Talk me out of buying a Bodyguard 2.0 -

[Harper]

@ImDrRich So now that you bought one (quite while ago) and have had a few issues with it, would you talk someone out of it?

I don't know that I've ever had any gun that I felt didn't need a little tweaking one way or another, be it rifle or pistol. Put the XSSights on my BG2 (every pistol I've had got new sights soon after purchase), polished it's unusual dual ramps (polishing the feed ramp is something else I do with every pistol), and have not had problem one with it since. Of course, I haven't tried every different type/brand of ammo out there, but the Lehigh Xtreme Defender rounds, Hornady Critical Defense, hand loaded Hornady XTP, and hand loaded 100gr Berry's HHP all do just fine. And admittedly, I've not put a whole lot of rounds through it yet, but the count is over 250 now, without a problem.

 

[smoothshooter]

Why carry a 380 in the same size and weight of a 9mm? If / when you ever need it, you will appreciate the largest caliber you feel comfortable carrying.

No one makes a 9mm as small as a Bodyguard.
And if they did, not many would enjoy shooting it.
Generally speaking, if you poke holes in someone, they will go away and leave you alone. Caliber does not really matter.

 

[dben002]

If that's a weapon you like and want, why would you want to be talked out of buying it. Just hope you get one of good ones and not one of many produced with problems....

But if you want to be talked out of it there are better options available in 380's Sig P238, Ruger LCP Max, Glock 42, Walther PPK

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

Just reading the comments within S&W M&P Pistols has me turned off on the Bodyguard 2.0.

If you read too many forum posts you won’t buy anything. The happy people don’t post or don’t play on forums and the dissatisfied people post everywhere.

 

[agksimon]

If you read too many forum posts you won’t buy anything. The happy people don’t post or don’t play on forums and the dissatisfied people post everywhere.

I'm happy with my BG2.0 and I post and read here. Never too old to learn something new.

 

[GnarlsR2]

"Originally Posted by URIT View Post
Just reading the comments within S&W M&P Pistols has me turned off on the Bodyguard 2.0."

"Originally Posted by Cheyenne WYO View Post
If you read too many forum posts you won’t buy anything. The happy people don’t post or don’t play on forums and the dissatisfied people post everywhere."

"Originally Posted by agksimon I'm happy with my BG2.0 and I post and read here. Never too old to learn something new."

I've been ACTIVE on internet forums since 1999. I've read and posted 10s of thousands thoughts, experiences, expertise, opinions, incredible knowledge, humor, and all the textual non-sense that comes with it.

I've learned so much over the past 26 years reading what people think and want to share. The forums are entertaining.

Happy people post happy stuff and sad people post sad stuff.

Smart people post smart stuff and dumb people post dumb stuff.

Luckily for me, I'm still able to filter the Bravo Sierra from intellectual golden nuggets.

So far, I am happy with my S&W Body Guard 2.0, and looking forward to it being my first choice for a pocket carry.

 

[joeb427]

I can't!

 

[rhall228]

Just bought one last week, 3/21 at Bass Pro. Plenty in stock. However, my local gun store was all out.

 

[M29since14]

Based on previous experience with the earlier version of this gun from S&W and how they “supported” them, I have three words for you: JUST SAY NO!

(I feel better now. )

 

[TwinV10]

You already said it yourself. .380 is insufficient for a reliable self defense cartridge, especially when there are better choices in similar sized packages. .

Why carry a 380 in the same size and weight of a 9mm? If / when you ever need it, you will appreciate the largest caliber you feel comfortable carrying.

Wrong and wrong-er. No 9mm manufactured today is close the size of the BG 2.0. The P365 feels like a brick compared to it and I own both.

 

[Jim Watson]

A week seldom passes here without threads on problems with the BG 2.0. I'll trust the experiences of folks who put down their hard-earned money and were very dissatisfied.

If you read too many forum posts you won’t buy anything. The happy people don’t post or don’t play on forums and the dissatisfied people post everywhere.

Right now I am with door no 1. I see too many faults found here on the S&W board.
Strangely, the BG2 gets better reports on general and even other brand gunboards.

Maybe when the local range rotates their stock. I have shot the one they have for rental and it did ok.

 

[GnarlsR2]

My P365 Micro, 12-round pinky mag with 12 rounds of 115gr JHP weighs 1 lbs. 9.44 ozs.

*My BG2, 12-round mag with 11 rounds of Hornady FTX weighs 15.30 ozs.

In my pocket the P365 prints noticeably and it gets my attention almost constantly when walking.

In my pocket the BG2 prints very slightly and nearly unnoticeable when walking.

*In my Muddy River kydex it weighs 1 lbs. 1.6 ozs. Much more comfortable to pocket carry than the P365 and that is the reason I prefer the BG2. I have several 100 more rounds to get through before I make it my RAT (Reliable And Trustworthy) EDC.

 

[smoothshooter]

I'm happy with my BG2.0 and I post and read here. Never too old to learn something new.

I have a 2.0 Bodyguard, 2 Ruger LCP Maxs’, and a Glock Model 42 in .380.
My favorites are the Glock and Bodyguard. The Bodyguard is noticeably smaller and easier to carry in a pocket holster.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am taking a friend to the rental range Wednesday. I will SHOW him my P32 but encourage him to check out the various small .380s.

 

[dsk]

Right now I am with door no 1. I see too many faults found here on the S&W board.
Strangely, the BG2 gets better reports on general and even other brand gunboards.

Maybe when the local range rotates their stock. I have shot the one they have for rental and it did ok.

Maybe the issue isn't with the BG 2.0 design itself but Smith & Wesson's infamous quality control. That would explain why some owners have had zero issues while others have had to put up with a dumpster fire.

 

[DeepPenetration]

I grabbed a BG 2.0 when they initially dropped. Mine has been 100% reliable with a variety of ball and SD ammo. I’m thrilled that my particular specimen digests Underwood Xtreme Defense and Xtreme Penetrator!

Although none of the following hindered its reliability, I did have the RSA issue; where the front of the recoil spring wasn’t seating properly in the RSA. I ordered as replacement from S&W, but what I received from them was worse than my original RSA. I've since replaced the RSA with one from Galloway and... it’s been perfect!

I also replaced my original sights with R3D 2.0 Night Sights. I hated the original night sights. I couldn’t see the front sight well in any light and the rear sight was way too wide for me.

 

[joeb427]

I grabbed a BG 2.0 when they initially dropped. Mine has been 100% reliable with a variety of ball and SD ammo. I’m thrilled that my particular specimen digests Underwood Xtreme Defense and Xtreme Penetrator!

Although none of the following hindered its reliability, I did have the RSA issue; where the front of the recoil spring wasn’t seating properly in the RSA. I ordered as replacement from S&W, but what I received from them was worse than my original RSA. I've since replaced the RSA with one from Galloway and... it’s been perfect!

I also replaced my original sights with R3D 2.0 Night Sights. I hated the original night sights. I couldn’t see the front sight well in any light and the rear sight was way too wide for me.

Same here on reliability. Fantastic handgun. Anyone who thinks it is a problem gun and doesn't buy one, it's your loss.
Go to any forum subject and there will always be negative posts. People vent on forums. Reviews have been very positive.
The only issue I've had is having to move the front sight to the right a bit.

 

[GnarlsR2]

My experience since August 6, 2024 is completely different.

After experiencing the quality issues, design flaws, and the poor S&W customer service, this handgun manufactured by a legendary firearm supplier, is a pathetic failure.

After reading 10s of thousands of posts on numerous gun forums, especially thousands of posts here, its blatantly obvious there is a major problem with this product.

Anyone buying this handgun as a RAT (Reliable And Trustworthy) highly concealable self-defense carry should be very prudent with evaluating its safety and performance.

There are those who have purchased this gun and out of the box have been lucky with its performance. However, there are many others who have struggled to get it to perform as advertised, and have had to spend money to upgrade – literally fix – the flaws and quality issues.

I did my owned research, evaluation of aftermarket options, and “gunsmithing” to get it to a level of safety and comfort that it will be the right choice for my defense pocket carry. I’ll decide after I get several more hundred rounds through it.

It has all the features of a “fantastic handgun”… but S&W dropped the ball on this one.

 

[joeb427]

My experience since August 6, 2024 is completely different.

After experiencing the quality issues, design flaws, and the poor S&W customer service, this handgun manufactured by a legendary firearm supplier, is a pathetic failure.

After reading 10s of thousands of posts on numerous gun forums, especially thousands of posts here, its blatantly obvious there is a major problem with this product.

Anyone buying this handgun as a RAT (Reliable And Trustworthy) highly concealable self-defense carry should be very prudent with evaluating its safety and performance.

There are those who have purchased this gun and out of the box have been lucky with its performance. However, there are many others who have struggled to get it to perform as advertised, and have had to spend money to upgrade – literally fix – the flaws and quality issues.

I did my owned research, evaluation of aftermarket options, and “gunsmithing” to get it to a level of safety and comfort that it will be the right choice for my defense pocket carry. I’ll decide after I get several more hundred rounds through it.

It has all the features of a “fantastic handgun”… but S&W dropped the ball on this one.

When pistols are released, some have issues. Not rare at all. P365s that had issues when released. I bought a 365 a year after and a 365X two years after and both have been flawless like my 2.0. The P365 line has been a top seller for the last four years.

 

[GnarlsR2]

When pistols are released, some have issues. Not rare at all. P365s that had issues when released. I bought a 365 a year after and a 365X two years after and both have been flawless like my 2.0. The P365 line has been a top seller for the last four years.

I’ve been a gun owner since 1978.

My Colt 1911, Ruger, Charter Arms, KelTec, DPMS Panther, and both P365s have been flawless.