Thiokol
member
I'm looking for an unbiased opinion from anyone that has owned a Ruger LCP and a S&W Bodyguard .380. Other than the Bodyguards integral laser, which one do you prefer and why?
LCP vs Bodyguard .380
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pingpingping
Member
I looked at both and ended up going with the bodyguard. The slightly larger size lets me pretty much get all my fingers on the gun. I did have a couple minor issues with the laser, which Smith sent me parts for (for free), but the gun has run flawlessly. It goes everywhere with me.
Trad Archer
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- Dec 5, 2010
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My wife has a S@W Bodyuard. That was the gun she chose over all the other mouse guns. She absolutely loves that gun. She has fired 5-6 hundred rounds through it thus far and has experienced no flaws. Also, the sights are dead on and she has no problem hitting a paper plate at 20 yards with it, which obviously is not what its intended purpose is. It's just nice knowing that it's capable.
coolluke01
Member
My friend has the bodyguard. He said the trigger it terrible. I haven't shot it. But he shot my glock and says he wished it had a trigger half as good.
I can't hold onto the LCP when it goes BANG. The BG though, shoots like a bigger gun. Last round hold open is also a plus. The ONLY problem I have with it is that it's just a bit short and my finger wraps too far over the trigger.
Okay, here's the kicker..... I asked my wife what her favorite thing about the BG is. She got a dreamy look in her eye and said, "you know that feeling you get when you find the perfect pair of shoes? Same thing"
Ps- what Trad said.... Freaky accurate
Okay, here's the kicker..... I asked my wife what her favorite thing about the BG is. She got a dreamy look in her eye and said, "you know that feeling you get when you find the perfect pair of shoes? Same thing"
Ps- what Trad said.... Freaky accurate
I would not want to face Trads' wife if she had real good handgun instead of hardly shootable lil' thing. She would proly shoot both of my eyes out at 50 paces.
franco45
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- Sep 15, 2010
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- 416
I don't like the laser activation system on the BG. The gun itself is probably fine. On the other hand, my LCP has become one of my favorite carry guns. It is my primary in the summer and a bug in colder weather. I must admit that the addition of CT laser and Pearce mag extensions made a big difference.
wally
Member
I've got them both. The LCP is a little easier to carry the BG is a little easier to shoot.
If you don't think the laser could be useful, go with the LCP otherwise the BG.
If you don't think the laser could be useful, go with the LCP otherwise the BG.
I bought the LCP before the BG was available. I was relieved of it recently, and went with a Kahr, then decided a pocket gun was back on the need list. I went and fondled both at the store The BG laser activation was difficult, and the trigger would throw me off. It had an odd pull/break that kept surprising me, and not in a good way.
Probably due to the fact that I was used to a double action, and the gun itself, I went with another LCP.
I have maxed around 180rds in under an hour (initial break in) and I would not do it again, but I can shoot the thing comfortably, and reliably accurate (point shooting, 7-9yds) since thats about the only time I see using it. With the factory mag, with or without the extender. A Hogue Hand-all JR is MANDATORY for me. Pachymeyer (sp) didnt come close.
I can hit paper much further away, but thats not the point.
Probably due to the fact that I was used to a double action, and the gun itself, I went with another LCP.
I have maxed around 180rds in under an hour (initial break in) and I would not do it again, but I can shoot the thing comfortably, and reliably accurate (point shooting, 7-9yds) since thats about the only time I see using it. With the factory mag, with or without the extender. A Hogue Hand-all JR is MANDATORY for me. Pachymeyer (sp) didnt come close.
I can hit paper much further away, but thats not the point.
RX-178
Member
Between the two, I'd probably go with the Bodyguard. Better sights (which are large enough to be used to rack the slide in one-handed operation in case of injury), larger grip. I think the manual safety is redundant and would likely never use it, but I suppose at least it's an option. The laser isn't a big deal to me, but I suppose it improves the value of the gun a little on paper at least.
BUT, if the BG .380 turned out to be too big for the carry method I was considering or more comfortable with, I would go for the LCP without a second thought.
BUT, if the BG .380 turned out to be too big for the carry method I was considering or more comfortable with, I would go for the LCP without a second thought.
I'm in the same dilemma, they are both nice guns.... but I think I'm gonna go with the Smith BG 380.
One of 'My' key issues was that the LCP has no real iron sights to speak of, the BG has nice dove tailed sights. I know that what these guns are intended for, Irons aren't a huge deal.....But I love my Irons....that's just me..
I have also read that with the BG you can fire the round in the chamber when there is no magazine in the gun, and you don't have to move the slide to reset the trigger on a FTF.
Just My .02
DD
One of 'My' key issues was that the LCP has no real iron sights to speak of, the BG has nice dove tailed sights. I know that what these guns are intended for, Irons aren't a huge deal.....But I love my Irons....that's just me..
I have also read that with the BG you can fire the round in the chamber when there is no magazine in the gun, and you don't have to move the slide to reset the trigger on a FTF.
Just My .02
DD
CoRoMo
Member
+1
I don't know if it was just me, or the one I handled was just a bear to activate. It (laser button) wasn't at all ergonomically friendly IMO either.
I traded out a Kahr for a BG back in March. The Kahr would light strike on occasion and felt it not 100% reliable. The BG is one accurate little bugger. I had never used a pistol with a laser and was quit suprised how accurate and how quick target acquisition was without raising up to eye level.
My everyday carry.
My everyday carry.
v8stang289
Member
I carry a P3AT, but a good friend of mine owns an LCP and a Bodyguard. I have shot both of them, and I think the Bodyguard is the better shooter. It has more substantial sights and a slightly better trigger than the LCP ( this particular one anyway), and the recoil is slightly more controllable than the LCP. The LCP is thinner and fits in the pocket better, but of the 2 I would choose the Bodyguard.
Thiokol
member
v8stang289 said:
According to the factory specs, the BG is actually thinner, .75" compared to the LCP at .82".
v8stang289
Member
What I meant is it "felt thinner" In the pocket, for me at least. Maybe its because the S&W is a bit blocky and the LCP is sleeker. I was just relating my experience with the two guns. I didn't measure either of them or look up their specs, I just handled, shot, and generally tried them out while shooting with my buddy one day.
pingpingping
Member
FYI...Smith has redesigned the laser activation buttons. I had a hard time with mine, but an email to them got me new buttons in the mail in just a few days, gratis. It now works just as it you'd expect it to.
BG for me
I shot an LCP before buying my BG .. it sort of bit my hand a little.
The BG does not. I have to reach back to get to the trigger (bigger hands), but it is comfortable enough.
Plusses :
Laser, I guess -- I never use it 'cause it wanders a bit after shooting.
Sights are better. Quite usable and accurate, at least for me.
Recoil of the BG seems easier than the LCP, but not as good as the Kahr I also shot.
Safety is positive and easy to thumb during the draw. Makes "the boss" feel better when I pocket carry around the kids.
Last round hold open and double strike capability. Will also fire without a mag, but I'm not sure why that is a plus... ???
Easy enough to carry.
Minuses
My laser does wander ... never bothered to remove/reinstall.
A few (1-2%) FTF with WWB ammo -- but runs perfectly with Winchester PDX1 defensive ammo. The Cor-Bon I tried was too hot for my tastes, so I stick with the PDX. For the FTF, I just pull the trigger again (not a purist.)
Not invisibile when pocket-carrying........ a shade big and heavy
Overall, I use it most days open OWB on the farm, and will carry it in the pocket in town once my license arrives (Thanks Gov. Walker!!!). If doing it again, I might have considered the Kahr, but would not buy an LCP ... just my opinion. LCPs are VERY popular, for sure.
I shot an LCP before buying my BG .. it sort of bit my hand a little.
The BG does not. I have to reach back to get to the trigger (bigger hands), but it is comfortable enough.
Plusses :
Laser, I guess -- I never use it 'cause it wanders a bit after shooting.
Sights are better. Quite usable and accurate, at least for me.
Recoil of the BG seems easier than the LCP, but not as good as the Kahr I also shot.
Safety is positive and easy to thumb during the draw. Makes "the boss" feel better when I pocket carry around the kids.
Last round hold open and double strike capability. Will also fire without a mag, but I'm not sure why that is a plus... ???
Easy enough to carry.
Minuses
My laser does wander ... never bothered to remove/reinstall.
A few (1-2%) FTF with WWB ammo -- but runs perfectly with Winchester PDX1 defensive ammo. The Cor-Bon I tried was too hot for my tastes, so I stick with the PDX. For the FTF, I just pull the trigger again (not a purist.)
Not invisibile when pocket-carrying........ a shade big and heavy
Overall, I use it most days open OWB on the farm, and will carry it in the pocket in town once my license arrives (Thanks Gov. Walker!!!). If doing it again, I might have considered the Kahr, but would not buy an LCP ... just my opinion. LCPs are VERY popular, for sure.
bannockburn
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- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,307
I would go with the Bodyguard. Easier to shoot, decent sights for a .380, DA trigger is better than the one on the LCP, and it just feels more natural and confortable in my hand.
FruitCake
Member
Ive had the LCP and sold it only because of ammo prices at the time. Since then i bought the BG380 and love it. Out of the two i would definetaly go with the BG 380. I have also stocked up on 380 ammo just in case.
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