I have some questions that I hope you guys can help me with:

1] Does the trigger lighten any after use, say around 500-1000 rounds or so? If not, is a trigger job a viable option on this pistol? My wife has small weak hands and the trigger is somewhat of an issue for her.

2] Has S&W done anything about how hard the laser is to activate?

3] How does this pistol compare to the Ruger LCP?

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Baptist Pastor, Chaplain TCSO

The trigger will smooth out after about 500 rounds. As far as I know no one is doing trigger jobs on these at the current time. You might speak with S&W and see if their smiths can improve the trigger. Can't provide any info regarding the laser activation. In a SHTF situation you aren't going to be using the laser. These are for up close and personal situations. I like this a lot better than the Ruger LCP. Easier to control and has real sights.

Bodyguard 380 Performance Parts :: Smith & Wesson® Performance :: Galloway Precision

I'm a very long time S&W fan, and a pretty avid recent M&P fan, so I was pretty conflicted when I decided I wanted a small pocket gun for some occasions when carrying my Shield wasn't a good option. For me, it was down to the Bodyguard and LCP and I did a good bit of research to make a decision.

All semi-autos have instances where individual guns have "issues" that grieve their owners. But pocket guns, because of their compact size, just seem more prone to this than a lot of larger guns.

A lot of reading here and elsewhere convinced me that more people seemed to have good luck with the LCP. Add this to the fact that the LCP's trigger stroke is shorter and smoother than the Bodyguard (smoothness is no doubt a personal perception, length of stroke is real) and the general shape of the gun is slimmer and more "pocketable" sold me on the Ruger.

I've got somewhat over 350 round of flawless operation through the little gun, so I'm happy with my choice, though I will warn it is a sort of finicky little gun. Notably, it steadfastly refuses to let me seat a loaded magazine with the slide closed. This might be a deal killer for some, but the LCP is a J-frame replacement for me, and it is still smaller, lighter, and has an extra round (6 vs 5) so it is a win in my book.

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

Keep in mind that the Bodyguard is designed & intended for conceal carry. It's supposed to have a "heavy" DAO trigger to lessen the risk of it going bang in your shorts. I do carry on occasion my M&P bodyguard and I've ran over 1k rounds thru it and its been pretty reliable. The trigger smooths out, but it doesnt get "lighter". Hornady custom XTP is what I carry.

which brings up a difference topic.... why did S&W put a safety on a DAO pocket pistol?

My wife carries the LCP. I've shot it, even carried it one day. The new ones have a much better trigger than the old ones. I dang sure wouldn't carry it in my pocket without some kind of pocket holster. It's long, but not heavy. It feels like it's about half the weight of my Ruger SP101.

I haven't shot the bodyguard, but I've been told it's heavy, which is all relative because you're looking generations of folk raised on striker fired guns. They've never handled a revolver or even a true da/sa semiauto to any extent. But if you're not willing to master a heavy trigger, I'd pick something else.

I have a BG380 which i carry daily. Galloway Precision will do trigger work to shorten the length of pull, and smooth out the action somewhat. They also sell the kit if you want to do it yourself. I'm used to the older handguns so i don't really find the trigger pull that heavy, that said, it's a self defense gun not a range gun and not all that much fun to shoot like a full size gun would be. The laser issues were solved when S&W changed from Insight to Crimson Trace lasers. Compared to the LCP, i don't think there's much difference. Mouse guns are known to be tempermental, with either one you might have to experiment to find what ammunition it works best with etc. if you want a ccw that is lightweight and easily concealed, either one is a good choice. I like my BG380, carry it in a pocket holster daily, and i'm satisfied with it. Regarding having a safety, i'm glad the BG has one, i keep the chamber loaded, and don't have to give it a second thought in my pocket.

Lets break it down like I did:

Ruger LCP - $340 + $190 laser= $530
Stainless steel Ruger- $370 + laser=$560
Extra Magazine = $43
9.4 oz
Adjustable/REPLACABLE sights- Not Capable, NONE on Stainless/blued LCP
Trigger Pull approx 6 lbs
Stainless Ruger lcp with laser and extra mag = $603

S&W M&P Bodyguard w/laser - $400
Replaceable sights - Capable
Stainless Steel - FREE
Extra Magazine - FREE
Crimson Laser- FREE
12.0 oz
Trigger pull approx 9-10 oz
Total = $400

By the way some bullets that don't fire on the first strike, do on the second strike. It takes an attacker less that 21 feet or 6-7 seconds to reach you from standing still. What I'm getting at is, which is faster, pulling the trigger again or your TAP/RAP/Bang skills with a SA for the next shot?

Your Call.......

I've only had one light strike on cheap ammo. Never on Hornady rounds.

There are trigger jobs available. However I like long triggers for defense.

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Smith all the things