I'm getting ready to purchase a M&P Bodyguard after much deliberations between the available 380's in my price range. My dilemma - Bodyguard without laser or should I spend an extra $60 and get the Crimson trace laser. I can't decide. I've never had a laser before.
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M&P bodyguard purchase- laser vs no laser
- Thread starter marc417
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Rowlette
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Personally, I think it a gimmick. If you ever put in a situation were you had to pull your weapon G_d forbid it really would not be any advantage since self defense is done at close range.
2 thoughts:1- if the laser malfunctions or stops working I would have to send the entire pistol in for repair correct?
2- I will admit that I trade pistols frequently. Would it be a lot easier to sell or trade with a laser
2- I will admit that I trade pistols frequently. Would it be a lot easier to sell or trade with a laser
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Protected One
Member
I have the initial version of the Bodyguard w/ laser and I am VERY happy with it. My view on the laser vs no laser argument is the same as safety vs no safety. If you have the laser (or safety) and don't want to use it, then don't. BUT, there are times when each could be useful and if you don't have it, then you don't have that option. Same as having a gun vs not. Most people will never need a gun, so not having one is no big deal. BUT when that need arises, if you don't have one...
The real question you face is, is it worth $60 to have the "Option"? My answer would be yes, because I love options.
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SpringGunTunes
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In my opinion, a laser can give away your position and eliminate any opportunity you may have for an ambush. Example... You're hiding in a closet in a dark house after someone breaks in. You have an opportunity to eliminate the threat when the laser gives you away. You quickly use up your ammo while the attacker is dodging and rolling then you are left defenseless. I can think of a hundred similar scenarios where a laser or light could give you away. Learn to shoot.
CaptRon956
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Save yourself the hassle of messing with the lazer and spend the xtra 60 bux on ammo. To the best of my knowledge if the lazer messes up, yeah, you may end up sending the entire pistol back to S&W, eventually the battery will need to be replaced, and what if it's aim is off? To me I see it as a distraction and a gimmic.
I own a M&P bodyguard 380, no lazer, and its a great little gun, BUY IT!
I own a M&P bodyguard 380, no lazer, and its a great little gun, BUY IT!
In my 22 years of gun buying, I bought one gun with a laser. I realized it wasn't for me almost immediately and took it off and sold it. End of lasers for me. What others have said.... in a defensive situation you most likely won't have time to do more than point and shoot.
Most people buy a BG because it's very light but in reality you need to be an experienced shooter to get the best out of it. Laser or no laser. For something up close and personal you can't beat a J-Frame in .38+P or a Shield 9mm or similar.
Indynick
Member
I have an S&W BG with the Insight Laser and an M&P BG with the CT Laser. I use the laser for training (dry fire) and low light environments. It is true that the laser could give away your location, so if you want to hide, just turn it off.
CaptRon956
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I'll keep this plain & simple... In the real world, the bad guy will always be one step ahead of you and in a split second life or death self defense situation you will not have time to use your weak hand to turn the fricken lazer on while you draw it out with your strong hand.... You are just gonna pull it out & start shooting... It doesnt work that way.... Lazer's on a Pistol intended for conceal carry are IMO useless waste of money..
Get on you tube & watch videos of camera footage of people using guns to save themselves and then come back & tell us how many of them were using lazers on their pistols, tell us if they even had time to turn the thing on and aim it at the bad guy...
Video of people saved by guns...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87VOCsN1Vq0
Get on you tube & watch videos of camera footage of people using guns to save themselves and then come back & tell us how many of them were using lazers on their pistols, tell us if they even had time to turn the thing on and aim it at the bad guy...
Video of people saved by guns...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87VOCsN1Vq0
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Good night sights will cost a bit more than the Bodyguard Laser, but they work well in low light and the dark of night, you use the same aiming
skill set you would use at high noon, and there is no on/off switch.
I have been sniffing around pocket .380s lately and the Bodyguard is an attractive option, but for now I'm sticking to my J-frame for pocket carry and really don't anticipate needing night sights or lasers. I have Trijicon night sights on my Shield. Dito for the .45 that lives by my bed with a light on the rail. If I am given time I'd rather turn on an accessory that can help with positive threat evaluation.
Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck with the decision.
Jim
skill set you would use at high noon, and there is no on/off switch.
I have been sniffing around pocket .380s lately and the Bodyguard is an attractive option, but for now I'm sticking to my J-frame for pocket carry and really don't anticipate needing night sights or lasers. I have Trijicon night sights on my Shield. Dito for the .45 that lives by my bed with a light on the rail. If I am given time I'd rather turn on an accessory that can help with positive threat evaluation.
Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck with the decision.
Jim
Johnmuratore
Member
I have the old BG with the InSight laser. I would have bought the pistol without the laser but its a cool gizmo, and I love gizmos.
I've used it a time or 2 at the range but as others have said, if I ever had to use the pistol to defend my family or myself, the last thing in the world I would be thinking about is whether to turn on the laser or not.
I've used it a time or 2 at the range but as others have said, if I ever had to use the pistol to defend my family or myself, the last thing in the world I would be thinking about is whether to turn on the laser or not.
I purchased the Bodyguard w/o the laser b/c I've been in more than one gunfight. It happens in an instant and your sights are of no use in most circumstances. To my way of thinking the laser usurps the basic skill set needed for good gun handling, sight alignment and trigger pull.
If you want the laser and don't mind paying the extra $60 than no problem. Like has been posted if you don't like it, like the safety, ignore it. Lasers belong on rifles.
If you want the laser and don't mind paying the extra $60 than no problem. Like has been posted if you don't like it, like the safety, ignore it. Lasers belong on rifles.
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I would definitely get the one without the laser.
The tiny manual safety is ridiculous and I can't imagine trying to disengage it in an actual encounter. The one thing I really like about the Bodyguard .380 is that it's a true DAO and has second strike capability. A lot of folks will say that's a worthless trait and that you should always TRP, but many stats I've read shows that a second strike often does get the round that didn't go off to actually fire. Plus, under the chaotic stress of a real defense scenario, I imagine many/most would likely keep working the trigger a couple of more times instinctively after a misfire(Gabe Suarez has said he has observed this in his classes) and at the close quarters that most self-defense situations occur, there will simply be no time for tap-rack-bang.
I personally would likely always chose a .38 special +p snub revolver over a micro .380, but to each his own.
The tiny manual safety is ridiculous and I can't imagine trying to disengage it in an actual encounter. The one thing I really like about the Bodyguard .380 is that it's a true DAO and has second strike capability. A lot of folks will say that's a worthless trait and that you should always TRP, but many stats I've read shows that a second strike often does get the round that didn't go off to actually fire. Plus, under the chaotic stress of a real defense scenario, I imagine many/most would likely keep working the trigger a couple of more times instinctively after a misfire(Gabe Suarez has said he has observed this in his classes) and at the close quarters that most self-defense situations occur, there will simply be no time for tap-rack-bang.
I personally would likely always chose a .38 special +p snub revolver over a micro .380, but to each his own.
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Save the $60 and put that toward a set of night sites.
mrmike7189
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i had both....ditched the lazer
don't buy the lazer one it's stupid
don't buy the lazer one it's stupid
I got the M&P BG without the laser, not because lasers are bad but because the button is bad. Its requires your off hand to turn on and its not exactly useful in a draw.
I am looking at getting the grip activated laser though for it, being the sites are only semi-useful and mostly useless in dim light.
With the hard trigger pull, weak sights, a laser can be a good thing. I was point shooting with the BG last night along with my shield. While the shield is a great point shooter, not so much for the BG, the laser would help.
I am looking at getting the grip activated laser though for it, being the sites are only semi-useful and mostly useless in dim light.
With the hard trigger pull, weak sights, a laser can be a good thing. I was point shooting with the BG last night along with my shield. While the shield is a great point shooter, not so much for the BG, the laser would help.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
couldn't wait for the BG to come out and then it came out with the laser!!!. Well I just waited until they realized that a lot of people didn't want the laser and then I bought the M&P.380. Happy with my decision.
