Smith & Wesson announced the Bodyguard 38 2.0 on Tuesday, rolling out a refreshed version of its popular pocket revolver with several meaningful mechanical refinements that address the most common complaints about the original, according to a release carried by The Outdoor Wire. The original Bodyguard 38, introduced in 2010, became one of the best-selling lightweight snubbies in the carry market; the 2.0 is a ground-up refinement of that formula rather than a wholesale redesign.

The headline change is the cylinder release, which moves from a left-side-only position to a center-mounted, ambidextrous design. For left-handed shooters — a segment that historically had to perform an awkward cross-hand reload — this alone is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement. The 2.0 retains the core five-shot, double-action-only format and 1.875-inch stainless steel barrel chambered in .38 S&W Special +P, now built around a new one-piece aluminum alloy upper frame. Weight stays at 14.2 ounces, and the gun measures 4.6 inches tall and 1.35 inches wide — the same slim profile that made the original a carry staple.

Sights have been reworked throughout. Out back is a machined U-notch; up front is a partridge-style blade with an orange dot. This replaces the simpler trough-and-ramp arrangement that drew quiet criticism from trainers and reviewers who tested the original. The Firearm Blog notes that Smith & Wesson also reworked the extractor rod for more consistent cartridge removal and added a yoke ball detent lockup for tighter cylinder-to-frame fit — two refinements that address long-standing complaints about small-frame revolver manufacturing tolerances. An enhanced polymer boot grip rounds out the package: slightly wider across the palm than the first generation but still trim enough to avoid printing under a cover garment.

The Bodyguard 38 2.0 ships in two configurations: standard at $449 MSRP, and a version with a Crimson Trace red laser integrated from the factory at $549. Both variants are in production and moving to distributors now, with retail shelves expected to see supply by early May. S&W's product page at smith-wesson.com lists the revolver as available.

Lightweight, snag-free small-frame revolvers remain one of the most durable segments of the concealed-carry market, particularly among new carriers and those who favor low-maintenance sidearms. At 14.2 ounces with a footprint that fits most pocket holsters, the Bodyguard 38 2.0 is positioned squarely against offerings like the Ruger LCR and the Kimber K6s Carry. Watch for early user and instructor feedback over the next several weeks as guns reach range hands.