I'm getting ready to purchase a M&P Bodyguard after much deliberations between the available 380's in my price range. My dilemma - Bodyguard without laser or should I spend an extra $60 and get the Crimson trace laser. I can't decide. I've never had a laser before.

Personally, I think it a gimmick. If you ever put in a situation were you had to pull your weapon G_d forbid it really would not be any advantage since self defense is done at close range.

2 thoughts:1- if the laser malfunctions or stops working I would have to send the entire pistol in for repair correct?

2- I will admit that I trade pistols frequently. Would it be a lot easier to sell or trade with a laser

I have the initial version of the Bodyguard w/ laser and I am VERY happy with it. My view on the laser vs no laser argument is the same as safety vs no safety. If you have the laser (or safety) and don't want to use it, then don't. BUT, there are times when each could be useful and if you don't have it, then you don't have that option. Same as having a gun vs not. Most people will never need a gun, so not having one is no big deal. BUT when that need arises, if you don't have one...

The real question you face is, is it worth $60 to have the "Option"? My answer would be yes, because I love options.

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Stay protected my friends.

In my opinion, a laser can give away your position and eliminate any opportunity you may have for an ambush. Example... You're hiding in a closet in a dark house after someone breaks in. You have an opportunity to eliminate the threat when the laser gives you away. You quickly use up your ammo while the attacker is dodging and rolling then you are left defenseless. I can think of a hundred similar scenarios where a laser or light could give you away. Learn to shoot.

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Armatissimi e liberissimi

Save yourself the hassle of messing with the lazer and spend the xtra 60 bux on ammo. To the best of my knowledge if the lazer messes up, yeah, you may end up sending the entire pistol back to S&W, eventually the battery will need to be replaced, and what if it's aim is off? To me I see it as a distraction and a gimmic.

I own a M&P bodyguard 380, no lazer, and its a great little gun, BUY IT!

In my 22 years of gun buying, I bought one gun with a laser. I realized it wasn't for me almost immediately and took it off and sold it. End of lasers for me. What others have said.... in a defensive situation you most likely won't have time to do more than point and shoot.

Most people buy a BG because it's very light but in reality you need to be an experienced shooter to get the best out of it. Laser or no laser. For something up close and personal you can't beat a J-Frame in .38+P or a Shield 9mm or similar.

Thanks for the advice guys

Guns don't need lasers,just qualified people using them.

I have an S&W BG with the Insight Laser and an M&P BG with the CT Laser. I use the laser for training (dry fire) and low light environments. It is true that the laser could give away your location, so if you want to hide, just turn it off.

I'll keep this plain & simple... In the real world, the bad guy will always be one step ahead of you and in a split second life or death self defense situation you will not have time to use your weak hand to turn the fricken lazer on while you draw it out with your strong hand.... You are just gonna pull it out & start shooting... It doesnt work that way.... Lazer's on a Pistol intended for conceal carry are IMO useless waste of money..

Get on you tube & watch videos of camera footage of people using guns to save themselves and then come back & tell us how many of them were using lazers on their pistols, tell us if they even had time to turn the thing on and aim it at the bad guy...

Video of people saved by guns...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87VOCsN1Vq0

Good night sights will cost a bit more than the Bodyguard Laser, but they work well in low light and the dark of night, you use the same aiming
skill set you would use at high noon, and there is no on/off switch.

I have been sniffing around pocket .380s lately and the Bodyguard is an attractive option, but for now I'm sticking to my J-frame for pocket carry and really don't anticipate needing night sights or lasers. I have Trijicon night sights on my Shield. Dito for the .45 that lives by my bed with a light on the rail. If I am given time I'd rather turn on an accessory that can help with positive threat evaluation.

Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck with the decision.

Jim

I have the old BG with the InSight laser. I would have bought the pistol without the laser but its a cool gizmo, and I love gizmos.
I've used it a time or 2 at the range but as others have said, if I ever had to use the pistol to defend my family or myself, the last thing in the world I would be thinking about is whether to turn on the laser or not.

I purchased the Bodyguard w/o the laser b/c I've been in more than one gunfight. It happens in an instant and your sights are of no use in most circumstances. To my way of thinking the laser usurps the basic skill set needed for good gun handling, sight alignment and trigger pull.

If you want the laser and don't mind paying the extra $60 than no problem. Like has been posted if you don't like it, like the safety, ignore it. Lasers belong on rifles.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I would definitely get the one without the laser.

The tiny manual safety is ridiculous and I can't imagine trying to disengage it in an actual encounter. The one thing I really like about the Bodyguard .380 is that it's a true DAO and has second strike capability. A lot of folks will say that's a worthless trait and that you should always TRP, but many stats I've read shows that a second strike often does get the round that didn't go off to actually fire. Plus, under the chaotic stress of a real defense scenario, I imagine many/most would likely keep working the trigger a couple of more times instinctively after a misfire(Gabe Suarez has said he has observed this in his classes) and at the close quarters that most self-defense situations occur, there will simply be no time for tap-rack-bang.

I personally would likely always chose a .38 special +p snub revolver over a micro .380, but to each his own.

Save the $60 and put that toward a set of night sites.

don't buy the lazer one it's stupid

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I got the M&P BG without the laser, not because lasers are bad but because the button is bad. Its requires your off hand to turn on and its not exactly useful in a draw.

I am looking at getting the grip activated laser though for it, being the sites are only semi-useful and mostly useless in dim light.

With the hard trigger pull, weak sights, a laser can be a good thing. I was point shooting with the BG last night along with my shield. While the shield is a great point shooter, not so much for the BG, the laser would help.

couldn't wait for the BG to come out and then it came out with the laser!!!. Well I just waited until they realized that a lot of people didn't want the laser and then I bought the M&P.380. Happy with my decision.

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Forum consigliere

I tried the one without laser but it didn't do anything for me so traded it for one with the crimson trace. I realize my experience is in the minority. we're all different.

Pardon me, but how is it "stupid" and therefore, by possession, does that make me "stupid"?

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I just bought one today, after looking for a year. It is the one without a laser. I compared it to many pocket pistols, including the new Remington .380, before purchasing it. It is the ONLY DAO pistol I own. The trigger pull is very smooth, the problem is it won't go off until it is almost to the back of the trigger guard. I shot my neighbor's 9mm DAO before and it wasn't that bad. Please someone tell me this will improve with a couple of hundred rounds through it.

Who has the time to activate and use the lazer?
you pull your gun and shoot . you won't have time to fumble with the button. Bad guy will kill you first

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I really didn't like the overall look of the Bodyguard with the laser but I'm glad they give you options. For me, the smaller the better.

For those asking about the trigger; it's long and heavy by design. If you want it's 30% shorter and with a crisper break look into a Galloway Precision trigger kit. I have it in my gun and absolutely love it.

Good night sights are the one modification left I want to perform on my Bodyguard.

I don't think he is implying what you think, just don't start a war. Too many people take things the wrong way!

mb

I love the M&P lineup. I have a Shield, M&P Compact 22, M&P Sport AR-15 and the M&P 15-22. All great firearms. I just bought the M&P Bodyguard without the laser.

As one who shoots a lot, my only recommendation would be to practice with the Bodyguard. Its long, DAO trigger functions as a sort of safety (in addition to the thumb safety). Defensive accuracy with the Bodyguard does require practice. For me, this means dropping 12" steel plates at 12 yards. In doing so consistently, (and at closer distances) I pocket carry it confidently on Sunday mornings and at other times when pocket carry is preferred. Please do practice with it.

A couple friends of mine gave up on the Bodyguard (with and without a laser) due to not being able to shoot it accurately at defensive distances between 3-7 yards.

Let us know what you decide!!

Lasers come in handy if you want your cat to attack a burglar

I'm 71 and even with recent cataract surgery I have difficulty with sight focus clarity. I've been shooting handguns for over 55 years and was an A class limited (iron sights) competitor in IPSC. I recently acquired a Shield and put a Crimson Trace green laser on it. It is not difficult to regulate the laser to the same point of impact as the iron sights. The CT laser activates with a button on the frontstrap, so no off hand required.

I intend to practice with and without the laser as I do with any handgun carried for self defense.

I agree that, regardless of sight type, small handguns are difficult to shoot accurately and require practice. Which often doesn't happen because the little things are not particularly pleasant to shoot. I have a young friend coming to house shortly. He's interested in a .380 and the Bodyguard is on his short list. I'll let him shoot my KelTec P3AT and my Kahr .380, then see if he likes the Shield or Glock 26 better.

I agree with you. Small handguns are more difficult to shoot. I have the BG380 w/IS laser and find I have to practice shooting at the local range as often as possible in order to become proficient with it.
I also have a Shield9 that I shoot and enjoy it much more than
the BG. As you and others have said, Practice!

mb

Like he said, the sights will be useless. Personal Defense Network had an article that mentioned this also. You don't look at the sights, you look at the danger. I practice with and without the laser. Get what you want.

Get one without a laser, and then add a Crimson Trace Laserguard if you want a laser later. Or you can now buy a Bodyguard with the Laserguard installed (and take it off if you want). The later looks like a bit of a discount than purchasing separately and a much better design than their integrated Bodyguard/laser and less problems.

Maybe a laser for fun range shooting but in the real world its useless

I would skip the laser. To put this in perspective, I have a J frame with a laser max, a shield w/o a laser, and last week a bodyguard w/o a laser. After getting one laser, I haven't had the desire to equip any of my firearms.

In daylight the red laser is pretty much useless, at dusk it is pretty neat, you can make shots not possible with iron sights, but a threat shot is likely to be very close and mostly instinctive point shooting or shooting from a retention position.

I own a bodyguard 380 and it took me less than 50 rounds before I was hitting tight groups at 7 yards,the stiff trigger is a safety in its own right,if your considering buying one,don't let people that have weak hands turn you off of it,it's a great gun!

I'm 73 years young and I admit my eyesight isn't what it was when I was in my 30's or even 50's. Therefore my accuracy has decreased. Yeah, I get disgusted when my groupings aren't what they used to be when I was young. Then again, I'm not shooting in competition. If I ever have to use my firearm at any other place than the range means I'm in a "combat" situation(which I hope I'm never in). I came to the conclusion that in that type of situation speed and accuracy is paramount. But speed is number one (as long as you are accurate). Therefore, point and shoot for us old people and you youngsters also, is something you have to learn. I know a couple very experienced "combat" shooters and they can hit a target at 40+ feet with the point and shoot method. They said it took hundreds of rounds to get fast and accurate (accuracy first). Now I'm not going to be in a "combat" situation at over 5 yards (probably?). Now I'm paying for my own ammunition so learning and getting good at the point and shoot method would get damn expensive. Solution was a laser training system, but they are damn expensive (around $160). Then I remembered an article about using a laser bore sight as a "cheap" training device. They run about $35 ( I use the Sightmark). Install the device and place post-it notes on the wall at different locations(get wife's permission first). Focus on one, close your eyes, and bring the pistol up to hit the target(laser). Eventually you can get very accurate (at least chest size). Then start increasing your speed first from you side then from your holster using draw and dry-fire. I have gotten to the point that I very rarely use the sights anymore and I even feel comfortable at the range (large wide open outdoor range) with live ammunition. Note: started at the range with the weapon un-holstered and down at my side. It took a lot of time before I was comfortable to use live ammunition on a draw and fire training secession. SAFETY FIRST

So my answer to the question is no laser pointing system on the weapon.

Mine is a M&P BG .380 no laser. If I do anything, I'll put on a Trigicon frontsight.

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Halfway and one more step

Check out the videos on the web of jerry michelek who is a S&W sponsored professional shooter hitting a target at 100 yards with one....it is impressive. I feel good when I can hit at 10 yards

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I have the bg380 w/IS laser. The laser stopped working and I sent it in to S&W. they sent me a new CT laser to replace the defective one. I did not install it, as I prefer shooting without the laser! The iron sights work fine for me.

mb

Lasers aren't a bad thing. Crimson Trace Laser GRIPS are great. Totally intuitive activation. Button under the barrel? Not for me. I have laser grips on my 67-1 revolver. I can put 6 shots into almost one hole firing from the hip.

I bought the no laser version of the BG. The laser adds bulk and weight. I was looking at the lightest gun I could find.