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Shield/Bodyguard 380 v Competition

N

ninjamin7

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Joined
Aug 12, 2017
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Location
East-Central Texas
I'm interested in carrying a "pocket pistol" and would like to hear your opinions about the Shield and Bodyguard 380 and their competition, namely, the Kimber Micro 380, Kimber Micro 9, Sig P238, Sig P938, Glock 42, and Glock 43. Other comparable models are also welcome, but these are my top contenders. Thank you!
 
I have two Shields, a 9 mm and a .45 cal., but I don't really consider them to be "pocket pistols" because of their size. While most Shield 9 owners love them, mine has turned out to be too unreliable to carry. My Shield .45, however, has been a revelation, way more accurate and reliable than the 9. After overcoming a few early teething problems, I now carry it regularly.

As to the true "pocket pistols", I have rented and shot the SIG P238 (100 rounds), and the Glock G42 (50 rounds) when I was looking for a small, easy-to-rack semi-auto for my wife to carry. The P238 was by far the better gun. It was extremely easy to rack, had a great single action trigger, and was very accurate. It even came with the excellent SIG night sights. There are very few complaints about it on the SIG Talk Forum, so I think it's pretty reliable. In contrast, the G42 was surprisingly difficult to rack for a .380, and I couldn't hit anything with it. It may have been the individual gun, but it was the least accurate pistol I've ever shot.

I've never considered the Bodyguard because of all of the gripes about it here. I have two other SIGs, and they've both been excellent pistols. If I was to buy one of these mini cannons, the P238 would be the one.
 
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I pocket carry either an LCP (usually) or a 642. Both pocket carry well. An LCP will work where a 642 is too big.

Some people can pocket carry a Glock 42. For me, size is OK, but the rear sights hang up on my pocket when I draw. Glock 43 and Shield are too big for my pockets.
 
I sometimes carry a BG380. It's a reliable pistol, no failures through 800 rounds. The ruger and the sig have a better trigger, but the BG 380 seemed to be a little smaller.
 
I vote for the LCP ll.Even comes with it's own pocket holster :D
ranger98-albums-ranger-98-a-picture16653-ruger-lcp-ll.jpg
 
I don't pocket carry, unless it's a jacket or vest, but my husband has tried back-pocketing my P238 with it's included wallet holster.

238wallet.jpg


I really like the P238.
 
Not pocketable in my experience. The LCP or 442 are my choices for true pocket carry when I can NOT print. The LCP is easier to carry and offers more rounds. The 442 is ok if you have loose pants with a deeper pocket in my experience.
 
I pocket carry a Bodyguard 380 on occasion and find it a great choice for me. My wife has a glock 42 and she likes it as well. For me, the bodyguard is a great size, and the trigger pull is similar to that of a j-frame dao. Equiped with a pachmyer grip sleeve it is no problem shooting 100 or more rounds at the range, and it fits in my hand well.

Looked at the LCP, but after hearing how "unfun" it is to practice with, it was ruled out.
Looked at the Kimber, but won't carry a gun that has a thumb safety -especially on one so small.

My edc is a Shield 9mm, but I don't consider it a pocket carry gun. It's too big, except for in cargo pants pockets, but I'd just as soon carry on the belt.
 
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I've been carrying a Kel-Tec p32 for the last maybe 3 months. It's good for the role of Summer pocket gun if your clothing is lighter. I find the Smith air weights are a bit too light for me and I'd rather have something heavier for that caliber or a smaller caliber for that weight of gun and platform.

I chose the p32 because while it's very light the 32 Caliber is light enough that it won't be exploding in my hand like the LCP or other pocket sized 380s. I'm tempted to get a Glock 42 but given the lightness of my summer clothing and my body size (medium) the Glock 42 would probably be a bit too large.

The 32 ACP was designed by JM Browning and was his favorite cartridge. Of course he designed the Colt pocket hammerless in 32 which would be more like the Glock 42. I definitely wouldn't mind a Glock 42 that fired 32 ACP. Lethal enough capable of breaking the hip bones on an attacker and supremely controllable and accurate in a platform the size of a Glock 42.

It's really too bad that the 32 ACP isn't more popular. I guess it's the bigger is better mentality. When you get to pocket sized guns or just a little bigger however the 32 ACP I think is the best caliber.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
My pockets are .32, .380 ( Keltec) .38 ( Smith 442) 9mm (Ruger L C 9 ) All have a ton of rounds threw all flawless
 
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My pocket carries are a 442/642 both with CT405 grips. Their job is usually as a BUG, but sometimes serve as primary. If the "J's" are too big I'll drop down to the LCP in a wallet holster or a G42. Only things smaller in my handgun safe is the KelTec P32 and the NAA 22 Mag. Those two are so small they can be worn around the neck on a lanyard.


Class III


Edit: I do have a S&W M61-3. I just don't put enough stock in 22LR as a good defense round when I have much better options.
 
My wife traded in her 9mm Shield for a Sig 238 (.380) about 3 years ago. The slide on the Shield was just too difficult for her, the 238 is much easier to cycle. Two weeks ago she saw a rental Sig P938 at our indoor range and gave it a try. After she shot it she traded in her 238 for a new 938. It is just slightly larger than the 238. The 938 is in 9mm so the ammo is less expensive than the .380, plus it shoots a heavier bullet. All of her holsters for the 238 fit the 938. It has become her daily companion.
 
My retirement pocket gun is the Kahr CW380. It's smaller than most and disappears in my pocket on any of the shorts I wear daily down here. I also have belt holsters for it, but I never use them. The Kahrs have an amazing trigger pull and once you break them in, they're near-flawless carry guns.
 
I tried the following three eighty pistols: G42, jam o matic; Smith BG, lite strikes after 800 trouble free rounds; and the Gen 2 LCP (not the LCPII). The LCP is the only one that has worked w/o any failures thus far. I also have the 340PD as my EDC b/c its light weight is perfect for pocket carry. All of the 9MM have been too heavy for my pocket but others may have different experiences.
 
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