Bodyguard 2.0 with safety

[larry8]

I really like my BG2 with safety. However I had to send it back because I could not rack the slide. 10 days later it was returned with a note that they could not duplicate the problem. It seems that I'm too old and don't have the strength to do it. I got the "Handi- racker" and that worked on my bench. Then I got the Talon Grips and then I was able to rack the slide. It still is difficult but at least I can do it

 

[Cwilly8]

I'm a BG 2.0 owner -- with manual safety. I prefer the manual safety on carry guns -- and I train consistently so it becomes second nature to release the safety when drawing and reengage when holstering.
Regarding some of the previous comments: Yes, the sights may not be precise, but they are fully adequate for most self-defense purposes. The recoil spring is stiff, so racking the slide requires some hand strength. Since you have already shot one, that may not be an issue for you. My wife finds that her 380 EZ is much easier to manipulate, but you sacrifice some rounds in the gun (8 in the 380 EZ vs 10 or 12 in the BG 2.0).

 

[diverdave]

I may be in the minority, but as a long-time gun owner I believe in the suitability of the .380acp

i may be in the minority but believe the .380acp is a fine self-defense cartridge. I have almost 2000 rounds through my BG 2.0 and it never fails me. Mine has the manual safety. I wear it in a Harry's Holster IWB and it is ultra-comfortable as well as completely concealable. Find the ammo yours is most dependable with and you'll be a happy owner.

I have literally owned hundreds and hundreds of guns in my life. I have five concealed carry guns now. They are Kimber Rapide Dawn 9mm, Kimber Micro Raptor .380, Kel-Tec 3AT, Ruger LCP and S&W Bodyguard 2.0 .380. The Bodyguard is my prefered concealed carry for size, weight, size and comfortable natural feel when shooting it. I also have SIG P938, SIG P365, SIG P239 and a whole host of others up to my Alaskan carry S&W 460 Magnum and S&W 500 Magnum. Everything in between also. Anything bigger than my first 5 I consider too big to carry. Three of them are boarder line too heavy to carry. They are the SIG P938 and Kimbers. There is the most important distinction. What will you comfortably carry and when do they get too big, heavy or bulky to carry? Any carry gun you have that is uncomfortable to carry for "any reason" is a bad carry gun because you won't carry it. Forget fashion. Forget all those naysayers that poo-poo the .380. With the new ammunition that is made to preserve life the .380 will do the job. You are not shooting long distances. These are life saving guns what will most likely be shot at 10-20 feet. Why is a safety important to you? Who are you protecting with it? Your concealed carry must be ready to fire the instant you draw it with no further thought. A split second decision about anything could cost your your life. Pull, shoot, live!

 

[Law-dog]

The Bodygaurd is an excellent handgun. As a retired CCW instructor and certified by my state, my state law enforcement and the NRA as a handgun instructor, the 380 BG is second in my view to the 380 EZ but both are great.

It is a small gun and very easy to limp wrist, so you need to hold it tightly or it will jam like all small light guns will do. The safety is the better option so you can carry with a round chambered with less worry. Women sometimes put the gun in a purse with other items, never do that, put it in a compartment by itself or better a soft holster that covers the trigger.

The model with the laser is worth the money, you never have to see the sights or even the gun if you are attacked, just put the laser on the attacker and pull the trigger until the attack stops.

Do not be concerned about the caliber discussion. Carry the most powerful round you can shoot well, and you are good to go. The 380 gives you plenty of power and you are more likely to be able to fire more rounds because it has less recoil and muzzle flip.

It is a great choice. I suggest you take a CCW class with an experienced instructor then shoot the gun a bunch. Professional training is always good, but most importantly is your ability to get the gun out quickly and hit where you want. I start people with 10 inch paper plates at about 10 feet and move them back slowly until they can put every round on target at 50 feet. Once you are good at 50 feet, then speed it up a little, I suggest one second per round. It is easy if you start slow and work up.

 

[shirleyk]

I really like my BG2 with safety. However I had to send it back because I could not rack the slide. 10 days later it was returned with a note that they could not duplicate the problem. It seems that I'm too old and don't have the strength to do it. I got the "Handi- racker" and that worked on my bench. Then I got the Talon Grips and then I was able to rack the slide. It still is difficult but at least I can do it

Thanks for the information

 

[shirleyk]

The model with the laser is worth the money, you never have to see the sights or

Bodyguard 2.0 dont have a laser??

 

[shirleyk]

The Bodygaurd is an excellent handgun. As a retired CCW instructor and certified by my state, my state law enforcement and the NRA as a handgun instructor, the 380 BG is second in my view to the 380 EZ but both are great.

It is a small gun and very easy to limp wrist, so you need to hold it tightly or it will jam like all small light guns will do. The safety is the better option so you can carry with a round chambered with less worry. Women sometimes put the gun in a purse with other items, never do that, put it in a compartment by itself or better a soft holster that covers the trigger.

The model with the laser is worth the money, you never have to see the sights or even the gun if you are attacked, just put the laser on the attacker and pull the trigger until the attack stops.

Do not be concerned about the caliber discussion. Carry the most powerful round you can shoot well, and you are good to go. The 380 gives you plenty of power and you are more likely to be able to fire more rounds because it has less recoil and muzzle flip.

It is a great choice. I suggest you take a CCW class with an experienced instructor then shoot the gun a bunch. Professional training is always good, but most importantly is your ability to get the gun out quickly and hit where you want. I start people with 10 inch paper plates at about 10 feet and move them back slowly until they can put every round on target at 50 feet. Once you are good at 50 feet, then speed it up a little, I suggest one second per round. It is easy if you start slow and work up.

I have done the ccw class , the instructor i out of town till October, but he has a person filling in for him

 

[Busch297]

I have tried searchingthe group. But still trying to lesrn my way around the group,
I have been looking at the bodyguard 2.0 with safety , to be my conceal carry gun, im looking for help, in deciding if this is a good one.

Looking to buy my first gun, I have my permit, and hql license. People have said its not a good gun if you have to defend yourself that I should get a 9mm gun

Please help if you can

I have the 2.0 with a thumb safety and feel more secure with it than my Glock without one. I like guns with manual safeties. You’ll get used to either one, as far as 9mm vs 380, good luck with that, personally I’m fine with 380 as a defense round but depending on who you talk to, if you ain’t carrying a Barrett 50 caliber around then there’s no way you’re going to win a gunfight. Just do your research and make your own decision.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

I really like my BG2 with safety. However I had to send it back because I could not rack the slide. 10 days later it was returned with a note that they could not duplicate the problem. It seems that I'm too old and don't have the strength to do it. I got the "Handi- racker" and that worked on my bench. Then I got the Talon Grips and then I was able to rack the slide. It still is difficult but at least I can do it

Try holding the gun in your strong hand and do an overhand rack with your support hand, rather than attempting to retract the slide from the rear using 2 fingers of your support hand. You can get your entire hand on the slide rather than 2 fingers and increase the leverage.

Also, if you shoot the gun a bunch, the gun will loosen up, including the recoil spring, and it will get easier.

 

[Mollari]

I really like my BG2 with safety. However I had to send it back because I could not rack the slide. 10 days later it was returned with a note that they could not duplicate the problem. It seems that I'm too old and don't have the strength to do it. I got the "Handi- racker" and that worked on my bench. Then I got the Talon Grips and then I was able to rack the slide. It still is difficult but at least I can do it

Mine, and from what I heard others, needed a lot of break in. If it’s the spring, that won’t change, but the guides stuck as well.

 

[Jim Turner]

I really like my BG2 with safety. However I had to send it back because I could not rack the slide. 10 days later it was returned with a note that they could not duplicate the problem. It seems that I'm too old and don't have the strength to do it. I got the "Handi- racker" and that worked on my bench. Then I got the Talon Grips and then I was able to rack the slide. It still is difficult but at least I can do it

I have the same problem with my BG2.0. Bought it, because I loved the feel of it in my hand. Can't rack it so now it sits in the gun safe. At 81 it isn't getting any easier. SW told me it would loosen up after use. Can't use it if I can't rack it!

 

[Donnie805]

I really like my BG2 with safety. However I had to send it back because I could not rack the slide. 10 days later it was returned with a note that they could not duplicate the problem. It seems that I'm too old and don't have the strength to do it. I got the "Handi- racker" and that worked on my bench. Then I got the Talon Grips and then I was able to rack the slide. It still is difficult but at least I can do it

I had the exact same problem. With two surgeries in both shoulders and hands, it was impossible for me to rack the slide. I have also added the handy racker, and the rubberized Hogue grips which do help me, but for a gun that’s supposed to be designed for older people, people with arthritis, and for old farts like me with neurologic damage, it was very difficult. In addition, trying to reassemble the thing, with a terrible guide rod and spring, I had to call the company and have them send me a new one. Also, I could never get the safety to operate and I had the same inaccuracies which led me to purchase X/S sights for the gun. It’s been a terrible experience, but I still feel it’s a good EDC that I’ll eventually get used to (I hope)!

 

[larry8]

Personally I wont buy a gun without some sort of safety, preferably a thumb safety. I don't like the grip safety on some pistols, just prefer a thumb safety on at lease one side of the gun.

 

[eforest99]

Something that worked for me for a hard racking pistol, and I know everyone's situation is very different; but I got a rubber ball - like physical therapist use and exercised my hand grip. I did slow repetitions squeezing it and then also squeezed it and then just keep squeezing for a minute or two. I paced myself hoping not to make my hands too sore. I also have some 2.5 lbs weights I gently exercise my arms with. I have lung disease and have to exercise slowly so I don't loose my breath. In two weeks I was able to rack the slide. Now I try to maintain by racking the slide of that pistol every chance I get. Just an idea that might help some of you. Blessings and bulls-eyes to all!

 

[jack zeller]

I have tried searchingthe group. But still trying to lesrn my way around the group,
I have been looking at the bodyguard 2.0 with safety , to be my conceal carry gun, im looking for help, in deciding if this is a good one.

Looking to buy my first gun, I have my permit, and hql license. People have said its not a good gun if you have to defend yourself that I should get a 9mm gun

Please help if you can

S&W EZ .380 or 9mmEither is adequate to your purpose and experience.

 

[TigerDude]

No one has mentioned this yet: A small pistol is harder to shoot than a large pistol. Pistols are flat out hard to shoot accurately under stress. Cops fire off entire mags without hitting anything. Don't think you will be different. Smaller pistols (especially with iron sights) have a smaller sight radius and thus are harder to aim even in slow fire. The short barrel won't point as well when you're just pointing and shooting under stress either.

That said, if the size is what allows you to carry it then that's a good thing. Any gun is better than no gun. But a full size service pistol (M&P 2.0) will be flat out easier to shoot than a Bodyguard. Plus you can put a red dot on it, the advantages of which aren't even a debate any more.

 

[JoeB51]

I get the impression you have limited experience with a handgun.
In your position what i would do is go to a range that rents guns and try as many as you can. First figure out witch ones are you most accurate with if it is to big to conceal look at something smaller. Next a case of ammo and a training class or two. Caliber choice depends on how much your ammo budget is. The only way to get proficient is practice. Dry fire helps but is no substitute for live fire. Most ranges don't permit drawing from concealment your best bet is join a club we're they allow that. Don't fall for the adds saying this gimmick will improve your shooting abilities. Practice is what does that.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

@Mark@NH

Your post has a good overview of things to consider. There are a lot of things to unpack in there. I did want to address a few points.

Fighting with a pistol is much more than just shooting well so you will need an instructor that can take you beyond learning the basic safety and marksmanship fundamentals.

Totally agree.

Generally I feel that the newest people do better with the largest pistol they can carry and the most skilled and trained will do ok with the smallest pistol.

My usual response to most broad statements is "it depends." I believe that the newest shooter does best with the pistol they shoot best and that they actually want to shoot as much as possible, with the additional limitation that it has to be something that they are willing to carry. It is even more important for a person who is not shooting thousands of rounds a year to meet this criteria. Most new shooters do not know the largest pistol they will carry consistently. They learn that from actually carrying something. A lot of people buy guns that they learn very quickly they do not enjoy carrying. On the other hand, a lot of people also buy small guns that they do not enjoy shooting. Finding that happy medium is good, but it is kinda like threading a needle.

The 9mm has better ballistic potential

True. But, it they won't carry it or can't shoot it well, that ballistic potential is irrelevant.

carry the largest pistol that I can conceal given what I have to wear for where I need to go.

I don't do that anymore. I carry the gun I enjoy shooting and that I can shoot fast and accurately across a wide spectrum of scenarios. I don't value gun size over shootability as long as the ammo I am carrying meets the criteria that I have established for penetration.

The BG 2.0 with XS sights is getting almost all of my attention and ammo lately.

YMMV.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Try holding the gun in your strong hand and do an overhand rack with your support hand, rather than attempting to retract the slide from the rear using 2 fingers of your support hand. You can get your entire hand on the slide rather than 2 fingers and increase the leverage.

Take that straight to the bank. Fiercely grasp that slide, overhand, and then push and pull, hard, with both hands.

Gabbing at a gun counter the other day (who does that?), and I had an epiphany. No small part of the BG2.0's magic is a really low bore axis, and an ergonomic grip (unlike the LCP family, which someone compared to a stapler....). It is the most shootable really small gun ever.
Because it is shootable, mine gets shot quite a lot. Full disclosure, always have twin carry guns, one to shoot a lot, the other with a low round count. But the actual steel parts in a BG look like they'll tolerate a bunch of shooting.
And I hated shooting the LCPs.
Moon

 

[tarheel13]

My wife had problems racking the slide on her BG2. The overhand rack with the support hand did not work. What did work was Talon rear slide grips. Both my wife and I could not believe what a difference it makes. I don't really think the recoil spring in the BG2 is too strong. I think they need to change the grip surface on the rear of the slide.