Hello, I have a question. I have S&W Body Guard 380 and have had it for a year or so. I love the gun. But now I see in my S&W news letters and a few other places where they talk about the M&P Body Guard 380. Looks like the same gun to me in the pictures except that mine has S&W on it and the other has M&P on it. Is there a difference? Or is it the same gun just called something different for selling?

Thanks,

Dennis Goff

Same gun W/O laser plus it has M&P logo...Google Hickok45 for review of this gun...it will answer all your questions....

Actually there are now three versions. The original Bodyguard 380 with built in laser. The M&P Bodyguard 380 without laser. And the M&P Boduguard with built in Crimson Trace laser.
Although I haven't specifically looked at the new crimson trace version I believe they all use the same magazines, action, barrel and sights with differences in the frame only related to the laser and in the slide only in the markings and the serrations.

Unfortunately, these handguns aren't very reliable: they don work often enough for me to be wiling to use one for sd.

I'm unwilling to use a weapon for sd that I don't trust to work

The modern 'bodyguards' are too buggy for me.

Just my opinion , of course.

I have been carrying one for over 2 years. I have fired it 500++ times, no issues, completely reliable. My wife also has one and is very good with it. I am a NRA instructor and range safety officer, I just do not see anything to complain about with this fine little pocket pistol. You need to really work your carry weapon and practice, practice, practice. I have been teaching firearms training for over 35 years, you need to carry what you can shoot well, and of course carry without issues. Yes, I do prefer my Colt 1911, but you cant just drop it in your pocket. The 380 is not a offensive weapon, but with todays modern ammo makes a great carry or back-up defensive piece. Dont knock the 380, it will get the job done, as long as you can put the bullets where they need to be. And, as for the older model, like I own, that small built in laser is the slickest design ever made, not hanging on in front of the trigger guard like most other makes. Sure, in broad daylight it doesnt do the job, but in low light areas, a parking garage, or maybe your home, that built-in laser is slick. The guys at S&W should be awarded a medal for such a small package. Enjoy your bodyguard, but like any firearm for personal protection make sure you put it through a real workout before depending on it. I have seen a few bad ones out there, but a few stinkers are going to slip out. Good luck and stay safe!!

I have never had to use it in a real situation as of yet, and hope I don't. But I have fired several thousand rounds thru this one at the range in the last year and have not had any problem with it. I guess some are just not as good as others. I really prefer my S&W 686+P 357 Mag, but it is not a good carry gun. lol

Every thread has gotta have a picture..... I'll loan you one until you can put your own up...

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Terry

I have been using a S&W BG 380 for edc for 3 years. I have put 3k rounds thru it and never had a ftf. It did have to go back to S&W because the laser screw backed out, causing the slide to jam. Make sure to check if it is tight, every time you clean it. I never did. Lesson learned.

I pocket carried a Seecamp .32 for years, but it was a little bear to shoot. When the LCP came out, I jumped at it, but the trigger was not very good. Next step, a P238, totally reliable, easy to shoot, but I was always nervous about it cocked and locked in a Nemesis in my pocket. I avoided BG's because I considered the laser a gimmick. But... just picked up a M&P BG, no laser, pocket carry perfection! First range trip today, worked perfectly with every FMJ and JHP I tried, and at 7 yards outshot my USP 9mm (although that may say more about me than about the HK). It even fits in the same Nemesis the P238 used. Unbelievable little pistol!

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Bill
NRA Lifer

Is that statement based on first hand knowlege??? Mine still hasn't hiccupped. I was also worried about reliability which is why I did not buy until I got the M&P380 this past spring. I'm now a believer.

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Forum consigliere

Both the new Crimson Trace BG and BG with no laser come with two magazines. I'd like to know if they changed the door on the laser to work without a screw that could potentially back out.

If I was buying one of them today, I'd get the model without the laser. I liked my original BG380, but having to push the button to activate the laser and then put your finger on the trigger is not going to happen in a SD situation. Even if you use your support hand to activate it, it's not easy to activate which is the point so it doesn't go on accidentally. I'm not sure if the sensitivity on the new CT model is any different.

My laser screw backed out after 100 rds...could not get it tight again...just sent mine of to S&W today...hope they wanna replace it with the M&P version...if I had it to do over again I never would have "invested" in the BodyGuard...I do have a Shield9 that I am satified with so far....

If only more people will complain about the BG380 maybe sales will drop. If they get much lower then the sub $300 range I see them for now I'll buy more.

Haven't had a problem with the one we have and put almost 1000 rounds through it the very first day out. Shot every type of ammo we could find. Still no problems to this day but I will be knocking on wood so as not to jinx myself.

I wouldn't mind having all three of them. I wonder if the new laser model has the same mounting setup with the screw.

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Psalm 23:4

I have the early Bodyguard with a lazer. No problems with mine after many rounds.

I've gotta make a comment about lasers here. Among my other "shooters" is a Shield 9mm with a laser and a 629-5 with a Crimson Trace.

Those that complain about lazers don't have to use them. They are a dark environment usage item anyway and should only be used as a supplement to open sights in darker lighting conditions.

For some to think we have to fumble with a lazer button before the firearm is usable misses the point of a lasers usefulness and existence.

Adjust the laser to actual POI. Then expect to always use the open sights if and until the situation can and should utilize the laser... JMHO

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Terry

I spoke with a S&W rep. today at a LGS event, and he reported that the new laser Bodyguard specifically has a better laser screw detent system, as well as better battery life.

The event pricing was also under $400. I just wish I had the funds available.

Lasers are for some, but it's good that S&W makes the Bodyguard both ways now. If I did use a laser, I would personally rather have a button on the grip to activate it. It's about the laser not being activated the second the gun is in the hand, not that the gun isn't usable.

My BG380 has a test shot date of 01Jun14...the screw backed out after 100 rds...sent it back yesterday...hope they replace it with one w/o laser...also, I had two FTF in 100 rds...and one was with my carry ammo (Hornady CD)..don't believe everything you hear...S&W sells guns...what would you expect a rep to say...just my old timer opinion...

And new S&W M&P Body Guard with CT laser.
10048_01_lg.jpg

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Psalm 23:4

Two questions:

Where is the laser screw located that always backs out?

What size allen wrench adjusts the poi for the laser on the non Crimson Trace (older) model?

Screw thats holds laser in place is underneath slide in the frame. Remove slide to access...wrench size should be 1/16.

Wrench for adjusting sights is probably 0.028 or 0.035 (its smaller than 1/16). No matter how you look at it your gonna have to buy a set if you need one...try Harbor Freight...

Ahh, but is it the new model announced last week with the Crimson Trace laser, or the original Insight laser? These weren't even on the shelf at my LGS until Friday. I know, because I'd checked on Thursday, and at another LGS (One of the biggest S&W dealers in the State.) on Wednesday.

Its the old BG380 with Insight laser...I wanted the new M&P version w/o laser but made a bad decision and bought the old style...sent it back to S&W two days ago...the part that is embedded in the frame that the screw for the laser attaches to came out...also the slide would not lock back erratically (not ammo related) plus a couple of FTF...I really like this pistol but I'm having a hard time convincing myself I can trust it as an EDC...

Since I am now retired, I probably have more latitude in what I wear. Any gun I carry goes in my jeans back pocket. A T shirt pretty much covers any part of the gun sticking out. I bought a M&P BG about a month ago and it's too small, as are all of the micro .380's I've tried. They get lost in a pocket. I brought the gun back unfired and got full credit on it towards a 642. I bought a 9mm Shield recently and it might work out in my pocket.

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SOS USA

I dumb I guess. Bought my BG,380 and before doing anything found this forum. Read everything I could find. Broke down the weapon and did the cleaning. My box had a small allen wrench included. Used it to double check that small screw.

Put 60 rds thru it this last Wednesday. Fired and ejected every empty. Cleaned it and checked that screw again.

So far no problems of any kind.

You should have (2) allen wrenches...one (very small wrench) for the laser sight adjusment and one for the laser removal screw...I believe its a 1/16....

No only have the one allen wrench that came with the weapon. But I have plenty in my tool box so that shouldn't be a problem.
Forgot to report that the mag did not drop out and the slide locked back everytime the last round was fired.
Shot more accurate that the M60 did. At my range (defensive distance) POA close to POI.

Very happy right now.

Tiny dab of loctite on the screw, never a problem.

I miss my BG380. Got rid of it when I decided to not carry anything smaller than a 9mm, my Kahr CM9 fits my pocket, but nowhere near as well as my BG380 did. I am thinking about reneging on the whole "nothing smaller than a 9" thing and buying one of these new Crimson Trace Bodyguards. Although, truth be told, I never used the laser on my old BG for anything other than dry fire practice, so I would be better served just buying the standard no-laser M&P BG. XS Big Dots are great on those guns.

It's never a bad thing to have options. That's why I support the manufacture of smaller caliber pistols. I fully agree in theory of biggest gun/caliber you can handle always, but in reality there are some times for some people when very discreet concealment is called for, and here is where I believe the .380acp finds it's raison d'etre.

9mm so-called "pocket pistols" are too big and/or too heavy and may recoil too much for the average person, and .32acp or lower is really too underpowered and may not be very effective and/or reliable.

The .380acp pocket pistol seems to me the perfect compromise for those who want a truly concealable pocket gun that is not a revolver and that is somewhat manageable to shoot with bare-minimum stopping power.

...and yes, I agree with you that the laser on the previous BG380 model is largely useless in a real world close-up SD encounter, for which the gun was designed. I'm considering picking up one of the new laserless models myself.

I just sent off my laser for my Bodyguard for replacement. This will be the 3rd laser I am putting in this weapon. First lasted a long time the second about 20 rounds.

Damn...I just sent mine off last Friday...with a note to replace it with the M&P version WITH NO LASER...hope they read my note...LOL...I made a mistake in not buying one W/O laser...I should have waited....and that is my fault...really...I wish I would have waited...let's hope S&W customer service will prevail....I will let you know...tks...

S&W will be closed for the next 2 weeks for their yearly shutdown so don't be expecting it to get fixed then. They told me they'd be shipping mine back before the end of last week but I haven't gotten a tracking number and don't expect to with it being Saturday and them being closed for the next 2 weeks. Guess they'll just tell you anything to get you off the phone.

BTW, those problems you mentioned previously, slide not locking back, misfires & broken firing pins are common known problems on the M&P non-laser model as well. Watch Hickok45's youtube review from May '14 and you'll see several misfires and the slide not locking back on 5 of the 12 mags he shot.

I thought that was coming...just could not remember when...I can wait...(I don't really have a choice, do I)....thanks for the post...

I've looked at several BG's at gunshows since they came out and never bought one.
I don't understand why of all of the M&P series, which I own several and carry a 40 shield daily. Why they went with a double action hammer fired system with a long trigger pull when the rest of the series has short crisp striker fired triggers.

If they could make the BG feel and fire like the Shield, Compact or Full sized M&P's I wouldn't be able to not buy one fast enough.
Right now it is essentially a revolver that you cannot cock before firing so every single pull is a long double action which makes no sense to me. The long pull is the hardest to aim, why would you want that every round in a serious life or death situation?
Kind of disappointed in this design since I trust my life to a M&P shield every day and will defend its reliability, just seems like the BG is a bit of a marketing attempt to see how another firing system would sell if they slapped a laser onto it.

Personally I would go for a striker fired version with no laser on it, so long as they don't suddenly take the thumb safety off it.

I suspect its the smaller size and the way the gun will be carried. With a double action (long) trigger pull on the BG380 the gun would be considered more safe, especially if you pocket carry like I do...with the safety off...I feel no need for a safety on striker fired or hammer fired (double action pistols).

A striker fired version would be bigger. It needs the extra length to draw back the striker and it may even be thicker as well. The DB380 is striker fired and total garbage. Many of the pocket .380s are hammer fired which does not include the bigger G42. For pocket carry it works well and a DAO pull is easy to overcome with practice. I could shoot my BG380 quickly and accurately and can do so with DAO snubs as well. Since they now offer a BG380 without a laser, my only gripe is the worthless thumb safety. It's like putting a thumb safety on a J-frame and the J-frame doesn't even have a firing pin block.