M&P BODYGUARD .380 VS .380 BODYGUARD

semperFi

semperFi

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I've tried to do my homework but have yet to find a difference between the M&P Bodyguard (W/O Laser) and the old Bodyguard (with Laser). Can anyone let us know?

Additionally, I owe the with Laser bodyguard and really like it and find it surprisingly accurate, very dependable, shootable, and really have no issues with it......

But.....

After checking out the new M&P Bodyguard- why do I want one?

Any of you guys out there have both? What was the difference between them, and what was provided as accessories (like the carry case that came with my original laser bodyguard)?
 
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Good question

I've also got the "old" one, with the laser and am happy with it.
It does everything I wanted it to do. Accuracy is better than I expected for its short barrel, the long trigger pull is all the safety I need, and its "drop in the pocket" concealable.
So its got a laser; if you don't like it, don't use it.

What are the actual improvements in the new M&P model?
 
OK, I have both... always liked my BG380, never had any problems.... The new M&P380 came out, had to have it. I shot 100rds last weekend and haven't taken it off my side since.. In a nut shell, other than not having the laser, I really don't see any difference, but!!!! something seems different. I feel like I shoot it better and I just plain like it... I'm going out on the limb and declaring it a "great" gun... Now I know someone is coming in here and gonna slam it for something... the slide hangs up, the slide doesn't lock back, the magazine is too hard to install... the sights suck, the trigger pull is too long, it's too hard to pull.. must be something I missed.....:)
 
Just purchased the new Laser less version tonight. Won't have it for a couple of days.
I did shoot 45 rounds through one at the "DEMO" day at my local range.I was very impressed with the accuracy I got out of it. Actually very surprised at the accuracy of a gun with such a short barrel.
 
I'm actually kinda curious myself about these. I had a gun smith tell me that they were not any good. Makes me curious about why.
 
In another thread someone posted a video of Jerry Miculek shooting the original BG380 straight out the box very rapidly and accurately including target at 200 yards.
From what I have read the only difference aside from the laser is the M&P designation on the slide.
 
I have both. Same basic gun. Internals are identical. The only differences are:

M&P doesn't have the laser
M&P has fish scale serrations on the back of the slide like other M&P models.
M&P has "M&P" engraved on the slide and no white in any of the lettering
M&P comes with two magazines. Exact same mags as older Bodyguard.

Still in the same carry case.



Hope that helps.
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I have the original type BG380 w/ laser and love it! I carry it regularly, rotating between it and a S&W J-frame snub. As others have stated, it is a very accurate little pistol and so easy to holster carry or pocket carry.

I, too, would like to have the M&P version w/o laser, but can't really justify it within my budget.
 
The slide is a little different, not just the markings. It has been reshaped and slimmed down in places. I was thinking about the laser version at one point but I am spoiled by the Crimson Trace laser grip design. If the laser actuation happened when gripping the gun, I would want it. I don't want to push a button. Just my two cents.

I really like the M&P BG.
 
I really wanted to get a new M&P BG 380 as I've never really wanted the laser or felt like paying extra for it. However, that changed when I recently watched a review done by a guy on YouTube (Mrgunsngear Channel) and he showed how his new M&P BG 380 would not let the mag fully insert when was trying to push it in. In order to get it to fully insert, he had to press down on the mag release button. Said this was not an issue on his original BG 380 w/ laser but the new M&P BG 380 apparently has this issue and customer service is aware of it... he said they told him, "Yes, it does that." when he called to ask about it. Why would they make a gun that is for all intents and purposes identical (grip looks the SAME and mag is the SAME as the original BG w/ laser) that does not function correctly? HAS ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THE NEW M&P MODEL NOTICED THIS OR DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM?? I LOVE Smith products and I really wanted one of these as my "pocket" pistol, so it's a little irritating! :mad:

As for differences, I believe that the slide on the new M&P BG version is coated in melonite and I'm not sure if that was done to the original version with the laser. Also the M&P has new cocking serrations, weighs an extra 0.15 oz, and comes with 2 mags. Other than that, and no laser, I'm not sure what else is different on the new M&P BG model?
 
I have both and shot them back to back yesterday afternoon. The trigger feels slightly better on the M&P than the laser version so I was more accurate with it. As for the mag release issue both of my guns I needed to push the release button to seat the mag when new. After seating and releasing the mag a couple hundred times on both the button no longer needs to be depressed.
 
I have both guns and noticed the mag.. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEPRESS THE MAG RELEASE.. just put the mag in and give it a push, just like most any other magazine in most any other semi. Maybe it's a little more noticeable at first, but a couple good smacks and you will realize it's fine. I saw someone post they took their mag button out and filed a touch off the straight edge that the mag contacts, I don't see that as being necessary...

It's a really nice gun for the money and purpose it was designed for. I like Hickock45 and have watched many of his videos, but I have to say, he is absolutely a GLOCK guy. He is tentative and reluctant to give M&P's props... he killed the targets with that little 380 and never once said how good it has to be to hit the Gong way out there, and he nailed it 4 out of 5 times, only missing when he almost double tapped the last round.. He didn't knock it much except when he broke it down and put it together.. hey, it's different and may take a little time, but it's not hard at all once you do it a few times..
 
He made the reassembly look harder than it really is. I put a drop of oil on the take down pin. Insert it in the 6 o'clock position and push it down while rotating towards the 3 o'clock position. Snaps right in piece of cake.
 
On the M&P Bodyguard's look at the lower part of the breech face and it appears to be micro-stamped, at least mine does . Also there is transfer from this area to the head of the cartridge. I noticed this when polishing the breech face then looked at another new one and it looked the same. Shell casing collected, at factory, 04/03/2014.
 
Yep, I agree. It looked a lot harder for him than it has been for me to get the takedown lever back in, but it was his first time with the pistol.
Also, my old BG with the laser came with 2 mags. One flat and one with the pinky rest.
 
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