE USED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND ITS SAFE OPERATION OR HAVE NOT READ THESE FIREARM SAFETY RULES.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D WARNING: SAFE USE OF A FIREARM IS YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL OF THESE BASIC SAFETY RULES MAY RESULT IN SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D • ALWAYS USE THE LOCK PROVIDED BY SMITH & WESSON TO SECURE YOUR FIREARM. Please read and follow the instructions packaged separately for the use of this lock. A lock, when properly used, can be an effective tool in preventing unauthorized access to your firearm. There are other alternative locks and safe storage containers available in the marketplace which may also be appropriate for your particular needs.
AMMUNITION WARNING: NEVER USE AMMUNITION NOT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR USE IN YOUR FIREARM. FAILURE TO USE THE CORRECT TYPE OR CALIBER OF AMMUNITION MAY CAUSE THE FIREARM TO JAM, FAIL TO FIRE OR EVEN GENERATE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WHICH CAN DAMAGE OR EVEN RUPTURE YOUR FIREARM, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. Locate the cartridge designation marked on the firearm. This information indicates the correct ammunition that must be used in this firearm (Figure 1).
AMMUNITION CONT’D WARNING: NEVER USE NON-STANDARD, RELOADED OR “HANDLOADED” AMMUNITION WHICH HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO INTERNAL BALLISTIC PRESSURE TESTING. RELOADED OR HANDLOADED AMMUNITION, MAY HAVE MANY MANUFACTURING AND QUALITY VARIABLES (SUCH AS THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF GUN POWDER).
AMMUNITION CONT’D WARNING: NEVER USE CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE DESIGNATED BY THE MARKING ON THE BARREL. DOING SO CAN RESULT IN DANGEROUSLY HIGH PRESSURES THAT MAY DAMAGE THE FIREARM AND POSSIBLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. WARNING: DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DAMAGE CAN RESULT FROM THE USE OF INCORRECT AMMUNITION OR BORE OBSTRUCTIONS. NEVER USE RELOADS OF ANY KIND. “Plus-P-Plus (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith & Wesson firearms.
AMMUNITION SELECTION FOR LIGHTWEIGHT REVOLVERS Before placing reduced weight revolvers into service, perform the following test to determine the suitability of the ammunition you intend to use. At a gun range or other suitable and safe location, prepare your revolver for firing by fully loading its cylinder with the ammunition to be tested. While pointing the firearm in a safe direction, fire 4 of the five rounds in the cylinder.
MODEL AND FEATURES IDENTIFICATION The serial number and the model number appear inside the yoke (Figure 3) when the cylinder is in the open position.
INSPECTING YOUR REVOLVER WARNING: ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE INSPECTING. FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 When you inspect your revolver, you must first check for yourself to ensure that it is unloaded. Do this with your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard (Figure 5) and keep the barrel of the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Press the thumbpiece forward and push the cylinder to the left (Figure 6).
PREPARATION FOR FIRING WARNING:THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE FIREARM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WILL CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS. • ALWAYS TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY ARE LOADED. • ALWAYS BE SURE THAT THE CHAMBER IS CLEAR OF A CARTRIDGE, THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED OR UNLOADED, AND THAT THE FIREARM IS POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION. • ALWAYS KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY AWAY FROM THE MUZZLE AND AWAY FROM THE PISTOL SLIDE AND EJECTION PORT.
LOADING WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. • Never load your revolver until you have read and fully understand this manual. • Do not load the revolver until you are ready to use it. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire. • Never load your revolver until you are at the shooting site and fully prepared to fire.
FIRING WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. WARNING: WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION SPECIFIED FOR FIREARM USE EVERY TIME YOU DISCHARGE YOUR FIREARM. MAKE SURE OTHERS IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE YOU WILL BE SHOOTING DO SO AS WELL. WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE AREA BETWEEN THE CYLINDER AND THE BARREL DURING FIRING. PARTICLES AND HOT GAS WILL BE FORCED OUT FROM BETWEEN THE BARREL AND CYLINDER IN ANY REVOLVER DURING NORMAL USE.
FIRING CONT’D • Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire again. • It has come to our attention that some users of Smith & Wesson handguns may stage the trigger in anticipation of firing a shot. Staging is the act of pulling the trigger rearward toward — stopping just short of — the point where the internal hammer falls and the handgun fires.
UNLOADING WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR REVOLVER POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER AND OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD WHEN UNLOADING. • Point the muzzle in a safe direction. Make sure your finger is off the trigger and the trigger is in the “at rest” or forward position (Figure 14). • The trigger must be fully forward with no finger pressure on it to allow the cylinder to be unlocked and opened (Figure 15). FIG.
GUNSMITH ADVISORY FOR USE BY TRAINED GUNSMITHS ONLY CAUTION: The barrel shroud and frame are one piece of material on the BODYGUARD® 38. NO attempt should ever be made to remove the Barrel Assembly with a standard barrel wrench. To do so will destroy the barrel shroud/frame of your revolver. As the accompanying drawing (Figure 19) shows, the barrel shroud is part of the frame. The stainless steel barrel tube must only be removed by a qualified gunsmith using a special tool available from Smith & Wesson.
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE CONT’D • Preservative and oil should be wiped from the bore, cylinder charge holes and exposed areas using a clean swab or patch before using the firearm. CAUTION: Never disassemble your BODYGUARD® 38 firearm. There are no user serviceable parts in or on this firearm. • Purchase cleaning supplies from your firearms dealer that are specifically designated for your type and caliber of firearm. Many suppliers offer these in kit form for your convenience.
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE CONT’D Remove any gun cleaning solution, oil and fingerprints from the outside surfaces of the firearm. (Finger moisture, if left, could start a corrosion process). WARNING: NEVER MANIPULATE, ADJUST OR CHANGE ANY OF THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF YOUR FIREARM UNLESS SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO DO SO IN THIS MANUAL. IMPROPER MANIPULATION OF ANY INTERNAL COMPONENT MAY AFFECT THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF YOUR FIREARM AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
LIMITED WARRANTY For Owners Within The United States. This warranty is granted by Smith & Wesson Corp. This warranty is effective from the date of purchase and applies to the original owner of any firearm. With respect to such firearms, this warranty supersedes any and all other warranties. Smith & Wesson firearms are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship.
LIMITED WARRANTY CONT’D Smith & Wesson will not be responsible for: • Defects or malfunctions resulting from careless handling, unauthorized adjustments or modifications made or attempted by anyone other than a qualified gunsmith following Smith & Wesson authorized procedures, or failure to follow the disassembly instructions in the Smith & Wesson manual. • Use of defective or improper ammunition, corrosion, neglect, abuse, ordinary wear and tear, or unreasonable use.
CONTACT & SHIPPING FOR SERVICE For Owners Within The United States CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE Tel: 800-331-0852 • 413-781-8300 ext. 2905 E-mail: qa@smith-wesson.com RETURNS - SERVICE CENTERFIRE PISTOLS, REVOLVERS, RIFLES (Centerfire & Rimfire) & SHOTGUNS Smith & Wesson 2100 Roosevelt Avenue • Springfield, MA 01104 .22 CALIBER PISTOLS Smith & Wesson 19 Aviation Drive • Houlton, ME 04730 Should your Smith & Wesson firearm require service, it should be returned to the Smith & Wesson factory.
CONTACT & SHIPPING CONT’D • It is most important that you comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The following guidelines are meant to help, but you must seek assistance from the appropriate authorities if necessary. • If your firearm must be replaced, it may be necessary to ship the replacement to a dealer rather than directly to you. You will be requested to furnish a signed FFL (Federal Firearms License) from your dealer in such an instance.
This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious wounds or inflict such wounds accidentally on others.
WARRANTY CENTERS Should your Smith & Wesson firearm require service, it should be returned to the Smith & Wesson factory or to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Center in its original case or in a similarly secure container. ALASKA Actions by Gene, Inc. 720 Ash Place, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907)-563-9797 CALIFORNIA Bolsa Gunsmithing 7404 Bolsa Avenue Westminster, CA 92683 (714) 894-9100 bolsaguns@aol.com www.bolsagunsmithing.com HAWAII Mel Chung - Gunsmith 39 Ing Place, P.O.
APPENDIX “A” INSIGHT® LASER (when equipped) OPERATOR MANUAL FOR THE LSW-000-A2 INTEGRATED INSIGHT® LASER ON THE BODYGUARD® 38 REVOLVER WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. ALWAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED AND WILL FIRE. DO NOT TAKE ANYONE’S WORD THAT THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED – ALWAYS CHECK FOR YOURSELF. WARNING: ENSURE THAT YOUR FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY ADJUSTMENT, CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE TO THE INSIGHT® LASER.
INSIGHT® LASER OPERATION CONT’D MODEL NUMBER & EQUIPMENT NAME: LSW-000-A2 Smith & Wesson BODYGUARD® 38 Integrated Insight® Laser MANUFACTURER: Insight Technology, Incorporated 9 Akira Way, Londonderry, New Hampshire 03053 USA PURPOSE OF EQUIPMENT: The Insight® Laser is a FDA Class IIIa (IEC Class 3R) Laser Product that emits visible light for precise aiming of the Smith & Wesson BODYGUARD® 38 revolver.
INSIGHT® LASER BATTERIES CONT’D Performance of the batteries will vary depending on actual environmental conditions. Check beforehand to ensure that the laser is in proper working order. NOTE: Proper functioning of the Insight® Laser is dependent upon fully charged batteries. Batteries typically last 3 hours of actual “ON” time under normal intermittent use. If the laser becomes dim or fades, replace the batteries.
INSIGHT® LASER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS CONT’D WARNING: DO NOT USE THE INSIGHT® LASER IN ENVIRONMENTS CONTAINING AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE OR IN AREAS WHERE GASOLINE, PAINTS, SOLVENTS, OR OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE STORED. Before use, inspect all pieces of equipment for any damage such as cracks, loose parts, or other visible defects. If any damage or defects are noted, contact Smith & Wesson for help: CONTACT SMITH & WESSON CUSTOMER SERVICE Tel: 800-331-0852 • 413-781-8300 ext. 2905 E-mail: qa@smith-wesson.
REMOVE / INSTALL INSIGHT® LASER CONT’D • Remove the Contact Cover from the back of the Insight® Laser housing to gain access to the batteries (Figure A4). INSTALL THE INSIGHT® LASER ONTO THE BODYGUARD® 38 REVOLVER. FIGURE A4 • • • Install two silver oxide batteries as shown (Figure A4). Proper battery orientation is clearly marked on the Insight® Laser housing. Reinstall the battery contact cover by sliding it under the edges of the Insight® Laser housing as shown (Figure A5).
INSIGHT® LASER PUSH-BUTTON WARNING: VISIBLE LASER RADIATION EMITS FROM THE INSIGHT® LASER WHILE IN OPERATION – AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE. The push-button to turn the laser on and off is located at the top rear of the sight housing (Figure A8). FIGURE A8 PUSH BUTTON The table below illustrates modes of operation for the Insight® Laser and the input required to activate them.
LASER ADJUSTMENT & ZEROING WARNING: ENSURE YOUR FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE ADJUSTING YOUR SIGHT. AT ALL TIMES FOLLOW THE BASIC FIREARMS SAFETY RULES IN THE SECTION ENTITLED “YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES”. WARNING: VISIBLE LASER RADIATION EMITS FROM THE INSIGHT® LASER WHILE IT IS IN OPERATION – AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE. The Insight® Laser is equipped with adjustment screws for independent movement of the laser beam for both windage and elevation.
LASER ADJUSTMENT & ZEROING CONT’D NOTE: Direct sunlight may hinder the ability of the user to effectively see the laser beam on the target. • Mount a target with a clearly visible aiming point downrange at the desired zeroing distance. • Turn ON the Insight® Laser by pressing the push-button once. • While aiming the BODYGUARD® 38 with its iron sights, rotate the adjustment screws as needed to superimpose the laser strike point over the BODYGUARD® 38’s aim point (FIGURE A11).
LASER ADJUSTMENT & ZEROING CONT’D NOTE: As with any sighting device, the location of the shot group is dependent on distance to the target. A group that is shot using the laser aiming point at one distance will not necessarily be aligned with the aiming point at a different distance. The user needs to become familiar with the trajectory of the round being used and adjust accordingly. INSIGHT® LASER MAINTENANCE WARNING: ENSURE YOUR FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON YOUR INSIGHT® LASER.
INSIGHT® LASER LIMITED WARRANTY L-3 Insight Technology Incorporated warrants that the LSW-000A2 Integrated INSIGHT® Laser product on the BODYGUARD® 38 revolver will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of purchase by the original owner.
INSIGHT® LASER WARRANTY CONT’D L-3 Insight Technology Incorporated’s Lifetime Service Policy begins after the warranty period has expired. L-3 Insight Technology Incorporated will repair, without charge, for the lifetime of the original owner, any LSW-000-A2 Integrated INSIGHT® Laser product that is found to have a defect in material or workmanship. Eligibility for this Lifetime Service Policy requires returning the Product Registration card within 30 days of purchase.
INSIGHT® LASER SERVICE CONT’D • Enclose a letter which includes your full name and address (no P.O. Boxes, please), daytime telephone number, e-mail address, the serial number of the firearm, and details of the problem experienced (stating the brand and type of ammunition used when the problem occurred) or work desired. • Record the serial number before shipping, in case you wish to check on the repair status of your firearm.
