Some observations on the Bodyguard 2.0

[vegasgunhand]

I've been a law enforcement firearms instructor since 1980. I worked many years undercover, so small concealable firearms have always interested me.

I've carried a S&W Bodyguard 1.0 nearly since they came out. One of the most thin, light, and concealable pistols I have carried. I have two of them, and they have always worked well for what they are intended for. A concealable pistol for close personal defense.

I just picked up a Bodyguard 2.0 today. My initial impressions are very good. Only slightly larger than the 1.0 with double the capacity. Yes I have read many threads here and on other sites about the accuracy of the 2.0. Some seem to think if you can't shoot a super tight group, it's inaccurate. Well friends, remember this pistol was designed to be a close protection defensive pistol. I understand that some people think it needs to be a tack driver, but it wasn't designed to do that. There are many reports of very good accuracy and some not so good. Before you get too down on this pistol, remember what it was designed for. If you can shoot a pie plate group at seven yards rapid fire, that's what it was designed for.

In the next few weeks i will be putting the 2.0 through some testing on the range. If it performs as well as it looks, it will be a new EDC gun for me.

 

[Beju]

I rented one, and while I didn't love the sights, I agree with you.

They're not too different from XS dot sights in that they're designed to favor quick acquisition at realistic 3-7 yard use defensive gun use distances over precise groups. The wide rear notch may be quite beneficial in the mediocre to poor lighting that these self-defense shootings tend to occur in.

 

[10Mad]

A true GET OFF ME or No you can’t borrow my car gun.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

Well friends, remember this pistol was designed to be a close protection defensive pistol. I understand that some people think it needs to be a tack driver, but it wasn't designed to do that. There are many reports of very good accuracy and some not so good. Before you get too down on this pistol, remember what it was designed for. If you can shoot a pie plate group at seven yards rapid fire, that's what it was designed for.

I totally understand that. However, I won't carry a gun unless it does a whole lot better than that. A Glock 42, for instance, is capable of much better accuracy at distance and at speed, at least with the Ameriglo Agent sights I have on it. I believe that the BG 2.0 has so much potential that a better pair of sights, especially with less of a gap in the rear sight, will bring the gun up to a whole new level of capability. But, I can understand that S&W chose the right course of action in sights because most people buying the gun don't think like me. I am pretty confident, though, that the aftermarket will come up with sights more in line with my thinking. We'll see.

 

[MikeNV]

Don't forget the price point. I got mine for $375 which in my mind was a great buy considering today's inflated dollar.

As for the sights, I think this gun was designed for close range point and shoot situations. My range practice with it includes draw, point and shoot from 3 to 7 yards. If you want a tight group at longer ranges, carry a bigger gun.

 

[agksimon]

I totally understand that. However, I won't carry a gun unless it does a whole lot better than that. A Glock 42, for instance, is capable of much better accuracy at distance and at speed, at least with the Ameriglo Agent sights I have on it. I believe that the BG 2.0 has so much potential that a better pair of sights, especially with less of a gap in the rear sight, will bring the gun up to a whole new level of capability. But, I can understand that S&W chose the right course of action in sights because most people buying the gun don't think like me. I am pretty confident, though, that the aftermarket will come up with sights more in line with my thinking. We'll see.

I changed out the sights on my BG2.0 and can hit 8" plates at over 20 yards all day.

 

[xodondum]

what sights are those?

I changed out the sights on my BG2.0 and can hit 8" plates at over 20 yards all day.

 

[agksimon]

what sights are those?

Made from two sets of Tru-Glo night sights. The rear is from a set that fits the first generation Bodyguard and Ruger LCP Max, with slight fitting, which is expected with aftermarket sights. The front is from a set for the Shield EZ9, but it fit with just thumb pressure, so I used Permatex orange thread locker and is now rock solid. It will have to be removed with a sight pusher or hammer and punch. Works very well for me. Love the narrower rear sight with tritium inserts and brighter front orange and tritium than the factory one.

 

[ChongLi67]

The BG 2.0 shoots a whole lot better than my LCP Max hands down... I'd like the sights a lot better if I could see the front one. I filled it in with a white paint marker and it's a LOT better.

 

[vegasgunhand]

And lets be real for a moment. The range this pistol was designed for is very close. And in an actual defensive shooting situation you are not going to get a "perfect" sight picture. It will be point and shoot. At best you'll get a "flash" sight picture. You may be so close you won't even be able to bring the pistol to eye level. So in many cases that this pistol was designed for, it will exceed its design parameters.

 

[ImDrRich]

I will be interested in your opinion.

 

[klowman]

I changed out the sights on my BG2.0 and can hit 8" plates at over 20 yards all day.

Could you please tell us again, in detail, which sighhts you have placed on the feont and rear?

I've read so many other threads where someone says the LCP Max sights fit, or some other but had to secure it with Locktite etc...

I would really like to get a brighter front signt and a rear sight that has the 2 dots (versus blackout rear - I have issues even seeing the ledt and right sides of the channel on blackout rear sights!!!).

Thanks!

P.S.
Guess I replied too soon, as I saw a few more posts down where you specified which replacement sights you used.

But could you clarify what you meant for the rear sight, when you said it needs some "slight fitting" what does that mean?

 

[agksimon]

Could you please tell us again, in detail, which sighhts you have placed on the feont and rear?

I've read so many other threads where someone says the LCP Max sights fit, or some other but had to secure it with Locktite etc...

I would really like to get a brighter front signt and a rear sight that has the 2 dots (versus blackout rear - I have issues even seeing the ledt and right sides of the channel on blackout rear sights!!!).

P.S.
Guess I replied too soon, as I saw a few more posts down where you specified which replacement sights you used.

But could you clarify what you meant for the rear sight, when you said it needs some "slight fitting" what does that mean?

Almost all aftermarket sights take fitting. I used a small belt sander to remove a small amount of material from the bottom of the rear sight, so it would drive in easier.

 

[ImDrRich]

I have some experience with small, somewhat lousy guns. I got rid of a S&W 351PD because the accuracy was so bad. I'm really into my BG 2.0 because all the kinks have been worked out and I'm waiting on the sight companies to catch up. Other than that, I'm very pleased.

 

[Yendor357]

Pie plate at 7 yards, and you’re ok with that?

I put 5 of my handloads in Sugerpuss’s SIG P365. The target was a 2 inch black square on a paper plate and 17 yards/50 feet. I hit the 2 inch square every time. I love the sights. It has never malfunctioned. She can rack the slide and with the aid of a recharging tool, recharge her mags. She paid $499+tax.

If my math is correct, pie plate (which isn’t a standard unit of measure) should equate to the bottom of a 55 gallon drum at 50 feet. It’s 2024. Small pistols should shoot better than that. Again, the SIG never malfunctions

 

[GnarlsR2]

With my old eyes, I upgraded my P365 with Sig’s High Contract white dot rear sight and it made huge difference. I was just experimenting on the rear sight on my BG2. I painted the first groove with white fingernail polish. It made a huge difference in how quickly I could find the rear sight.

 

[Rider1300]

Practice, practice, practice. Today marked 650 total rounds from my mod2 and the groups I shot today were barely larger than a silver dollar @ 7 yds. Many rounds were single holers. I think I have the factory sights conquered !

 

[vegasgunhand]

I finally got my schedule open enough to go to the ranch with my Bodyguard 2.0. I spent the better part of three hours running this little pistol. I fired about 300 rounds of a mix of PMC FMJ and Federal and Hornady JHP through it. I had one FTF in the first box of FMJ ammo. It was the next to the last round in a magazine, and the slide didn't go all the way into battery. I hit the back of the slide with my palm, and it was all good from there. I had no other failures of any type.

Recoil was very manageable, especially in comparison with my Bodyguard 1.0. Accuracy was very good for what the pistol was designed for, self defense. At seven yards rapid fire, I would get groups in the 3-5 inch size. If I slowed down, of course the groups tightened up, but that wasn't what I bought it for. IMHO, it far exceeds the accuracy for what the pistol was designed to do.

I'm hoping to get to the range this weekend and put at least another 200-300 rounds through it. If it keeps up with the reliability it's shown so far, it will go into my EDC rotation.

 

[klowman]

With my old eyes, I upgraded my P365 with Sig’s High Contract white dot rear sight and it made huge difference. I was just experimenting on the rear sight on my BG2. I painted the first groove with white fingernail polish. It made a huge difference in how quickly I could find the rear sight.

Interesting hack...wonder what some florescent paint might look like.

 

[TigerDude]

are we talking gun accuracy here or shooter accuracy? I bet it will group just fine on a rest. Whether one can shoot it that well is another story, certainly the smaller the gun the harder it is to shoot accurately. Sight radius, grip, etc.