Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard 380

[Shrimp N Grits]

Hello to all, I'm new here, but as old as dirt and have been around firearms since David shot Goliath with a sling. I'm in the process of spending my Academy gift cards I got at Christmas, and thought I would get my self a pocket pistol. I have a NAA Mini .22 Mag that I carry around the house and out at the barn, but thought I might get something a little more substantial. I have been known to carry a J Frame in my pocket, but it's just a little bulky. I started out looking for the LCP, but our Academy doesn't have any in at this time, and I been looking for a couple of weeks. They do have the S&W Bodyguard 380, the new one W/O the laser. I've been trying to research which is best and there appears to be little or no difference. LCP has a better trigger, S&W has a safety, LCP is smaller, S&W is double strike capable, and so on. I'm looking for some real world experience from folks that own both or have shot both. Should I hold out and wait for the LCP to come in or would I be better off with the S&W anyway. Anyhow, thanks for any advice.

SNG

 

[jimbo555]

I looked at them both and the little kahr also and bought the bodyguard. It has better sights if that is important to you in a pocket pistol. The s&w also comes with 2 mags. Mine has been reliable so far and is capable of accuracy after you get used to the long trigger pull. It serves the purpose for me as a backup and a sometimes deep concealable primary. The ruger will work also. The bodyguard felt better in my hand.

 

[jimbo555]

And by the way, welcome to the forum!

 

[Rule3]

They are both fine guns. It's a question of which one feels best to you. Both SW and Ruger have excellent customer service should you need it.

I can only comment on the LCP and it goes in my pocket everyday. It is an older one. Thee new ones have a better trigger.

For a pocket gun I rather not have a safety or any laser things.

 

[Fiv3r]

Welcome to the forum

I have both. I have carried an LCP for the better part of 3 years. However, I have recently switched to the M&P Bodyguard.

The LCP is nice, but the BG feels better in hand, has better sights, and I just tend to shoot it better. I carry mine either in my back pocket in a holster, or with a techna clip attached to its frame IWB with the safety on (I know some wouldn't advise that, but I have no issues with it).

While I love the LCP and sometimes carry it in tandem with my BG, the BG just feels more like a real gun with a better fit and finish. I never leave home without it.

 

[wally]

I've got both and initially carried the LCP more for its size, but after finding its magazine released in my pocket several times I've taken to carrying the Bodyguard 380 despite its slightly larger size.

I shot the BG better because of the better sights, but for the instinctive point shooting you'd most likely be doing with these, its mostly moot except at the range.

Like them both very much. You can buy the BG without laser if you don't want it, but it offers extra possibilities.

 

[Shrimp N Grits]

Thanks folks for the input. I think I'm going to go back over to Academy and harass those guys behind the counter a little tonight and fondle the S&W a while. Maybe I'll grow to like it.

SNG

 

[Motownfire]

I have been carrying my Rugerr LCP for a couple years now when it's not practical to carry my Glock 27. It's been a great gun so far, I only have about 500 rounds down the pipe so far.

 

[Salty1]

If you have not shot an LCP I suggest doing so prior to purchasing one. In my opinion it is one of the harshest shooting guns on the market and lack of usable sights is a major turn off. I have had pimples larger than the front sight. The trigger is downright terrible. If your looking for a 15 foot gun maybe it will work for you as it is a point and shoot handgun at close quarters. I personally find the bodyguard to be better in almost every way. Now, Ruger has sold a lot of LCP's so obviously people buy them for a reason which I feel is solely because of the size and how they slide right into a front pocket which is a plus I guess. They are meant to carry and not shoot very much unless you enjoy a bit of pain and lack of accuracy.

For a small 380 I personally would choose a Sig 238, granted it is almost twice the price of an LCP, a bit larger and heavier but it also is much more accurate and has real sights which makes 50 foot shots a reality for average shooters.

 

[show_me_2nd]

The trigger on the newer LCPs is better than the originals, and the sights are a little bigger also. I've added a Hogue Hand-All grip to mine and it's much more comfortable to shoot. It's still not a day at the range pistol, but it's in my pocket every day and has always gone bang when the trigger is pulled. I did try out a BG first, and for my hands it was not comfortable to shoot. My local range has both on the rental wall. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[kokapelli]

Between the two I would choose a TCP. Better trigger than either, lock back on last round and not too uncomfortable to shoot, as suggested the P238 along with the G42 are both far better than the LCP or the BG.

 

[FireInCairo]

Get the LCP. The S&W has a cool name, but possibly the worst trigger in the history of pistol production. It's not really a trigger so much as a switch. It's awful out of the box, and doesn't get better with use.

The LCP is also offering a version now with better sights and a glock style trigger safety.

 

[FireInCairo]

If you have not shot an LCP I suggest doing so prior to purchasing one. In my opinion it is one of the harshest shooting guns on the market and lack of usable sights is a major turn off. I have had pimples larger than the front sight. The trigger is downright terrible. If your looking for a 15 foot gun maybe it will work for you as it is a point and shoot handgun at close quarters. I personally find the bodyguard to be better in almost every way. Now, Ruger has sold a lot of LCP's so obviously people buy them for a reason which I feel is solely because of the size and how they slide right into a front pocket which is a plus I guess. They are meant to carry and not shoot very much unless you enjoy a bit of pain and lack of accuracy.

For a small 380 I personally would choose a Sig 238, granted it is almost twice the price of an LCP, a bit larger and heavier but it also is much more accurate and has real sights which makes 50 foot shots a reality for average shooters.

If you've got the dough, get a Sig. Otherwise, the LCP is likely your best option.

 

[Shrimp N Grits]

Thanks for all the opinions. I did go by Academy and took a closer look at the BG, stuck it in my pocket and handled a little. They wont take the trigger lock out so you can pull the trigger, so I don't know about that. But I did put it in my pocket, seemed a little big, and kind of heavy for what it was. I think I'll hold out for an LCP to come in. That's what I had in mind to start with anyway.

 

[hardknocks!]

380

Had my lcp over 4 years
10 different types of ammo
3 different types of h.p. ammo
870 rounds fired no malfunction
Of any type.
Not bad.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have shot both extensively and don't care for either...the Bodyguard because of it's trigger and the LCP because of it's bite. Of the two I'd buy the S&W Bodyguard if those were my only two choices.

VooDoo

 

[BNDIT 1]

This is the latest LCP with real sights and supposedly an improved trigger. I have not tried it but Ruger is always out doing the older models. I could shoot mine all day, it's all in how it fits your hand.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

I do not like the safety behind my thumb on the bodyguard. I do not use a safety on a carry pistol. I can deal with a crossbolt safety but the safety behind the thumb renders the Bodyguard useless to me. I would buy a Ruger. If you really want a Ruger PSA has FDE colored Rugers for $239. That color is fugly but it is still an LCP.

 

[bannockburn]

I have tried them both and would have to give a slight margin of approval to the S&W Bodyguard 380. Somewhat better trigger (at least on the one that I used), and overall ergonomics. The new LCPs might be something else to look at with it's improved trigger.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Buy the Ruger . They have improved it a lot. Since 1st brought out.

 

[Steve CT]

I like the LCP, mine is a couple years old. It can be a little snappy to shoot, but still manageable for it's purpose, to be the gun I can always have with me. Easy pocket carry and no one ever knows.

It has a LaserLyte CK-AMF side mount laser sight, which adds very minimal bulk and weight. This item is not listed as a current LaserLyte item, but is available

I had a P3-AT, basically the same gun, I gave that one to my son and replaced it with the LCP. One thing I liked about the P3-AT was the +1 magazine extension, in addition to adding one more in the magazine, it gave a very nice place to wrap the "pinkie" finger for a little better grip.

 

[herrwalther]

I had the S&W Bodyguard and could not get rid of the gun fast enough. Trigger pull measured at over 15 pounds, topping out my scale. Sent on a happy trip back to S&W and was sent back dirty and unfixed. Found a buyer less than a week after I got it back 5 weeks later.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I have one of the original LCPs (version 1.0), after the recall but before they shortened the trigger pull and made the sights a little bigger. Now they're coming out with version 3 (called the LCP Custom) with an even better trigger and real sights. I am anxious to try out one of these Customs and if the trigger is a drastic improvement over my version 1 LCP, I may have to get it.

I've carried my LCP in a Galco leather pocket holster for 5 years now, and have put 800 rounds through it with 1 FTE around round 750 or so. I use the Hogue Handall rubber grip sleeve and the small pinky extension on the magazine. This combo allows a very comfortable grip and allows me to shoot the LCP for much longer sessions than without the grip sleeve. It used to sting the palm of my hand, but the Handall gives a little palm swell on the sides of the grip, plus a thin layer of cushioning on the back strap. I wouldn't shoot an LCP without it, now.

Everyone should have at least one Ruger LCP in their collection. Great little guns.

 

[Fiv3r]

My LCP is also a 1.0 post recall. I did replace the spring with some stouter ones from Wolff and added the Hybrid Handall grip (you have to drive out a pin and slide it on).

Makes it a very comfy gun to shoot now. Still doesn't have hardly anything in the way of sights, but it certainly is low snag in that regard

I still have to give the edge to the M&P, though. It just feels a little more substantial. Not as big as a Glock 42 (which I handled yesterday...very comfy pistol. I can see why they are a hit) but more robust than the LCP. The trigger pull is long and heavy, but I honestly don't care. I don't shoot this little beast for fun. It's for 7 quick rounds during an adrenaline dump. I just line up my little gold painted site and squeeze.

 

[340PD]

This is the latest LCP with real sights and supposedly an improved trigger. I have not tried it but Ruger is always out doing the older models. I could shoot mine all day, it's all in how it fits your hand.

Look at this when you get the chance. I believe it costs only $30 more.