Bodygaurd vs LCP: Opinions

gator1gear · January 11, 2013, 08:02 PM

I looked at a S&W Bodyguard today, and I thought it was a REALLY nice gun! I have a question for you guys and gals that's handled both the LCP, and the Bodyguard. Which one do you prefer and why? I held them both at the store today, and for the most part, I am more impressed with the Bodyguard. I know that in the end, the only thing that matters is how I feel about it. That being said, I would like to hear what you guys and gals think too.

cowtownup · January 11, 2013, 08:15 PM

I have a bodyguard and its a nice gun.. I've not had any problems with it.. However, I bought it on an impulse buy and have since wished I would have gotten a sub compact 40 or 9mm carry gun... But, I don't plan on selling it because I've acquired a substantial amount of ammo for it.. I've not really carried it concealed but the shoot thru wallet holster is pretty nifty... I will warn you, you will want to wear ear protection to shoot it... Its a loud little mother... Good luck...

2wheels · January 11, 2013, 08:18 PM

Haven't shot the LCP, but I did not like the 2 Bodyguards I have shot.

Most of the reason I didn't like it was related to the trigger, which frankly... Sucks... I'm not opposed to a decent double action trigger, but I hated the BGs trigger. Too long, too heavy, and it stacks a good amount. I can shoot decent groups with my J-frame, which isn't known for its awesome DAO trigger, but I struggled with the Bodyguard.

The controls, weren't easy for me to use, too low profile. Especially the safety, makes me wonder why they put it on there anyways. With that trigger, WHY do I need a safety?

The laser activation method could be better, I only like grip activated lasers. But oh well.

On the whole? It goes bang and it's small+lightweight, but my P238 shoots circles around it.

dbb1776 · January 11, 2013, 08:31 PM

Shot the Lcp. No problem hitting phone books at 10yds. My wife shoots it well also.

Mrdinks · January 11, 2013, 08:41 PM

I have the the bodyguard, very accurate little gun. I went through this a year ago and most people went with the bodyguard. I'm sure they are both great guns.

I am the NRA, sent with Tapatalk 2

beatledog7 · January 11, 2013, 08:50 PM

I have not shot either one, but the LCP fits better in my hand and points the better of the two. "Better" actually means "less badly," for me. I could not cleanly draw either from a pocket holster because there was just not enough to get hold of in a firing grip.

The LCP was also a lot more numerous at the most recent (albeit pre-SH) show I attended.

BSnyder · January 11, 2013, 10:14 PM

I went through the same thing. Went back and forth but ended up with the Bodyguard. It just felt better to me than the LCP. And yes, the trigger sucks and it's hard to pull from a pocket holster, but it's been my most carried gun because it's the easiest to carry. Yes, I am lazy. I never shot the LCP but the Bodyguard is not fun to shoot. I put a hundred rounds through it one afternoon for function testing and the next day it felt like someone had smashed my hand with a 2x4. Definitely not a range toy.

Johnny Lightning · January 11, 2013, 10:56 PM

I carry an lcp but have shot my friends bodyguard and feel the bodyguard is an upgrade from an lcp. The bodyguard has alot of nice features the lcp doesn't have.

hardluk1 · January 12, 2013, 08:12 AM

Please give the taurus TCP a look. Splits the weight between the BG and LCP. Has a far better trigger pull than ether . LGS prices run from 185 bucks to 260 LGS price depending on model.

Hunter991 · January 12, 2013, 08:30 AM

I have the bodyguard. Great little gun and haven't had any issues. Shoots well too.

kokapelli · January 12, 2013, 08:41 AM

I have shot both and second the TCP recommendation over both, or if you really want the best in pocket 380's try a P238.

bannockburn · January 12, 2013, 11:04 AM

Between the two I prefer the Bodyguard. Better overall feel and comfort, better sights (plus laser), and better DA trigger.

Bassleg · January 13, 2013, 12:50 AM

I had a Bodyguard 380 and sent it back to S&W 3 times for lite primer strikes and finely
just have them send me my money back I now have a TCP shoots great!

Robbins290 · January 13, 2013, 07:46 AM

Between the lcp and the bodyguard, I would have went with the bodyguard. It felt better in my hand. Comes with a laser. Plus I hated the trigger on the lcp. If I didn't handle the p238. I woulda went with the s&w. I still want one. But I've been funding other gun projects. Let us know which one you get

Lethal Threat · January 13, 2013, 09:09 AM

I have both, and carry each depending on dress. The LCP does not have the laser built in and conceals a little easier in docks. I do like the Bodyguard and wish S&W would make the same without the laser.

cwcoolcow · January 13, 2013, 09:18 AM

I carry my LCP everyday. I've also put about 300 down range with a friend's Bodyguard. IMHO You can't go wrong with either. If they both "feel" good to you take the best deal. :-)

RH45 · January 13, 2013, 12:17 PM

I tried them both, last year.
I think the triggers on both guns pretty much suck, but, in my opinion, most factory guns have trigger pulls that suck.

I liked that the Ruger was smaller, making it easier to conceal/carry, but, it also made it more difficult to get a decent grip.
In the end, I bought a Bodyguard, because it fit my hand a little better, and I thought it was a better value, with the laser. I put a little paint on the sights, because they were too hard for me to pick up quickly.
I don't keep track of how many rounds I put through my guns, but, I've not had any issues with mine. The first time I shot mine, if anybody would have seen the target I shot it at, I would have been embarrassed, but, now that I've dry-fired it a little, and shot it some more, I can pretty much keep all of the shots in the head zone of an IDPA, or USPSA target at 15 yards.

jon_in_wv · January 13, 2013, 04:23 PM

The size difference and concealability of the two are negligible. Both are very accurate but the better sights on the BG380 make it a lot easier to shoot the BG well. The final factor for me was the construction. The BG uses a slightly heavier slide and and a much beefier barrel. The chamber of the LCP at its thinnest point is literally paper thin while the chamber of the BG in the same spot is three times thicker. I wouldn't feel comfortable firing any of the hotter 380 loads in an LCP. Since 380 is considered a marginal caliber I want the option to fire whatever ammo I want in it. I sold my LCP not long after I bought my BG380 and its one of the few guns I don't miss because I feel the BG was a solid upgrade and didn't give up anything in the process.

Captcurt · January 13, 2013, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardluk1

Please give the taurus TCP a look. Splits the weight between the BG and LCP. Has a far better trigger pull than ether . LGS prices run from 185 bucks to 260 LGS price depending on model.

I have had all three and prefer the TCP. I will be happy when they have a model with a laser. The trigger is better like Hardluk stated. About half as heavy as the Smith or Ruger. If you want the laser sight the bodyguard is less likely to be turned on by accident. The Ruger seemed to be real easy to turn on in a soft De Santi holster.

TreeDoc · January 14, 2013, 12:48 AM

I'd have to vote bodyguard. I have shot both and although the lcp does offer ease of carry in many different locations, the bodyguard slips right into my front pocket. I can have my hand on the gun, concealed in my front pocket if needed and no one is the wiser. I also take the revolver as a 'tacklebox' gun when fishing or camping. Couple of snake shot loads followed by some 158s and a couple of strips for insurance. The single action helps a little bit in the outdoors, but it ain't a target gun. Have been working on point shooting and at 5 to 7 yards is very effective.

helitack32f1 · January 14, 2013, 02:10 AM

I am a former owner of an LCP. I sold my LCP with the idea of going with the Bodyguard because it fit my hand better. With the LCP, I had to readjust my grip after every shot and that really annoyed me. I never got the Bodyguard because I came to the conclusion that I have no need for a pocket .380. If I do decide to go for another pocket .380, it would most likely be the Taurus TCP, despite all the negativity toward Taurus. Good price, fits my hand better than the other two.

Dream .380 would be the Sig p238 though.

MedWheeler · January 14, 2013, 07:19 AM

TreeDoc, I think the OP is comparing the LCP to the BodyGuard .380, not the .38. Smith and Wesson makes both, and sells them both under the "BodyGuard" moniker.

snooperman · January 14, 2013, 07:32 AM

I also prefer the Taurus TCP 380. Better trigger , easy to shoot, and easy to rack the slide for my wife and very reliable too. Life time warranty and a lower price tag make it a winner in pocket guns.

Ehtereon11B · January 15, 2013, 12:28 AM

Used the Bodyguard .380 as a pocket pistol and could not get rid of it fast enough. Trigger pull was measured at over 15 pounds since that is how far my scale goes. Sent it back to S&W only to get it back 2 months later dirty from test firing, found that the trigger pull was "within acceptable standards." Sold it the day after that.

Fiv3r · January 15, 2013, 10:11 AM

I actually went with the LCP after handling the two

What it came down to was that neither fit my hand. However, I don't have massive meaty mitts like some of you fine upstanding yetis

The trigger pull on both of them seemed about as sucky as you can get, but that's the safety feature of a pocket pistol. What it came down to was that I wanted the thinnest, lightest, least printing BUG with the fewest things to go wrong with it. After the LGS owner let me pocket both guns, I went with the LCP because it fit my pockets better and didn't have the laser.

I get the idea of a laser and still might pick one up one day. However, the LCP is the rough and dirty pocket gun that goes with me every day. Sweat, grime, pocket lint, etc. Don't get me wrong, I take care of my guns. It gets a wipe down as needed and a function check weekly. That said, a battery powered laser is just one more thing for Murphy and his damnable law to interfere with at the worst moment.

At 7 yards I can quickly empty 7 rounds into paper plate at chest/neck level. That's all I'm asking my pocket gremlin to do. The next step up for me isn't a "nicer" .380 or pocket 9, it's subcompact 9mm.

I keep the little bugger in my back left pocket with a reload

January 11, 2013, 08:02 PM	#1
gator1gear Member Join Date: December 17, 2008 Posts: 150	Bodygaurd vs LCP: Opinions I looked at a S&W Bodyguard today, and I thought it was a REALLY nice gun! I have a question for you guys and gals that's handled both the LCP, and the Bodyguard. Which one do you prefer and why? I held them both at the store today, and for the most part, I am more impressed with the Bodyguard. I know that in the end, the only thing that matters is how I feel about it. That being said, I would like to hear what you guys and gals think too.

January 11, 2013, 08:18 PM	#3
2wheels Member Join Date: March 28, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 828	Haven't shot the LCP, but I did not like the 2 Bodyguards I have shot. Most of the reason I didn't like it was related to the trigger, which frankly... Sucks... I'm not opposed to a decent double action trigger, but I hated the BGs trigger. Too long, too heavy, and it stacks a good amount. I can shoot decent groups with my J-frame, which isn't known for its awesome DAO trigger, but I struggled with the Bodyguard. The controls, weren't easy for me to use, too low profile. Especially the safety, makes me wonder why they put it on there anyways. With that trigger, WHY do I need a safety? The laser activation method could be better, I only like grip activated lasers. But oh well. On the whole? It goes bang and it's small+lightweight, but my P238 shoots circles around it. __________________ CCW - Colt New Agent, Springfield EMP 9, TALO Colt CCO BUG - Sig Sauer P238 or S&W 442 Range duty -AutoOrdnance/Ithaca 1911, GSG 1911-22

January 11, 2013, 08:50 PM	#6
beatledog7 Member Join Date: June 18, 2011 Location: Tidewater Posts: 4,128	I have not shot either one, but the LCP fits better in my hand and points the better of the two. "Better" actually means "less badly," for me. I could not cleanly draw either from a pocket holster because there was just not enough to get hold of in a firing grip. The LCP was also a lot more numerous at the most recent (albeit pre-SH) show I attended. __________________ "Please allow me to trade freedom for the appearance of security" is the surrender plea of the defeated.

January 12, 2013, 11:04 AM	#12
bannockburn Member Join Date: April 24, 2007 Posts: 4,955	Between the two I prefer the Bodyguard. Better overall feel and comfort, better sights (plus laser), and better DA trigger. __________________ "An elegant weapon for a more civilized age."-Obi Wan Kenobi

January 13, 2013, 07:46 AM	#14
Robbins290 Member Join Date: May 8, 2011 Location: Limerick, maine Posts: 739	Between the lcp and the bodyguard, I would have went with the bodyguard. It felt better in my hand. Comes with a laser. Plus I hated the trigger on the lcp. If I didn't handle the p238. I woulda went with the s&w. I still want one. But I've been funding other gun projects. Let us know which one you get __________________ They call me salad, salad shooter!

January 11, 2013, 08:15 PM	#2
cowtownup Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 100	I have a bodyguard and its a nice gun.. I've not had any problems with it.. However, I bought it on an impulse buy and have since wished I would have gotten a sub compact 40 or 9mm carry gun... But, I don't plan on selling it because I've acquired a substantial amount of ammo for it.. I've not really carried it concealed but the shoot thru wallet holster is pretty nifty... I will warn you, you will want to wear ear protection to shoot it... Its a loud little mother... Good luck...

January 11, 2013, 08:31 PM	#4
dbb1776 Member Join Date: January 19, 2010 Location: tx Posts: 212	Shot the Lcp. No problem hitting phone books at 10yds. My wife shoots it well also.

January 11, 2013, 08:41 PM	#5
Mrdinks Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Posts: 16	I have the the bodyguard, very accurate little gun. I went through this a year ago and most people went with the bodyguard. I'm sure they are both great guns. I am the NRA, sent with Tapatalk 2

January 11, 2013, 10:14 PM	#7
BSnyder Member Join Date: October 16, 2011 Location: WV Posts: 41	I went through the same thing. Went back and forth but ended up with the Bodyguard. It just felt better to me than the LCP. And yes, the trigger sucks and it's hard to pull from a pocket holster, but it's been my most carried gun because it's the easiest to carry. Yes, I am lazy. I never shot the LCP but the Bodyguard is not fun to shoot. I put a hundred rounds through it one afternoon for function testing and the next day it felt like someone had smashed my hand with a 2x4. Definitely not a range toy.

January 11, 2013, 10:56 PM	#8
Johnny Lightning Member Join Date: April 2, 2010 Location: East Greenville PA Posts: 286	I carry an lcp but have shot my friends bodyguard and feel the bodyguard is an upgrade from an lcp. The bodyguard has alot of nice features the lcp doesn't have.

January 12, 2013, 08:12 AM	#9
hardluk1 Member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Location: nc mountains Posts: 3,594	Please give the taurus TCP a look. Splits the weight between the BG and LCP. Has a far better trigger pull than ether . LGS prices run from 185 bucks to 260 LGS price depending on model.

January 12, 2013, 08:30 AM	#10
Hunter991 Member Join Date: January 5, 2013 Posts: 46	I have the bodyguard. Great little gun and haven't had any issues. Shoots well too.

January 12, 2013, 08:41 AM	#11
kokapelli Member Join Date: January 27, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,592	I have shot both and second the TCP recommendation over both, or if you really want the best in pocket 380's try a P238.

January 13, 2013, 12:50 AM	#13
Bassleg Member Join Date: January 9, 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 46	I had a Bodyguard 380 and sent it back to S&W 3 times for lite primer strikes and finely just have them send me my money back I now have a TCP shoots great!

January 13, 2013, 09:09 AM	#15
Lethal Threat Member Join Date: January 13, 2013 Location: River Valley Arkansas Posts: 24	I have both, and carry each depending on dress. The LCP does not have the laser built in and conceals a little easier in docks. I do like the Bodyguard and wish S&W would make the same without the laser.

January 13, 2013, 09:18 AM	#16
cwcoolcow Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 12	I carry my LCP everyday. I've also put about 300 down range with a friend's Bodyguard. IMHO You can't go wrong with either. If they both "feel" good to you take the best deal. :-)

January 13, 2013, 12:17 PM	#17
RH45 Member Join Date: January 3, 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 271	I tried them both, last year. I think the triggers on both guns pretty much suck, but, in my opinion, most factory guns have trigger pulls that suck. I liked that the Ruger was smaller, making it easier to conceal/carry, but, it also made it more difficult to get a decent grip. In the end, I bought a Bodyguard, because it fit my hand a little better, and I thought it was a better value, with the laser. I put a little paint on the sights, because they were too hard for me to pick up quickly. I don't keep track of how many rounds I put through my guns, but, I've not had any issues with mine. The first time I shot mine, if anybody would have seen the target I shot it at, I would have been embarrassed, but, now that I've dry-fired it a little, and shot it some more, I can pretty much keep all of the shots in the head zone of an IDPA, or USPSA target at 15 yards.

January 13, 2013, 04:23 PM	#18
jon_in_wv Member Join Date: July 8, 2006 Posts: 3,626	The size difference and concealability of the two are negligible. Both are very accurate but the better sights on the BG380 make it a lot easier to shoot the BG well. The final factor for me was the construction. The BG uses a slightly heavier slide and and a much beefier barrel. The chamber of the LCP at its thinnest point is literally paper thin while the chamber of the BG in the same spot is three times thicker. I wouldn't feel comfortable firing any of the hotter 380 loads in an LCP. Since 380 is considered a marginal caliber I want the option to fire whatever ammo I want in it. I sold my LCP not long after I bought my BG380 and its one of the few guns I don't miss because I feel the BG was a solid upgrade and didn't give up anything in the process. __________________ "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud: General Introduction to Psychoanalysis. (1920)

January 14, 2013, 12:48 AM	#20
TreeDoc Member Join Date: October 8, 2010 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 188	I'd have to vote bodyguard. I have shot both and although the lcp does offer ease of carry in many different locations, the bodyguard slips right into my front pocket. I can have my hand on the gun, concealed in my front pocket if needed and no one is the wiser. I also take the revolver as a 'tacklebox' gun when fishing or camping. Couple of snake shot loads followed by some 158s and a couple of strips for insurance. The single action helps a little bit in the outdoors, but it ain't a target gun. Have been working on point shooting and at 5 to 7 yards is very effective.

January 14, 2013, 02:10 AM	#21
helitack32f1 Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 397	I am a former owner of an LCP. I sold my LCP with the idea of going with the Bodyguard because it fit my hand better. With the LCP, I had to readjust my grip after every shot and that really annoyed me. I never got the Bodyguard because I came to the conclusion that I have no need for a pocket .380. If I do decide to go for another pocket .380, it would most likely be the Taurus TCP, despite all the negativity toward Taurus. Good price, fits my hand better than the other two. Dream .380 would be the Sig p238 though. __________________ "Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn’t so." -Ronald Reagan

January 14, 2013, 07:19 AM	#22
MedWheeler Member Join Date: June 14, 2008 Location: SouthEastern FL Posts: 2,366	TreeDoc, I think the OP is comparing the LCP to the BodyGuard .380, not the .38. Smith and Wesson makes both, and sells them both under the "BodyGuard" moniker. __________________ If Fort Hood was simply a case of "workplace violence", then 9/11 was simply a few "unruly passengers."

January 14, 2013, 07:32 AM	#23
snooperman Member Join Date: May 4, 2009 Posts: 1,456	I also prefer the Taurus TCP 380. Better trigger , easy to shoot, and easy to rack the slide for my wife and very reliable too. Life time warranty and a lower price tag make it a winner in pocket guns.

January 15, 2013, 12:28 AM	#24
Ehtereon11B internet infantryman Join Date: August 20, 2012 Posts: 983	Used the Bodyguard .380 as a pocket pistol and could not get rid of it fast enough. Trigger pull was measured at over 15 pounds since that is how far my scale goes. Sent it back to S&W only to get it back 2 months later dirty from test firing, found that the trigger pull was "within acceptable standards." Sold it the day after that.

January 15, 2013, 10:11 AM	#25
Fiv3r Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Posts: 533	I actually went with the LCP after handling the two What it came down to was that neither fit my hand. However, I don't have massive meaty mitts like some of you fine upstanding yetis The trigger pull on both of them seemed about as sucky as you can get, but that's the safety feature of a pocket pistol. What it came down to was that I wanted the thinnest, lightest, least printing BUG with the fewest things to go wrong with it. After the LGS owner let me pocket both guns, I went with the LCP because it fit my pockets better and didn't have the laser. I get the idea of a laser and still might pick one up one day. However, the LCP is the rough and dirty pocket gun that goes with me every day. Sweat, grime, pocket lint, etc. Don't get me wrong, I take care of my guns. It gets a wipe down as needed and a function check weekly. That said, a battery powered laser is just one more thing for Murphy and his damnable law to interfere with at the worst moment. At 7 yards I can quickly empty 7 rounds into paper plate at chest/neck level. That's all I'm asking my pocket gremlin to do. The next step up for me isn't a "nicer" .380 or pocket 9, it's subcompact 9mm. I keep the little bugger in my back left pocket with a reload