Bodyguard 38 vs Bodyguard 380

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Prime Winner

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I really like the two new Bodyguards, 38 revolver and 380 semi auto. before deciding on one, Im trying to weigh the positives and negatives of each and would like a little input.

Bodyguard 38 revolver
positives
  • S&W revolver, thats pretty impressive to start out with
negatives
  • heavier, longer, wider than the 380
  • for a S&W revolver AND laser, why is it so cheap?

Bodyguard 380 semi auto
positives
  • short than the 38
  • thinner than the 38
  • lighter than the 38
  • holds more 2 more rounds than the 38
  • thumb safety
  • adjustable sights
negatives
  • 380 rounds expensive more expensive and harder to find (around me)
  • a few negative reports on these boards (laser failure, pieces falling off, failed trigger return ....)

thanks !!!
 
Last edited:
Prime Winner said:
380 rounds expensive more expensive and harder to find (around me)
Click to expand...
Price of 380 ammo has come down considerable over last few months. Availability online much better, WWB is starting to even turn up at Wally Worlds. I'd give reliability reports greatest consideration.
 
If I had to choose between the two I would go with the .38 mainly because I have more confidence in the .38spl than I do in the .380. It's a revolver, when it comes to small guns I would rather have the reliability of a revolver.

That being said I wouldn't get either, personally I don't care for lasers, if you spent all your time practicing with the laser and it fails when you need it most that would suck. So to be totally confident in it I would have to practice with the sights and the laser meaning I have to practice twice as much, which means more time and money spent. For all that I would just get one of the airweight .357s if I wanted a pocket gun, more expensive but you get what you pay for in most situations.
 
angel71rs said:
Price of 380 ammo has come down considerable over last few months. Availability online much better, WWB is starting to even turn up at Wally Worlds. I'd give reliability reports greatest consideration.
Click to expand...

well thats good news. the last time I bought 380 ammo, was probably mid april this year, a box of 20 personal protection was $30, and a box of 50 regular rounds was also $30. what are the prices like now?

LuddhaBuddha said:
If I had to choose between the two I would go with the .38 mainly because I have more confidence in the .38spl than I do in the .380. It's a revolver, when it comes to small guns I would rather have the reliability of a revolver.

That being said I wouldn't get either, personally I don't care for lasers, if you spent all your time practicing with the laser and it fails when you need it most that would suck. So to be totally confident in it I would have to practice with the sights and the laser meaning I have to practice twice as much, which means more time and money spent. For all that I would just get one of the airweight .357s if I wanted a pocket gun, more expensive but you get what you pay for in most situations.
Click to expand...

I tend to think the revolver is more reliable also. but I think I just answered one of my questions, why is the bodyguard 380 so cheap? because the back half is polymer right? I thought just the grip was polymer. I guess if the polymer ever breaks/cracks, S&W will replace it right?
 
I'm sure if anything breaks they will fix it, they have great customer service but, if it breaks when someones trying to kill you, all the customer service in the world is not gonna help you.
 
Neither. I never buy any gun that's been out less than a year. Let others do the test and evaluation before you buy.

Besides, have you felt the trigger on either one? Their horrible.

Go with a gun thats proven to work like a 642 or 442. Even the Ruger LCR would be a good choice.
 
Prime Winner said:
well thats good news. the last time I bought 380 ammo, was probably mid april this year, a box of 20 personal protection was $30, and a box of 50 regular rounds was also $30. what are the prices like now?
Click to expand...
FMJ $15 - 18/50. JHP $17 - 20/20

One place had a ton of Magtech fmj for $14/50 for the 2-3 weeks it took for them to sell out. It came back at $17/50. So it's not quite back to the old days, but much better.

Here is one site I frequent for ammo, just got Speer GDs from them, 9mm and 380:

380 Auto | SGAmmo.com
 
angel71rs said:
FMJ $15 - 18/50. JHP $17 - 20/20

One place had a ton of Magtech fmj for $14/50 for the 2-3 weeks it took for them to sell out. It came back at $17/50. So it's not quite back to the old days, but much better.

Here is one site I frequent for ammo, just got Speer GDs from them, 9mm and 380:

380 Auto | SGAmmo.com
Click to expand...

wow, thats great. thanks for the info.
 
I prefer the .38spl and a revolver. I do carry the Keltec when I want super concealment, but I dont have the same faith in it...I figure its better than nothing.....the 38 goes bang every time even if its only five times
 
Prime Winner, two words in your original post under the .380 should give you all the hint you need: "failure" and "failed." No gun is 100% reliable but a dbl action revolver must be about 99.99%. What is most important?
 
On smaller calibers I would choose the .38 anyday. IMO the revolver is more reliable plus the benefit of a bigger bullet. I just bought the new .38 Bodyguard and am really satisfied. I guess only time will tell on the new design but so far I'm very pleased.
 
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