Anyone shot the S&W Bodyguard .380?

[Matt78665]

Thanks for the help guys!!!!!!!!!!!

[G.A. Heath]

Just a quick update, this is today's (08/20/10) shooting wire where they have part of their bodyguard series review, namely the 380 and the discussion includes the trigger. http://www.shootingwire.com/archived/2010-08-20_sw.html

[gwashorn]

Interesting read and appreciated. I have been waiting to get my wife in to try the new BG 380 as compared to the TCP738 and the LCP. I got her a S&W642 but she does not like the harder pull. I like the features of the BG380 but it is basically a DAO revolver pull like her 642. Though to be fair the BG380 feels smoother to me when I tried one at the store last week. Have not shot it. I like the easier pull of the SA of the others but you give up restrike. But it will boil down to what she will like. they all will fit better for her to carry. If she ends up getting one of those then her 642 will become my BUG.

Gary

[Embalmo]

Nothing that fits in the pocket will make a good range gun or will provide a really excellent feeling trigger from what I've experienced. With that said, I can tell you that after >1500 (100 this morning at Eagle Peak) rounds my LCP has yet to learn to fail.

Embalmo

[G.A. Heath]

If she doesn't like the 642, (I have a 442 so I know what that trigger is like) I would suggest dry firing an LCR. I honestly think that it has one of the best DAO revolver triggers I have ever felt. In fact I can not think of a single factory DAO revolver trigger that is better than what mine has.

[UpTheIrons]

gwashorn,

Definitely get your wife to try the LCR. I could have gotten a no-lock S&W 442 for a song, but my wife HATED the trigger. She's still not all that pleased with the recoil of the LCR, but she'll run a box of ammo through it at a time unlike the 442, which she only ran 15-20 rounds max at a time. It is amazing what the trigger alone will do to your shooting experience.

BTW, we're still looking for a few pocket .380s on the shelf which need their triggers test driven.

[miragetex]

I'll start by admitting I haven't shot the S&W Bodyguard .380, but I have a KelTec P3AT and the Sig 238. The KT is obviously much lighter and a little smaller, both of which are good things while you're in the "carry" mode. When the shooting starts, though, the little bit larger and little bit heavier Sig, which also has real sights, is WAY easier to shoot accurately. The Sig isn't perfect - you've got to be comfortable with a single action - but I'd say my "effective" range is triple with the Sig over the KT. These guns, and probably any .380, are mostly up-close items, but you never know what might happen. If the S&W is comparable to the KT is size and weight, then I'd suggest you try shooting one before you put any money on the table. I thought the KT was the cat's meow (and it's still small and light!) but since I got the Sig the KT stays at home, or sometimes I carry both (kinda gives me 2 BUGs and no "real" gun).

[PUCKER]

Embalmo - if you get the chance, try shooting a Colt Government .380. My Dad has one and I've gotta tell ya, for a pocket gun it's a REALLY sweet shooter that, to me, is easy on the hands and accurate.

Nothing that fits in the pocket will make a good range gun or will provide a really excellent feeling trigger from what I've experienced. With that said, I can tell you that after >1500 (100 this morning at Eagle Peak) rounds my LCP has yet to learn to fail.

Embalmo

[Matt78665]

Ok I decided on a Ruger .380 LCP for my pocket carry. It has a proven track record, lots of people I know have one and say they are pleased. I got a Uncle Mikes #1 and I am set. I could not justify the extra cost of the Bodyguard, but it looked cool for sure. I revolvers did not work as well in the pocket holsters so I decided against them

[USA1]

Ok I decided on a Ruger .380 LCP for my pocket carry.

Good choice. I had one for a while and it was totally reliable
and pretty darn accurate considering the lack of sights (which I never used anyway).

[gwashorn]

Everyone, thanks on the comments for my wife and the 642/442 trigger. I had been dry firing practice the 642 and it the trigger is better. However, still is the carry issue and why I am still looking for her an easier pocket carry. I am taking her back to the gun shop this weekend. I played some with a Sig P238 and while I like it, I know she says "It looks to square". I know! I wll get her over that. But point being I will have her handle an LCP, TCP738 to feel and The Arms Room has a P238 I can rent for her to try. I think she will like the trigger better on the P238. If they get in a Bodyguard 380 then we can try it. I handled and dry fired the BG380 and the trigger pull was not a lot different or better to me than her 642. Hence why I am suggesting she looks at the others. The LCP and TCP738 have fairly long trigger pulls. We will see. Thanks again.

Gary

[philip964]

So when they sell you this gun, do they actually have bullets to sell you that go with it?
What do you do when those bullets run out? or do you just never practice with it?
Nothing wrong with a .380 gun other than there is no ammunition to speak of that you can buy other than very expensive self defense rounds that come 20 to a box.

[G.A. Heath]

So when they sell you this gun, do they actually have bullets to sell you that go with it?
What do you do when those bullets run out? or do you just never practice with it?
Nothing wrong with a .380 gun other than there is no ammunition to speak of that you can buy other than very expensive self defense rounds that come 20 to a box.

Thats not my experience, I have never had a hard time finding 380 ammo, in fact the dealer I do the majority of business with has enough in stock he is worried about moving it quickly enough.

[PeteCamp]

Nothing wrong with a .380 gun other than there is no ammunition to speak of that you can buy other than very expensive self defense rounds that come 20 to a box.

I don't know where you have been looking, but my gun store has probably 3-4 thousand rounds by numerous manufacturers on the shelf that is now pretty reasonably priced. At least not the 40-50 dollar range we were seeing for practice ammo.

[Commander Cody]

I have a Sig P238 SAS that I don't think looks "square", and there are two places in Texas City that have .380 at about $32.00 per 100.