M&P Bodyguard 380

rock doc · #1 01-31-2015, 05:17 PM

As a S&W aficionado, I relinquished the duties of a pocket CCW from a LCP to a S&W M&P Bodyguard 380. As a note, I already have the 9mm Shield, and M&P 9c., before the ice fishing incident. As of now, I am the proud owner of a S&W Bodyguard 380, and today I fired 50 rounds each of S&B, Winchester WB, Freedom Munitions, USA Ammo, American Eagle, Custom Reloads by a LGS, and Hornady Custom without a single failure.

After all the “horror stories” I read about failures with this platform, I decided to take a chance. I was troubled by the whiplash affect of the trigger finger when shooting the LCP. I have nothing negative to say about the LCP, but I just wanted a S&W M&P 380 for the role as a pocket CCW. The BG 380 shot each magazine without a hiccup. The M&P 380 is a breeze to shoot, and is almost as comfortable as the Shield and is just as accurate.

Just wanted to add that that the trigger pull of the S&W M&P 380 is no harsh than that of a 442/642.

lmacrichter · #2 01-31-2015, 08:25 PM

Great to hear someone got a good one. Mine is back at S&W with more problems than Van Camp has beans. I hope it comes back shooting as well as yours but I'm not holding my breath. From what I have heard they are either a peach or a lemon and no matter how many times you squeeze the lemon it still has juice in it! I have always been a S&W fan but this BG is changing my mind.

deadin · #3 01-31-2015, 08:39 PM

Quote:

today I fired 50 rounds each of S&B, Winchester WB, Freedom Munitions, USA Ammo, American Eagle, Custom Reloads by a LGS, and Hornady Custom

You fired 350 rounds out of a BG at one sitting and can still type?

You're a better man than I........

Doublea17 · #4 01-31-2015, 08:54 PM

Congrats on your new purchase. I just purchased one on Thursday can't wait to get it to the range. I hope it is a peach I have M&Ps and not one has let me down.

johnmik1 · #5 01-31-2015, 09:02 PM

I carry both the LCP and the Bodyguard which I prefer.Both have the Galloway triggers and the BG has the Galloway trigger bar which makes it much easier to fire.I also have a 9mm Shield but prefer the 380's for pocket carry.

CaptRon956 · #6 01-31-2015, 09:47 PM

I have both the M&P shield 9 and the BG 380, love them both, never had a failure of any kind with either of them...

bigdaddybluesman · #7 01-31-2015, 10:56 PM

I'm no firearms expert, but I found the .380 Bodyguard to be a little difficult to shoot. It was very snappy and the trigger was just plain horrible. I also put over 300 rounds through it hoping for it to improve. It did not, even a Galloway trigger kit did not help enough for me to feel confident with the gun in anything more than a target 3 yards away or closer.

Every time I pulled the trigger no matter what I did the break caused me to pull to the left. I tried to like mine but I refuse to drop any more money into it when after firing other .380s it could not compare to the other .380s I have shot. I hate to say it as I do like S&W pistols, the Glock G42 was by far a superior gun in every way. Yes it's a tad bit bigger but it feels and shoots like a serious gun. It is accurate and the trigger is of the minimum quality I would expect and demand for any self-defense handgun.

I'm curious if anyone has tried the new Lehigh Xtreme penetrator rounds? I am not very confident with any JHPs in .380. The majority of FMJ I see are flat nosed and they over-penetrate in gel testing. It seems the Lehigh's do not over-penetrate and do provide more tissue damage than any FMJ even many JHP in the test I saw on Youtube. I'm not saying it makes .380 relevant for self-defense I'm saying it might just add a little more effectiveness to that round.

https://www.lonewolfdist.com/configurator.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczfeWK9lHw

I really did want to like the bodyguard as with the Shield but I could not.

Although these guns are not rated for the NON-SAMMI +P .380 Under wood makes a hotter version of this round.

380 ACP +P 90 Grain Xtreme Penetrator Box of 20

bulldogman · #8 01-31-2015, 11:57 PM

Even though I have only shot 28 rounds through my BG so far it is extremely accurate at 7 yards and is very comfortable to shoot. I have no problems with the trigger, for a pocket carry pistol I would mot want a lighter trigger pull. At least the trigger pull is smooth as butter compared to my FS 9.

bigdaddybluesman · #9 02-01-2015, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogman

Even though I have only shot 28 rounds through my BG so far it is extremely accurate at 7 yards and is very comfortable to shoot. I have no problems with the trigger, for a pocket carry pistol I would mot want a lighter trigger pull. At least the trigger pull is smooth as butter compared to my FS 9.

WOW.....I wish mine was that nice. I didn't want a light trigger I wanted a better trigger, there's a difference.

CaptRon956 · #10 02-01-2015, 12:28 AM

Here is a target set at ten yards with my BG 380..... I put over 400 rounds thru it so far and not a single problem. Just keep it clean and it will be happy.. .. This is a pocket pistol intended for self defense/conceal carry... you don't want a hair trigger in your pants, that's why it has that long "heavy" trigger pull

touchoneoff · #11 02-01-2015, 12:36 AM

Good for you OP! I would love to have the little .380.

jack the toad · #12 02-01-2015, 01:40 AM

nothing bad to say about the LCP, I just prefer the BG.

martybee · #13 02-01-2015, 09:25 AM

I purchased my BG380 on: 11/03/2013 from Metro Shooting Supplies in IL.

It is the BG380 with Insight Laser® Price paid: $429.99 plus tax
Included was a 1 year membership to the indoor firing range. (Annual Membership is: $200)
I have had no issues with my BG380. I have fired over 500 rds. and I found it to be quite accurate using the iron sights. I never use the laser.

The recoil is snappy, but manageable. I installed the Hogue Handall Jr. rubber grip which helps
immensely.

mb

handlebar · #14 02-01-2015, 10:28 AM

Just got one from Woodbury Outfitters for $259 + $15 shipping. Took it apart, cleaned it. Took mags apart and cleaned them. Noticed that the slide release was barely catching the slide to keep it open. I noticed that the slide release had a very slight metal ridge and it was preventing it from rising completely. I very carefully stoned it flat and now with an empty mag it fully rises in the cut out in the frame. I seems to be a solidly built gun like a Smith should be. To be truthful, I have never had an issue with any gun I have owned, and I do not expect this one to be any different. I even had a Jennings 22 back in the '80's that never failed to fire-that was amazing. I hope to shoot it today. I will report back when I do. BTW, I also have a Kahr CW380 and it has been NO problem at all. I just wanted a S&W Bodyguard to compliment my 6906, Shield 9mm (I have two), and my 586 (that I bought in 1985). There have been too many other S&W's that I have had and regretted selling, in the past.

RH45 · #15 02-01-2015, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handlebar

Just got one from Woodbury Outfitters for $259 + $15 shipping. Took it apart, cleaned it. Took mags apart and cleaned them. Noticed that the slide release was barely catching the slide to keep it open. I noticed that the slide release had a very slight metal ridge and it was preventing it from rising completely. I very carefully stoned it flat and now with an empty mag it fully rises in the cut out in the frame. I seems to be a solidly built gun like a Smith should be. To be truthful, I have never had an issue with any gun I have owned, and I do not expect this one to be any different. I even had a Jennings 22 back in the '80's that never failed to fire-that was amazing. I hope to shoot it today. I will report back when I do. BTW, I also have a Kahr CW380 and it has been NO problem at all. I just wanted a S&W Bodyguard to compliment my 6906, Shield 9mm (I have two), and my 586 (that I bought in 1985). There have been too many other S&W's that I have had and regretted selling, in the past.

Thanks for the information!
Even though I already own one with the red, Insight laser, I've been looking for a naked one to put a Crimson Trace, green laser on.
I also just ordered one from Woodbury for the same price. Even though I'd rather support my local shops, the best price around here is $329 + $18 tax. For me, $75 is too big a difference.

handlebar · #16 02-01-2015, 12:17 PM

I agree. If our local shops became more competitive they would see a lot more business. My local guy sells .380 ammo for $25/box, internet price with a special free shipping = $14.60/box for new, not reloads. How can we pass up deals like that? For my LGS, I would have spent another $100 for the Bodyguard. I just cannot afford to do that.

rock doc · #17 02-01-2015, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadin

You fired 350 rounds out of a BG at one sitting and can still type?

You're a better man than I........

Well, I did take some breaks to pick up brass and even shot left hand. I just wanted to get it done so I can start to carry it.

CaptRon956 · #18 02-01-2015, 04:37 PM

The slide release isnt designed to catch the slide without a magazine or with a loaded mag. It is only designed to catch & lock the slide back on a empty mag. Watch the slide release while slowly inserting a empty mag.... what does it do? It moves fully up into the lock position... Do the same with a loaded mag next, what does it do? it stays down... In other words, the spring in the magazine helps apply the tension to engage the slide lock after that last round..Keep that in mind next time the slide doesnt lock back after that last round. Keep those mags clean, make sure they dont stick. I clean my pistol after each tiem I'm at the range, doesnt matter if its 1 shot or a hundred. I use M-pro-7 Foaming gun cleaner and I hose the entire inside of the pistol down after the slide has been removed and work everything I can get to with an old tooth brush and Q-tips. Dry it off with paper towels & clean Q-tips & only put 1 drop of Rem oil on the lube points as show in the manual.. So far, no issues with my BG 380...

bulldogman · #19 02-01-2015, 09:40 PM

I've actually gone away from lubing with oil and use grease ever since I looked at one of my guns that I cleaned and lubed with oil, after sitting for 3 weeks there was only a trace of oil remaining. Grease stays put and does a great job on anything with metal to metal friction.

IamCaleb · #20 02-03-2015, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogman

I've actually gone away from lubing with oil and use grease ever since I looked at one of my guns that I cleaned and lubed with oil, after sitting for 3 weeks there was only a trace of oil remaining. Grease stays put and does a great job on anything with metal to metal friction.

If it rotates, oil it. If it slides, grease it. This has worked for years so, this is my method. Ymmv.

CaptRon956 · #21 02-03-2015, 08:03 PM

Everyone has their own method of lubing a firearm and I'm sure it all works just fine. However, I've been shooting for 27 yrs & cleaned all of my guns with Hoppes#9 & one drop of Rem oil on all lube points as shown in the owners manual & wiped a very thin coat of rem oil over the entire weapon before storing & never had a problem with function or wear. In fact, my Remington 870 express magnum (12G slugger!)bought new in '93 has seen many hunting seasons & countless of practice rounds and still to this day looks almost as new as the day I bought it.

Point is. take care of your guns & they'll take care of you.

robrossk · #22 02-03-2015, 08:24 PM

Agree with bigdaddybluesman. While accurate, the weapon was to small for me and difficult to handle, and my hand hurt like crazy after a few magazines. I have read mixed reviews on the glock 42 but want to check it out.