I’m looking at getting a pocket pistol; I’ve narrowed my choices to an LCP or a Bodyguard.

My first criteria is that it really has to be a pocket pistol, I want to be able to put it in my pocket and have it disappear so I’m probably looking at a .380 (unless there is a 9mm out there that’s actually that small)

I don’t want a revolver, because again I need something that is absolutely concealable and I don’t want to get into a new caliber.
I’ve narrowed my choices to an LCP or a Bodyguard.

The biggest plus of the LCP is that my wife already has one so I’m don’t have to pick up all new magazines for a bodyguard. The plus for the bodyguard is that it’s a S&W.

I’d like input from owners of one or both as to which would be the better choice.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

The LCP is a nice gun. Personally,I own the Bodyguard with the laser & safety. Though "slightly" bigger because of the laser it STILL fits perfectly in any pocket I have - deep or shallow. Other than the "plus" of it being a S&W it also has better sights than the LCP (should the need arise), and the slide locks back after the last round.

My wife has a Glock 42 because it is the least recoil of the pocket .380's, but I like my bodyguard. Besides...its better looking!

Coin toss.

I have the previous version of the LCP (before the trigger & sight upgrade).

I compared it against the previous Bodyguard (before M&P version w/o laser). The LCP was just enough smaller that it was noticeable. So much so, that I ended up putting a soft rubber sleeve grip on it (better fit for my middle finger).

Some big guys I've known (I'm only 509/180) have expressed dislike of the both for their diminutive size, so it's all relative.

The trigger pull on my LCP is better than that of the BG's I've tried.

The minimal sights are reminiscent of using an older J-frame, meaning really minimal. I added a dab of a couple different colors before I found one that worked for my eyes under different light/low light conditions.

The LCP is remarkably accurate for what I expected. The BG seems just as accurate, but it's a bit more work due to the heavier trigger. The bulk of my training/practice for my pocket guns involves drills between 1-11 yds, and that's fine for these little guns.

I've been meaning to try one of the newest M&P BG's some time, as I wouldn't mind having a second itty bitty .380 pocket pistol. I own 7 J-frames, so why not?

I like not having the laser, myself.

Neither is really up to any of my J's as far as being hand-filling and having a revolver-like trigger. There's some snap to the felt recoil, and the trigger guard starts to hammer my index finger knuckle (just like an Airweight using +P).

The little .380, while offering some more modern hollowpoints nowadays, still lacks the bullet weight/mass you can find for the .38 Spl.

FWIW, the last .380 I owned/carried was more than 25 years ago (Beretta M84), but the significantly reduced size and increased reliability of these newer .380's made me reconsider the .380 for those times when one of my J's wouldn't fit into the pocket of some of my jeans. It also helped that the LCP didn't offer the same thickness (cylinder) that could dig into my thigh after a while (did I mention tight pockets & pant legs? ).

All things considered, I think the little .380's do fill a useful role, and that both the LCP or BG380 are decent choices ... but neither are "up to" what's available in a good 5-shot .38 snub, especially with some of the better .38 ammo being offered.

Coin toss.

Handy, though. I just came back from a short out-of-state driving trip for a family get-together, and the LEOSA weapon I took along was my LCP. First time I haven't taken along a J-frame or one of my subcompact 9/.40's.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I have both (had 2 BGs but the wife now has my G42 so I sold 1 of them) and carry the LCP in my pocket every day. If your ultimate purpose is light pocket gun that you can forget is in your pocket then the LCP can't be beat. It's not a target gun but it goes bang every time and is very concealable. I did add the Galloway Precision SS guide rod/spring which was a noticable improvement in the snappy recoil without affecting reliability.

I've shot them both but decided on the BG380. Just feels better in my hand and has the features I wanted. Either is a great choice for the pocket and the most important aspect is that they'll keep you carrying.

__________________
I'm Proud To Be An American!

Let me clarify exactly what I have in mind. I can take my wife’s LCP, put it in a DeSantis Gunhide holster, stick it in my back pocket and you’ll never know it’s there. That’s what I’m looking for in terms of concealment.

If there is a 9mm I can do that with I’d be interested but I just don’t think there is

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

There are some pretty small 9mm's out there these days, but I have still not seen one as small as a LCP. Just being "slightly bigger" can be a real consideration for pocket carry.

Personaly, I usually have something bigger on my hip, but I always have an LCP in my pocket. Mine has never malfunctioned in about 500 rounds of assorted ammo, and has point and shoot combat accuracy. No experience with the BG.

Larry

The reason I mention the 9mm is that someone suggested an M&P Shield on another forum and it just looks too big.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Maybe go to a gun shop that has one, and see how it feels for pocket carry. Heck, I can put a 4 inch N frame in my pocket, doesn't mean its going to work out...

Another thing I like about the LCP design is the long, D/A like trigger pull. Maybe its just me, but I am leery of S/A and Glock like trigger pulls for pocket carry.

Larry

I have both the LCP and the Shield as well as a 642. The shield and the 642 are both easy to carry in Dockers or cargo shorts but the LCP is still my go to gun for deep cover. I can drop it in a Mika holster and carry it in jeans, dress pants or shorts and it doesn't print at all. With the proper load I don't feel undergunned with the little .380 and it's so light (12oz fully loaded) you can actually forget it's there.

Yep I have one of those too, way too big for the pocket, front or back IMO. The LC9 and Sig P938 are both smaller but I still wouldn't pocket them, for that matter I don't pocket my Sig P238 or G42 either and those are .380s. To me, the only real choices in pocket carry are the BG, LCP or a light J (342 etc.). I'm not real comfortable with the width of the cylinder in my front pants/shorts pocket though so if that's where you want to carry it I prefer the LCP. I dont like back pocket since sitting on my gun is uncomfortable.

I also have the 9mm Shield and consider it too big for pocket carry even though I'm 6'-2" 200lb's. As others have mentioned...either is a good choice, but my preference is the BG.

I don't like back pocket carry because sitting on my gun is just not desirable. Then there's the possibility of it coming out w/o knowing...as one poor guy experienced while visiting Disneyworld with his family.
Next kid getting on the ride goes "LOOK DAD, A GUN!!!"

Attached Images

Backup.JPG (39.2 KB, 192 views)

I carried a Walther PPK for years and purchased a Ruger LCP shortly after they came out for around $300 IIRC ,
Wanted it as a hot weather shorts pocket gun and wasnt excited about the KelTec.
The Ruger had a Very Looong trigger pull as it cocks the striker feeling like a revolver in DA mode but unlike a revolver (or the PPK for that matter) in the case of a light primer strike ...No second trigger pull !
just dead trigger requiring the FTF drill clearing and chambering a new round, also (unlike the PPK ) the slide slams shut after the last round is fired for the old "Click" on an empty chamber.

The straw that broke the camels back was the long spongy trigger pull translated to horrible accuracy even at very close range .
Sold the LCP and went back to the PPK .

Diamondback makes the smallest 9mm I have seen to date, but you have to get one of the 2nd generation pistols, not the 1st. I don't know how to determine the second from the first though because they look the same. I carry one of their 2nd generation .380s and shoot Hornady XTPs with it. It's the same size and weight as the Ruger and Smith, possibly slightly smaller. It has the smoothest trigger system on the market and is exceptionally accurate. The 9mm is only marginally larger. They don't want you to shoot anything larger than a 124 grain bullet from the pistol because of it's diminutive size. They've definitely pushed the envelope of size and weight vs recoil, to the limit, possibly to close to the limit with anything above 115 grain ammo. The slide, striker group is very similar to a Glock, the trigger group is a copy of the Kahr.

Scroll down to the second section of the chart for the 9mms. Sorry to digress from the original question...thought I'd answer Smoke's question about a small 9mm.

Attached Files

PocketAutoComparison2.pdf (1.67 MB, 405 views)

...and yet ANOTHER benefit of the Bodyguard - double strike capability!

I've handled both the LCP and BG380 and they both appear to be about the same in quality of workmanship. The M&P 380 hasn't been around long enough to judge in terms of reliability but if it's the same as the BG380 version then that is probably on par with the Ruger too. The LCP has a better trigger (which ain't saying much as both are lousy) but the S&W seems to have an easier to rack slide, better sights, double strike capability and most importantly for me has last shot hold-open. Plus, with in it's new incarnation minus what I believe to be a rather useless laser system it's now roughly the same size and weight as the LCP, plus it is a S&W after all.

BTW... and I'm not knocking your choice of a pocket .380 as I kinda want one myself but why do you think a 642 J-Frame is not absolutely concealable? I've been carrying mine in an el-cheapo Blackhawk pocket holster from Wal-Mart in regular khaki and cargo shorts all summer with no issues in comfort or concealabilty. No one has ever noticed or asked about the "bulge" in my pocket. They are more reliable, have a better grip and feel, ammo is cheaper and easier to find with superior stopping power. I don't understand why some people feel they can't successfully conceal carry these.

UPDATE: OK... I saw where you said you intend to carry the gun in your back pocket. In that case, then I understand why you don't want a 642 snubbie, that wouldn't work very well there. I've never conceived of carrying in my rear pocket so I wasn't thinking along those lines. Go with the new M&P 380, it's features alone are a clear winner over the LCP in my opinion, assuming it has the same reliability. Don't bother with the BG380, chances are you will never be able to activate that laser in time in a close-up tense SD encounter for which the gun was designed so it's extra weight and bulk is more of a hindrance then anything.

Granted although the PPK was designed around 1939 it has that double tap feature plus a slide hold open after last round fired as well as a loaded chamber indicator that works in the dark although its a tad heavier being all steel or SS....(another plus IMO)

The smallest 9mm I have seen is the Khar CM9 I carry one in front pocket
almost daily (not a back pocket gun) I carried a lcp for at least two years everyday but was not comfortable with the 380 and limited accuracy combo. I would carry the G42 (380) or the M&P Sheild 9 they are almost the same size and are about the limit for front pocket carry I have both just haven't put them in service yet. JMO

To answer the OP's question...I would buy the Body Guard.

I carried the LCP regularly for more than a year. Sun up to sun down as the saying goes. I'd travel w/o a bug. I felt safe enough. I am glad they have made improvements to the pistol.

Today it is a different and larger .380 that I pocket in the morning. However b/c of what I have learned here on the forum when I leave the house that pistol becomes the bug and I am carrying a holstered Smith revolver as the primary.

I'm another guy with both. I had the lcp for a few years and used it for my primary carry gun, even installed a crimson trace laser on it. About a year ago my wife decided to get a concealed carry permit and needed a gun to use so she stole it. After a while I knew I needed another pocket carry gun so I got the bg380 to try something different plus it has better sights. After trying the laser on the ruger getting one thrown in with the bg didn't matter to me. I really don't see the benefit of lasers although the crimson trace goes on when you grab the gun, so it's a better setup than the bg. Both guns have their pros and cons. The ruger has a better trigger and is smaller/lighter. The smith is more accurate probably because it fits my mitts better. The slide locks back on the smith once the mag is empty and as I said the sights are better. I have shot these guns more than I needed to and would choose the ruger over the smith every day of the week if my wife didn't steal it. At the end of the day it's your money so it's your choice and you cannot go wrong with either.

Why not please ?

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Sure, you can conceivably carry a little polymer .380 in your back pocket and have it look like a wallet with the right holster. Why anyone would do this I have no idea unless they were already carrying their primary gun someplace else, in which case an ankle holster might be a better plan. I'd imagine that little gun would be mighty hard to reach quickly while seated, and I'd hate to think that some thug might reach in and pick-pocket my unguarded back side. He may end up with something of much more value to him then the average wallet that's for sure.

I always carry in front pocket only, where I can quickly and easily reach and draw and where I can keep my hand hovering close over it to help aid in concealment and deter anyone from getting any bright ideas of going for it in the unlikely event they knew I was carrying.

As usual I could have communicated better in my OP so let me take you through my decision making process a little bit.

1. Occasionally I am required to attend training seminars for my employer, the dress at these seminars is always "business casual" which my employer defines as Dockers and a tucked in Polo. No one has stated that firearms aren't allowed at these seminars but I don't want to be the test case. I'm looking for a gun that I can pocket carry in that circumstance that I know isn't going to be detected. A "tuckable" holster isn't an option unless there's one out there that doesn't show at all on the outside of the pant

2. I have made a decision to only feed three calibers of my guns .380, 9mm & .40S&W. I don't want to get into a new caliber so it has to be 1 of those three. Unless I can find concealable 9mm revolver, revolvers are out as are .22s ,32s, .45s and the M203 .

3. Based on the criteria above I felt that I was limited to a .380 from the start the only reason I even considered a 9mm (or a .40S&W) is because the shield was mentioned as a possible choice on another forum and I am going to look at even though I don't think it's going to make the cut on size.

4. I don't buy new guns often and when I do I try to get something compatible with what I already have. In this case the big advantage the LCP has over the Bodyguard is that I already have one so any magazines I purchased or any holsters would be interchangeable between my LCP and my wife's

5. My primary reason for considering a Bodyguard was because I didn't know that much about it and didn't want to miss a good choice.

Bearing all that in mind, right now the LCP looks like the winner but I may still end up with a shield.

The shield has the advantage of being a 9mm which I would prefer to a .380 but the LCP has the edge in concealability and as I told my wife even though my intent isn't to pick up a BUG I'd probably end up using the LCP in that capacity because it is so concealable.

So with all that in mind it still looks like the LCP is going to be the winner

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

My pants fit my legs weird and if I had a pistol in a pocket holster in my front pocket sitting down it would look like a pistol in a pocket holster in my front pocket.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

OK, I get it, but you keep mentioning the Bodyguard. Do you mean the one with the laser? The new M&P 380 is roughly the same gun except without the laser and with the fish scale serrations to match the rest of the M&P line. It is now closer to the same size as the LCP but with last shot hold-open, 2nd strike capability and better sights. Other then the LCP having a better trigger, the new M&P 380 seems a better choice in every way.

I chose the LCP.
Front pocket with DeSantis Nemisis.

Comparing the two, the BG is a bit larger, heavier and equipped with a safety. Three things I'm not looking for in a pocket pistol.
LCP has been flawless with Hornady CD.

Believe me, most people are totally unobservant and wouldn't notice anything in your front pocket. Even If they did, most wouldn't immediately think "gun". People are mostly into their own little worlds these days, texting and receiving texts, checking phones, etc.

Great gun/holster combo, I agree.

But is the BG's slightly extra weight and length really worth giving up last shot hold-open, 2nd strike and better sights?


Does the older BG380 and newer M&P BG have reliability issues?

For me, yes. I don't consider any of those items giving up anything useful.

I have no use for last shot hold open. I don't carry spare mags.

All the years of shooting centerfire I have never had a use for SSC.

LCP sights serve the purpose of the gun quite well, for me. I have no need for anything bigger hanging off the gun. The below more than meets my expectations for this type of gun at 7yds.

I see the safety on the M&P as a drawback. I was watching a youtube review of the Shield yesterday and while the reviewer was showing the gun at different angles he apparently put the safety on without realizing he had done so.

He went to dry fire the gun and couldn't then said 'Oh, I must have pat the safety on by accident."

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Rohrbaugh R9?

The Products - R9 series | Rohrbaugh Firearms

Waaaaaay out of my price range.

For the price of 1 R9 I could get 1 each of an LCP and a Shield and maybe a .380 M&P

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

I have the LC380 which is pretty small - depends on how big your pockets are. But I believe the LC9 is the same size.

I also have a Glock 42. About dead even with the LC380 on size. Prefer to shoot the Glock but I just feel safer with the double action and manual safety - fear likely unfounded.

Kahr is definitely worth a look. I have a P40. Not a true pocket gun.

You probably already own the best you're gonna get that meets your criteria. Six rounds of 380 is as marginal a carry piece as it gets. Use your LCP and save the money for practice, cuz you will need it.

I own a colt mustang xsp 380 you never know it is in your pocket love how it shoots. I also have a Kimber Solo 9mm that is only a hair bigger but fits in your pocket nicely.

The Kahr .9mm or .380 are very small and light to carry. If you can
try one. They are well made and reliable. I carry a Kahr 9mm most of the time, and after break-in it has never failed to work!

I'd look into the Kahr CM9. It's only .08" thicker than the LCP. It's .17" longer, 2 oz heavier, and I believe the same height as BG.

Depends on the owner/shooter.

I don't see the last shot hold-open as an especially critical issue for the nature and intended role of the diminutive .380 pocket pistol. None of my 5-shot snubs even offer that option.

Lots of pistols lack "second strike capability", but you can see how a gun company might promote it as a beneficial feature if they can work it into their design. Sounds good, even if it's not something being consistently taught in a lot of defensive/service training venues.

I've not seen how a "second strike" benefit is something all that desirable, for my needs, but then I don't train to try a second trigger pull for semiauto pistols. I resort to a clearance manipulation to get another round up and chambered.

The whole second-strike thing is sometimes mentioned as being useful because DA revolvers have a "second-strike capability", but that's a bit different and somewhat disingenuous. DA revolvers have a "next-strike capability", as the "second" trigger pull is actually bringing up a fresh round under the hammer, not trying to re-strike the first round that didn't fire.

Better sights? While good sights are always a handy thing to have (and aging eyes need increasingly larger, more easily seen sights ), it's a subjectively valued feature that has to be determined by each individual.

For example, I like the newer, wider style fixed post/notch sights on the J-frames over the older narrow style post/notch sights on the J's ... but I like the XS front sight & wide U-notch on the M&P snubs better, still ... and I don't care for the fiber optic sights (which, while easily seen, can be more easily damaged). Subjective, right?

Different folks place a different priority on different features, and the gun companies are trying to attract the widest number of buyers with their standard features.

Not all of us apparently fit into each and every tidy check box on every marketing survey, I suspect.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I've had several of the small pocket pistols which I always carry in my front pants pocket of my dress pants. Used to have a KelTec P3AT but had problems now have a DiamondBack .380 with CrimsonTrace in a holster and a Diamondback DB9 holstered with an extra magazine in a Kydex holster. Love it being a 9mm and having an extra magazine available. Recently bought a Glock 42 and added a Crimson Trace laser. This may become my full time carry as to date it will feed anything and recoil is low. P.S. I carry every day jeans, shorts, dress pants etc. never leave home without it. My only concern with the Smith was that the attached laser was not activated with the grip but with a button and didn't like the idea of it being on all the time. Whatever you get shoot a lot of ammo to make sure it is 100% reliable before you carry it.

I have the Shield 9 and the BG380. The Shield conceals well IWB. It is my favorite gun. However, as a pocket carry, it's a bit big unless i'm wearing my cargo pocket shorts. The BG disappears in my running shorts pocket and I've often forgotten it was there. One negative about the BG to me is the DAO trigger. It is a long trigger. However, I compared it to the LCP and what I noticed was that the LCP trigger wasn't a consistent pull. It was easy until you got to a certain point, then it got harder whereas the BG's trigger was consistent throughout the trigger pull. I felt that would make an impact for accuracy so I went with the BG. As others have said, it's an accurate little gun and the recoil is manageable. The only other negative I've I've had since the purchase is the take-down lever. You have to rotate it down and pull it out and it's not easy. Makes field stripping a bit tougher. Mine has the laser but I typically leave it off.

__________________
JR
SD40VE and Shield 9

Just so everyone is clear whatever gun I end up with (still looks like the LCP) will be carried in a pocket holster of some type

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Buy a KEL TEC 9mm its a great pistol for concealed carry

The Sig P938 is a 9mm and it's pretty small.

+1 - the 938 is just a bit larger than the LCP or the BG, but still small enough for summer pocket carry. I pocket carried mine for two days at Universal Studios last year with no problems.

If you decide on the BG, I'd avoid the original version with the troublesome integrated laser, that version had more freakin' problems that made me (and many others) totally lose confidence in it as a self defense carry weapon. Had one that had to go back to S&W on four separate occasions, until S&W customer service finally replaced with the new MP version sans laser. The new MP BG has turned out to be a fine little dependable shooter, and everything I had hoped the original version would have been.

Another vote for the LCP. Both my wife and I have 'em with the Crimson Trace. Tried PPK, Colt Mustang Pocketlite, Mod 60 J-Frame but LCP is the daily carry. Have you looked at the Sneaky Pete holsters? They look just like Smart Phone cases and in different materials.

__________________
NRA Life Benefactor,Life NCGCA

I own the Shield and the Bodyguard plus the Keltec P11 and PF9. That being said, I Have carried each at one time or another but have switched to the Sig P238 as my main pocket gun. I find it the right size for pocket carry and more accurate than the Bodyguard. My daughter just bought me the P290 for Fathers Day and I should get it tomorrow. It is small and in 9mm. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices as long as it fits you and you practice with it. It all boils down to personal preference. I can say I like the P238 and the Shield for being able to shoot 50+ rounds during a session and not have hand or finger fatigue. Can't say that about the Bodyguard and Keltecs.

Carry Taurus TCP .380 every day. 300+ rounds, no problems. Conceals easily in nemesis holster front pocket

With all of the new,very small 9 mms out there, why would anyone want to rely on a marginal caliber like the .380 to defend their life? What the hell? I guess you have to make the decision on how much it's worth, not me.

Because even the smallest 9mm isn't as small as an LCP. And even the smallest difference in size can make all the difference in the world.

I've been researching myself, and I'm going with the LCP. My dilemma now is do I want the Lazermax or the Crimson trace.

I understand all that. However, being used to pocket carrying my 642 on a regular basis, which is by no means difficult, then carrying either the LCP or a BG380 would be a breeze. The marginal difference in size and weight between the two is negligible to me, therefore I'd choose with the one that had the better features even if they might not ever be needed.


Not having last shot hold-open is a deal breaker for me. My left arm is considerably weaker then my right and the smaller the semi-auto the harder they are to rack. Remember that we'd all be doing most of our shooting with these guns at the range. The thought of having to keep racking the tight little buggers doesn't thrill me, much less having to do it under stress with sweaty hands in a SD situation.

To be honest, I'm not really impressed with ANY of these toyish little polymer .380's, LCP, TCP, PT-A3, etc. I've handled and shot some of them and contrary to what I've been told they were NOT easier to shoot then my snubbie and all of them had reliability issues.

If I had to wear thin, light dress pants or shorts all the time at work I suppose I'd want a pistol as small and as light as can but I'm fortunate that I can carry a decent handgun most of the time. I'd still like to get a little pocket semi-auto as a fully discreet CCW when needed but I'd probably go with something of a little better quality, what that is going to be I have yet to decide.

Wow!! Looks like there is an opinion or three out there. Here is my $0.02.

I have the M&P 380. Never shot the LCR but did hold it in my hand and dry fire it some. For me the trigger on the M&P was better. I also really like the fact that it has replicable sights, although don't really think I will ever change them, they work great for me. I also like the fact that the slide locks back after the last round.

Not sure if this info helps or not. I say shoot both and then decide.

__________________
MP 9 PRO, MP 9 FS, 9MM SHIELD