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

[DCWilson]

Yes, please report back with your experience and judgment once you have had a chance to work with it a bit.

 

[shawn mccarver]

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.

I have tried the Bodyguard 380 and each one had "technical difficulties" with the laser.

They need to just make a version without the unfortunate Insight laser and without the pelican beak and let Crimson Trace build a laser to attach similar to what they build for the Ruger LCP and LC9. That way, those of us who do not want the device are not stuck with it.

 

[Chris L.]

I have tried the Bodyguard 380 and each one had "technical difficulties" with the laser.

They need to just make a version without the unfortunate Insight laser and without the pelican beak and let Crimson Trace build a laser to attach similar to what they build for the Ruger LCP and LC9. That way, those of us who do not want the device are not stuck with it.

I'm still on the fence about the laser. Although I haven't had a chance to get to know mine yet, I don't feel confident I could activate that thing in a moment of crisis, and will probably never need it anyway for what this gun is designed for (up close and VERY personal). But I'm eager to zero it in and see how good it works. This will be my first laser equipped pistol.

As far as the CT laser on the LCP, I feel it just makes it's already barely adequate grip all the more smaller, and I couldn't get my middle finger to activate the thing half the time on the one I tried. Maybe smaller hands could? At least the BG380 laser will stay on if you can manage to activate it.

Regardless, if S&W had a laserless version available, I probably would have opted for that one.