JAREDSHS
Member
Chiefs Special 45acp if you can find one.
If not a Bodyguard 380 then What?
- Thread starter Mambeaux
- Start date
Gamer
Member
My wife has a BG380 and we haven't had any issues. But, if you don't trust yours by all means pick up something else. I think everyone needs at least four or five carry guns. 
For the record, I love my Smiths but I value lots of different guns.
The 642/442 would serve you well, but if you wanted a wheel gun why not pick up a 357 such as the MP340 or others. You can always practice or carry the 38 specials if the 357's are a big issue recoil wise. You mentioned Kahr, not a bad choice. The PM9 with the 9mm round would in my opinion would be a better defensive choice than a 38 special. However, you can likely get into a light weight 357 for not much more. I recently shot the LCP with laser, wasn't bad. I do prefer the BG trigger and sights. But, afterwards I did look at the LC9 for kicks. Could be a fair option, 9mm, light, safety.
For the record, I love my Smiths but I value lots of different guns. The 642/442 would serve you well, but if you wanted a wheel gun why not pick up a 357 such as the MP340 or others. You can always practice or carry the 38 specials if the 357's are a big issue recoil wise. You mentioned Kahr, not a bad choice. The PM9 with the 9mm round would in my opinion would be a better defensive choice than a 38 special. However, you can likely get into a light weight 357 for not much more. I recently shot the LCP with laser, wasn't bad. I do prefer the BG trigger and sights. But, afterwards I did look at the LC9 for kicks. Could be a fair option, 9mm, light, safety.
ibewbull
US Veteran
Just an FYI on buying and then changing your mind.
Shoot it before you choose to sell it.
Then make a first hand informed choice.
The resale price of a fired modern piece with a box run through is not going to effect resale value. Unless you drop it on the concrete or damage it in some way.
I had my P11 Keltec for two weeks it is nothing but a memory now.
I will stick tot he 640 Centenial SW thank you very much. I do not fancy the LW popular fad Smiths. I want to feel steel and wood in my hand.
I forced myself to buy several Glocks. NO not plastic! The ugly things work 100% for me but I still like American Craftsmanship best. It is a shame the MIM and locks has blurred the lines of production and craftsmanship. I have one new model and it is a 686 which I have not fired yet.
LCP works fine not recommended for +P accuracy , well it is a 7 yard gun. The PPK style and Makarovs are way more accurate and the short barrel [LCP] causes lost velocity and sight radius. If there are sights.
So my EDC is 640,66, or G27.Bug is 640 or LCP.
We all make choices I hope you can justify why you pick whatever it is. Also know the limitations and performance of your handgun and ammunition.
Good luck.
Shoot it before you choose to sell it.
Then make a first hand informed choice.
The resale price of a fired modern piece with a box run through is not going to effect resale value. Unless you drop it on the concrete or damage it in some way.
I had my P11 Keltec for two weeks it is nothing but a memory now.
I will stick tot he 640 Centenial SW thank you very much. I do not fancy the LW popular fad Smiths. I want to feel steel and wood in my hand.
I forced myself to buy several Glocks. NO not plastic! The ugly things work 100% for me but I still like American Craftsmanship best. It is a shame the MIM and locks has blurred the lines of production and craftsmanship. I have one new model and it is a 686 which I have not fired yet.
LCP works fine not recommended for +P accuracy , well it is a 7 yard gun. The PPK style and Makarovs are way more accurate and the short barrel [LCP] causes lost velocity and sight radius. If there are sights.
So my EDC is 640,66, or G27.Bug is 640 or LCP.
We all make choices I hope you can justify why you pick whatever it is. Also know the limitations and performance of your handgun and ammunition.
Good luck.
dsink
Member
If your looking for a 380, can I suggest looking at the Diamondback 380's. I have one an love it for a front pocket pistol.
FWIW, I looked at all the little .380 autos out there and it doesn't seem like any of them are worth a darn. They all just felt like not enough gun and most have reliability issues because there's not much metal and thus no leeway in the designs and I think they all do a very good job of proving that just because a CAD system says you can build something, reality is a whole other ballgame. Get a 642/442, it's the minimum standard for a self defense handgun.
FWIW I have the Ruger LCP, but carry it only when my wardrobe needs to be more formal and deep concealment is a must. The LCP runs fine (100% reliability through 500+ rounds) but my 340 M&P, loaded w/CorBon DPX .357, is my EDC.
My suggestion is to keep your .380 and pick up a J frame for EDC (if funds allow), leaving the .380 for those times when you cannot carry a "real gun."
UPDATE (2017): All the .380s I tried developed a problem sooner or later. I still have the LCP but my EDC is the 340PD, it weighs about the same and is much more reliable, IMHO. I kept the 340 M&P as a back up in the safe.
My suggestion is to keep your .380 and pick up a J frame for EDC (if funds allow), leaving the .380 for those times when you cannot carry a "real gun."
UPDATE (2017): All the .380s I tried developed a problem sooner or later. I still have the LCP but my EDC is the 340PD, it weighs about the same and is much more reliable, IMHO. I kept the 340 M&P as a back up in the safe.
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+1 on the Sig P238. I have the HD all stainless steel version with around 1000 flawless rounds down the pipe. Shoots much softer than the blow back .380's and is quite accurate too. I think it has the best sights out of any .380 pocket gun on the market (there night sights!). Again not looking for a caliber war but I in no way feel naked when I only have a 380. As they say; Any gun is better than no gun. That said I agree that a J-frame S&W would be a solid choice as well.
I've got a J-frame airweight, 2-7/8" snubby and it is, in my opinion, THE best deep conceal carry pistol. Load it with 158 grain hollow points and you're good to go!
VTHokiesDuckHunter
Member
Assuming you want something in a polymer frame that you can buy new off-the shelf, I'd say:
Walther PPS is you want a small 9mm. Great gun (also available in .40 S&W)
Walther PK380 for a .380
For more money, and a metal frame:
SIG P239 in 9mm
SIG P238 in .380
Walther PPK in .380
Walther PPS is you want a small 9mm. Great gun (also available in .40 S&W)
Walther PK380 for a .380
For more money, and a metal frame:
SIG P239 in 9mm
SIG P238 in .380
Walther PPK in .380
Northwindtucker
Member
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I love my M&P 40. So I thought I would try a BG. I have XXL hands cause I am 6'9" and it felt better in my hand than a lcp. First time I shot it I thought I had made a huge mistake. The more I shot it, the better I liked it. For me the trigger had a huge learning curve. Now I find it to be a very accurate gun in close range. To me it's a keeper. However there are so many nice guns out there, you will find something you will like. I might have to have one of those Springfield XDS micro .45ACP that's coming out.
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Uh, no thanks. I read this on another forum. I do not know the poster so it may be hooey but still...
Lowdown on Rohrbaugh R9
Well, I got a big surprise today. I work at a gun shop and we sell the Rohrbaugh R9 pistols. They're very small and slick pocket pistols and very expensive too. Last week 2 different customers brought back their R9's for repair. One had just bought it the day before and the trigger wasn't working, and the other one had had the gun for a while and had shot it quite a bit and was having the same problem with the trigger. They wanted the guns sent back to the factory for repair, which we were glad to do, but we were surprised as they were the first ones we've had come back.
The factory was closed until this week, so we shipped the guns off on Monday, but apparently the owner of the gun who'd had it for a while also called the factory Monday to talk to them about his problem. He told us that he had mentioned to whoever he spoke to at the factory that he had fired 150 rounds through the gun when it stopped working and was told that the gun shouldn't be fired that much as it was meant to be a carry gun and not a regular shooting gun!
To be honest, we assumed that the guy either misunderstood what he was told or outright made it up. It didn't make any sense that a gun that finely made and expensive wasn't made to be shot a lot. Except that today the head of Rohrbaugh, Karl Rohrbaugh, called us about the guns we had sent and during the course of the discussion he confirmed that the gun was not intended to be shot a lot and that 150 rounds was too much. He said that every few months he shoots a magazine full through his gun, cleans and reloads it, then puts it back in his pocket. Of course, he's going to fix the guns and send them back to us, but that still doesn't explain the crazy limitation on shooting.
I certainly don't mean to offend anyone who has or likes the guns, nor am I saying that it's a bad gun, but I thought this information should be shared since nowhere on the company's website does it say anything about this important restriction. Also, I have to admit that I have not read the gun's manual and don't know if this matter is mentioned there, but even if it is it's very likely that a buyer would not see it until after purchasing the gun. I have to say that I'm very surprised and disappointed by the whole matter and I just wanted to pass on the information to anyone interested.
Pointblank2U
US Veteran
A very high quality .380 that is often overlooked is the SIG P232. In the blue (nitron) version it is actually an airweight. Although bigger than some of the newer guns out there it has a nice pointability, night sights and longer barrel that will get the most out of a .380 cartridge. It carries easily.
sw44spl
Member
I say go for a 638.but for a 380 try to find a Beretta model 70S.
getoff
Member
i have lots of pocket guns. 442, 60, 638, lcp, diamondback db9, m&p360,etc... my go to is still the first one i bought, the 442. galco horsehide pocket holster. best pocket gun period. its not a gun to take to a combat theater, but i trust mine and my families lives to it everyday. just my 2 cents.
VTHokiesDuckHunter
Member
A very high quality .380 that is often overlooked is the SIG P232. In the blue (nitron) version it is actually an airweight. Although bigger than some of the newer guns out there it has a nice pointability, night sights and longer barrel that will get the most out of a .380 cartridge. It carries easily.
I always forget to list that gun, even though it is high on my list of ones I want! Actually I like it slightly more than the P238.
RedPointGS
Member
I love my Bodyguard 380
This might not be the kind of comparison you want to hear but, just last weekend I had a rabid fox attack the backdoor of our house. When I went to check on what the heck was going on I had my BG 380 in an IWB holster and once I knew what I was seeing I pulled it and dispatched the fox very quickly.
Without the BG 380 on my hip, loaded with JHP's I'm not sure what I would have done.
The gun did it's job, pronto. I have never had an FTE or FTF with it and I shoot it regularly at my home range. It is the only CCW I carry and I trust my and my family's lives with it.
Just sayin~
This might not be the kind of comparison you want to hear but, just last weekend I had a rabid fox attack the backdoor of our house. When I went to check on what the heck was going on I had my BG 380 in an IWB holster and once I knew what I was seeing I pulled it and dispatched the fox very quickly.
Without the BG 380 on my hip, loaded with JHP's I'm not sure what I would have done.
The gun did it's job, pronto. I have never had an FTE or FTF with it and I shoot it regularly at my home range. It is the only CCW I carry and I trust my and my family's lives with it.
Just sayin~
OLDSTER
Member
Bodyguard
I love my BG. Took a couple hundred rounds to find the ammo it liked best. But since finding Hornady American Gunner as a favorite diet, I've shot over 500 rounds 100% reliable
I love my BG. Took a couple hundred rounds to find the ammo it liked best. But since finding Hornady American Gunner as a favorite diet, I've shot over 500 rounds 100% reliable
Jeppo
Member
I've put maybe 150 rounds through mine and just began having magazine problems. Have one that won't drop and another that won't lock the slide back on empty.
Anybody else?
Anybody else?
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