Shooting the BG 380

[mikemc53]

Just a few observations on shooting the Bodyguard 380:

Now, I've only shot about 75 or 80 rounds through it so I've got quite a ways to go before I can really make any judgements but, so far so good.

There have been a number of posts with people complaining about the trigger pull but, frankly, I have very little problem with it. I'm not a real experienced handgun guy and the only two guns I own are both DAO with a heavy pull (my other gun is a SCCY 9mm), so I really have little to compare it to. My neighbor and I did some shooting the other day and both tried the other's S&W for a few rounds each. He has a M&P 40 and I gotta say...beautiful gun. The first round I shot through it was way off because I really had no idea what a light trigger was like but, after that, I was regularly in the bullseye. Great gun. Now, he was not as big a fan of my BG 380. The trigger pull was extremely uncomfortable for him and, though he had some interest in possibly purchasing a BG before he shot mine he no longer has any desire to own one. Every one has a different take on things so I usually consider that when I see reviews of anything, in particular, handguns. I will admit that during this shoot I was more accurate with his M&P 40 than I was with the BG but that doesn't change the fact that I really like this little gun, for a number of reasons.

So I went to the range (after shooting with the neighbor) and observed something about shooting this gun - actually something about "me" shooting this gun. Since the gun only came with one mag I ordered a ProMag after market magazine (6 shot) and I noticed that I shoot the gun differently, one magazine to the other. For reasons that I am zeroing in on I am somewhat more accurate with the S&W mag than with the ProMag. The reason for this, I believe, is the difference in the base plates between the two. It seems to me that I get a more comfortable grip with the base plate that has the formed finger rest as opposed to the flat base plate. Now for some this might not make a hoot of difference but it seems to be (at least after about 4-5 mags of each) noticeable to me. Anyway, not a big deal but an observation that I thought I'd share in case it may be of some help to someone else.

By the way - shot some decent groupings, though I was only at about 7-8 yards, and the gun felt great in my hand.

Again, I'll keep everyone posted as I go along with this. Really like the BG 380 to this point.

 

[Hodgin]

I've had my BG 380 and my 9c both for a little over a month. I've shot about 500 rounds in each. My BG came with 2 mags, both with the grip extension.

I definitely prefer the trigger pull on the 9c for accuracy. However, I think the pull on the BG is good enough for me. I'll most likely carry my 9c more than the BG but the BG will be my pocket carry when concealment of the 9c is a problem. The gun is light, easy to remove from my pocket holster, and I feel confident in shooting it up to 10 yards or so.

I don't see the long trigger pull as totally negative. I'm more interested in being able to get it out quickly and point and shoot with decent accuracy. I serious doubt that if I ever notice the long trigger pull if I ever need it for PD.

 

[Nuke0955]

My wife just purchased a BG380 and, compared to her Taurus revolver, the pull is a tad heavier in the BG. Not only did she not mind it, her groupings with the first 40-50 rounds that she shot were quite good considering she only began shooting with my Kahr 9mm and her wheelgun about 2 months ago; about 4" at 18'. We'll be putting more rounds thru it this weekend and hope to have a better opinion of the weapon after about 300-400 rounds.

Considering how much easier it is to carry (it makes my Kahr look like a cannon), I may consider a BG380 for myself if not the Kahr CW380 which is a tad smaller than the BG.

 

[Schlepprock]

My wife carries a BG380. She and I both like the long trigger pull because its a good safety. She carries with one in the pipe(you can be attacked from 21ft away before you can rack the slide..remember that) and with the long/heavy trigger pull,you know there won't be an accidental discharge(I don't believe in"accidental" discharge either,but when coming out you won't pull the trigger with adrenaline).

 

[radar1972]

I also carry the BG380 with a chambered round and appreciate the long trigger pull for that safety feature alone.

 

[rbert0005]

The BG is what it is.

It's real hard to put a full sized M&P into your pocket.

Bob

 

[Brubakewn4]

I'm happy to see this thread. I get tired of all the bad raps the BG gets. I have had mine since about February and I love mine too! This is a PD gun and I also don't mind the hard pull as it seems safer to me as I keep a round in the chamber too. This was my first handgun. I can understand why people dislike it if they start on a handgun with a lighter pull. It's hard to conform to something when you are used to something else. Anyway, just wanted to put my 2 cents in for the BG too! Happy shooting to all!!!

 

[GlockBurg]

I'm happy too, I just ordered mine to use as a summer carry as my G26 is to heavy and bulky for warm weather attire.

 

[RangerFred]

1st posting.
While I grew up with guns, they were all rifles and shotguns. Handguns are new to me.

Following the advice of our CCW instructor, I bought my wife a BG 38 Spcl revolver. I bought the BG 380 for myself. While the potency of the 38 was attractive, it was the size of the .380 that appealed to me. The trigger did take some getting used to, and the recoil was surprising, but I am pleased with the purchase and have recommended it several times. My groupings have improved with each practice session and I feel confident that it will serve me well should the occasion arise. The fact that I can carry it in a suit coat pocket, or in a small Uncle Mikes ITB holster is the critical thing for me.

I shot a fiend's .9mm following a session with the .380. The .9mm trigger pull was short and light, so much so that it would not be my carry gun. Ever.

I will pass along the advice of a friend law enforcement officer....clean it often. Pocket lint can cause jams. His admonition that a .22 in hand is better than a .45 in the truck rings true to me. The.380 fits my need perfectly.

 

[jstanfield103]

I kind of get tickled when I hear about the trigger pull being a problem. I think Bob hit it right on the head, it is what it is. It is not a target pistol by any means. I absolutely Love my BG380, I carry it every where. I have sold a couple as a suggestion to friends they are all happy. The only thing I don't like about it is that I have sold some of my guns that it made safe queens

 

[ldaniel]

I have a BG380. Nice and small, concealable. The Trigger Pull is long and heavy, this pulls my shots off a bit. If I ever do have to discharge it in SD,I hope I don't hit an bystander. I am surprised the S&W Liability Dept. didn't consider this scenario.

I grew up with firearms, I have firearm ready to go, just pull the trigger. I saw a video of a store owner in a store getting robbed. He pulled his semi-auto and racked the slide and tried to fire at the bad guys. He didn't rack the slide sufficiently and the cartridge didn't chamber. The store owner was shot several times and I don't know if he survived.

 

[3dots]

I've shot other pistols in this class (DAO) and the triggers suck on all of them. To me, the BG feels best in my hand and feels and shoots like a more substantial gun. Carrying hot is the only way to carry any CW and I feel very safe with my BG and have learned the trigger's sear point. It's not a range gun and not meant to be although good accuracy can be obtained with practice.

 

[GaryS]

Timely thread. Now that she has her license, my wife is thinking about carrying a handgun some times. I have to get her to the range for some practice, so this won't happen right away. My thought is that she's not going to like much in the way of recoil, but who knows?

Based on a number of threads here and other places, I've started to think that a .380 might be something she'll be interested in.

I've been doing some reading of comparisons and the BG 380 seems like it might be the way to go.

She's a lefty, although I don't know if that's going to be an issue or not.

I've read good things about the various Sig .380s, but they need to be decocked (or should be) and the left side safety/decocker might be a problem.

I looked at the manual for the two Ruger .380s and both caution that they might fire if dropped and that they should be carried with an empty chamber. While the likelihood of her needing to shoot is low and I don't like the idea of carrying with an empty chamber. I like the idea of the possibility of an unintentional discharge even less.

There are several other pistols that just are available in MA because of our stupid laws and "consumer protection" regulations.

Thanks for the thoughtful comments on the BG380, they've helped clarify some of the concerns.

 

[good2eat]

Just picked a BG380 myself. Frankly I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of recoil, the relative accuracy for such a small pistol and the ease with which I can carry it.

I was looking for a CCW for warmer weather, happy to say this little guy fits the bill well.

 

[TheMystro]

Love mine......

 

[daves45]

I shot my buddies bg yesterday. It is a nice little carry gun with a little spunk to it... Boy that sucker has long deep trigger.. Great for what is being used for. The gun I was using has a 3.5 trigger, wow what a difference.. But, I can't stick my glock 35 in my front pocket and sit down.. The bodyguard is a nice gun sort of reminds me of my 2214. I would get one..

 

[Wee Hooker]

The BG is what it is.

It's real hard to put a full sized M&P into your pocket.

Bob

Exactly, I've been in this game long enough to remember when an miniscule, 11 oz 380 with a detachable magazine, decent build quality and a sub $400 price tag was as unobtainable as a vacation to Mars.
IMHO, the BG380s physical characteristics, external safety, concealed hammer and long (read: deliberate) trigger, make it unequaled for pocket carry PD.
FWIW, I recently owned a ($700) sigP238 for a week. It had a great trigger but was not nearly as pocket friendly as the BG. ( Would you carry a cocked and locked 1911 in your pocket?) Interestingly enough, accuracy was about the same between the two guns.

Lastly, If I want to go to the range for target work, I've got a safe full of more suitable choices. On the rare occasion I play golf, I understand that game takes more then one club too.