I have a chance to buy a Ruger LCP at an extremely low price, but I like the Bodyguard .380 Semi-auto without laser better. Any ideas which is best?

They are both good, but I help a Florida gun dealer at local gun shows. The LCP outsells the Bodyguard 2 to 1. While I can't tell you which is better, & why, I can tell you which sells more. GARY

I've owned both but found the Gen One LCP very trouble prone w/every problem a semi auto can have. I purchased the no laser M&P .380 in February and after 600 + trouble free rounds of FMJ & HP it's a keeper.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I own both, had some issues with the BG first time at the range. Ended up being ammo related. At the same range outing, shot my Gen 1 LCP, no issues at all to this day! I like both, the BG has a better feel in my hand due to it being slightly larger. I do have total confidence in the LCP as it has never failed and will eat anything I feed it! The Bodyguard seems to be okay now, but I still have some reservations since having the issues first time out. If you read some of the posts on here, the BG has had it's share of problems but it seems that just recently Smith seems to have solved some of the light strikes and FTFires. I think either model you choose you will be happy. I am sure each model has had their failures along the way. Oh, and both kick like a Mule! Good luck and happy shooting! - Rick

My wife and I both use LCPs for pocket carry.
Light, thin, no print, snag free, reliable.

We tried the BG but opted for the Rugers.

You will win either way.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I chose the BG over the LCP because I liked the sights better and it fit my hand better as well. I have to admit I also liked the styling of the BG better too, and I have been very pleased with my selection. That being said, I would not hesitate to buy an LCP, as I have heard/read good things about them. Like Rusty said I think you'll win either way.

How much $$ will you be saving if you get the LCP? Is that the gun that you TRULY want? I'd hate for you to listen to you wallet and then have regrets because you didn't listen to your heart and wished you got the BG, regardless of the money you were saving. Around here I have seen BG's w/o laser go for $284 NIB.

Took my BG380 (recently returned from Smith for the second time) to the range today to see if they could make it work this time.
Nope. Still all light strikes. Some took three strikes to fire.
Numerous brands of ammo. Rapid fire seemed to help with some, others not so much. I'm resigned to re-installing the 12lb aftermarket trigger to make it reliable.
More info in other threads on this forum.
Both my later model LCP and my wife's older LCP still flawless.
If you think it's me, that's fine, I hereby offer to trade straight across, your perfect BG380 with my twice-repaired G380. Good luck.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

I have owned both. I liked my LCP a lot, and it was 100% reliable, but I switched to the BG for these reasons:

Manual safety. Just what I'm used to on an auto.

Can handle +P. Haven't shot any yet, but nice to know I can.

Nicer sights, although I was plenty accurate with the LCP.

Second strike capability. Which it turned out I'd need with the BG's light strike issue. See below.

It's nicer looking. The LCP I was luke warm on its looks. The BG I like the looks of every time I take it out. A minor issue, I know.

As far as the light strikes, see my post here about the light primer strikes. It appears the issue may have been fixed with a new firing pin design:

Bodyguard 380: Finally Reliable!

David

I have neither. I have the original, the Kel-Tec P3AT. Have had it over ten years with no problems.
To me, they're all a bunch of tiny, .25 auto-sized .380s.
Not a lot of fun to shoot, but they beat the heck out of being naked before those who would do you grievous harm.

I do wish the Kel-Tec had second strike capability. Not enough to get rid of it, but still.....

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Have had both at the same time. BG is gone, LCP is still with me. LCP has NEVER failed to feed, fire, extract, or eject. BG had light primer strikes even after 2 trips back to S&W. Sights do not matter to me on these small pocket guns.

There is much hate on this site for the Bodyguard.

I got a good one.
Mine works.
It's about a year old now.

Appears some of the older ones have misfire issues.

The Ruger is popular too.
Apparently a good gun.

Either one is so inexpensive, you can give it a try.
Wonder why OP's seller is dumping his Ruger for cheap?

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?