-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Just picked up .380 bodygaurd. Best ammo?
- Thread starter Vizsladog
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I'm sure you have heard that the Bodyguard is "picky."
Many of the early ones were very picky. Because they were defective.
If you have one that is picky, it is defective, and should be sent for repair.
Mine eats every type I've fed it.
US and foreign "range" (FMJ) ammo, and Hornady Critical Defense "premium" ammo.
The Hornady ammo is quite pricey.
Shoot a couple boxes through your gun to be sure it cycles.
Then rest easy, knowing you have really-compact, and reliable, pocket pistol with enough juice to get you out of most tight spots.
Many of the early ones were very picky. Because they were defective.
If you have one that is picky, it is defective, and should be sent for repair.
Mine eats every type I've fed it.
US and foreign "range" (FMJ) ammo, and Hornady Critical Defense "premium" ammo.
The Hornady ammo is quite pricey.
Shoot a couple boxes through your gun to be sure it cycles.
Then rest easy, knowing you have really-compact, and reliable, pocket pistol with enough juice to get you out of most tight spots.
Search Youtube on the HPR 90 grain hollow point. It's about as effective as you can get in this caliber and penetrates to 12" consistently. It feeds reliably in my M&P (no laser) .380 but so does everything else I put through it.
Thats what i needed to hear. I will shoot it soon and see if i have any problems. The gun review sites i read ,all pretty mch had no probs with it ftf,or fte. Seems like the ppu ammo was gicing a tester fits but it ate everything else.
Florida J Frame
US Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,051
- Reaction score
- 816
Make sure you run at least a box of the HPR through your gun. My LCP which runs just about everything decided it doesn't like it. Started getting stove pipes. Muzzle Velocity is only 915 vs 1000 on most other SD .380s. I don't think it drives the slide back with enough force. Maybe the Smith will like it.
Bowyer
Member
I started out with Remington UMC FMJ rounds, did not work very well with my Bodyguard. Went to the PMC Bronze FMJ and have had good luck with those. Read some of the feedback on some of the ammo retailers. They have worked well with many others! Good luck, happy shooting! - Rick
OH, and shame on me, Welcome to the forum! You will definitely enjoy this one!
OH, and shame on me, Welcome to the forum! You will definitely enjoy this one!
Last edited:
Wee Hooker
Member
As mentioned, some of the early ones had some issues and that reputation seems to have followed them. I'd also add that I've seen a fair amount of snobbery applied in various gun shops that would rather push a $700 sig than a $300 BG. FWIW, I have an early one and have had nothing but stellar performance from it with anything from mild reloads to hot PD ammo.
The key (as with any semi you plan to use for PD) is to become familiar with it as you break it in.
My advice would be to get some good PD ammo but also get to know the gun with lots of inexpensive ball ammo.
Horn
Member
Different Pistol But....
Sig 232 (EDC is a Shield 9) and eats eaten everything. I have
Buffalo Bore's Hard Cast/ Flat Nose +P ammo in it. You might go to BB's web site and read about it___and then decide if you're concerned about over penetration___that said, the recommended
Hornady ammo is solid advise.
I fired the BB ammo at seven feet through two telephone books and a gallon jug of water. That type bullet is used for big mean game in long guns.
G'luck with your new pistol. A fine choice.
These are some good suggestions you're getting. My 380 is a
Sig 232 (EDC is a Shield 9) and eats eaten everything. I have
Buffalo Bore's Hard Cast/ Flat Nose +P ammo in it. You might go to BB's web site and read about it___and then decide if you're concerned about over penetration___that said, the recommended
Hornady ammo is solid advise.
I fired the BB ammo at seven feet through two telephone books and a gallon jug of water. That type bullet is used for big mean game in long guns.
G'luck with your new pistol. A fine choice.
Captain O
US Veteran
With the .380, penetration is key! The cartridge is underpowered for it's frontal area. The BB hard cast +p is a safe bet. I still think that hollowpoints in the .380 are a bad idea. Why would you want to put "speed brakes" on a subsonic cartridge, that is already being "handicapped" by a barrel that's too short from the beginning?
In subsonic cartridges, penetration is your friend!
Rant off.
In subsonic cartridges, penetration is your friend!
Rant off.
Horn
Member
Agree With Captain O
And__have you checked out BB's 9MM Outdoorsman? Have considered loading with my normal 9mm (Shield) Speer GDs
the first three rounds and follow with those Outdoorsman with the rest__in case the GD didn't get it done. Still "thinking" though.
Stay safe.
You are totally correct. I put the "if you are concerned with over penetration" for some that have objected to what those BB's do.
And__have you checked out BB's 9MM Outdoorsman? Have considered loading with my normal 9mm (Shield) Speer GDs
the first three rounds and follow with those Outdoorsman with the rest__in case the GD didn't get it done. Still "thinking" though.
Stay safe.
Guess it hasn't been said yet, so here it is.
Tiny guns are all picky, in that they do not like to function when limp wristed.
As for ammo, there is nothing relevant anyone can share to help you, really. Every single gun will have its own preferences if any. Grab a few different boxes, maybe something cheap like Herters, a larger name-brand like Federal, a hollowpoint like Remington HTP, whatever.
If your ccw class involves live fire, and you run into problems, and assuming your instructor is a competent shooter him/herself, have them shoot the gun to help rule out user error.
Tiny guns are all picky, in that they do not like to function when limp wristed.
As for ammo, there is nothing relevant anyone can share to help you, really. Every single gun will have its own preferences if any. Grab a few different boxes, maybe something cheap like Herters, a larger name-brand like Federal, a hollowpoint like Remington HTP, whatever.
If your ccw class involves live fire, and you run into problems, and assuming your instructor is a competent shooter him/herself, have them shoot the gun to help rule out user error.
MadJack!
Member
Shooting The Bull did a series the .380 ACP Ammo Quest.
While it's not a true scientific study, but about as well done as a most any Joe on the street can do. Very informative.
While it's not a true scientific study, but about as well done as a most any Joe on the street can do. Very informative.
Bowyer
Member
I think anyone carrying a 380 should watch this video.
RAM1299
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2013
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 27
I currently have an M&P Bodyguard and haven't had the chance to shoot it much, but my last pocket 380 was an LCP. I ran many, many different brands of ammo through it and never had one malfunction. I could mix different ammo in the same mag and have no problems, so I carried with a mag alternating quality hollow points and ball ammo. You're probably not going to fire just once if you're truly in harms way. This way you get some guaranteed penetration from the FMJ and hopefully a little devastation to vessels with the HP.
I had Hornady custom load some 90gr XTP rounds for me a few weeks back. So, I will recommend XTP rounds as they expand reliably at both low and high velocities. They also have great penetration.
Out of a BG380 barrel 1ft from the muzzle its traveling at just shy of 1,130fps. It is a +p load. I trust the M&P 380 at handling it because it is a locked breech design. As for handling it, its easy to keep the gun on target in 2 round pulls. I can keep the gun centered on a 5" circle from 5yds while rapid firing with them. So, to me, thats good for what the pistol is designed for.
"A get the heck off me gun."
I will be relegating this to backup duty though, as I have a Colt 45 Compact 1911 getting ready to enter my rotation. 3.5" barrel, all metal design.. I like it, A-LOT.
Out of a BG380 barrel 1ft from the muzzle its traveling at just shy of 1,130fps. It is a +p load. I trust the M&P 380 at handling it because it is a locked breech design. As for handling it, its easy to keep the gun on target in 2 round pulls. I can keep the gun centered on a 5" circle from 5yds while rapid firing with them. So, to me, thats good for what the pistol is designed for.
"A get the heck off me gun."
I will be relegating this to backup duty though, as I have a Colt 45 Compact 1911 getting ready to enter my rotation. 3.5" barrel, all metal design.. I like it, A-LOT.
