Thinking of getting the Bodyguard 380.

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stchman

stchman

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My current CCW is an LCP and I really like it.

I am thinking of getting a S&W Bodyguard 380 as it has 2nd strike capability, something the LCP does not have.

I am asking the forum members their thoughts on the pistol. How reliable are they? My LCP has been VERY reliable.

Thanks.
 
A second strike capability is nice, but I'd much rather go to a clearance drill than have it go "click" again. You can bet the bad guy heard it as well and will most likely capitalize on the time you lost trying to refire a dud round.

I've shot both and personally would not transition to the bodyguard just for the restrike capability.
 
I have both and have no qualms with the LCP at all. Fine little pocket pistol. I bought a BG380 on a whim a year back or so, and actually prefer it over my LCP in terms of function and build quality. I had always shied away from the BG due to not wanting an integrated laser, but the new M&P without the laser is a gem:)

I'll never sell my LCP simply because it is a good little gun and worth next to nothing in the used market, but I'll pick the BG over it most every day. The BG has the second strike capability and doesn't seem to be as picky about ammo. My LCP will not digest the cheap steel Tula stuff, but the BG eats it like Pez.
 
I used to have an LCP. Found it to be a great little pistol...accurate and reliable. Bought a M&P Bodyguard .380 w/o laser and haven't looked back. Better sights...much more rust resistant...and just feels more solid than the LCP plus it fits in my old LCP holsters. Trigger pull is a little long but I'm an old time J Frame revolver shooter so I find that to be a plus.
 
I had the LCP, could not keep the mag button from releasing, front pocket or back pocket.
Now have the M&P, and don't have that same problem with it.
Better sights.

Both good pistols.
Denis
 
I've both and mostly carry the BG 380 since I shoot it better -- presumably because of the better sights.

I also had issues with the LCP magazine releasing during pocket carry.
 
My Bodyguard has been totally reliable through about 300 rounds, i trust it 100%. The pistol is easy to shoot yet safe in a pocket...trigger is a bit heavy but with a DA pistol you just shoot and master the extra weight. Shooting twenty rounds before you carry is not going to make one accomplished at staying on target while stroking that trigger. The pistol is thin and super easy to carry in a holster or pants pocket.
 
I have a BG 380 that I've carried as a main battery or bug for 2 years now. The second strike capability and laser are not sales points for me (the battery for the laser has been dead for a few months now). What is its strong point is 100% reliability with any ammo for at least 1000 rds now. I usually carry it in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. The sights and reasonable trigger pull allow me to shoot it about the same as a j frame about 6" groups at 25 yds. The safety is a nice feature but I never use it as its tiny and the trigger pull provides enough safety margin IMO.

I am of the fmj school of thought for ammo in this type of gun. Opinions on this will vary.
 
A friend of mine has one and he likes it a lot. I also like the design and ergonomics of the gun though I would opt for the version without the laser. My friend is on his second or third laser module and still has problems with it staying fixed on target.
 
I have a Bodyguard and love it, but made the mistake of picking up a Glock 42 and now the Bodyguard is stuck in a safe. I haven't carried it since I picked up the Glock....it is a real shooter and very reliable. I put it in a lexan holster and it fits in my pocket or I clip it to the top of my pocket like you would carry a large folding knife with a clip.
 
Griz, i too use only FMJ in my semi-auto pistols, feeds perfect and i know the pistol will be ready for the next shot. I do not debate the leathality of ball vs ? Whatever hollowpoint, just old and choose what is good for me. My small autos i feed FMJ are in part: Star DK, Sig P238, P938, Bodyguard, PPK (7.65), G 42, EG Makerov and Kimber Micro Carry. With many many auto loading pistols in the safe it is nice to have ammunitiom that will run properly in each weapon of the same caliber as none are picky about FMJ.
 
The glock 42 is a softer shooter but its much larger. There are 9mms that are about the same size as the 42.
 
Ibmikey said:
Griz, i too use only FMJ in my semi-auto pistols, feeds perfect and i know the pistol will be ready for the next shot. I do not debate the leathality of ball vs ? Whatever hollowpoint, just old and choose what is good for me. My small autos i feed FMJ are in part: Star DK, Sig P238, P938, Bodyguard, PPK (7.65), G 42, EG Makerov and Kimber Micro Carry. With many many auto loading pistols in the safe it is nice to have ammunitiom that will run properly in each weapon of the same caliber as none are picky about FMJ.
Click to expand...
i will also second this^

fmj in all semis i carry, reliability>all, though i commonly load a hydrashok as my chambered round for first hit knockdown power.
 
I had an older model BG 380, when they were still paired with Insight lasers instead of CrimsonTrace. Did not care for it at all. The trigger pull weight was far and wide out of spec, measuring over 15 pounds. I say over because that is that is the highest my gauge went. It took a trip back to S&W for trigger work and they sent it back with no changes and dirty from test fires. A mark against them for CS. The safety was pretty useless, too stiff to engage and disengage. Didn't bother me very much as I always consider the long DAO pull safe enough for carry. So unless they made some improvements for later serial numbers, I would stick with the LCP.

If second strike is that big of a plus for you, look into the Taurus 738 TCP.
 
DSCN1290_zpstjsifph9.jpg
Seems like there might be a little misinformation out there. On the subject of the size of the 42 vs. the Bodyguard, I took a pic. to compare them. As you can see, there is about 1/2 inch difference in length between the two. The width is very similar and other than a little different grip angle, no appreciable difference in the length of the grip.
Don't get me wrong, I like the Bodyguard too, but I think the Glock is a lot more shootable from an accuracy perspective due to the lack of the long trigger pull. Given an emergency situation with the adrenaline pumping, I have no doubt I would probably place the first shot low due to the trigger on the Bodyguard.
I too am a fan of fmj's from my .380's. Using the Glock, you can place 7 shots easily in a 6" target sticker at 7 yds. doing very rapid fire....not so with the Bodyguard. The Bodyguard is an accurate and reliable pistol but
I guess it's to each his own...
 
The glock 42 is almost exactly the same size and weight as a kahr cm9. The kahr carry's the same amount of rounds in 9x19. The bodyguard weighs the same loaded as the glock empty. The bodyguard is smaller and lighter than the glock.
 
I echo Stony's remarks on the shootability of the Glock, it is the easiest shooting small pistol in my large pile of CC size. As far as the Glock being bigger-- it is but hardly to a degree that it would be any more difficult to carry than a BG. Both of my pistols have been totally reliable and i would not hesitate to carry either when a small easily concealed pistol was desired. By the way my BG is the later model without a lazer...."today's excuse for not learning how to shoot properly".
 
Here we go with some more misinformation it seems. The comment about the bodyguard loaded weighing less than the Glock sort of peaked my curiosity, so I took both of mine out of the safe and put them on a digital scale for comparison.
Both were loaded: The Bodyguard 14.1 oz
The Glock 1 lb. exactly.
So with both loaded there is a difference of 1.9 ounces. Not a big deal !
I don't have access to the Kahr as noted and I never cared much for them, so I can't speak to the comments comparing it.
 
Every time i read of the 'SandW bodyguard', I think of the model 438/638 Bodyguard.
I would suggest that, or it's cousin, the 442/642. No tap, rack, bang drill needed.
 
From the glock website the 42 weighs 13.78 oz. unloaded. That's awful close to 14oz. loaded for the bodyguard. The Glock 42 is larger and heavier and thicker than the s&w bodyguard. The difference may be small to you but for me I would get the glock 43 or Kahr cm9 instead of the 42. Small differences make a big difference to me in a pocket pistol. Maybe not so for others.
 
I have a S&W BG380. It is a great pocket pistol. Very accurate, and very reliable.

One drawback. The trigger is horrible. But, I put up with it.
 
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