First ccw, shield vs bodyguard 380

Just bought a Shield 9 & love it. But the way I dress, my LCP goes in my pocket & carried more than anything I own. & if I didn't own an LCP already, it would be the BG 380. It is what ever fits your sitation, circumstances best. Buy both.
 
I've gone back and forth on this. I've owned a S&w 3913, then a cs9, then a a Shield, and now a Ruger LC9-S. Lighter and thinner is better, and the lc9 is lighter and thinner than the Shield. But even so, I'm thinking of getting a bodyguard. Shorts and t-shirt weather is coming, and an inside the waistband holster is uncomfortable against bare skin and the t-shirt must be untucked. My LC9-S is a bit much in jeans, but I usually wear cargo shorts over the summer and I think I can pull off pocket carry with the lc9.

So if pocket carry is gonna happen, the bodyguard wins out. I might just go back to a 642 or a 442. Tiny bit heavier but I already have 38 revolvers so no need to buy 380. I also reload and don't wanna start with a caliber that only one gun will be using.

And I got my lc9-s for like 399. Either that or the shield are certainly cheaper than the xds.
 
i debated the bodyguard but ended up with the shield 9

the size difference was not an issue for me, it was about the power for me. i know 380 will do it but i decided that i would feel more comfortable with the 9.
i may end up getting a bodyguard at some point to carry for certain situations, clothing, etc.
Carry Cor-bon +p 115 hp.

just my personal opinion on the comfort with 9m v 380
 
M&P380

If you have to carry in your pocket I think the M&P380 BG with laser is the best choice, because of the laser it conceals better in a pocket because it doesn't show an out line of a gun when you sit down,, looks more like a wallet than a gun.. its a pretty nice shooter too and will eat just about anything, I have shot both and its close but the S&W is the better choice for me anyway. good luck!
 
I have a 9mm Shield and my father has a bodyguard, which I have shot many times. 6 Years Army Military Police and firearms instructor, and 28 years Federal Officer and Agency firearm instructor. Thousands upon thousands of rounds downrange with different guns. The bodyguard is the one of the hardest I've ever shot. For it's size, the Shield is one of the easiest semi-autos I've shot. Smaller guns are harder to master, yet this one is easy. The first time anyone shoots a bodyguard is like this: Take aim and start pulling the trigger back. Continue pulling the trigger back. Pull some more. Take eyes off target and ask the owner, is something wrong with this trigger/gun? Pull some more. Wonder some more. Re-adjust hands because your finger doesn't seem long enough, and pull some more and it finally goes off. It literally feels like you are pulling the trigger over 4 inches or more. It takes forever to get used to the trigger, and if you fire multiple weapons like most of us you have to re-learn with the first two shots again every time you pick it back up.

The 9mm Shield shoots smoothly, accuratly, fits the hands well, and just feels solid with each shot. It conceals well with an IWB or tight OWB holster. The best IWB I found is really cheap called Ace Case sold by Well Armed Woman (wife is a deputy) Butter soft leather and sets deeper than most IWB holsters.

I have a couple smaller guns I've tried pocket carry with but never felt I could get to them easily enough.

Between the two, hands down get the Shield.
 
Body Guard 380 owner comments

Hi just joined forum, wanted to throw my 0.02 on the BG 380
I traded away my BG 380 with insight laser and was very disappointed. The pistol is very light and has a snappy recoil. Hard to get a good fast 2nd or third shoot placement. That laser was replaced by S&W twice and took forever, (2 months) for S&W to fill backorders. Good news is that new BG380's come with crimson lasers and from what I hear way way better. DO NOT BUY A USED BG380 WITH THE INSIGHT LASERS. Sorry for yelling... But that laser I thought was cool, was a P.O.S. Last point on gun, holds 7 rds unless you buy extended mag for ten rds and then not so much a pocket pistol.

As for the 380 round, only 220 lb muzzle force, (in a longer barrel) and is really expensive range ammo and often hard to find at Wally World. I like the 9mm because a box of 50 ball ammo is $12-15 vs. $20 for fifty 380ACP. Assuming you want to break-in gun, do a lot of range time practice and find what it eats best, IMHO, 9mm is the way to go. 9mm has 350 lbs muzzle force. variety of bullet weights and its not like trying to find 22LR
 
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johndubya said:
Hi just joined forum, wanted to throw my 0.02 on the BG 380
I traded away my BG 380 with insight laser and was very disappointed. The pistol is very light and has a snappy recoil. Hard to get a good fast 2nd or third shoot placement. That laser was replaced by S&W twice and took forever, (2 months) for S&W to fill backorders. Good news is that new BG380's come with crimson lasers and from what I hear way way better. DO NOT BUY A USED BG380 WITH THE INSIGHT LASERS. Sorry for yelling... But that laser I thought was cool, was a P.O.S. Last point on gun, holds 7 rds unless you buy extended mag for ten rds and then not so much a pocket pistol.


As for the 380 round, only 220 lb muzzle force, (in a longer barrel) and is really expensive range ammo and often hard to find at Wally World. I like the 9mm because a box of 50 ball ammo is $12-15 vs. $20 for fifty 380ACP. Assuming you want to break-in gun, do a lot of range time practice and find what it eats best, IMHO, 9mm is the way to go. 9mm has 350 lbs muzzle force. variety of bullet weights and its not like trying to find 22LR
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My bg has been fine, but I agree the ammo price sucks for 380. I don't know why I have to pay a premium for 380. Right now 9mm is the most affordable
 
Supply and demand, fellas. These pocket 380s are becoming increasingly popular, hence the demand for ammo has gone up like crazy. Also, unlike other calibers, 380 is only produced certain times of the year therefore it's usually a set supply of ammo that goes out into circulation. Hopefully that will change but it hasn't yet.

I'm still considering the BG380 for pocket carry (such as in church) when IWB for my Shield just isn't practical. Still, it's a toss up. This trigger pull is a bit off putting for me. The travel, like bucknrut mentioned, is insanely long.
 
I'm glad the OP has made his decision but thought I'd add my two cents worth since this is a good topic.

I've been carrying my Shield for several months now, and living in Florida I am painfully aware of the issues of concealing under light clothes. I have a Galco pocket holster that works well in cargo shorts, but not much else. So, even in cargo shorts, most of the time I use a Lobo Gun Leather improved pancake OWB under button down shirts tailored to be worn untucked and the Shield just disappears. I've also got an Alien Gear IWB coming, but can't comment on that yet.

For pocket carry I also use a 642 J-frame, not as small as a Bodyguard but hides in pockets the Shield doesn't work in. In a Galco pocket holster and car keys in there too it doesn't print GUN like a semi-auto and 38 +P > .380 in a platform that is pretty comfortable to get a second shot off quickly from.
 
I've been using an Alien Gear IWB holster for over a year and just upgraded to the Tuck 2.0 for my Shield. It conceals well and is super comfortable but it still prints with t-shirts, although minimally. Unless you dress around it completely, it doesn't disappear fully. This is my reason for looking into the BG380 when I just have to carry in deep concealment. If this wasn't a consideration, then everyone would carry a 1911.

This topic is so subjective and so dependant on each person and their needs. There is no one weapon that fulfills every need, but the Shield almost does it all and does it well. I don't think anyone can have just one weapon just like women can't have just one purse.
 
Decipher said:
I've been using an Alien Gear IWB holster for over a year and just upgraded to the Tuck 2.0 for my Shield. It conceals well and is super comfortable but it still prints with t-shirts, although minimally. Unless you dress around it completely, it doesn't disappear fully.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what your body type is but I'm 5'-11" & 165lbs (32" waist) and I can easily conceal my Shield 40 in my Alien gear cloak tuck 2.0 holster just above my right rear pants pocket. I can even hide it under a tee shirt & cargo shorts wearing flip flops... I did a wally walk, walked into my local Academy store and even went grocery shopping.... I even change my oil at the dealer, nobody noticed... Nobody knew. :)

Throwing on a button up collared short sleeve shirt over the tee is stylish and does a excellent job of hiding any print..... But honestly I can get away with just a tee, not a tight fiting tee though...


I do on occasion take my BG380 for quick runs to the store or gas for the car. I sometimes keep it in a DeSantis pocket holster or DeSantis Sof Tuck #106 IWB depends on how I'm dressed.
 
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petes67bird said:
For a first possible ccw weapon, what do you guys think. Should I go with a gun that I will be able to bring with me mostly everywhere in my pocket as the bodyguard, but lose a bit cause it's a 380. Or should I get something along the lines of the shield in 9 and not have it on me at times because I what I am wearing. I don't have any ccw guns, so this purchase will be for my primary gun for a year and the I will buy the other one the following year, just don't have the cash for both. Pretty much pocket gun first or iwb?

Sent from my LT28at using Tapatalk 2
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lot of factors to consider.. most of all you,, size weight,, and style of dress you like.. i carry the shield 9... and imma big guy 6'1'' 270 and i like loose fitted clothes. also imma big fan of botton downs. for me the shield9 or even the 9c (my next carry) would never be a problem keeping concealed .. now with all this said i see the BG and somtimes think that would be really nice .. they are not the big of a difference for a sizd guy like me but the smaller you are the smaller gun will work best imo... go rent a BG trust you will love it.. for a smaller lighter frame person you will have improved mobility and flexibility when concealing ... and to be honest i sometime wish i did have the BG for myself.. BG is real ez to rack and load vs the shield .. but the shield 9 feels much better shooting .. but if you really plan on getting them all( BG, shield 9, 9c, fs9) ,, it wont hurt to start with the BG.. nuff said ..

i only wish they made the BG in 9 cal
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-wish-list/429387-9mm-bodyguard.html
 
Dean1818 said:
IWB in my humble opinion is much better than pocket carry

I would say 380 is a marginal carry caliber
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A .380 travels at almost the speed of sound (Mach 1.0) and will penetrate a car windshield, even at a 45 degree grazing angle. The newer rounds recently developed have closed the .380/9mm gap and, if nothing else, have made the .380 a very potent gun.
 
I asked myself that same question recently....Shield or Bodyguard. Both were on sale, 349 and 299. What did I buy? A nice new 442-1 for $349.

I must be the only person who dislikes the Shield. Shrug.

After small KelTecs and Rugers in .380, I just could not convince myself a small .380 would ever be as reliable as the 442. So I stuck with what I knew and bought my umpteenth J frame.
 
I own a Shield and two BG's. Love them all and I understand your situation. I would buy the Bodyguard first since you will get immediate use out of it in all situations. The Shield is an awesome gun and I love mine but I can't carry it in every situation like I can with the BG.

Good luck in your decision.
 
Tundra5.7 said:
I would rather dress around the weapon than settle for easier carry. The Shield is very easy to conceal and is available in two excellent self defense calibers. To me, the 9mm is the minimum one should carry for self defense.

IMO, the Bodyguard versus the other pocket pistols(P3AT, Ruger LCP, etc.) would be a better comparison than the Shield.
Click to expand...

My wife was searching and searching for a ccw gun, she wanted something small... we shot the LCP, the bodyguard, the Glock 20 something.... i much preferred the bodyguard over all of them... ultimately however the shield won out. 380 shells at $18 a box around here is a little to pricey to shoot a lot of
 
I really wish S&W would redesign the BG to be a scaled down version of the shield like the G42.

That being said I own a shield 9 and am looking to get a BG .380. I much prefer pocket carry and I do pocket carry the shield but it's boarder line too big for pocket carry. I also own a BG .38 revolver that I carry most of the time. I would choose the shield over a BG any day.
 
I vote Shield, but I love carrying my BG when the Shield is in the rare occasion of feeling too noticeable. .380 is WAY under-rated by 9 fans, as the 9 is too under-rated by 45-ers. I'd always carry .357 magnum if I always wore my winter coat. Check gunwatcher for best buys nation wide. read each ad carefully, at times, some are listed incorrectly.
 
petes67bird said:
For a first possible ccw weapon, what do you guys think. Should I go with a gun that I will be able to bring with me mostly everywhere in my pocket as the bodyguard, but lose a bit cause it's a 380. Or should I get something along the lines of the shield in 9 and not have it on me at times because I what I am wearing. I don't have any ccw guns, so this purchase will be for my primary gun for a year and the I will buy the other one the following year, just don't have the cash for both. Pretty much pocket gun first or iwb?

Sent from my LT28at using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

Ask a question like yours and you'll get many varied opinions and all from the heart.

Personally, I carry a M&P Shield .40s&w iwb and a M&P Bodyguard in an ankle holster.

If you have the luxury of a range in your area where you can fire both of the weapons before you buy one, that would be great. Or, try to hook up with some folks in your area that might let you shoot their's.

Won't get into the caliber debate. That would open up a distraction.

It has often been said, as one poster said it above me, the best self defense weapon you have is the one that is on you when you need it. Could be a rock, a knife, a .380 a 9mm a .40s&w, etc.......

Try and fire each and see which of the two you have a better feel for, relative to concealment and more importantly putting hits on target. Remember that with the .380 it's always been considered more of a short range tool, whereas the 9mm or .40 can be extended out. If you're a real sure shot, like Jerry Miculek, you can ring a metal target at 220 yards with a .380.

For me........ 15 feet is good.

Best of luck in your decision. Remember "your mileage may vary".
 
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