Talk me out of buying a Bodyguard 2.0 -

[ImDrRich]

Thinking about adding this one to the stable. I've read here some conflicting information, from problems, to parts dropping out, snappiness, to sheer love. My other concern is the .380 being sufficient as a self-defense round.

The BG 2.0 would be in my regular EDC routine. So why should I buy one? Serious replies only - thank you!

Rich

 

[Dvus]

You already said it yourself. .380 is insufficient for a reliable self defense cartridge, especially when there are better choices in similar sized packages. Sounds like you are almost talked out of it already, but here's another reason. If it's going into an EDC rotation, why weaken that rotation instead of making it stronger? (Unless the rotation consists of .22s and .32s, in which case a serious life choice evaluation should be your next project.)
Sorry, just re-read your post and noticed that you said "routine" and not rotation, but then the logic becomes even more relevant.

 

[ken158]

Why carry a 380 in the same size and weight of a 9mm? If / when you ever need it, you will appreciate the largest caliber you feel comfortable carrying.

 

[CH4]

Go with the Sig 365

 

[ImDrRich]

That's my EDC right now.

Go with the Sig 365

 

[CH4]

What do you like about the Smith over the Sig?

 

[Echo40]

There's honestly nothing wrong with .380 ACP, it's just 9mm Short and performs as such, so if you feel that 9mm is adequate, then so is .380 ACP.

In terms of performance, it's similar to Standard Pressure .38 Special.

That being said, I find it most telling that you're considering replacing your SIG P365 with a Bodyguard 2.0, and in my opinion that alone says the BG 2.0 is most likely the right choice for you.

Micro 9mms have been all the rage over the past few years, but obviously anything that small is going to be snappy in 9mm. I wonder how much longer the trend will hold fast before people collectively decide that the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

 

[BLLefkay]

I’ve owned a Hellcat, Sig 365X and FN Reflex. Carrying the BG 2.0 is night and day difference weight wise plus I’m from the camp that believes 380 is a more than capable round.

 

[Model29-26.5]

You already have all the self defense you’ll ever need.
You just want another gun.
Buy it for the collection.
Chances are you’ll never need any of the guns you have for self defense.
You don’t need it, but you should get it.

 

[paynterf]

Thinking about adding this one to the stable. I've read here some conflicting information, from problems, to parts dropping out, snappiness, to sheer love. My other concern is the .380 being sufficient as a self-defense round.

The BG 2.0 would be in my regular EDC routine. So why should I buy one? Serious replies only - thank you!

Rich

After reading several rave reviews about the BG2.0, I started thinking about selling my current BG380 and buying a 2.0. The price differential was only about $200, and I would get an extra 3-4 round capacity in the bargain.

So, I rented a 2.0 from my local range and ran 50 rounds through it. The first thing I notices was the trigger was REALLY light - at least compared to my BG380 with the Galloway Precision 'Santiago Heavy Hitter' trigger mod. I'm glad I have reasonably decent trigger discipline, because my first round went downrange pretty much instantly after touching the trigger . I would have some real misgivings about carrying a 2.0 without a manual safety (and I HATE manual safeties), as IMHO it would be way too easy to touch that trigger during a draw. The long, hard trigger pull on the BG380 is - at least for me - a feature, not a bug. There is no way to accidently fire the BG380 on a draw, and the long pull completely obviates the need for a manual safety. And in an emergency, a manual safety can easily turn into a manual UNsafety when your gun doesn't go BOOM when it should.

The second thing I noticed is the larger handle and mag makes the 2.0 much harder to conceal in my front pocket where I carry my BG380 in a Holsters 'Sticky' SM-3 holster. I have DC'd my BG380 for more than a year in my front jeans pocket with no one the wiser, as there is basically no printing (and this is with my normal fairly skinny 'old-style' jeans).

So, I cancelled the sale of my BG380 and stayed with it as my current DC carry. I really liked the feel and comfort of the BG2.0, and also liked the idea of another two or three rounds being available, but for me the too-light trigger and concealment issues were deal-breakers. YMMV

 

[ImDrRich]

You already have all the self defense you’ll ever need.
You just want another gun.
Buy it for the collection.
Chances are you’ll never need any of the guns you have for self defense.
You don’t need it, but you should get it.

You, Sir, are speaking for the masses! LOLOL!!!

 

[Dump1567]

I can't comment on the gun, but as a ballistic junky, there's only two HP loads that I remember seeing preform to the 12" to 18" FBI standards for penetration. Federal Hydra-shok deep & Win. White box JHP. Except for ball, everything else pretty much falls short.

 

[smoothshooter]

.380 is just fine for a defense round for ordinary citizens.
If you shoot someone with it they will almost always go away.
I have multiple small auto handguns including a Glock 42, two older Bodyguards two Ruger LCP Max’s, and one of the new 2.0 versions. Also a fair assortment of small 5-shot revolvers. My hands-down favorites autos are the Glock 42 and the 2.0 Bodyguard. Both will easily fit in my pants pocket in a pocket holster.
Remember, as a non-law enforcement guy, you are not going to be trying to stop a bank robbery, chase down an armed suspect, work a protection detail, or take a suspect into custody.
Forget about all the hype of rating cartridge effectiveness according to one-shot stops. While the information is often interesting it, can be misleading.
Any aggressor that deserves to be shot deserves to be shot at least twice or more.
Bigger, more powerful guns are not needed unless you just want to carry them around. Unto each his own.
Multiple solid hits seems to level the caliber effectiveness playing field to the point that caliber is nearly immaterial.

 

[smoothshooter]

You are not going to find a 9mm as small as a Bodyguard 2.0 that is still shootable.
If you want the smallest, thinnest, lightest, best designed centerfire auto pistol out there with a good trigger that is easy to shoot well, the Bodyguard 2.0. is the best game in town.
Bar None.

 

[smoothshooter]

You already said it yourself. .380 is insufficient for a reliable self defense cartridge, especially when there are better choices in similar sized packages. Sounds like you are almost talked out of it already, but here's another reason. If it's going into an EDC rotation, why weaken that rotation instead of making it stronger? (Unless the rotation consists of .22s and .32s, in which case a serious life choice evaluation should be your next project.)
Sorry, just re-read your post and noticed that you said "routine" and not rotation, but then the logic becomes even more relevant.

.380’s have been putting people down pretty well for a hundred years or so.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Your money - your choice - my solution

 

[pedropcola]

380 with quality ammo (I use Federal HST) is good enough for my use.

I have multiple 365's and love them. Why I bought and carry this gun is simple. It is lighter and thinner than the 365. Sometimes I want small. This gun is noticeably smaller when you carry.

I doubt anybody who has shot this gun has ever used the term "snappy". This gun is a locked breech firearm with a very acceptable grip design. I don't have any guns that get your grip higher up on the backstrap than this one. I can get 3 fingers on the gun with the flush mag. All of the above means this gun is as far from snappy as you can get. I have shot and owned many 380's. PPK/S, Beretta 80 series, etc. Those are snappy. This gun is a pussycat to shoot.

Mine came with the sights visibly off and required the rear to be drifted to center POI. Smith should do better.

I only have 250 rounds through mine so far (only had it a week or two). Russian steel, old WWB, and 3 brands of hollow points including HST's. The WWB was a very flat nose bullet that I have read reports of issues with but my gun has fed them all.

I had to operate the safety a couple hundred times in addition to live fire to get it to smooth out. It now is easily swept off on the draw. Good trigger, great sights for a small gun.

Only issue I really hand is the tiny slide. I was shooting in the rain and I was wet and the gun was wet. I found under those conditions the slide even with the very good serrations could slip. I ended up buying the Talon Grip skateboard pattern for the slide. I put on their front and rear tapes and now I can't imagine having any issues grip wise. Money well spent to me.

I am all in on this gun. It disappears even in my Florida summertime outfits and it handles, shoots, and presents like a much larger gun. My original BG was nothing like the above which is why I sold it years ago.

My opinion is buy with confidence.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Well, my KAHR 380 is smaller...
My Baby Rock is a minature 1911...
My SCCY CPX-3RD is le$$ expen$ive: and with a direct mount Red Dot optic to boot!
My AMT Backup is flat built like a TANK (an M1 Abrams or a Tiger, Ausf. B)...

However, the 2.0 just may have a better trigger than all of them...?

Cheers!

P.S. Walther PPKs have heavy triggers that reduce their KOOL Factor, James... (Bond)

 

[Model29-26.5]

You, Sir, are speaking for the masses! LOLOL!!!

Aye.
How many people on this forum have ever needed their gun for self defense? Ever had to pull it? Unless they’re military who have been in combat. Way back…
Probably none.

 

[panamajack310]

I love all of the caliber talk here it is great. Truth be told if you like the gun and its ergonomics then get it! The .32acp and .380 have killed millions of people all over the world. Europe has used the .32 and .380 in military and law enforcement service. Both rounds are fine they will do the job. Just buy the gun because you like it and you that is what you want. I personally did not get the bodyguard 2.0 and got a shield 2.0 instead. My reasons were personal. Maybe in a year or two I will pick up a bodyguard for my carry rotation.