Bodyguard .380 Opinions Appreciated...

[TripleB]

I went out today wearing my favorite pair of jeans to a local gun shop trying to figure out what I can and can't carry in my front pocket as my first concealed carry handgun.

I found out that, with my current wardrobe, guns like the Shield 9mm/Ruger LC9s/Sig P938/Glock 42/etc. just aren't going to work for my concealed carry needs right now. All the guns would fit but to easily pull them out in a time of need, not happening very smoothly.

Handguns that that do work are the M&P Bodyguard .380 (without laser), Ruger LCP Custom, Kahr CM9 (the only 9mm in the bunch), Kahr CW380, and Sig Sauer P238 (although this one is about $120 more than what I was hoping to spend).

Can anyone give me your opinions, thoughts, and experiences (both good and bad) with the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380?

Thank you!

TripleB

 

[rjm6120]

I have had my M&P BG .380 since the spring, almost 600 through it at this point, and have had absolutely no issues with it at all. It's my EDC, and I recently switched to a Bikini wallet holster from Red Dog Gunleather. Mine's a tack driver, if there is such a thing for a pocket .380---very accurate. I like it lots, and I don't see myself getting rid of it.

 

[M29since14]

If you get one that fires every time you pull the trigger I think the gun is the best design of the mini-.380s. It has usable sights, is sufficiently accurate, and has a decent thumb safety, the latter you can either use or ignore as you choose. It also is the easiest to hold on to, for me. The grip design seems to aid handling recoil better than its competitors. If you get a good one you will like it.

 

[Old cop]

My no laser model was purchased in Feb. and 600 + rounds of ball & hollow point later, not a single issue. Very accurate and easy to conceal. Mine is pocket carried daily everywhere I go. As to the trigger pull, it's similar to my J frame so no learning curve.

 

[DocB]

It's pretty good without the laser. Unfortunately, mine has the laser. I always keep going back to the Ruger LCP. It's pretty invisible in my pocket (front or back). Just got the Custom model. It has the sights and the improved trigger. . .a red one at that. While I really have never been a fan of Rugers except the Number 1 Tropical (got 2 for fun), I really do like the LCP.

 

[TripleB]

Just got the Custom model. It has the sights and the improved trigger. . .a red one at that.

Have you had a chance to compare the LCP Custom side by side the Bodyguard .380? If so, what are your thoughts?

For everyone, what self defense ammo do you use in the Bodyguard .380?

Thanks for the input so far...glad to hear that all the complaints I've read about the trigger aren't entirely accurate!

TripleB

 

[Ballistic147]

Great little gun but I hate the trigger. Very long and heavy. It's actually very accurate during slow fire but rapid fire my groups are not good. Luckily the BG belongs to my wife who loves it.

I carry a Taurus TCP. Yes, it's a Taurus which I'm no big fan of but the trigger is far better IMO. I can easily do a mag dump at 7 yard and keep it in center mass. The BG definitely looks better and feels much better but I shoot the TCP better. My wife is the exact opposite and shoots the BG better while she hates the TCP.

If you can, give them all a try. That's really the only way you'll know which one suits you best.

 

[jimmib]

I have had mine for 5 years (with laser) and carry it a lot....many rounds through it of all brands and no problems....I would suggest renting different ones if you can at a range and see what you like best....good luck

 

[W.E.G.]

I liked my first one so well, I bought a second one.

Conceals completely in the WATCH POCKET of these jeans: AA Carpenter Jeans Made in USA: All American Clothing Co

 

[scooter123]

IT hasn't been mentioned but IMO if you want to pocket carry you really need to think about changing to cargo pants. As a life long blue jeans wearer I have enough problems trying to fish a simple pocket knife out of my pocket to ever consider carrying a handgun there. My solution to this issue is an IWB holster and a loose shirt as a cover garment.

As for Jimmib's suggestion of test shooting some rentals. I think that is a wonderful idea. One area where there is a huge amount of variation in these sub compacts is in the trigger, some are double action only, some striker type, and some, like the P238 are single action only. Obviously you'll want to select a trigger action that you find works well for you. However, in the case of the P238 I would recommend that you NOT consider that as a candidate for pocket carry. Because you could deactivate the safety while drawing it out of a pocket and if your finger happens to hit the trigger you could end up shooting yourself in the leg. My preferred type of trigger for pocket carry would be a double action trigger on the heavy side just like the S&W J frame revolvers.

Finally, the 380 ACP is a distinctly light recoiling caliber that is both easy to shoot and cheap to reload. In fact the 380 may be the cheapest caliber of all the common calibers to reload. BTW I picked up my first 380 on Black Friday, a Sig P290 and already have "made" 500 cases to reload with in addition to putting 200 of my own loads downrange. I can't testify to the shootability of the Bodyguard but if it's anything like my P290 you'll find the accuracy potential of this caliber is excellent. All it takes is practice, which is why I suggest reloading so strongly. I'll also state that I've found the finest means of training for optimum trigger control is with a true double action trigger that features a revolver like long and moderately heavy trigger. It does take practice but master a DA trigger and you'll be able to shoot anything well.

 

[686-380]

I too, have the laser version (not M&P) of the Bodyguard .380. It fits extremely well in my front pocket, in its holster. I'm a very active individual and am moving a lot during the day. My BG is a non-issue. God forbid, if I ever need it, it'll be ready.

If you'd like to see how a particular brand of ammo will work, leave me a note on my YouTube channel (Ed Rogers) and I'll see what I can do. Good luck!

 

[Brother_Bluto]

Just picked up my non-laser version two weeks ago. Love it so far. 200 rounds of ball ammo and 14 rounds of Critical Defense without a hiccup. I did buy the Crimson Trace Green Laserguard and like the combination.

 

[ABMI]

I had one of the first BG & liked the gun but hated the trigger & the laser buttons were problematic, but like I said it was a very early one with the self disassembling problem, sent it back & S&W replaced the frame & was OK after that but never liked the trigger, had to be 10-12# I ended up selling it & bought a Kahr P380, love it!! Great trigger, very accurate, nice gun but twice the price. If S&W fixed the trigger & laser issues I wouldn't think twice about owning one, like I said I liked the gun but didn't want to live with that poor of a trigger.

 

[Old cop]

My carry ammo is HPR 90 grain hollow point (HP). Feeds reliably and penetrates deeper than the others. I also tested the Remington 102 grain HP and it feeds reliably but does not penetrate as deeply as the HPR.

 

[KSDeputy]

I bought a BG .380 in December 2015. It is the first DAO pistol I have owned. The trigger is terrible. I went back to the gun store and tried the triggers of several other .380 pocket pistols, including Remington and Ruger. The latest model Ruger Custom LCP which has better sights and a red aluminum trigger, was the best trigger by far. I am on the waiting list for one, they must be incredibly popular. For those that are happy with the BG .380, I am glad for you. I never shot mine, one pull of the trigger with a snap cap was enough for me to know I could not live with it. I carry a CS45 when I leave my property. The small .380 is for carry when working on the tractor, mowing, etc. When I get the Ruger, I will list the BG .380 for sale.

 

[latinracer]

I'm going to get me a BG as a christmas present and to conceal carry daily as my SIG 229 and M&P40C is too bulky for my body size.

I do want the laser but can't decide which one to get.

Crimson Trace integrated laser $394.99
Crimson Trace Green Laserguard $519.00

If I get the the laserguard model can it be removed and use the BG w/ out laser?

Are holsters fitmet the same for either? Is price about right?

 

[Elliot45]

Opinion on BG

My BG has always been reliable but I don't like practicing with it. I usually have my Shield with me but if I didn't, I would have my Sig P238. I wouldn't have purchased it but I got a really good deal, about $539 if I remember right and it came with a laser (not shown) and rubber Hogue grips which I replaced with rosewood grips and an aluminum trigger. it's now pleasant to shoot and concealable. The prices on the Kahrs have come down and I would probably look at one of them but I'll still take the trigger on the Sig over them. Best of luck on your choice. Regards, Elliot45

 

[W.E.G.]

I have to chuckle a little bit when I hear people talking about "the trigger" on this little gun.

Frankly, I can't imagine EVER firing it for its intended purpose under circumstances where I would give even a milisecond of thought to the trigger.

For the gun's intended purpose, you will be trying to pull the trigger with all your might, and as fast as you can. You will probably be off-balance, and shooting at a moving target that is upon you, and is trying to take you to the ground. You won't be able to raise the gun in any sort of posture that will allow you to see the sights. If you have any conscious thought at that moment, it will be something along the lines of "Please make this gun discharge before he takes it away from me."

It is strictly a DEFENSIVE weapon. Nobody is using this gun for interdictions. You will have exactly 0.00 seconds to prepare for the shot.

In a real scenario, the last thing you will be thinking about is the "quality" of the trigger pull. Even if there is a discernible difference between the triggers on various .380 autoloaders, at the moment you need the trigger to work, you will be in no state of mind to appreciate those differences. In that situation, the only trigger that you will notice is one that doesn't work.

 

[bcb577]

I edc m&p bodyguard and the Dao is not a bad trigger,sure you have to use a bit more force to pull it but it's not like it's impossible to fire this finE gun.I have had mine since Feb 2014 and have not had any problems,and I'm seriously accurate with this pistol.practice,practice,practice!you'll be used to this trigger very quickly,if I had to do it over again I would still buy this over any other 380 on the market hands down!

 

[PinGorilla]

There is a night and day difference between the p238 and bodyguard. I own the p238 and shot a bodyguard some. Spend the extra money and get the p238.