Bodyguard 2.0 or Shield Plus

[andycaree]

Hello all. This question might irritate some, but I’m gonna give it a shot anyway. I am to the point where I am at max capacity at home for the amount of guns I own. (Kind of an agreement with my wife). While I haven’t put my hands on it yet, as my lgs doesn’t have one in stock, I’m getting pretty jazzed about the Bodyguard 2.0. Thing is, to get it, I would have to sell my Shield Plus 3.1” 9mm.

Does this sound like a totally dumb idea? I understand the differences in caliber. I just think I might carry more if I went with a smaller gun. The Shield Plus is with me daily, but in a sling bag Vs. on my body. I would like to stay with S&W by the way. Also, the thought of getting rid of the Shield kinda makes me sad as the Shield Plus is awesome (but pretty big).
I should also mention that I have a M&P 2.0 3.6” that I have paired with my FPC.

 

[MSD2343]

I’m a huge fan of the Shield Plus, which has been my daily carry for three years now. And personally, I’d much rather be armed with 9mm than .380. But, if you’ll actually be carrying the Bodyguard on your body, than I think that trumps a Shield Plus off body. The caveat, of course, is will you actually carry the Bodyguard on your body?

 

[URIT]

The differences between the two options aren't all that great, except for weight.

Shield+: L 6.1 H 4.6 W 1.1 #20.2 oz
BG 2.0: L 5.5 H 4.1 W .88 # 9.8 oz


The .380 was carried for many decades by European police, and some Euro departments are still using that caliber handgun.

That said, ammo cost and availability may be a consideration for the .380 vs 9mm debate if you are only going to use your firearm for self protection at beer breath distance.

Still, I'm wondering why you carry a little Shield Plus in a sling bag and not on your body, but the tiny Bodyguard would be okay for on-the-person carry.

You're the user so go with what will fits your needs.

 

[andycaree]

Really just the size difference I guess. I used to iwb the Lcp max at 3 o’clock and it basically disappeared. The Shield Plus is pretty big in comparison.

 

[ladder13]

Hello all. This question might irritate some, but I’m gonna give it a shot anyway. I am to the point where I am at max capacity at home for the amount of guns I own. (Kind of an agreement with my wife). While I haven’t put my hands on it yet, as my lgs doesn’t have one in stock, I’m getting pretty jazzed about the Bodyguard 2.0. Thing is, to get it, I would have to sell my Shield Plus 3.1” 9mm.

Does this sound like a totally dumb idea? I understand the differences in caliber. I just think I might carry more if I went with a smaller gun. The Shield Plus is with me daily, but in a sling bag Vs. on my body. I would like to stay with S&W by the way. Also, the thought of getting rid of the Shield kinda makes me sad as the Shield Plus is awesome (but pretty big).
I should also mention that I have a M&P 2.0 3.6” that I have paired with my FPC.

Your choice, not dumb imo. Not much help I know but it’s all I got.

 

[Dave Lively]

If it means the difference between carrying in a bag or on your person I would go with the Bodyguard.

Carrying in a bag is less secure, its easier to accidentally leave it in the car or for people to take it. Its also less concealed. When I see a man with bag, particularly if they look like they are over 35, I assume there is a gun in that bag. Thieves would do the same. While that can be a deterrent it can also make you a target if they think they can take the bag from you.

My carry gun is a 9mm, a Sig P365 that I usually carry IWB. Its harder to carry than a Bodyguard but 9mm ammo has enough power to both expand and penetrate deeply enough to be effective. With 380 you often get no expansion or not enough penetration. But its not like you are unarmed with a 380. It seems to be less effective than 9mm in the real world but not by as much as you would think.

I am considering getting a Bodyguard myself for the few times I want to pocket carry. The P365 is pretty heavy for that and a lighter gun would be better. When carrying IWB the weight of a fully loaded P365 is manageble.

 

[VASCAR2]

I was just using the website handgunhero.com to compare the S&W BodyGuard 2.0 to the LCP II, LCP Max and a Glock 42. I currently own a Glock 42 and a Friend has the LCP Max. I’ve shot the LCP, LCP II and LCP Max. I’m not a fan of the LCP or LCP Max but still prefer my Glock 42.


The BG 380 2.0 is very comparable in size to the LCP Max and LCP. I rarely pocket carry and normally carry IWB at 3-4 O clock. I would rather have a 380 on my person than a firearm in a bag or in my vehicle.

I can accurately shoot my Glock 42 at extended distances but couldn’t with the LCP or LCP Max. I would be surprised if the S&W BG 380 2.0 isn’t easy to shoot pistol because it to is locked breach. I was not a fan of the original Bodyguard but I think the new S&W BG 380 2.0 is going to be very desirable.

I usually regret getting rid of guns so I’d save up for the BG 380 2.0 and keep my Shield Plus.

 

[VictorLouis]

I frequently carry a G42 as a bug. I just had the chance to handle the new Smith, and compare it beside a G42. The Smith is smaller in every dimension, yet...had a more comfortable grip. The ten plus one gives four more rounds than the Glock. However, the Glock has a barrel about half to 5/8" longer.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Involve the wife in the decision. She may appreciate the problem. I say get her to pray with you about it. She might agree maybe to get the new gun for you on your birthday. Maybe she might agree to let you get the gun and go with you to the range to help you decide between them. Your carry gun must be the one that YOU are good with. Look at your targets together and talk about it. The targets tell you which is better (if one is even better). Keep that one and sell the other.

She does not understand why you need more than one gun, and you do not understand why she needs more than one pair of shoes. It's kind of the same.

 

[Rob613]

Guns show up in my safe all the time when my wife’s not home[emoji1744]

 

[Indynick]

Andy, how would you carry the BG, if you got one? Pocket, or belt holster?

 

[andycaree]

Either pocket-carry or iwb at 3 o’clock

 

[DRankin]

Wait a bit..... My Bodyguard 2.0 is already back to S&W with warranty issues. I know better than to buy a new design too soon but I ignored my own rules.

 

[RobzGuns]

1: I am to the point where I am at max capacity at home for the amount of guns I own.
2: While I haven’t put my hands on it yet, as my lgs doesn’t have one in stock, I’m getting pretty jazzed about the Bodyguard 2.0.
3: Thing is, to get it, I would have to sell my Shield Plus 3.1” 9mm.

Does this sound like a totally dumb idea?

You are to the point of max capacity and would need to sell one to buy the BG 2.0. Is the Shield the one you shoot the worst? Why is IT the only one you'd be wiling to part with?

Actually, the only 'dumb' part is that you are considering selling (swapping) your Shield, which is a 'Known Entity' (in your hands), for an unknown entity you have not personally shot, let alone, fondled.

Yes, the BG 2.0 is getting rave reviews from all the magazines (which get compensated for posting the pre-written positive review) and self proclaimed Internet Gurus, but all that means NOTHING until you know how it feels to shoot one yourself.

Would you prefer to sell your Shield, buy the BG 2.0 and find that you don't like how the BG feels to shoot, or that you can't really conceal it any easier than the Shield Plus, you've now sold?

You seem to already know the cost and availability difference between 9mm and .380 ammo. How many different calibers of ammo do you want to stock?

The main thing is this:
Don't buy sight unseen and unshot. Find a BG 2.0 to try/rent/borrow, so you know if it shoots nice enough to sell the Shield.
If you shoot it and absolutely LOVE it... Get It.
But if you only KINDA like it, you may not train with it enough to really carry it. Now, you've wasted your money.

Don't let that money burning a hole in your pocket make the decision for you.

 

[Daryl Licht]

There's a thing I don't understand here. What makes the Shield Plus so much harder for you to carry than the .380? I don't have a Plus but do have a 9mm Shield and I've never felt the need to have a smaller gun for carry. For that matter, I've carried my 3.6" 9mm Compact a lot and it's never been an issue. It sometimes takes some experimentation to find the right setup for comfort and concealment, but it is worthwhile.

I do have to say that I don't have the same wife problem. I do have to sneak new guns into the house, because she always wants to look at them. She's laid claim to a few and I've ended up having to buy another one for myself.

 

[BBMW]

The first think I'd try is to figure out how to carry the Shield Plus on body. If I actually had to us a gun to defend myself, I'd much rather it be a 9mm than a .380.

If that doesn't work, realize the Shield Plus is to the larger end of the microcompact class. There are smaller guns in that class (the original P365 and Hellcat come to mind.) So my next step would be to sell of the SP and get one of those. Try carrying one of those on body.

If that doesn't work, try the new Bodyguard.

 

[Dave Lively]

There are smaller guns in that class (the original P365 and Hellcat come to mind.)

Weight matters too. Particularly if someone is going to pocket carry. While the P365 and Hellcat are smaller they all weigh about the same.

Weight is the main reason I typically carry a P365 instead of something like my 2.0 compact IWB. With the P365 I can wear a comfortable belt but the heavier gun requires a thick, stiff and uncomfortable gun belt. For a lot of people a stiff gun belt solves the problem of carrying a heavier gun, for me that same belt is the problem.

The other thing the Bodyguard has going for it is that most people can 3 fingers on the grip with the flush fitting magazine due to the short slide and trigger guard undercut. If you add a magazine with a pinky rest or 12 round magazine to a P365 it is no longer the same size as a Bodyguard.

The Bodyguard 2.0 has a lot going for it but is still a 380. I might buy one and tell myself I will use it for pocket carry. But in reality I feel better knowing my carry gun is chambered in a round that can both expand and penetrate. Which is hard to achieve with a 380, there is no denying a 380 has half the power of a 9mm.

But even if I won't carry it often if ever the Bodyguard is interesting enough S&W stands a really good chance of selling me one. Its nice to see an innovative product from them.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I have a couple KAHRs in 380acp: if I didn't I would probably jump on the new Bodyguard 2.0...

Cheers!

P.S. AFA carry is concerned the CW380 is absolutely tiny and disappears in a pocket holster. But, the Bodyguard 2.0's 10+1 is a big increase in capacity! The reason I have the SCCY CPX-3s (also 10+1 & MUCH less expen$ive!) was for practice purposes at the range.

 

[Tomac]

All handguns are relatively poor 'stoppers' regardless of caliber or bullet use. Shot placement and sufficient penetration are paramount, all else is secondary.
With that being said, the first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun. I personally prefer 9mm and love the Shield Plus but being able to slip something like a holstered BG2.0 in my back pocket has resulted in being armed nearly 24/7 w/o having to dress around the gun. As the old saying goes, better the .380 on you than the 9mm/.45/.40/etc at home. I would not feel as comfortable carrying a .380 if the BG2.0 wasn't so good (as someone else mentioned, it's a real gun, just small).
Bottom line is the final decision depends upon which better fits your current needs.