S&W 380 body guard or Sig sauer P238

I was over my FFL transfer dealers the two weeks ago picking up my Beretta 84. He had a Bodyguard .380 there and I asked him if I could check it out. It felt great in my hand and the fit and finish were well done. Before I talk about the trigger let me state I'm a revolver guy, so I'm used to long DA trigger pulls, but man that trigger was about a mile long and at least two stages! I have some old H&R .22 revolvers that have better triggers on them.

I think it would be VERY worth while to rent a bodyguard and shoot it before you buy one.

I agree. Rent one first. My wife loves hers. Once you get used to the trigger, it's a great little gun. It goes forever, and then breaks over just when you think you're out of room. I would depend on it for SD but not much fun to practice with.

Although I admit I have never handled a Bodyguard I have read several times that the laser activation is a bit cheesy and not well thought out.
At least the pistol has regular sights to make up for that.
Not sure of Sig has the issues worked out of the P238 yet.
I am sure the loyalist will soon come forth about that.

I don't know anything about the S&W but I did have a SIG238. Multiple trips to SIG, new parts "that will fix the SIG this time". I hear SIG finally got the 238 fixed but IMO it's too expensive to take a chance on.

The SIG

I don't know that the Sig is a pocket carry item like the S&W. It is designed such as a 1911 to be carried cocked and locked for rapid deployment. Best served as IWB carry. I like the looks and the ergonomics are not as appropriate for me as the S&W (I have handled both, shot neither).

For what its worth, if you do a search on each of these items you will find a plethora of information and opinions.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...8FpYGg&usg=AFQjCNECS_oOinymur6orkMX_y0zNAX3sQ

Sig 238, no contest there. TJ

I have a BG 380. I like it but I’m still trying to get used to the trigger.

I was interested in the Sig P238 as well. Neat little gun. I was looking for a pocket carry gun though and the Sig is SA only. I knew I wouldn’t feel comfortable carrying in my pocket cocked and locked so I ultimately decided it wasn’t right for me.

I found that the perfect pocket gun didn’t exist. There’s always a tradeoff somewhere; long and heavy trigger, no sights, too bulky, wrong action type, too expensive, etc.

I haven't handled or shot the S&W Bodyguard. I've had a Sig P238 for some time and I'm very pleased with it. It replaced a Kel-Tec P3AT. IMO it is far superior to the Kel-Tec in every way. The trigger pull is heavy, but is a typical 1911 trigger. (I'm partial to 1911's) It breaks clean and has a very short single action travel. A lot of these tiny .380's are a handful to shoot, but the P238 isn't bad at all. Mine has been flawless so far. I shot 300 rounds of Remington hardball thru it first to make sure it functioned OK. Since then, I've shot 200 rounds of Hornady personal defense ammo in it without a bobble. I sometimes carry it because it can be so easily hidden. I have an IWB holster, but usually carry it in a wallet-style pocket holster in my back pocket. Most of its time is spent as a BUG. Sig magazines are a little hard to find and pricey, but Colt Mustang mags can be readily found, work well and are cheaper. I also like the sights - for a small gun, they are easy to see and being night sights is an added bonus. The only fault I can find with it is that the bottom edge of the trigger is kind of sharp and prolonged shooting sessions cause a sore trigger finger. A little touch up with a Dremel would quickly fix that problem.

I have an early SIG 238, which I’ve been happy with and haven’t encountered any issues with to date. I’ve handled (but not shot) the S&W Bodyguard 380 and liked what I saw. Both would be worthily of serious consideration. As others have suggested, try to rent both before making a purchase decision.



Remora Holster

Both are great choices from hearing from personal friends who own them. The only problem I would have with the bodyguard is that poor excuse for a laser that you're stuck with since it's integrated. If they offered it without a laser for a bit less $ i'd love it. Both would be an adjustment for me due to no ambi safety, but the Sig would be the one i'd buy in the end.

I have had a P238 for almost 2 years. It hides in the pocket without a problem. I cary it in a Don Hume pocket holster, and it just disappears, even in a pair of Levi's. The single action trigger is tough to beat.

I agree with DPotvin, IMO, there just isnt a pocket pistol that is everything I want it to be.
I dont own the Sig but I really like it, or at least I want to. It feels good in the hand, and has a good trigger (compared to every other pocket pistol on the market), but the reliability issues I keep reading about keep me from buying one. It seems to be about 50%, the people that have good ones absolutely love them, the others have constant FTF problems. The Diamond Back DB 380 feels good and shoots good to, but it is also plagued with reliability issues. If either the P238 or the DB380 were reliable I would be happy with either of them, but they're not, so I'll keep carrying one of the sub compacts for now.

I really like mine. After installing the free flat-wound recoil spring I've had no issues. Use it every time at the range along with my 9mm's. My round count is over 1000 for this CCW.
I'm using a IWB holster that hides it well, carry it all the time, love it.
I also tried the LCP and LC9 before the P238. I did not care for the heavy long trigger pull.

Between these two definitely the Sig however, I would not limit myself to just these two. I have a Kahr P380 that's a sweet pistol to shoot. I recommend you try one if you can you might like it.

I have the Sig P238 Equinox, a late build model. The gun has great sights, is very accurate, and a pleasure to shoot! It has been flawless at the range!!

I've always been a fan of S&W and Sig's. With that said, I do believe that each has its place in the service and CCW market. Sig is known for being a solid firearm right from the get go. I own a P220, a P226, and P229 as well as a couple of their 1911 models. Great pistols overall. S&W has, well, a long history of being reliable weapons which, if you consider it a plus, made here in America. I own a M&P9c and owned the M&P45, 642 and 442. Sold all but the M&P9c. I've been able to shoot both the P238 and own a bodyguard 380. I tried both out before deciding which to buy. Not to mention, I've owned the LCP, TCP, Keltec, Walther, etc.

P238, beautiful little pocket pal. So many variations available now that you can suit it to your individual taste and desire. Decent little shooter and a familiar design if you are a fan of the 1911's.

Bodyguard 380, this has to be the smoothest and softest shooting 380 I've ever shot. So far completely reliable. The grip is long enough to feel comfortable in my hands (i wear size large/XL gloves) It has actual sights that are easy to see.

Weight goes to the bodyguard. Fully loaded in a comptac holster and it pretty much disappears when I have it IWB. The p238 has a bit of heft to it considering it is only a 380.
Sights to to the Sig. Night sights are always a plus.
"Prettiness" goes to the Sig but the Bodyguard isn't too far behind. The various models of the P238 give it the edge though.
Trigger pull goes to the Sig also. It is just nice and short (again 1911 fans). The Bodyguard is a true DAO pistol and the pull is longer and heavier but for me, considering it was a pocket gun, I liked it.
Shooting, well, like I said before. I found the Bodyguard to be more consistently accurate and softer shooting. Surprising considering the p238's frame.
Accessories, this is a tough one. Sig always has more options which I really don't consider accessories but they can be viewed as such. Bodyguard comes with the integrated laser.
Holsters are available for both models in various designs ranging from IWB/OWB/pocket tuck/rear pocket/neck wear/ankle.
Price goes to the Bodyguard. You can find the S&W for less than $400. The Sig starts at over $500. That depends on your piggy bank.

So why did I go with the bodyguard instead of the p238. Honestly, I felt the S&W a bit more comfortable in my hand and it was more of a consistent shot for me. Maybe the P238 was slipping in my hand but it did not shoot as consistent as the S&W. Also, the fact that it came with the integrated laser was a BIG plus. Though, I have yet to actually have it on while I carry it. Price was also a consideration. Did I really want to pay $500-700 for a 380acp? I didn't. But you may. Is the sig name for a 380 worth the price difference? To ME, considering the bodyguard shot better and had the laser, it wasn't. The decision is yours in the end but I wanted to give you my opinion on it. Again, this is my opinion. Either way, good shooting mate!!

I admit I have never handled a Bodyguard I have read several times that the laser activation is a bit cheesy and not well thought out.

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This is only thought by people who don't understand the concept of "point shooting". The bodyguard laser switch is right where your index finger should be -- either strong or weak hand when point shooting. They have had some bad switches, but will fix them straight away should you get one of the pistols with them.

No doubt the Sig P238 is by far the best of the mouse guns at the range and is just plain fun to shoot, but its size in weight are too close to my Kahr PM40 for me to accept the downgrade to .380. When the PM40 can't hide, I go with the Bodyguard or the Ruger LCP.

To be honest my P238 has not had reliability sufficient for carry. The LCP and Bodyguard have never bobbled and I can even use cheap Wolf steel cased ammo in them for practice. Also the P238 has poor ambi features -- when I carry a mouse gun its usually for left hand use.

I can't comment on the Bodyguard, not having shot one. However, I do have a P238 and it's a great little pistol. I am more accurate with the P238 than any other pistol I have shot, and it conceals well in a pocket holster.

Mikey Idaho said:

Both are great choices from hearing from personal friends who own them. The only problem I would have with the bodyguard is that poor excuse for a laser that you're stuck with since it's integrated. If they offered it without a laser for a bit less $ i'd love it. Both would be an adjustment for me due to no ambi safety, but the Sig would be the one i'd buy in the end.

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Around the Spring of this year, the LAPD authorized the Ruger LCP and a special variant of the S&W BG380 for back-up/off-duty use.
It's interesting to note that the special variant of the S&W BG380 for the LAPD does not have a manual safety and does not have the laser.
That model may be available to the public in the future.

Ive had 2 P3AT's both ran great,Have a Kahr p380 and a Sig 238.
Both of these are great,shoot well,and recoil is very manageable,The Kahr is a little nicer in the pocket but If I had to choose it would be my Sig.
It just flat out shoots,the night sights are the best ive seen on on the small 380's and the ergo,s are well 1911 ish.

Suggest you take a look at Walther, too. Small, accurate, easily concealable, and they probably have more experience in building pistols for this round than all the other manufacturers put together.

Of course I like the sig.

My personal opinion is that pocket guns should always be DAO. I love Sigs, but I think the S&W BG380 is the better choice.