Bodyguard 380 or 642?

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kbm6893

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I realize I am in the M&P forum so the opinions may be biased towards them, but I would get biased opinions in the revolver forum too, so I figure either way is good.

I used to own a 642. Sold it even though I shouldn't have. Usually carried in the pocket. Very comfy. 15 oz gun and all.

I have a Ruger LC9-S and it is fine IWB, but a tad big for pocket carry.

So I'm on the hunt for a new pocket gun. In a semi auto, I insist on a safety. Just the way I am wired. I love the mag disconnect and manual safety on my LC9-S. I wish the LCP had the same features, but it doesn't.

I have other 38 revolvers, and I reload, so plenty of 38 ammo on hand. I own no 380 guns so no ammo in the safe.

But the Bodyguard 380 is smaller and lighter, so easier to carry. Has a safety that I like in a carry gun. But not the same reliability as a revolver.

So those who have carried both in the pocket, is there a discernible difference between the two? Gun store won't let me load either gun for. Pocket Check, obviously.
 
I have been down that road a couple of times. Each time the process is the same. I have a glock 42 that I love to shoot, very accurate and easy to shoot and carry. I also have my old duty BUG mod 60 no dash. Each time I try to go the 380 route I aways come back to the J frame for pocket carry. Currently I carry a 642-1 in the pocket. With no hammer it slips in and out easily. Recoil with +P is fine for me. More ammo options than 380. I reload for both. IMO it (642) is the ultimate for safety and reliability for close quarters self defense. I might be partial to revolvers as I have been shooting them for over 50 yrs. ( Man does that make me feel old).
 
it's just a matter of personal preference... i prefer semi's to revolver's because in my law enforcement experience, i've experienced more reliability with the semi's. With pocket mouse guns like the LCP, Bodyguard, and the little glock, they are a lot more tempermental and may require some work to be as reliable as you need a daily carry gun to be. I got lucky, i have a bodyguard 380 that has no issues, i carry it very comfortably in my back pocket daily, (in a pocket holster) and find it to be much better in use than my old S&W mdl 60.
 
I have both and my EDC is the 442. The .380 comes in handy when deep concealment is needed, or when dressed up. Frankly the .380 carries easier (lighter/smaller) but normal dress mode, jeans & T-shirt, either works. The .380 MUST be 100% reliable (mine is) so your lifestyle choice will dictate which is best for you. Don't let the caliber wars influence you, either loaded w/modern self defense ammo will work fine.
 
I think Old Cop summed it up well. I had both but recently sold the 642 in favor of a Ruger LCR 9mm, which slips in most of my pockets easily and is very comfortable to carry and shoot.
Either way, I do feel more secure with the revolver over the auto, but, living in Florida sometimes the way I dress determines what I carry. The Bodyguard is easier to carry.

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The discussion/debate of J-frame versus pocket .380 has been a lively one lately. Lots to read, digest and consider in some other threads, in this and other gun forums.

Personally, while I own more than half a dozen J-frames, and favor them quite a bit for pocket-holster carry, I've bought 2 LCP's.

It's an individual question which deserves a well-considered individual answer.

I only wanted the little pocket .380 for those situations where one of my J's wouldn't fit inside the front pocket of some of my jeans that have tighter & shorter pockets. The LCP served to fill that role.

I would've bought a Bodyguard 380, but for two reasons that mattered to me. First, I didn't want the integral laser. Second, the LCP was just enough smaller to be noticeable compared to the Bodyguard.

I wasn't looking for a manual safety, but if the presence of one would've really bothered me (it didn't), I still could've ordered the original LAPD SKU Bodyguard made without the thumb-safety (not installed). They also didn't install the laser module battery (leaving it loose in the box), as LAPD apparently didn't authorize the Bodyguard with either a thumb-safety or an operating laser.

When I recently bought my second LCP (newer stainless slide model, with improved sights & trigger), I again passed on the M&P Bodyguard for the overall size, and passed on the G42, as it's obviously even larger. I'd sooner carry a 5-shot snub than a 6-shot .380 of similar size. That's just me, though, and lots of folks might find it practical of desirable to choose otherwise (understandably).

No matter which of the ultra short .380's you choose, it's still going to be a .380 ACP at the end of the day. (I not one to try and "magnum-ize" the .380 by using hot-rodded loads, myself.) It is what it is, and it's a .380 ACP. The .38 Spl which is rated for +P can use a wider variety of power loads, and heavier bullets.

So ... my answer to your question, for me, was to keep more than half a dozen J's, and own a pair of LCP's. ;)

They both fit a perceived need and desire, for me.

Luck to you in your decision. :)
 
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I tried both, and I personally found the 642 to be just a tad too big and it ended up either staying at home or staying in the center console. Ever since I got the .380 Bodyguard, I have carried it in a pocket holster daily from 8 am to 6 pm. It is the perfect size for me to carry and I trust it's functioning and my shooting abilities.
 
I own a Shield 9mm and love the weapon but it is too heavy to pocket pack and IWB you may as well go big.

It is my opinion, the Taurus TCP 380 hands down has the best trigger out of the box and at half the weight of my Shield the Taurus found a home in my pocket.

The body guard has better sights than my Taurus bit the Body Guard trigger killed the deal for me.

My only regret with the Taurus are the sights. They stink but I figure in a life or death situation you are not going to use soghts.

Russ
 
You know, we own both. I've fired the BG380 a lot more than the 642. Your question makes me think I need to take the 642 out for a range day.

I do remember the 642 having more snap but I need to refresh my memory...
 
I don't have a Bodyguard, but I would love to have a reliable one or an LCP. Some people do. Sadly, it seems some people don't. Reading this and other forums it appears that the small 380s tend to be either great or nothing but trouble and I haven't quite worked up the nerve to roll those dice yet. I will say that I would not buy one used as the likelihood of getting one of the great ones on the used rack seems to me far less likely than new. People don't sell great pocket guns often.

I have a 642 that pocket carries surprisingly well and that I'd really rather have than a 380 if the SHTF. And I've got my Shield that is my primary EDC. I can conceal it nicely in a OWB pancake under a light shirt cut to be worn un-tucked. It looks decent for Florida, is very comfortable, and nobody will accuse a Shield of being a mouse gun. But one of these days I may roll those dice.
 
Another consideration is the size of the itty bitty .380 and the hands of the shooter.

I've watched a few guys who had hands so large they couldn't easily grasp and manipulate the LCP.

One guy had hands that weren't too large, but his grip style (thumbs forward/high neutral) kept putting one of his thumbs where he rode the slide. That caused interference with the slide and induced repeated stoppages. (The support thumb could sometimes get uncomfortably close to the muzzle. :eek: )

Once we got his thumbs off the slide (and away from the "working" end of the barrel), the little LCP ran like a top for him. Would he remember to shift his grip for the diminutive gun under stress? Dunno.
 
I was just out shooting yesterday with my 21 yo daughter. Between us, we shot 50 rounds of Federal .380 fmj from both my BG380 and Sig232. Both were absolutely clean and lubed, including the magazines.

She shot the Sig comfortably, accurately and reliably - every shot. But, it is NOT a pocket gun.

The BG, however, did not lock the slide back on both mags fired, and jammed on feed one time. 12 rounds fired, 1 problem cycling, 2 problems with empty indication.

I then shot the BG - 3 full mags - and experienced zero issues at all. I would attribute the difference to familiarity and strength of grip. The "limp wrist" phenomenon is real.

So, to answer the original question: If you are an experienced shooter with strong hands and wrist, then BG is a great choice. I would *not* offer the BG to my wife or daughters for SD. In this case, it would be a 642 or similar revolver without question.
 
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Depending on the weather and what I'm wearing, I switch between a Ruger LCP, a Ruger LCR 357, and Sig P938 -







But when the proper clothing is worn, my go to carry gun is my Shield 40 (which unfortunately is a little too big for pocket carry) in a IWB holster.

Gave up on the Body Guards after some bad experiences with two of them, For SD carry, I need a gun that goes bang whenever I pull the trigger.
 
I Love the BG380 for pocket carry when I do not want to pack my LC9S.
I have had 4 BG380's, I keep getting rid of them for something bigger but then I regret it. I just picked up my 4th today and it will stay this time with the LC9S. It is by far the best 380 on the market. I liked the P238 Sig also but not as a pocket gun. Buy the BG380 you will forget it is even in the pocket.
 
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