Bodyguard 380 vs LCP: Recoil

[angrysteve]

I rented an LCP at the range today, and the recoil was unpleasant, to say the least (I once heard someone compare it to catching a Randy Johnson fastball, lol). Unfortunately, they didn't have the Bodyguard available for comparison. The reviews I've read online say that the S&W is much more pleasant to shoot than the Ruger, but I'm skeptical. Anyone have hands on experience with both guns? Is the difference in recoil really that noticable? Thanks.

 

[Erich]

Wow, I have no issues at all with the LCP recoil with regular ammo (no worse than an Airweight J-frame with +Ps) - but when I go to the Buffalo Bore "+P" stuff at just under 1100 fps it becomes notably unpleasant for me.

Shooting the Bodyguard and LCP side by side with the same ammo, I find the slightly thicker gripframe of the Bodyguard to transmit less recoil to my hand than does the LCP's thinner gripframe. However, if you're finding that you're hurting from the LCP and regular ammo, you're not likely to find the Bodyguard to be substantially better, in my opinion. Perhaps tiny, polymer .380s are not for you.

(Incidentally, I find the LCP to be more accurate and I've yet to have my first malf with it after owning it for more than three years and firing several hundred rounds through it.)

 

[mag318]

I bought an LCP when they first came out but dumped it when the Bodyguard arrived. Shooting the two side by side the BG was much more comfortable recoil wise. The LCP actually became painful to shoot after a few magazines. The BG in contrast you could shoot comfortably all afternoon or until running out of ammo. Between the two I have to recommend the Bodyguard.

 

[Texan7505]

I bought an LCP when they first came out but dumped it when the Bodyguard arrived. Shooting the two side by side the BG was much more comfortable recoil wise. The LCP actually became painful to shoot after a few magazines. The BG in contrast you could shoot comfortably all afternoon or until running out of ammo. Between the two I have to recommend the Bodyguard.

Agreed. I can't shoot 50 rounds through an LCP without my hand killing me, aside from the fact that the tiny grip allows the gun to jump out of my grip after almost every shot. I can put hundreds of shots through my BG380 with minimal discomfort. After about 200 rounds fired within 90 min. or so, the skin between my thumb and index finger was red but at least my whole hand wasn't agonizingly throbbing like it was after firing 50 rounds from the LCP. And I could continue to shoot my BG380 just fine until I had shot as much ammo as I desired for the range trip. The grip on the BG380 is night and day different from the LCP when it comes to comfort and security when firing.

 

[Mike-4]

I don't have any experience with the LCP, however, like others have said, the BG is comfortable to shoot for me for 100 rounds. Prolly could have shot bunch more but ran out of ammo.

 

[angrysteve]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'll have to see if I can track down a bodyguard to test fire for myself. I'm normally not that recoil sensitive, but the LCP literally bruised my hand after just 30 rounds, lol.