380 Bodyguard Vs Ruger LCP

GattlinGun

GattlinGun

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Thoughts? I just picked up a 380 Bodyguard with an insight laser. I know this is a S&W forum.

I compared the two. The S&W was a few dollars cheaper (not a decision maker on it's own) but with the thumb safety and the built in double strike capability, I chose it over the Ruger.

Don't get me wrong, I am a big Ruger fan also but to rely on trigger pull as the only safety, I think is asking for trouble. Kahr makes a 45 without a safety. I just don't get it, I guess.

I told a friend of mine that I had purchased the Bodyguard and he responded that it was ***** and liked the Ruger better. He does not carry CCW and I think had I told him I bought a brick of gold, he would have liked Silver better. Just how he is.

I am not big on these small caliber pistols but I purchased this as a companion to my XDS which is really cool, but limited in capacity.

Thoughts?
 
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Use good ammo and make sure it reliably feeds.

I chose the Ruger because it came up in the locker room for sale and I keep a special envelope in my locker for just such occasion. I will always help a brother out.

It's a mix of the LCPs and Bodyguards where I work. I added the CT laser and love mine. I like the immediate on activation but also know there is a tactical advantage of not having it on always. Have to learn to loosen up the middle finger grip.

I like the sights on the Bodyguard over the LCPs.

.380 ammo has come a long way in the last few years.

Badge54
 
I've had them both (and don't own either one right now) but if I had to choose, I would choose the BG over the LCP...mainly because it fits my hand better. I also like the 2nd strike capability.

I do think the LCP has a better record of reliability...and I wish S&W made a BG model without the laser.
 
Both are good guns for what they are, but I've never understood the need for a safety on a small SD pistol. There is no safety on a revolver, but just my humble opinion.
 
Old cop said:
Both are good guns for what they are, but I've never understood the need for a safety on a small SD pistol. There is no safety on a revolver, but just my humble opinion.
Click to expand...

Well, the "lock" is sort of a safety on a revolver...cursed by many, but still a (misbegotten, unnecessary) safety device. And I have read several detective or other crime fiction novels wherein a character "takes off the safety on his revolver" which is a clue not to read any further!

As for a safety on a pocket pistol, models like the LCP don't have one and don't need one because of the heavy trigger and IF they are carried in a good pocket holster. Models like the SIG P238 definitely need a safety, if you are going to carry it as intended: cocked and locked. The safety on the BG doesn't bother me because you can use it or not...some like the option, some don't. Use it or not, as you prefer.
 
I also like the feel of the Bodyguard, the safety, and its sights much better, so I ended up with one of those in place of my Ruger, which always bit my trigger finger when I fired it.

Like any pistol, test it before you rely on it. If yours works OK the way you hold it and with your ammunition, don't worry too much about what others say about reliability.

My pistol does not like foreign .380 ammo but never fails to fire with Federals. I have Remingtons to test now, and will get to Winchesters eventually. RWS and Fiocchi are no-gos in my gun.

I agree with you that I don't feel real good about .380 caliber pistols, but people have been using them for a long time. If you can't get past the .380-creeps, might look into a Shield or a CM9. About all I can say is I prefer a .380 to anything smaller. :)
 
Don't like the safety on the BG 380? Behold the S&W BG 380 LAPD version:

B5E4C5D2-E856-418C-A72A-C7FECDFD5081-2379-000001D5C5733BD6.jpg


So far it's been 100% reliable with 100 rds of WWB down the tube. Need to test with Winchester Ranger SXT 95 gr HP's next. It rides in a Comp-Tac Infidel IWB holster. Like it so far. Use it if I can't carry my Shield.
 
Last edited:
An XDs in .45 is a handful compared to a pocket .380.

I'll stick to my choice of J-frame for pocket carry ... .38 Special and virtually indestructible.
 
We have a BG, an LCP, and an LC9.

I carry the LC9, GF carries the BG, and the LCP... actually I don't know where it is :D

I'm not a big fan of a safety on a pistol... except for every day carry guns. Reason is the thing is kept chambered and gets un-holstered and re-holstered in IWB and pocket holsters throughout the week. With it locked there is much less chance of a trigger getting snagged on a wardrobe malfunction and resulting in an accidental discharge.

The safety on both the BG and LC9 are easily swept on draw and will not easily engage accidentally.

I loved the idea of my SD9 VE having no safety until I began storing it in a SpeedVault (drop open model) and the way the gun is retrieved, it makes one want to grab around the trigger when it's drawn. Since I'm not the only one that has access to it we decided to leave it un-chambered. Where as if it had a safety, I'd have it cocked and locked.
 
Being old school, I think any defensive weapon should be comforting, not comfortable. And frankly, I don't think actually using the BG is comfortable. But I carry it.

It doesn't fit my hand, I find a nasty 'crack' recoil with some brands of cartridges, I have to be careful with hand and grip placement because I have hit the magazine release with my trigger finger, and it doesn't seem to group well. Mine will hit the ten-ring a few times, and then string out to one o'clock. I would prefer "gutter snipe" sights, but no sights at all would be fine.

To me that doesn't mean a thing. It's flat, it's light, I can buy bulk ammo fairly inexpensively in my area. Just about any holster fits it. Right now I'm using an Uncle Mike's ballistic nylon pocket holster inside a Tuff's product.

That kind of firearm is used. Since it carries easily I will always have it (or a 642) with me. Heavier, clumsy, expensive firearms get left at home, never with you when you need them.

I have another thought. If I had to use it, chances are it might end up in a police evidence bag. For the price, I could care less. It will have saved my wife and I, so I'll just buy another one. I do not form attachments to the guns and knives I carry for defense. With my favorite Zero Tolerance, I also carry a desposable Boker Jim Wagner knife for the same reason.
 
I have both and the Body Guard just fits my hand better.
 
Had a .380 BG trigger pull was horrible traded it for a Ruger LC9, much better trigger, but still not like a good wheel gun.
 
silentflyer said:
Had a .380 BG trigger pull was horrible traded it for a Ruger LC9, much better trigger, but still not like a good wheel gun.
Click to expand...

I quess that's why there are lots of guns. A pasta fork fits my hand better than the Body Guard.

I still sincerely believe that firearms like the BG are "tools" not really valued possessions. There are guns that I have purchased out of lust, but the BG I bought with the same intent I have in securing a doorstop.

I needed one so I bought it. No emotional attachment.
 
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