M&P Bodygaurd vs LCP

I'm considering the kahr cm9 as a pocketable option, staying in 9mm. Just a bit bigger than the .380s.
 
The BG 380 makes a great BUG or pocket carry alternate for the Shield. Same manual of arms and locks back after last round just like the Shield. Feels better in my hand than the LCP. I've got the original BG, but the M&P version would be my pick today.
This ^^
I recently went to the LGS to pick up new LCP, but they happened to have new M&P BG380's in stock. So, for just $20 extra price tag I got pocket gun with 2 mags, better sights, supposedly better grip, last round slide lock and, more importantly, similar controls with the shield. Pocket holster is a must - it should be same kind/model for LCP, most likely.
 
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The Bodyguard 380 is very accurate little gun. I love mine. It is a comfortable pocket gun.

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I'm considering the kahr cm9 as a pocketable option, staying in 9mm. Just a bit bigger than the .380s.

CommonCents

I owned and pocket packed a CM9 and my only advise would be to join kahrtalk and become familiar with the pros and cons of the weapon before you purchase.

Yes, the CM9 is between 3 - 4 oz lighter than the Shield but the few ounces may not be worth it.

I like that I can grip the Shield with 3 fingers with the flush magazine. The Kahr will require a pinkie extension or extended magazine.

Field striping both the Kahr and Shield it has been my observation the overall build quality especially the polymer frame and magazine is better with the Shield. (I had to grind a second magazine I purchased from Kahr before it would drop free when I depressed the magazine release and from my reading on Kahrtalk I was not alone in my magazine troubles)

The front pin sight on the Kahr CM9 is plastic and attached to the slide by melting the plastic insert pin of the sight after it was placed in the hole of the slide. (I would think for $400 I could get some iron dove tail front sights)

I learned the hard way when you remove the stock front plastic sight you cannot reuse it and in my case the screw that held my night sight that I had factory installed came loose and sheared off twice after less than 50 rounds and both times the sight was installed using loctight by a Kahr gunsmith.

Everytime I am tempted to go smaller and lighter than my 100 % reliable Shield I reflect on the frustrated and wasted time on the phone to Kahr or my Beretta Nano jaming with every box of ammo and that extra 3 -4 oz in my pocket doesn't seem all that heavy.

Good Luck,

Russ
 
I just went through this same decision - I felt the need for a pocket .380 for when I didn't want to carry the Shield or something bigger.

I looked at:

* Ruger LCP
* S&W Bodyguard
* Taurus TCP
* Kahr CW-380

I didn't care for the ergonomics or trigger pull of the Bodyguard at all. The Kahr was interesting, but my hand shape makes for a really tight trigger guard. I liked the Taurus but their reputation for aftersales support scared me off - having to pay for warranty shipping bothers me.

I ended up ordering one of the new stainless slide LCPs - it should be here this week.

Let me know how you like the LCP. Also, what did you give for it if you don't mind me asking.
 
Sig P238 Really nice gun! Not cheap but well bulit and good looking too! IMO. George

I actually went to the LGS today to actually handle the LCP, P238 and the Taurus TCP. I fell in love with both the LCP and the P238, but I favored the P238 a little more. Obviously the biggest difference is the price. Not sure I can come put of pocket right now for the P238, but boy I would love to get it. My LGS is supposed to have the new M&P 380 in this week and I am hoping to be able to go and handle one to see how I like it. Right now I do like the LCP and the trigger on it was actually pretty nice to me. Have to wait and see how the M&P is though first before I make a final decision.
 
I like the SS slide on the LCP! If I had some extra money My wife has a purple framed LCP with a black slide.. I would buy the black framed SS slide LCP and swap out the slide and barrel on my wifes gun. She would have a purple and stainless and SS steel gun and I would have a all black.. This is what we did with her LC9 as she got the Black Talo version with the nickel hand engraved slide.. It worked out well we both have what we want in a Lc9 now.. She could even get the LCP SS slide engraved if she wanted. OK sorry for getting off topic. But at least the OP can see people like the LCP in the new version..I don't like a laser on any of the pocket guns and I think the S&W version with a laser is down right ugly! On the other hand with it's laser I think only a Sig would look better but S&W need to do just a little more for there trigger IMO for me to have another look at it and with out a laser it would look great.. $$$ not a issue I would get the Sig hands down next would be the LCP as we have one and know it well..It works and handles much better then I ever thought it would have.. George
 
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I've shot about 500 rounds through my Taurus TCP without any issues. Sights are small but they won't hand up trying to get it out of your pocket. Trigger is smooth, better than the Ruger LCP I handled at the LGS and hundered plus dollars cheaper. Mags I bought were $17 a pop. Pearson grip extension for each mag ran around $9. Pachmayr grips added at around $12.
 
So I went to the LGS again today and they just got the M&P Bodygaurd in. So I held it and the LCP. I must say I really like them both. Dry fired them both and what I came away with was the trigger on the LCP was much better. The Bodygaurd was very long and heavy, not that there is anything wrong with that especially being a pocket carry gun. The Bodygaurd was just a touch bigger but not enough to worry about. The price for both was $369 which I thought was a little much, especially for the LCP, so I know I can find them both cheaper. With that said, they are both very nice pocket pistols. I like the look of the Bodygaurd better than the LCP, but I think overall I like the LCP better. So with all that said, not sure which way I will go. Probably with which ever one I can get the best deal on. Any more advice please keep them coming on either gun. Thanks.
 
Early M&P bodygaurds had a lot of issues with the laser hold down bolt locking up the slide when it came lose. Don't know if that issue was fixed or not. I have a LCP and have shot a Bodygaurd and hated the Smith do to that long heavy trigger. For me it was to long and heavy to get use too with out being clean and crisp.. Even at 10 feet it's easy to miss with a very bad trigger on a small gun.. Don't get me wrong the LCP's trigger is much better " new model" smoother shorter braek is much more crisp and clean. For me a much easier gun to learn how to use well faster and when you can hit your target that makes learning a new gun fun.. Again at this point till S&W get's the trigger tuned better I am still very happy with my LCP. Yes only a small diffrince in size but the LCP is more rounded also in all the right spots. I have big hands I'm 6' tall at 200lbs and fit is great.. My wife is 5 1' tall and tiny withh wicked small hands size 4 to 4 1/2" ring size and that LCP fit's her hand as well as mine. I just liked it better all the way around and it shoots great no issues at all! Take you time and think about it feel them again maybe you will end up with both. That's what I do sometimed if I really can't decide.. Can't go wrong that way! But remember the smaller the gun the easer it is to shoot yourself or have a misshap. Please be careful learn slow with someone who knows! Best of luck! George
 
George, when you say "Newer Model" for the LCP, what manufacture date are we talking about? And how do I find out if its a "Newer Model?" I have a guy I work with who has one and has only shot it once and might be willing to sell it to me. Hes had it about a year.
 
I think it's 2013+ there will be no Dash "-" in the ser. Number the sights will be raised much better then the old model LCP's the trigger will be much smoother and with a shorter stroke then in the older LCP's With a much a bit earlier break and one that is clean and crisp. Not bad at all for a D/A pull. My first three digits of the ser number are 371 with no dash in the hole number if that helps..The sights in the old LCp's are all but useless put remember in a gun this size if your going to need it chances are your not even going to use the sights you will be so close.. All and all it's a nice gun that I think you will like.. The also have one now with a Stainless steel slide for a few bucks more if it was me I would get the SS slide version if I had the chance at the time but if they only have the all black ones at a good deal and you want or need one now get it..If oyu don't minf a little bigger gun and 9mm is a bit much power wise for you your can also look at the
LC.380 same size "really the same gun" as the LC9 but in ..380 so recoil is lower then both but have a few things more like a manual safty , last shot slide lock, nice three dot sights holds one round more.But if size is everything the LCP is nice and can go anywhere with you. You forget you have it it's so nice to carry. Hope this helps! George
 
Thanks for the info George. I already have the shield in the 9mm, so im not looking for that. Im just looking for the small pocket gun for when I just wanna wear my basketball shorts or whatnot to the store or to take my kids somewhere quick and I don't want to have to put jeans or cargo shorts on with my belt and holster so thats what im just looking for something small to throw in my pocket and go. Thanks for your help.
 
Sorry that's right you said that! Ok yep that the ticket then.. Good luck and let us know how you make out! George
 
Given the choice between the Bodyguard and LCP I went with the Bodyguard. Like the feel and look of it better, and it offers more features than other .380's. Plus it's not as punishing to shoot at the range. Added a Pachmyer grip and it's a "fine" pocket gun now. HOWEVER...if you're open to other options in .380 I will suggest the Glock 42!
Just picked one up for my wife a month ago. She is VERY recoil sensitive and has small hands. The Glock fit the bill to the T! Felt recoil is almost nothing because of the dual recoil springs (making follow up shots more accurate). The trigger is the same as any Glock, and if you're not one whose prone to limp wristing you can forget about those bad reports of failures to feed. My wife experienced it, yet when I fired right behind her...no problem. Once I helped her correct for that she was "rollin". I'm thinking of getting one for myself.:) LOVE the gun, and if I were choosing my first .380 now, there's no question it would be the Glock.
 
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...if you're open to other options in .380 I will suggest the Glock 42!
Glocks are fine guns, but Glock42 is larger in size.
OP wanted "...the smallest pocket gun...", I believe.

[see post #12 where "smallest" is mentioned]
 
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Glock is kinda of chunkey for cary for me Like a Sheild 9mm is to a LC9. I'll carry anything from a skinny Colt 1911 .45 to a LCP in .380 right down to a .22 depending on what I have on that day what I'm doing and how maney guns I think would be best. Most of the wide grip guns like the M&P FS .45 or S&W 6906 make great house guns for me. But all and all I would not be with out a LCP .380 George
 

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