Advice, Please: Shield 9mm vs. Bodyguard 380

Thanks for all of the excellent advice everyone. I have been bouncing back and forth between several forums today and have been seeking opinions on the Shield, the SR9C, the Glock 26 and the Berretta Nano. The Shield seems to be the only gun that gets high marks consistently. Assuming that it feels right and shoots well for me, I believe I have my answer.

Speedyquad, I live in Montgomery County. I submitted my local background check to my police department. When that comes back, I submit that document along with the gun permit application to the Sheriff of Montgomery County.
 
JUST MY OPINION. BUY THE BIGGEST GUN YOU WILL CARRY ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. WITHER THAT'S A .25ACP OR A 44MAG. MY VIEW IS PRETTY SIMPLE. DITCH THE OTHERS ( THE BERETTA AND THE EITHER ONE OF THE OTHER 2) AND BUY BOTH THE SHIELD AND THE 380.

THE LC9 IS A NICE SIZE, BUT THE TRIGGER IS AWFUL. LIKE PULLING A PLOW BY HAND.

JP
 
I have an SR9C and an SR40C. Both sit in the safe all the time. I carry the Shield 9 or my 3913 99% of the time (my T-brand .380 the other 1%.)
Nothing wrong with either Ruger, they're simply bigger than either S&W. I have found that both S&Ws fit the same DeSantis and G&G holsters as the Rugers, BTW.
 
I have both 9mm shield and M&P 380. I like the 380 but love the Shield and only carry the 380 when I need pocket carry. I live in Texas and the 380 drops in shorts pocket. Having both is nice.
 
Get the Shield. Find a way to carry it always.

You already have several 9mm's. Buy a 9mm Shield and you only have to stock one type of ammunition.

If you ever find yourself actually needing to use your CCW pistol to protect yourself, you really don't want to rely on any 380.
 
dkleiner said:
I am looking at the Shield and the Bodyguard. I am leaning toward the Shield. Are there any overpowering attributes that the Bodyguard has that should make me reconsider?
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I have both. The Shield is by far the better all-around concealed carry gun for many reasons, including caliber, capacity, controlability, sight radius, and trigger. The Bodyguard is only better when you really can't carry anything larger; being armed is better than being unarmed.
 
It's plain and simple to me.... If you can afford both, get em!! The Shield and the new M&P380 are incredible pistols with 2 totally different uses. One is deep concealment the other is more holster carry. If you are carrying concealed, there will be times you want the smallest gun possible... The M&P380 is amazing... Like someone else here posted, I have 2 of every carry M&P made 9,40 and 45, compact and full size. both Shields, 9 and 40 and both BG380's.... I haven't put my new M&P380 down since I got it... but I'm sure I will carry the Shields again and no doubt my other M&P's will find some time on my side... good luck and welcome!
 
I was in your shoes not long ago, I'm not new to guns by no means but was looking for my first handgun for a ccw. I researched for several months, read and watched every review available on all conceal carry 9's. I went with the Shield and I have no regrets, I love the gun and zero issues thus far. I didn't even consider the BG380 for the simple fact that .380 ammo is rare in my neck of the woods and 9mm ammo is readily available and no problems finding the 100 rd value packs for range shooting. But I agree with others, if you have the $ buy both and see which one you like, you can always sell one down the road or just keep em. Welcome to the forum and happy shooting. :)
 
dkleiner said:
Speedyquad, I live in Montgomery County. I submitted my local background check to my police department. When that comes back, I submit that document along with the gun permit application to the Sheriff of Montgomery County.
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got ya...any other area other than the philly area is easy to get a LTCF...i walked into the sheriff's office, answered the few questions on the application, handed it to the secretary who made the background check call. she asked for my $20, made me sit down to take my picture...had trouble with the laminating machine so i came back after jury selection ended and picked up my lctf.

it should be that way in every county...too bad the philly area is backwards on some things
 
I got no problem with 380.. I prefer larger caliber... but ... I am pretty certain I can get the job done with whatever I carry... as long as it goes bang!!
 
Thoughts on Ruger SR9

dkleiner said:
Thank you, Gentlemen. Any thought on the Ruger SR9?
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I assume you are asking about the Ruger SR9c and not the full size gun. I IWB carry the SR9c in a 2 clip hybrid holster. The gun is too big for pocket carry IMHO but conceals well IWB. However I don't really notice it in my hybrid IWB.

The Shield is a little smaller but the SR9c has greater capacity (10+1 or 17+1), something to think about if you are undecided about carrying an extra magazine. The SR9c also has a rail if you ever want to use it as a nightstand/home defense gun with accessories.

My wife has the Shield. I carry my SR9c or Sig P290RS. They are all good guns capable of being concealed.
 
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turbo38gn said:
I got no problem with 380.. I prefer larger caliber... but ... I am pretty certain I can get the job done with whatever I carry... as long as it goes bang!!
Click to expand...

Technically the .380 is the same caliber as a 9mm, it just has a smaller case and less powder. In Europe it is called 9mmKurtz or 9mmShort.

Just making a clarification.
 
OP: You've received a lot of good info here, & my choice would definitely be the Shield. The BG 380 is small & easily carried, & I originally wanted one, before the Shield came out. I shot a BG 380 yesterday for the first time, & I'm glad I went with the 40 Shield. I know the BG has fans, but it just doesn't work for me. The trigger pull is horrible, reminds me of a Sigma SW40VE I used to own. It made me appreciate my Shield(with stock trigger)even more. I can see where the BG would just disappear in your pocket, but I pocket carry my Shield all day long in a Desantis holster. Like many have said, if your local range has both for rent you should try them both. Good luck with your decision!
 
I own both, and carry both, sometimes at the same time. The BG in an ankle holster, and the Shield IWB. Like they say: if you think you need to carry a gun, you probably need to carry two.

The Shield is not a pocket gun, although I can carry it in my pocket, but it always hangs up during draw, no matter how many times I practice.

My EDC is the BG, in a Desantis Super Fly Pocket holster. I can carry in shorts, or a Tuxedo. It was my first carry gun, and it gave me a chance to work out all of the logistics of how to carry, where to carry, and when to carry. Then I added the bigger brother, the Shield.
 
And the winner is....


...the M&P Shield.

The SR9C had a snappy trigger. I started shooting multiple shots, but that quieted down as I got used to it. However, my grouping was much better with the Shield. I really liked the Walther PPS, but not for an extra $140.00.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

I do have and issue with removing the slide for cleaning, but I will start a new thread on that topic. Thanks again for all if the help.
 
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