Looking for a .380 pistol - S&W Bodyguard?

[Chris L.]

I'd like to get a .380acp pistol for pocket carry. I try to carry my 642 whenever possible, but with certain clothing sometimes even that can be too bulky.

I had a Ruger LCP which was great for pocket carry, but the fact that it didn't lock back after the last shot, plus the difficult slide and take down pin (for me) and almost non-existent sights turned me off from it and it is now (probably) in the hands of a new owner.

I've shot a Kahr CM9 before, and I found it difficult to control with it's uncomfortable grip. I also disliked the trigger. I would imagine their P380, which is essentially the same as the CM9 except smaller, would be even worse for me.

I know this is a S&W forum, so there is a natural bias, but what are your thoughts on the Bodyguard pistol? Does the slide lock back after each shot? Are there good pocket carry holsters available for it?

I don't remember ever seeing one at any LGS around here, but it looks a tad bulkier from the photos with that built-in laser then other .380's I've seen. I also can't imagine why they put a thumb safety on a CCW pistol like this, when you can get the larger M&P's without one.

 

[jrs1911]

Nothing against S&W products but you may want to look a the Sig P238. This little gun is somewhat like a 1911 in design and operation. It has less recoil than any of the blowback 380s on the market. Only downer is the price. It will fit in your pocket quite nicely. I love my wife's little pistol (she had to have the rainbow version) and carry it when an IWB can't be worn.

 

[Chris L.]

Nothing against S&W but you may want to look a the Sig P238. This little gun is somewhat like a 1911 in design and operation. It has less recoil than any of the blowback 380s on the market. Only downer is the price. It will fit in your pocket quite nicely.

I know about the Sig's, and I'm not interested in a SA CCW only pistol.

Thanks anyway.

 

[scwv67]

Nothing against S&W products but you may want to look a the Sig P238. This little gun is somewhat like a 1911 in design and operation. It has less recoil than any of the blowback 380s on the market. Only downer is the price. It will fit in your pocket quite nicely. I love my wife's little pistol and carry it when an IWB can't be worn.

Gotta agree here. The wife got one a few months ago and I'm honestly thinking of picking one up myself for summer carry.

 

[Buck31]

I haven't found a good holster for the BG380 yet. The slide locks open after the final round of each mag. I have put 200rd through mine w/ no issues so far. The manual safety is there, but if you don't want to use it, you don't have to. Easy to take apart and clean. Laser is a nice addition and is pretty easy to get dialed in. My only complaint is the long trigger pull. That took a while to get used to. I really enjoy shooting this gun though

 

[mbliss57]

My favorite 380 is a Beretta 85F Cheetah. I don't carry a 380 but if I did it would be this one. I own one and love to shoot it. Very sturdy all steel. I have the wood grip panels on mine.
My wife has several she carries that are smaller SA pistols, the Colt Mustang Pocket lite and the Sig 238. I personally don't like carrying a SA as a carry gun.
I have shot the Bodybuard and didn't like the long pull of the trigger.
My BUG's are all J frames in .38 spl +P or .357 mag. I think these are better options than the little pistols personally.

 

[BearBio]

Twenty plus years ago, my sister in law got a Bersa 32. Two years ago, my wife (after trying at least a half dozed S & W j & K frames) switched to a Walther PP in 32 acp. She liked it. After taking a chance and getting her a Bersa 380, she raves about it. Less recoil than the 32 Walther, DA, concealable, etc. Last Christmas, I got her the 22 version (also a Thunder). Ditto. Both gun shops I ordered through raved about the quality although neither had seen one before. Several of our friends now carry them.

 

[Chris L.]

I haven't found a good holster for the BG380 yet. The slide locks open after the final round of each mag. I have put 200rd through mine w/ no issues so far. The manual safety is there, but if you don't want to use it, you don't have to. Easy to take apart and clean. Laser is a nice addition and is pretty easy to get dialed in. My only complaint is the long trigger pull. That took a while to get used to. I really enjoy shooting this gun though

Thanks for the info.

I learned to shoot with snubbies, and the few semi-autos I've shot had longer trigger pulls as well so that would seem normal to me. I'm also mildly interested in seeing how that laser works.

I see DeSantis has a Nemesis pocket holster for the BG380. I had one of these for my LCP and it worked fantastic. If I got a BG380, this is what I'd get.

The Nemesis® ? DeSantis Holster

 

[quinn]

My motorcycle front pocket carry is a Kel-Tec 3-AT which Ruger cloned. I've had no problems with mine. I would like the chance to handle a 380BG sometime. My 340PD 357 is my normal carry.

 

[Chris L.]

My favorite 380 is a Beretta 85F Cheetah. I don't carry a 380 but if I did it would be this one. I own one and love to shoot it. Very sturdy all steel. I have the wood grip panels on mine.
My wife has several she carries that are smaller SA pistols, the Colt Mustang Pocket lite and the Sig 238. I personally don't like carrying a SA as a carry gun.

I've noticed that women seem to love the Sig 238 for some reason. My mother wants to get one and I'm trying to talk her out of it. I'm nervous about her carrying a little SA CCW around cocked and locked, which is the only way to carry this type of pistol. Leaving it uncocked and hoping you can rack the slide in time is not a good strategy in my opinion.

My BUG's are all J frames in .38 spl +P or .357 mag. I think these are better options than the little pistols personally.

Agreed on the J-Frames, however I've came to realize that with lighter dress pants or shorts and T-Shirt in summertime it is sometimes more comfortable and less conspicuous to pocket carry a small, flat .380 pistol.

 

[KarmannGhia]

Sorry that the LCP didn't work out for you. I love my LCP and it and my 642 take turns in my front pocket. I have smaller, lighter, less powerful guns (Beretta Minx, Jetfire, Bobcat, & Tomcat; Colt Junior & old model pocket; Baby Browning; had a PPK but gave it to my brother) but the LCP is my go everywhere gun. I would like it to, but don't need it to lock open after the last round.

Just my personal opinion.
To each his own.

 

[losingle]

Recently had a range session with a lc9 and bersa thunder 380cc. Shooting at 9 yds, 380cc doesn't have much for sights either but its a good point & shoot pistol. Both accurate at that range, recoil about the same, 9mm vs 380. 380cc sa/da w/decocker, lc9 da/manual safety which I prefer for chp. Concealability & price for the 380cc. Quality lc9.

 

[badkarma6]

Bersa Thunder .380 is an outstanding pistol, reliable, accurate, affordable, but unfortunately right now, hard to find. Did get my wife a Sig P232, more money, just as hard to find, but had features she liked better.

 

[crazyfisherman]

I researched little 380's for some time before buying our body guard. If you look at all the negitive problems with them breaking, it was when they first came out. I noticed that I had several miss fires the first trip to range 6 out of 200. Took it back to find out I was limp wristing my shots. It has never misfired again. I have over a thousand rounds thru it now. ACCURATE.. I don't use the laser. What a great buy. Love the gun as a carry. I would not hesitate for a second.

 

[lawdog45]

.380

I have a Micro Desert Eagle. I think it may be the shortest but not the lightest of the small .380. It has run with every very ammo it has been fed. Including the Buffalo Bore hard Cast Flat Nose round. And other brand Hollow Points. Great little CCW but a bit pricey. The slide does not remain back after the last round.

 

[radar1972]

Thanks for the info.

I learned to shoot with snubbies, and the few semi-autos I've shot had longer trigger pulls as well so that would seem normal to me. I'm also mildly interested in seeing how that laser works.

I see DeSantis has a Nemesis pocket holster for the BG380. I had one of these for my LCP and it worked fantastic. If I got a BG380, this is what I'd get.

The Nemesis® ? DeSantis Holster

The DeSantis Nemesis is exactly what I use to pocket carry my BG380 in warmer months. Works great in pocket of cargo shorts.

In cooler weather, I carry it in a Simply Rugged Cuda OWB holster.

Great little pistol for CCW.

 

[Shooter6br]

Bersa Thunder

Got a Bersa Thunder 380.Great gun. Copy of PPK.Payed$175."used".Never shot.Acuurate as h **

 

[OLDSTER]

Nothing against S&W here either-all my revolvers are S&W. But IMHO the Kahr P380 is as good as they get in DAO, and Sig 238 in SA. Both pricey, but well worth it.

 

[DogmeatAl]

I did a long, hard search for a .380 and setteled on the Bodyguard. I like the safety; used to using one with a 1911. It was the best overall gun for size, price, laser, reliability. I wanted something to carry in my shorts pocket in the summer that wasn't too visible. The LCP was my second choice.

That said none of these small .380s are a joy to shoot. That's the tradeoff for size. And the trigger pulls are long.

I just bought my daughter a Ruger LCR in .38 and to be honest, I might prefer it as a small carry over the Bodyguard. It is more expensive with the laser.

 

[Chris L.]

Thanks for all the input from the BG380 owners. I just bought one today! I pick it up on Monday (LGS will be closed on Sunday). If it works out, I will now have another CCW option to compliment my 642.

I haven't seen these around in my area, but one LGS I haven't been to in awhile had 10 of them! Strange that just as I started to consider getting one a LGS got some in. I guess I have good S&W karma.

I will post photos and give my first impressions and a range report in the future if anyone cares.