usmarine0352_2005
member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2005
- Messages
- 2,796
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S&W Bodyguard .380 w/laser:
I've had a SW Bodyguard for a few years and love it. I carry it in a Galco pocket holster and it's a pleasure to shoot and accurate. I've put a couple hundred rounds through the Bodyguard out to 25 feet and it will shoot decent sized groups and although most pocket pistol .380's are known for sharp, unpleasant recoil SW does not have that for some reason. My girlfriend shot it a few weeks ago, her first time shooting not only did it shoot accurately, he enjoyed shooting it.
Things I like about the Bodyguard:
1.) Chamber loaded indicator.
2.) Smooth trigger (albeit long).
3.) Good sights.
4.) Slide locks back on last round.
5.) Pleasant to shoot.
6.) Takedown lever
Things I don't like:
1.) Hard to turn on laser.
2.) Safety laser.
This is the S&W Bodyguard at 21 feet. More than enough to do the job for a .380 pocket pistol.
Ruger LCP .380 w/laser:
So I got this gun for my girlfriend and decided to put it through it's paces. I found that the gun had a sharp but not truly unpleasant recoil, however, it did start to hurt the tip of my trigger finger for some reason. The gun was accurate but it took more concentration to hit the bulls-eye than it did with the Bodyguard. For some reason the gun just takes more to hit the target. The laser was on out to 30 feet also. After 100 rounds shooting would have still been manageable but my finger was tender. I also noticed that after the first shot my finger would automatically slide forward and accidentally hit the laser button turning it on. This happened almost every time. Not something you want happening if you're attempting to remain unseen after firing your first shot.
Things I liked:
1.) Accurate.
2.) Short trigger.
3.) Easy to use laser.
4.) Usable sights.
5.) Loaded chamber indicator.
Things I didn't like:
1.) Laser turning on when shooting (this could just be me and not a problem for others.)
2.) Slide doesn't lock back on last shot. (why can't they do this???)
3.) Somewhat unpleasant to shoot.
4.) No takedown lever.
Review:
Well, I've got to say that either gun makes a solid pocket pistol for concealed carry. Pocket .380's aren't made for tons of shooting, so I know that they may be unpleasant to shoot, it's the nature of a .380 in a tiny framed gun. However, the SW is actually pleasant to shoot while the LCP hurt my finger after while. I like the lock back on the last round feature of the SW and can't understand why the Ruger can't do that. Although the trigger on the LCP was shorter and lighter than the SW, I'd say the SW had a smoother trigger which may have been the reason for it's accuracy. The SW also has a takedown lever while the LCP will require a tool to pop out it's rounded lever. Both lasers were right on target out to 30 feet. I know that 30 feet is farther than you would use either of these guns for CCW as a .380 is really a last resort, up close type of gun for self-defense. The magazines also seem to be cheaper. I found the SW mags for $24 each at Gander Mountain while the Ruger was $42. I know you can find both cheaper online though, although you'll have to pay for shipping. I don't like safety levers on CCW guns, however, the SW one is so small and hard to turn on, it'd be almost possible to turn it on in a pocket holster.
Warranty, I know that Ruger is said to have good warranty, I've never dealt with it though. However, I had a problem with my Bodyguard, rough trigger, takedown lever dropped the slide, and the laser wouldn't turn on easily. I called them and mailed it in and got it back 2 weeks later with an extra new mag thrown in. Can't complain about the customer service.
So, if I had to choose a gun for pocket carry, which one of these would I choose? The SW Bodyguard....sort of.
I would actually choose the new S&W MP Bodyguard which is the the Bodyguard minus the laser with a cheaper price tag. The only other difference is that it has fish scale serrations on the back of the slide like most MP's rather than the standard straight serrations.
For the lower price and lack of laser I'd go with the SW MP Bodyguard .380.
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S&W Bodyguard .380 w/laser:
I've had a SW Bodyguard for a few years and love it. I carry it in a Galco pocket holster and it's a pleasure to shoot and accurate. I've put a couple hundred rounds through the Bodyguard out to 25 feet and it will shoot decent sized groups and although most pocket pistol .380's are known for sharp, unpleasant recoil SW does not have that for some reason. My girlfriend shot it a few weeks ago, her first time shooting not only did it shoot accurately, he enjoyed shooting it.
Things I like about the Bodyguard:
1.) Chamber loaded indicator.
2.) Smooth trigger (albeit long).
3.) Good sights.
4.) Slide locks back on last round.
5.) Pleasant to shoot.
6.) Takedown lever
Things I don't like:
1.) Hard to turn on laser.
2.) Safety laser.
This is the S&W Bodyguard at 21 feet. More than enough to do the job for a .380 pocket pistol.
Ruger LCP .380 w/laser:
So I got this gun for my girlfriend and decided to put it through it's paces. I found that the gun had a sharp but not truly unpleasant recoil, however, it did start to hurt the tip of my trigger finger for some reason. The gun was accurate but it took more concentration to hit the bulls-eye than it did with the Bodyguard. For some reason the gun just takes more to hit the target. The laser was on out to 30 feet also. After 100 rounds shooting would have still been manageable but my finger was tender. I also noticed that after the first shot my finger would automatically slide forward and accidentally hit the laser button turning it on. This happened almost every time. Not something you want happening if you're attempting to remain unseen after firing your first shot.
Things I liked:
1.) Accurate.
2.) Short trigger.
3.) Easy to use laser.
4.) Usable sights.
5.) Loaded chamber indicator.
Things I didn't like:
1.) Laser turning on when shooting (this could just be me and not a problem for others.)
2.) Slide doesn't lock back on last shot. (why can't they do this???)
3.) Somewhat unpleasant to shoot.
4.) No takedown lever.
Review:
Well, I've got to say that either gun makes a solid pocket pistol for concealed carry. Pocket .380's aren't made for tons of shooting, so I know that they may be unpleasant to shoot, it's the nature of a .380 in a tiny framed gun. However, the SW is actually pleasant to shoot while the LCP hurt my finger after while. I like the lock back on the last round feature of the SW and can't understand why the Ruger can't do that. Although the trigger on the LCP was shorter and lighter than the SW, I'd say the SW had a smoother trigger which may have been the reason for it's accuracy. The SW also has a takedown lever while the LCP will require a tool to pop out it's rounded lever. Both lasers were right on target out to 30 feet. I know that 30 feet is farther than you would use either of these guns for CCW as a .380 is really a last resort, up close type of gun for self-defense. The magazines also seem to be cheaper. I found the SW mags for $24 each at Gander Mountain while the Ruger was $42. I know you can find both cheaper online though, although you'll have to pay for shipping. I don't like safety levers on CCW guns, however, the SW one is so small and hard to turn on, it'd be almost possible to turn it on in a pocket holster.
Warranty, I know that Ruger is said to have good warranty, I've never dealt with it though. However, I had a problem with my Bodyguard, rough trigger, takedown lever dropped the slide, and the laser wouldn't turn on easily. I called them and mailed it in and got it back 2 weeks later with an extra new mag thrown in. Can't complain about the customer service.
So, if I had to choose a gun for pocket carry, which one of these would I choose? The SW Bodyguard....sort of.
I would actually choose the new S&W MP Bodyguard which is the the Bodyguard minus the laser with a cheaper price tag. The only other difference is that it has fish scale serrations on the back of the slide like most MP's rather than the standard straight serrations.
For the lower price and lack of laser I'd go with the SW MP Bodyguard .380.
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