THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE M&P Bodyguard V. Ruger LCP

[johnt111]

Bought a body guard last year for my wife and it is simply the worst pistol I've ever owned. Trigger pull is very firm, almost impossible for my wife to do a slow trigger pull. Gun was sent back to S&W three times as it would come apart after 3 or 4 shots sending the slide down range about 20 ft.
S&W finally sent me a new replacement gun that just sits in my safe. I bought a Glock 26 that more than meets our needs although is a litter bigger than the Ruger or Bodyguard. I was always concerned about the stopping ability of the .380 and feel better carrying a 9mm.

 

[esoxrox]

LUV my BG380

I wanted a 380 as well and my issue was hand size. the LCP just felt to small and I could not control the gun. The Bodyguard just felt right for me. Easy to carry, luv the laser (use it or not), double shot capable, open slide after last shot. I found the slide easier to operate compared to the LCP as well.

 

[RV4driver]

Hunter holster, flat side goes out for a no-print pocket holster. My wife also uses one for her LCP as it keeps the gun grip-up in her purse.
She has the BG380 version of the holster, but the LCP fits fine in it. The BG380 is slightly too large to fit in the LCP version though.
My BG380 is a safe queen. The only way I could get it to reliably fire rounds was to put a 12lb hammer spring in it. Smith was no help.
My wife has the original LCP, she likes it, but I hated the early trigger and lack of sights. I got a later edition one, the trigger is WAY better, and the sights are usable.

 

[TruckGun]

I bought the M&P BG380......then sold it to buy the EVER SO SLIGHTLY bigger Kahr CM9. The next pocket 380 I buy will be a stainless LCP. I REALLY wanted to like the Bodyguard, but know 2 people who've had the broken firing pin issue, one which never even made it to the range. If S&W proactively corrects that issue, I'll buy another one as it beats the LCP hands down otherwise. JM2C, YMMV.

 

[Smoke]

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.

My wife has a Sneaky Pete and I have yet to see anyone fooled by it.

 

[Msgt in NC]

People are in a fog

Believe me, most people are totally unobservant and wouldn't notice anything in your front pocket. Even If they did, most wouldn't immediately think "gun". People are mostly into their own little worlds these days, texting and receiving texts, checking phones, etc.

I agree. I carry a M&P Shield 9mm in a DeSantis OTW holster mainly in the cold months. Unless you are a "gun person" people just don't notice. I started out looking at the BG 380 as a CC weapon a year ago. I went up the scale to a .45 (1911, XD-S, etc.) but worked my way back down to a 9mm. I like the feel, weight and touch of my Shield. I had a choice of which caliber and went smaller. At the range a couple of ladies were firing the Sig P238 and had tight shot groups. Another guy had a P938. I havent fired either yet but have had my eye on them both. Being former military I can get a discount of about $200 for either gun at Gander Mountain from Sig Sauer. Until I make up my mind I keep reading these forums for more inputs. I also have an M&P .22 LR and I like the idea of keeping the mechanics of the weapons I own similar. My next purchase will be .380 and probably the new M&P model w/o the laser. too many choices out there!

 

[Chris642]

+1 for the LCP. had mine since the first recall...

That seems to be a common occurrence these days, recalls on all these newer semi-auto polymer wonders. When is the last time you heard of a major recall on J-Frames, SP-101, GP-100, etc., or any full metal/steel frame or military spec gun?

 

[Stratajema]

The barrel of the Bodyguard is a MIM part... no thanks. Not sure if that is the situation with the M&P version.

If you are considering the LCP, then consider replacing the takedown lever before it breaks or "walks out". Here is a 3rd party manufacturer of that part:
https://www.tandemkross.com/LCP-Too...Link&avad=55097_c6661b73&utm_source=AvantLink

 

[TruckGun]

The barrel of the Bodyguard is a MIM part... no thanks. Not sure if that is the situation with the M&P version....

No, the M&P BG380 barrels are machined stainless with melonite. I believe they've switched out of the MIM barrels on the laser version too.

 

[Smoke]

That seems to be a common occurrence these days, recalls on all these newer semi-auto polymer wonders. When is the last time you heard of a major recall on J-Frames, SP-101, GP-100, etc., or any full metal/steel frame or military spec gun?

I'm still not getting a revolver

 

[Smoke]

I have a question for those who are telling me that no one is going to notice if I carry in my front pocket

Would you be willing to bet your job on that?

 

[Erich]

Would they post their answer on a public forum if they were?

 

[Smoke]

Would they post their answer on a public forum if they were?

The forum is pretty anonymous. I try not to identify my employer of the client company that I work for but I think my employer would have to look pretty hard to tie "me" to "Smoke".

I'm confident enough in that to admit that I illegally carried a gun on an unarmed site several years ago while working for this company and I'm pretty sure I'm safe

 

[Erich]

Some might not be, tho. I just think the answers you get might be incomplete for this reason.

 

[grayelky]

If you were looking to buy a new gun, my suggestion would be a Taurus TCP. Easiest of all the poly 380s to hit with, and least felt recoil. My personal favorite is my Seecamp .32 ACP, but you don't want a new caliber. Understandable. Only you can tell what is too large, but I would urge you to locate a Kimber Solo and give it serious consideration, along with the Diamondback 9 mm. (My hand is too fat, and the grip moves it up high enough to be cut by the slide, or I would have one.) The KelTec .380 is fractionally smaller and maybe a touch lighter, but, based on what you have laid out for criteria, my recommendation is the LCP. You have spare mags and an assortment of holsters. All of this will save you money over buying a different handgun (including the ones I would have chosen), BUT the strongest reason has its own "catch phrase": commonality of training. You AND your wife are familiar with its operation and it's nuances. Should the situation present itself, she can take your gun and continue onward like it was her own, or, you could retrieve hers, etc.

Should you opt for something other than the LCP, get 2, and help her transition to her new gun.

And, reconsider the 203.......

Let us know what you decide, and why, please.

 

[Fastbolt]

Some might not be, tho. I just think the answers you get might be incomplete for this reason.

Ha! Ya' think?

Remember the old saying that goes along the lines of, "Admit nothing, deny everything & demand proof"?

 

[grayelky]

You have eliminated a different caliber, and revolvers. Okay, understandable, but I can't help myself (sorry )

North American Arms .22 mag, 1 5/8" barrel, under 7 ounces LOADED, and absolutely undetectable. Not a weapon to start a fight with, but certainly one to end one.

 

[Smoke]

Should you opt for something other than the LCP, get 2, and help her transition to her new gun.

I don't pick guns for my wife and I don't make her carry the gun I think she should carry.

I'm more experienced than she and I will have a much easier time transitioning to an LCP than she would have transitioning to anything else

 

[Smoke]

Some might not be, tho. I just think the answers you get might be incomplete for this reason.

Ha! Ya' think?

Remember the old saying that goes along the lines of, "Admit nothing, deny everything & demand proof"?

I'm missing something

How do they compromise themselves by answering my question?

 

[Erich]

They answer the question; someone notices (say, their IT department, should they post from work) and notifies their HR department . . .

My point was that there'll be a lot of people out there reading this who'd answer in the affirmative, but from whom you'll never hear.