Thanks for your reply, Mag318. Sounds like either of the two would be a good choice. You have a good point, though, about putting both of them in front of her. That would be my preference as well (i.e., for her to make the choice for herself). Time to make some calls to local shops, I guess. Maybe if she likes one in particular, I can find a way to justify buying the other one for myself.
Bodyguard 380 arrives
- Thread starter mag318
- Start date
Bob H
Member
Thanks for the info Mag318, I am still waiting for the pistol to be available in the Baton Rouge area.
460v LAC du FLAMBEAU
Member
Mag318
Great coverage on these 2 new products.
My sister has the 380 and loves it!
Great coverage on these 2 new products.
My sister has the 380 and loves it!
Made it to the range today between storms and shot my new Bodyguard 380. I put 200 rounds thru it and the pistol was 100% reliable with all loads.
100 rnds Federal AE FMJ
50 rnds Winchester WB FML Truncated Bullet
20 rnds Federal HydroShok
20 rnds Corbon JHP
10 rnds Winchester PDX1
The laser on my pistol was perfectly regulated at 7/10 yards making headshots boringly easy. This thing really shoots, just using the sights I tore one big jagged hole at 7 yards. I did try some shots at 25 yards and had no problem staying on an 8 inch Birchwood Casey Shoot n See stick on target. The sights were perfectly regulated at the factory so no adjustment was needed. It started raining heavily so I didn't get to my 38 Bodyguard.
I just cleaned the pistol and it is really well built, the frame rails are full length which probably accounts for the excellent accuracy. (See Pics) The laser has it's own covered compartment in the dust cover to protect it. The recoil spring is dual coil. In my opinion this is the best 380 pocket pistol on the market, even better than my Kahr P380.
Report on the 38 will follow shortly.
100 rnds Federal AE FMJ
50 rnds Winchester WB FML Truncated Bullet
20 rnds Federal HydroShok
20 rnds Corbon JHP
10 rnds Winchester PDX1
The laser on my pistol was perfectly regulated at 7/10 yards making headshots boringly easy. This thing really shoots, just using the sights I tore one big jagged hole at 7 yards. I did try some shots at 25 yards and had no problem staying on an 8 inch Birchwood Casey Shoot n See stick on target. The sights were perfectly regulated at the factory so no adjustment was needed. It started raining heavily so I didn't get to my 38 Bodyguard.
I just cleaned the pistol and it is really well built, the frame rails are full length which probably accounts for the excellent accuracy. (See Pics) The laser has it's own covered compartment in the dust cover to protect it. The recoil spring is dual coil. In my opinion this is the best 380 pocket pistol on the market, even better than my Kahr P380.
Report on the 38 will follow shortly.
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Boy, 200 rounds thru one of these small guns at one time is amazing. I have a Keltec p3at and 50 rounds at once is a chore and painful to the hand. What are the actual gunstore prices for one of these?
The trigger does have a long pull just like the Kahr, but I absolutely had no problem staying on target. The next time I go to the range I'll take my camera and shoot some video.
That was my big complaint with the Ruger LCP, after a few magazines shooting it would go from uncomfortable to downright painful. My Kahr P380 was like night and day, you could shoot it all afternoon in relative comfort. The Bodyguard is just as comfortable to shoot. The pistol only comes with one magazine so I ordered three more. I always practice weak handed also, and the laser activation button on both sides of the dust cover is easy to manipulate. You have to shoot this pistol to appreciate it and I can highly recommend it to anyone contemplating buying one.
I imagine that the street price will be $450/500 range, as a retired LEO I am fortunate that my dealer still gives me the police price which was $390.
That was my big complaint with the Ruger LCP, after a few magazines shooting it would go from uncomfortable to downright painful. My Kahr P380 was like night and day, you could shoot it all afternoon in relative comfort. The Bodyguard is just as comfortable to shoot. The pistol only comes with one magazine so I ordered three more. I always practice weak handed also, and the laser activation button on both sides of the dust cover is easy to manipulate. You have to shoot this pistol to appreciate it and I can highly recommend it to anyone contemplating buying one.
I imagine that the street price will be $450/500 range, as a retired LEO I am fortunate that my dealer still gives me the police price which was $390.
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Stilch, you just made a wise decision, and you'll never look back. When you get one of these you're going to love it. Every person that I've shown either Bodyguard wants one, they're that impressive. Someone was asking me about the long trigger pull on the 380. It is long just like on the Kahr P380, but very manageable. There is no way this pistol will ever discharge accidentally, which is a good thing on a pocket pistol. I really like the option of being able to employ a thumb safety if so desired.
SHAMUSPI
Member
Okay; I'm going to catch hell for this, but here goes. The Smith 380 Bodyguard is UGLY! I know, I know - it works great. I am/have been a lover of S&W for decades and currently own several. I just can't get past its looks. (I admit it - I bought a Ruger LCP; Sorry!)
PLEASE DON'T HURT ME.
PLEASE DON'T HURT ME.
460v LAC du FLAMBEAU
Member
Received an update from my sister & brother-in-law last night on the 380. She has over 300 rounds and her son has 200 rounds through it...no problems and dead on.
Her neighbor came over during the weekend and now his wife wants one...tough to locate currently in their east Kentucky town.
Her neighbor came over during the weekend and now his wife wants one...tough to locate currently in their east Kentucky town.
akhooters7
Member
if you have a LCP... would you post some pics for size comparison please ?
I purchased a 380 Bodyguard today off one of the online auction sites for $450 shipped. I thought that was a fair price. Seems those who have gotten thier hands on these guns has had only positive things to say. In general I'm hesistant to buy a new model, but S&W is a good company, and if they do come up with any problems I know they will make it right.
I think the gun looks great, and I've read the gripes about how its larger than the LCP, Kel Tec, DB 380, and Kahr. But I don't plan on carrying it in my pocket, I want to carry it IWB. I think its better that its a tad larger since it gives you more to hold onto, and you can still pocket carry if you want to. I'm pretty neutral on lasers, but I like this style since its built in, and should be accurate the way its positioned.
I toyed with the idea of getting a Kel Tec PF9 but I have had a few Kel Tecs in the past, and they were never 100%. The 380 was really bad, the P11 9mm was OK, and the P32 was the best. I'm glad I held out for the bodyguard, currently I carry a 5 shot airweight snub IWB. But even that seems bulky at times, and this Bodyguard should fix that. I'll post back with shooting results.
I think the gun looks great, and I've read the gripes about how its larger than the LCP, Kel Tec, DB 380, and Kahr. But I don't plan on carrying it in my pocket, I want to carry it IWB. I think its better that its a tad larger since it gives you more to hold onto, and you can still pocket carry if you want to. I'm pretty neutral on lasers, but I like this style since its built in, and should be accurate the way its positioned.
I toyed with the idea of getting a Kel Tec PF9 but I have had a few Kel Tecs in the past, and they were never 100%. The 380 was really bad, the P11 9mm was OK, and the P32 was the best. I'm glad I held out for the bodyguard, currently I carry a 5 shot airweight snub IWB. But even that seems bulky at times, and this Bodyguard should fix that. I'll post back with shooting results.
Your local dealer should be able to get them. I returned to my dealer few days later on some other business and they just ordered a bunch of mags from the factory. They had a flyer with prices, your dealer should have one of these flyers, if not they should be getting one soon. We'll see how long it takes to receive them.
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