So Smith & Wesson released a new line of pistols at SHOT called The Bodyguard.
The intent seems to be making small pistols, able to be deeply concealed, and with an integrated laser. There’s a semi-auto version chambered in .380 and a revolver in .38 Special +P.
One thing I can’t tell but am curious about is frame construction. The semi-auto looks like it might be a polymer frame, but I can’t tell about the revolver. The revolver did talk about a “smooth trigger” so I wonder if there are different/reengineered internals for the revolver. Basically, is S&W working to directly compete against the Ruger LCR?
I does look like the semi-auto has a mechanical thumb safety, akin to a 1911’s. Consequently, I wonder what the trigger pull is like on that. By adding the mechanical thumb safety, could that mean they gave it a better trigger (i.e. gun doesn’t need a long and heavy pull to counteract the lack of a manual external safety)? Or could it be to have some sort of 1911-ish ergos so if one carried this as a backup or deep concealment gun your 1911-using-muscle-memory would apply just the same? I wonder.
What really perked my interest however was the snub. This snub is made with an ambidextrous cylinder release. Granted the cylinder still has to swing out to the left, but I wonder how an ambi-release will change things for snub users. I’m not a lefty so this isn’t an issue for me. However, their integrated laser is up there on the right side. Does it interfere with operating the cylinder release from the right side? If so, that’s kinda defeating the point. I’d have to be able to see and fondle one to find out.
Certainly tho my interest is peaked. I doubt I’ll buy one, but certainly I’ll keep my eyes open for either gun — the snub especially — when I’m at the stores. I’d like to get a closer look at them.
Stuff From Hsoi 
Whether or not the laser would get in the way of the cylinder release is definitely hard to tell, even from the 360 image, but I have to wonder about actuating the laser as well – it appears to have a little nubbin on the back of it, but it seems to me that CT’s solution to this problem is at least more natural.
That said, I love how the laser is about as close to the barrel as is currently possible… People forget that the farther off-axis your laser is, the more it is only accurate at a certain range – even moreso when it is off on two axes.
Yes, I like that too about the placement of the laser on the snub… it’s “right there” about as close as you can get to the actual bore.
I admit, I’d love to take a look at the snub in person.