I've tried to do my homework but have yet to find a difference between the M&P Bodyguard (W/O Laser) and the old Bodyguard (with Laser). Can anyone let us know?

Additionally, I owe the with Laser bodyguard and really like it and find it surprisingly accurate, very dependable, shootable, and really have no issues with it......

But.....

After checking out the new M&P Bodyguard- why do I want one?

Any of you guys out there have both? What was the difference between them, and what was provided as accessories (like the carry case that came with my original laser bodyguard)?

I've also got the "old" one, with the laser and am happy with it.
It does everything I wanted it to do. Accuracy is better than I expected for its short barrel, the long trigger pull is all the safety I need, and its "drop in the pocket" concealable.
So its got a laser; if you don't like it, don't use it.

What are the actual improvements in the new M&P model?

OK, I have both... always liked my BG380, never had any problems.... The new M&P380 came out, had to have it. I shot 100rds last weekend and haven't taken it off my side since.. In a nut shell, other than not having the laser, I really don't see any difference, but!!!! something seems different. I feel like I shoot it better and I just plain like it... I'm going out on the limb and declaring it a "great" gun... Now I know someone is coming in here and gonna slam it for something... the slide hangs up, the slide doesn't lock back, the magazine is too hard to install... the sights suck, the trigger pull is too long, it's too hard to pull.. must be something I missed.....

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Jack C

I got the bg380 and no problems here

Just purchased the new Laser less version tonight. Won't have it for a couple of days.
I did shoot 45 rounds through one at the "DEMO" day at my local range.I was very impressed with the accuracy I got out of it. Actually very surprised at the accuracy of a gun with such a short barrel.

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MP 9 PRO, MP 9 FS, 9MM SHIELD

I'm actually kinda curious myself about these. I had a gun smith tell me that they were not any good. Makes me curious about why.

he probably couldn't get any to sell...

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Jack C

That is exactly where I am finding myself!

In another thread someone posted a video of Jerry Miculek shooting the original BG380 straight out the box very rapidly and accurately including target at 200 yards.
From what I have read the only difference aside from the laser is the M&P designation on the slide.

I have both. Same basic gun. Internals are identical. The only differences are:

M&P doesn't have the laser
M&P has fish scale serrations on the back of the slide like other M&P models.
M&P has "M&P" engraved on the slide and no white in any of the lettering
M&P comes with two magazines. Exact same mags as older Bodyguard.

Still in the same carry case.



Hope that helps.


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I have the original type BG380 w/ laser and love it! I carry it regularly, rotating between it and a S&W J-frame snub. As others have stated, it is a very accurate little pistol and so easy to holster carry or pocket carry.

I, too, would like to have the M&P version w/o laser, but can't really justify it within my budget.

The slide is a little different, not just the markings. It has been reshaped and slimmed down in places. I was thinking about the laser version at one point but I am spoiled by the Crimson Trace laser grip design. If the laser actuation happened when gripping the gun, I would want it. I don't want to push a button. Just my two cents.

I really like the M&P BG.

Because it does not have the laser? That would be my reason, if I were in the market.

You might check out Hickok45's Youtube review of the M&P....he discusses the differences....


M&P Bodyguard .380 from Smith & Wesson - YouTube

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Peace Thru Superior Firepower

I really wanted to get a new M&P BG 380 as I've never really wanted the laser or felt like paying extra for it. However, that changed when I recently watched a review done by a guy on YouTube (Mrgunsngear Channel) and he showed how his new M&P BG 380 would not let the mag fully insert when was trying to push it in. In order to get it to fully insert, he had to press down on the mag release button. Said this was not an issue on his original BG 380 w/ laser but the new M&P BG 380 apparently has this issue and customer service is aware of it... he said they told him, "Yes, it does that." when he called to ask about it. Why would they make a gun that is for all intents and purposes identical (grip looks the SAME and mag is the SAME as the original BG w/ laser) that does not function correctly? HAS ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THE NEW M&P MODEL NOTICED THIS OR DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM?? I LOVE Smith products and I really wanted one of these as my "pocket" pistol, so it's a little irritating!

As for differences, I believe that the slide on the new M&P BG version is coated in melonite and I'm not sure if that was done to the original version with the laser. Also the M&P has new cocking serrations, weighs an extra 0.15 oz, and comes with 2 mags. Other than that, and no laser, I'm not sure what else is different on the new M&P BG model?

I have both and shot them back to back yesterday afternoon. The trigger feels slightly better on the M&P than the laser version so I was more accurate with it. As for the mag release issue both of my guns I needed to push the release button to seat the mag when new. After seating and releasing the mag a couple hundred times on both the button no longer needs to be depressed.

I have both guns and noticed the mag.. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEPRESS THE MAG RELEASE.. just put the mag in and give it a push, just like most any other magazine in most any other semi. Maybe it's a little more noticeable at first, but a couple good smacks and you will realize it's fine. I saw someone post they took their mag button out and filed a touch off the straight edge that the mag contacts, I don't see that as being necessary...

It's a really nice gun for the money and purpose it was designed for. I like Hickock45 and have watched many of his videos, but I have to say, he is absolutely a GLOCK guy. He is tentative and reluctant to give M&P's props... he killed the targets with that little 380 and never once said how good it has to be to hit the Gong way out there, and he nailed it 4 out of 5 times, only missing when he almost double tapped the last round.. He didn't knock it much except when he broke it down and put it together.. hey, it's different and may take a little time, but it's not hard at all once you do it a few times..

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Jack C

He made the reassembly look harder than it really is. I put a drop of oil on the take down pin. Insert it in the 6 o'clock position and push it down while rotating towards the 3 o'clock position. Snaps right in piece of cake.

On the M&P Bodyguard's look at the lower part of the breech face and it appears to be micro-stamped, at least mine does . Also there is transfer from this area to the head of the cartridge. I noticed this when polishing the breech face then looked at another new one and it looked the same. Shell casing collected, at factory, 04/03/2014.

Yep, I agree. It looked a lot harder for him than it has been for me to get the takedown lever back in, but it was his first time with the pistol.
Also, my old BG with the laser came with 2 mags. One flat and one with the pinky rest.

I had the same experience. I read about the issue on the forums and found it was a common issue. I ejected and reinserted with minimal assist from the eject button a few hundred times. It inserts normally now.

I did notice that after the slide is opened with empty chamber, an insertion of a new magazine will most likely cause the slide to close. I don't know if this is a feature or a defect, but it doesn't happen with my M&P 40 or 22. I did see it occur on Hickok45's video, so I'm glad it is not just mine.

Yep, mine does the same... doesn't bother me... and it didn't appear to bother Hickock

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Jack C

My only concern with the video was he seemed to have quite a few misfires with the gun. I know the bodyguard has a second strike option but that was way too many misfires. I don't know why they don't use a pre-cock design instead of a full double action at 9 lbs, they would have a much shorter stroke and a lighter trigger to boot. I still don't get a safety on a double action only pistol with a 9 lb trigger at best, Smith's revolvers don't have a safety. That was my only concern was the misfires. I like Hickok 45 and his video's but I wish he would stop pulling the trigger when he runs out of ammo on a supposed empty chamber. This is a habit he has and he got caught on a video with a problem gun doing this, when a gun fired. No need to pull the trigger when shooting is over you should be checking your weapon every time visually with slide to rear. Other than that I enjoy his video's.

I got my M&P BG 380 yesterday and I did notice the mags would not seat unless you depressed the mag release button. I just smacked it in there about a dozen times and it works like a charm.
The take-down lever needs to be worked a little (Hickok45 is correct about turning it to the 9 oclock position ) but after the initial out-of-the-box cleaning it went back in (and out) easy enough. During re-assembly, remember to move the barrel forward( if need be) after locking the slide back so the take-down lever/pin can be re-inserted properly.
I am pretty happy with this gun so far.

I just sent my BG380 w/laser back to S&W today...not happy...had 2 FTF, slide not locking back erratically and the Laser screw came out and it stripped out when I tried to tighten it....this happened with only 150 rds fired thru the gun!!! I am not very confident in this product to use as my everyday CCW gun...However, I am willing to give S&W a chance to rectify this problem...send me a new M&P without that stupid laser (screw) that keeps coming loose!!!!!!

Geezz.. that's too bad, mine has never loosened up... have lots of rounds through it...

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Jack C

Does your slide lock back after last round in mag?? Mine was erratic...sometimes when it did lock back when you press the mag release the slide would close...did it with both factory mags and another factory mag purchased seperately...I am really want to like this pistol but so far it doesn't like me

I believe BG380 does lock every time, but I can't say for sure. If it didn't, I didn't notice. My M&P380 has occasionally not locked back on the last rd, but it doesn't bother me. It's such a great shooting gun. I poked around to see how the slide locks back and believe maybe if I stretch the mag spring a little, that will work since it appears the mag follower is what pushes the slide lock up into the slide ...... just thought of something... I'll have to check the spring pressure on my older BG380 mags and compare them to my M&P380 mags....

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Jack C

And now the new BG380
10048_01_lg.jpg

And CT is touting their partnership with S&W for both BG's. I wouldn't think they would partner with a firearm if they thought it wasn't worthy.

Latest Laser Sight News and Events | Crimson Trace Lasergrips

Like I've said before, I have never so far had a problem with my BG380 and trust carrying it.

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Psalm 23:4

Don't stretch the mag spring...I did and it made it to where the mag won't lock back at all for that mag. I just bought some MagGuts (magguts.com) for mine that increase capacity to 7 rds and has a metal follower. Can't check them out until I get my BG back from S&W.

The reason he keeps pulling the trigger on an empty gun is the slide didn't lock back letting him know it's empty. Out of 12 magazines of ammo he shot, 5 of them didn't lock back. This is a well documented problem. Another thread someone even put a closeup picture how the slide stop is jammed to the side of the follower instead of on top of it. Doesn't seem like an ammo problem when it does that. Hickok didn't make mention it didn't lock back and is supposed to. He also downplayed the misfires. At least for me I think misfires are a really bad thing, also a very well documented problem so much so a company makes different hammer & fireing pin springs for it.

When people come to my tables at the local gun shows, they too ask the question "which should I buy"? I ask why do you want this gun, & they reply "it's a pocket pistol for self defense". So I reply if someone was going to rob you, how far away would they be to take the money you are handing them? 3 feet maybe? Do you need a laser to shoot someone at 3 feet? We all can't be Steven Segal, Arnold, or Sylvester, & get into shoot outs @ 25 yards. With that small speech, they usually take the non laser gun. GARY

My timing is so good. I agree with a weapon of this size not sure other than a selling point, what good a laser would be. But I wanted a .380 and ran into mine at a country gun store. Not to long after buying it they came out with the new model. Same happened with the 9C. Wanted a new main carry. Found this 9C. Shortly after they came out with the Shield.

Oh well such is life