Sccy vs bodyguard vs nano

[Fiv3r]

I have both the Nano and the BG without the laser, and I love them. I shoot the Nano almost as well as my 92fs. I also shoot the BG really well for such a small little gun.

I usually carry the Nano when I can't carry a double stack. I carry the BG when I want the most deeply concealing gun.

Today I was in for a bit of a startle. My wife, mom, 5 year old daughter, and I were walking along the lakefront of the family cabin. We weren't exactly hiking as much as taking a short walk before lunch.

Out of pretty much nowhere we see a good sized doe tearing down the trail coming toward us. I thought we had accidentally spooked her from her bedding site. Then I hear brush break behind her. Instead of another deer, 2 coyotes were attempting to run her down and were nipping at her hooves.

The doe broke past us and the coyotes were gunning within 10' of us. I stepped in front of my daughter and put my hand on the BG tucked in my waistband and let out a loud "HEY!!!" The coyotes finally realized that actual people were close by, turned and loped off back the way they came without me needing to draw.

While I wasn't really fearful for us, I really wish that I had had at least the Nano or preferably my double stack .40 at that moment. That said, 7 rounds of good .380 would probably done the trick. I was more concerned with scaring the coyotes off more than actually killing them. I was really glad I thought to pack the little BG this morning. I almost left it at home as I had a rifle in the truck as a cabin gun.

No matter what I carry, that little BG is coming along as well.

 

[C0untZer0]

.380 ACP is a proven Coyote killer

 

[jimbo555]

I have a bodyguard no laser for backup and deep concealment duty, and it works for me.

 

[Fiv3r]

.380 ACP is a proven Coyote killer

I was telling my wife about Rick Perry giving that coyote a .380 caliber attitude adjustment with his LCP a few years back.

Quick thinking guy. All I could think to do was yell. My mother, who takes it upon herself to be caretaker off all cute woodland animals, could only get out, "Don't eat my deer!"

I really was glad to have that little pistol 6+1 at my side today. I have little doubt it would have done the job. Still the Nano sporting 8+1 with jhp 124gr 9mm would make me feel a little better. I really do prefer the ergos of the Beretta over the little BG. The BG is just so handy compared to even the smallest of 9mms, though.

On a side note, my 4'10 85# mother and my daughter are not allowed to go out exploring on their own without me anymore.

 

[Gun Master]

SCCY vs BG vs Nano ?

Usually carry a S&W Bodyguard Model 638 (revolver) in the summer.

Bought a SCCY 9mm recently, which I plan to try for my winter carry.
Inexpensive, lifetime warranty, 10 + 1 semi, good reviews on functionality, and lightweight, what have I got to loose after trial and testing ?

The weird looking Nano, which is also a Berretta ? No!

I realize the OP refers to: 1) a 9mm (SCCY), 2) a.380 acp S&W BG, & 3) a 9mm Nano.

First let's take # 2. It's a .380. A completely different class, far from the 9mm.
Also, if we're going to discuss .380's, let's bring in Ruger .380 & 9mm.
The S&W BG is not in the same class as their revered wheelguns.

Re: #1 and #3, the price, ergonomics, size/weight/rd.# (10+1 SCCY, 6+1 Nano) all favor SCCY.

 

[jrdolall]

It's important for new shooters to be informed, and not go by how something looks, but really understand that a 357 is not almost the same as a 38, and a 380 is not close to a 9mm.

I am in total agreement that the 9mm is a better option than the 380 as an SD weapon and carry a 9mm. The OP specifically said that he didn't want a caliber war which indicates that he is well aware of the differences in calibers and the passions of certain people regarding certain calibers. If you notice my earlier post I noted that I thought the 9mm was superior in power for a package that is virtually the same size. My DB9 is about 1/2" longer than the Bodyguard but other than that it is virtually the exact same size.
When an OP asks a question about a specific brand of firearm I just see no reason to try to "educate" them about my own preferences.

 

[george burns]

It's not my intent to sway him to what I prefer only to educate him to what will happen if h actually needs to use it

 

[HexHead]

Glock 42.

 

[Sentryau2]

I want a 380, ive looked at several tests and with ball ammo the .380 penetrates well, it just does not expand. This is not going to be my last handgun, this is not going to replace my xd. I have two more guns I plan to buy, a sig p320 in .40s&w and a p239 in .357sig. Alot of people want guns that have the same caliber I'm a little different. I want to have guns of different calibers because there are times I can find some ammo and others not. I'm comfortable with .380 as a carry round in the summer. I was really only considering the other choices because of availability. There are 4 bodyguards for sale around me, and only 1 sccy and 1 nano. I'm not 21 so i have to resort to buying handguns like I bought my xd. (I got lucky a buddy bought it one week, then got down to bill day and ended up not having as much as he thought so he had to sell it. Rather than selling it back to the store for 350, he sold it to me for 400 and I got an almost brandnew gun )
Id have more options but I live on the border of another state with nowhere surrounding me so I have few buying potentials, because i am NOT about to break the law. Felonies just dont taste well.

 

[toivo]

http://www.slickguns.com/product/ruger-lc9s-pro-29999. Slick guns is running a deal on the Nano and the Ruger, one is 309.00, and the nano is 399.00, If I remember, and the Nano has a laser on it and an extended mag included. the Ruger is already 7+1.

One thing to consider between the Nano and the LC9s Pro: The Nano feels top-heavy to some people, but that translates into less muzzle flip. The LC9s is very light up top; when you pair that with a very light and short trigger, you might find that your second shot goes higher than you want it to. I've shot both, and I find the "top-heavy" Nano, with its longer trigger pull, to be easier to shoot accurately.

 

[C0untZer0]

I think ShootingTheBull410 makes a good argument for not using ball ammo in 380.

The better 380 bullet designs penetrate 13 to 14 inches and they seem to expand pretty reliably even out of 3" barreled semi-autos. If they fail to expand then they act more like a FMJ and can penetrate 18+ inches but statistically you're better off going with a JHP like the Hornady XTP.


A 380 JHP is never going to penetrate in the 12" - 14" range or make much of a wound channel.

I agree with his argument, it doesn't make much sense to me to use FMJ when carrying a .380 for SD.

 

[contender]

Without going into the great caliber debate, I prefer the BG380. Have found it to be reliable, more accurate than it has a right to be, and controllable. A fine gun for pocket carry.