THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE M&P Bodyguard V. Ruger LCP
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Sig P938
The Sig P938 is a 9mm and it's pretty small.
The Sig P938 is a 9mm and it's pretty small.
ocinsomniac
Member
+1 - the 938 is just a bit larger than the LCP or the BG, but still small enough for summer pocket carry. I pocket carried mine for two days at Universal Studios last year with no problems.
If you decide on the BG, I'd avoid the original version with the troublesome integrated laser, that version had more freakin' problems that made me (and many others) totally lose confidence in it as a self defense carry weapon. Had one that had to go back to S&W on four separate occasions, until S&W customer service finally replaced with the new MP version sans laser. The new MP BG has turned out to be a fine little dependable shooter, and everything I had hoped the original version would have been.
oldnavynukespook
US Veteran
Another vote for the LCP. Both my wife and I have 'em with the Crimson Trace. Tried PPK, Colt Mustang Pocketlite, Mod 60 J-Frame but LCP is the daily carry. Have you looked at the Sneaky Pete holsters? They look just like Smart Phone cases and in different materials.
As usual I could have communicated better in my OP so let me take you through my decision making process a little bit.
1. Occasionally I am required to attend training seminars for my employer, the dress at these seminars is always "business casual" which my employer defines as Dockers and a tucked in Polo. No one has stated that firearms aren't allowed at these seminars but I don't want to be the test case. I'm looking for a gun that I can pocket carry in that circumstance that I know isn't going to be detected. A "tuckable" holster isn't an option unless there's one out there that doesn't show at all on the outside of the pant
2. I have made a decision to only feed three calibers of my guns .380, 9mm & .40S&W. I don't want to get into a new caliber so it has to be 1 of those three. Unless I can find concealable 9mm revolver, revolvers are out as are .22s ,32s, .45s and the M203.
3. Based on the criteria above I felt that I was limited to a .380 from the start the only reason I even considered a 9mm (or a .40S&W) is because the shield was mentioned as a possible choice on another forum and I am going to look at even though I don't think it's going to make the cut on size.
4. I don't buy new guns often and when I do I try to get something compatible with what I already have. In this case the big advantage the LCP has over the Bodyguard is that I already have one so any magazines I purchased or any holsters would be interchangeable between my LCP and my wife's
5. My primary reason for considering a Bodyguard was because I didn't know that much about it and didn't want to miss a good choice.
Bearing all that in mind, right now the LCP looks like the winner but I may still end up with a shield.
The shield has the advantage of being a 9mm which I would prefer to a .380 but the LCP has the edge in concealability and as I told my wife even though my intent isn't to pick up a BUG I'd probably end up using the LCP in that capacity because it is so concealable.
So with all that in mind it still looks like the LCP is going to be the winner
I own the Shield and the Bodyguard plus the Keltec P11 and PF9. That being said, I Have carried each at one time or another but have switched to the Sig P238 as my main pocket gun. I find it the right size for pocket carry and more accurate than the Bodyguard. My daughter just bought me the P290 for Fathers Day and I should get it tomorrow. It is small and in 9mm. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices as long as it fits you and you practice with it. It all boils down to personal preference. I can say I like the P238 and the Shield for being able to shoot 50+ rounds during a session and not have hand or finger fatigue. Can't say that about the Bodyguard and Keltecs.
DepOne
Member
.380? Really?
With all of the new,very small 9 mms out there, why would anyone want to rely on a marginal caliber like the .380 to defend their life? What the hell? I guess you have to make the decision on how much it's worth, not me.
With all of the new,very small 9 mms out there, why would anyone want to rely on a marginal caliber like the .380 to defend their life? What the hell? I guess you have to make the decision on how much it's worth, not me.
PowerSurge
Member
Because even the smallest 9mm isn't as small as an LCP. And even the smallest difference in size can make all the difference in the world.
I've been researching myself, and I'm going with the LCP. My dilemma now is do I want the Lazermax or the Crimson trace.
Chris642
Member
I understand all that. However, being used to pocket carrying my 642 on a regular basis, which is by no means difficult, then carrying either the LCP or a BG380 would be a breeze. The marginal difference in size and weight between the two is negligible to me, therefore I'd choose with the one that had the better features even if they might not ever be needed.Depends on the owner/shooter.
I don't see the last shot hold-open as an especially critical issue for the nature and intended role of the diminutive .380 pocket pistol. None of my 5-shot snubs even offer that option.
Lots of pistols lack "second strike capability", but you can see how a gun company might promote it as a beneficial feature if they can work it into their design. Sounds good, even if it's not something being consistently taught in a lot of defensive/service training venues.
I've not seen how a "second strike" benefit is something all that desirable, for my needs, but then I don't train to try a second trigger pull for semiauto pistols. I resort to a clearance manipulation to get another round up and chambered.
The whole second-strike thing is sometimes mentioned as being useful because DA revolvers have a "second-strike capability", but that's a bit different and somewhat disingenuous. DA revolvers have a "next-strike capability", as the "second" trigger pull is actually bringing up a fresh round under the hammer, not trying to re-strike the first round that didn't fire.
Better sights? While good sights are always a handy thing to have (and aging eyes need increasingly larger, more easily seen sights), it's a subjectively valued feature that has to be determined by each individual.
For example, I like the newer, wider style fixed post/notch sights on the J-frames over the older narrow style post/notch sights on the J's ... but I like the XS front sight & wide U-notch on the M&P snubs better, still ... and I don't care for the fiber optic sights (which, while easily seen, can be more easily damaged). Subjective, right?
Different folks place a different priority on different features, and the gun companies are trying to attract the widest number of buyers with their standard features.
Not all of us apparently fit into each and every tidy check box on every marketing survey, I suspect.
Not having last shot hold-open is a deal breaker for me. My left arm is considerably weaker then my right and the smaller the semi-auto the harder they are to rack. Remember that we'd all be doing most of our shooting with these guns at the range. The thought of having to keep racking the tight little buggers doesn't thrill me, much less having to do it under stress with sweaty hands in a SD situation.
To be honest, I'm not really impressed with ANY of these toyish little polymer .380's, LCP, TCP, PT-A3, etc. I've handled and shot some of them and contrary to what I've been told they were NOT easier to shoot then my snubbie and all of them had reliability issues.
If I had to wear thin, light dress pants or shorts all the time at work I suppose I'd want a pistol as small and as light as can but I'm fortunate that I can carry a decent handgun most of the time. I'd still like to get a little pocket semi-auto as a fully discreet CCW when needed but I'd probably go with something of a little better quality, what that is going to be I have yet to decide.
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Wow!! Looks like there is an opinion or three out there. Here is my $0.02.
I have the M&P 380. Never shot the LCR but did hold it in my hand and dry fire it some. For me the trigger on the M&P was better. I also really like the fact that it has replicable sights, although don't really think I will ever change them, they work great for me. I also like the fact that the slide locks back after the last round.
Not sure if this info helps or not. I say shoot both and then decide.
I have the M&P 380. Never shot the LCR but did hold it in my hand and dry fire it some. For me the trigger on the M&P was better. I also really like the fact that it has replicable sights, although don't really think I will ever change them, they work great for me. I also like the fact that the slide locks back after the last round.
Not sure if this info helps or not. I say shoot both and then decide.
Just a little to big and I don't sit on my gun
Checked out both he LCP and the Bodyguard 380. If I'd have picked one up would have gone for the Bodyguard 380. For some reason the LCP just didn't feel right to me. Ended up getting a SIG 938 in 9MM; it's small (smaller than a Shield) and concealable.
Know you said you didn't want a revolver because you want something concealable but you might consider a Bodyguard 38. I have one and usually carry that in a pocket holster in my front pocket. Found it to be light and concealable, plus the pistol stands up well so far to +P rounds.
Know you said you didn't want a revolver because you want something concealable but you might consider a Bodyguard 38. I have one and usually carry that in a pocket holster in my front pocket. Found it to be light and concealable, plus the pistol stands up well so far to +P rounds.
I have both. The LCP fits a lady's hand best where the BG fits a man's hand best when shooting. However I now carry a Kahr PM9 with laser as primary in a "Sticky" pocket holster & a Kahr P380 with laser as my BUG in a fanny pack. See: http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-PM9-w-CT-Laser-Sight.asp
hugostiglitz
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I owned the older version of the LCP and recently traded it in for the newer one with upgraded sights and shorter trigger reset. Follow up shots are definitely more accurate with the newer model. It remains a very reliable pocket gun...great here in Florida when very light clothing makes my 340PD or Springfield XDs .45 too obvious to carry.
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Bullets&Beans
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Get the Crimson Trace. The Lasermax is a piece of ****. It constantly turns itself on, wasting the battery and keeping your pocket glowing red. The Crimson Trace is pressure on only, making it easy to use. I have not used the Veridian, but it seems to have a better design for using index figure to turn it on and off.
PowerSurge
Member
Well that's the thing. It's different now. The new Lasermax is a higher power more visible green laser. It has a manual push button, but also the Lasermax version comes with thin nylon holster with a magnet in it that turn it on and off when you pull the gun in and out.
I do like the grip button of the Crimson Trace, but I prefer a green laser (as most lasers are going to now), and the Crimson Trace is quite a bit more. On the other hand, I was planning to use a pocket/waste clip, so I doubt I'd even use the magnet holster.
So I'm just not sure.
Florida J Frame
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Haven't had any problems with the Lasermax. I carry mine in a Mika holster and it's never turned itself on.
Some might find the recoil of the 9mm too much to bring back on target quickly for the follow up shot. More shots on target with a .380 can trump the better stopping power of the 9mm.
getoff
Member
+1 for the LCP. had mine since the first recall. trigger is better, mag holds the same (unless you get the ruger 7 rounders which i recommend) and it has been utterly reliable. forget the sight thing, you wont see them. all of these "pocket" guns are a point and shoot item. the ranges you may have to use this gun are arms length to may be 10 ft. the BG does have a safety, i'll give it that. the G42 is big to be a true "pocket" carry gun. my LCP rides in a galco horsehide pocket holster ALL the time. as to the .380 not being enough gun, i work at a lgs part time and no one has volunteered to stand down range and let me shoot at them with my LCP...
RevolverDen
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I have owned at least one or more. .380 autos during the past 25 years. For much of that time was my faithful Walther PPK/S. I have since sold the PPK/S and followed that up with the addition of the very popular Ruger LCP. Then I was able to buy a very early production Glock 42 (all my research indicated within the first 100 made). After much range time, I now have a deposit on a Bodyguard .380 that I plan on trading the LCP towards.
I carry all my .380's in Desantis Nemesis pocket holsters and they work great in the front pocket of my cargo pants or cargo shorts. The Glock 42 is much larger (compact vs. sub-compact) than either of the Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard .380.. As a matter of fact the G42 is on par with the size of my Ruger LC9. As a shooter the G42 provides a better shooter with it's longer sight distance, but it's size where I need a truly tiny pocket gun, it's prohibitive. And these are all 6-round magazines.
I found the Bodyguard grip feel and trigger were superior to my LCP and the construction is better as well. So between the LCP and Bodyguard .380, the Bodyguard .380 wins out for a sub-compact semi-auto pocket pistol. Though I still prefer my J-Frames for both practical and sentimental reasons...
I carry all my .380's in Desantis Nemesis pocket holsters and they work great in the front pocket of my cargo pants or cargo shorts. The Glock 42 is much larger (compact vs. sub-compact) than either of the Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard .380.. As a matter of fact the G42 is on par with the size of my Ruger LC9. As a shooter the G42 provides a better shooter with it's longer sight distance, but it's size where I need a truly tiny pocket gun, it's prohibitive. And these are all 6-round magazines.
I found the Bodyguard grip feel and trigger were superior to my LCP and the construction is better as well. So between the LCP and Bodyguard .380, the Bodyguard .380 wins out for a sub-compact semi-auto pocket pistol. Though I still prefer my J-Frames for both practical and sentimental reasons...
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