I am ready to make, what will be my first handgun purchase. After doing a little research I am drawn to two different guns, both S&W.

My plans for the gun include home defense (keeping it on the nightstand), having some fun at the range, and keeping it in my car pretty frequently. I do not foresee doing any concealed carry.

I am looking at the 9mm M&P Compact or the Bodyguard 380.

I have smaller hands and like the compact guns. I like the larger size of the 9 but like the BG because it has the integrated laser and I could use it as a pocket gun if I decide to conceal down the road.

So fire away with your opinions. TIA

Greetings from Maine. Welcome aboard!

I would go with the M&P 9mm, as 9mm ammo is easier and generally less expensive to purchase. It has a rail so if you ever wanted to add a laser or light you could.

Greetings from Ohio...
As this is your 1st handgun purchase let me ask a question? Do you already have experience with fire arms but just haven't owned a handgun? If not a would highly recommend some kind of handgun class like NRA basic handgun which is adequate to get your CCW in Ohio at least.
IMO and experience.. Most handguns can be fired by both men and women. It's a little of a myth that small hands can only shoot small guns. My wife is 5'2'. She shoots all of our handguns from a .22lr to a .44 magnum in revolver and my .45 cal 1911 and 4506. So I don't want tell you what to buy I just want you to be confident that you can probably shoot most handguns made.
Since your 1st intended use is bedside gun, car gun and range your have a lot more options than a Conceal Carry size gun.
If you are set on the 2 you have already chosen then that's perfectly fine.
In that case I would also go with the 9mm for cost reasons and it carries more punch.
I personally would not buy one with laser sights. It's very easy to learn to shoot with sights. Once you use lasers as your sighting method it will be difficult to pick up a non- lasered gun and feel confident in your ability to use it. But starting with sights and going to a laser is very intuitive.
Other options you might consider:
a .38 cal revolver like the Model 10.
a .357 revolver like a 586 or 686 These are easy and fun to shoot and they don't have the fail to feed or fail to load problems you might run into with a semi automatic. And they are more than adequate as self defense rounds.
As a point of reference I shoot .22lr, .380 auto, 9mm, and .45 auto in semi automatic. I am 5'7" with small hands. My favorite semi is a .45 SW 4506 or my 1911. I also own/shoot .38cal, .357 and .44 magnum and SW500 in revolver. For a carry gun I prefer a snub nose .357 (Model 19) and a compact .9mm auto.
My wife shoots all of the above. Her favorite carry is a 380 auto. Although she shoots all my revolvers and she doesn't particularly care for them. Although she is a very good shot with them. This is a very long way to answer a simple question. I would end with this... once you buy one gun the likely hood you will purchase a 2nd and a 3rd and... so I wouldn't over think it!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Both great advice! Thank you!!!

I have a shotgun and have been around guns enough to be safety conscious. I have shot a handgun but never owned one. Since my shotgun is a 20 ga. I want something with a little more power and a little easier to handle if needed for home defense.

I too am leaning toward the compact 9mm but wanted to get some thoughts from some experienced shooters. Thanks!

Welcome from Va.

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Roger

Welcome from Springfield, Ma... home of Smith&Wesson!

I own both of those guns as well as a few other Smiths, absolutely the M&P9 is a homerun, great gun and you can do everything and anything you want with it easily. The BG380, is an excellent pocket gun, but that is it. It is not a range gun at all. It was not made to shoot alot, but I do find it fun to shoot, occassionally. I throw it in my pocket sometimes when we go out for a sunday breakfast, I shoot it maybe once a month or 2, a 50rd box of whatever, just for a little trigger memory.

The M&p is a great platform, buy one and you will want more. I started with a 40full size, absolutely loved it, shot it like a mad man for months, then I bought a 9 compact for my wife. little smaller for concealed carry, then it was on to a 45 full size, needed a bigger bang, that was an unbelieveable gun and my last M&P I bought was the 40 compact... Oh ya, I bought a bunch of 38-357 revolvers too, I love them as well, but I really carry and shoot my semi autos alot more..

Good luck, you'll hear everyones favorite here, just buy what your heart guides you too.. in the end, if you really get hooked, you'll buy em all!!

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Jack C

MississippeVol, welcome from North Carolina.

Welcome from Texas MississipVol. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

Based upon the information presented, I would opt for the M&P 9mm.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Hello and Welcome. I'm in the same frame of mind you are about handgun ownership. I don't carry and also have small hands. Don't shy away from a bigger gun. It'll be more enjoyable to shoot at the range, and be more effective from the nightstand if needed. As for guns, the finest auto I ever had was a Sig. The guns I enjoy most, and my go-to's are a S&W 27 4", and Colt Python 6", both 357 mags.

Hello Mississipvol. Welcome from Missouri. I would get the one that you are most comfortable with. You will own more later......