Anyone shot the S&W Bodyguard .380?

[bigred90gt]

.380ACP ammo is tough to find around the Houston area as well. You can buy it in mass at the gun shows, and there are random shops that usually have it in stock, but most places, it's gone the same day it hits the shelves. This is the only reason I am most likely going to pick up the Kel-tec PF9 for a pocket gun instead of an LCP or TCP.

[gwashorn]

LOL,yes I do not think it is too square either. I like the way it looks. But my wife has different ideas. As for ammo I got .380 at the Alvin Walmart the other day for $18/box. A bit more expensive for sure than my target 9mm or 45acp. But I can get all the .380 from my mail order guy I buy from all the time. so it is available now. For myself I like the P238. I looked at the PF9 and it is not much smaller than my XD9SC I carry so not what I need. .380 for myself is BUG only or if it is all I can carry and not the others.

Gary

[bigred90gt]

The XD9SC is significantly bulkier than the PF9. It is .4" longer, almost 1/2" wider, almost .45" taller,and weighs more than 1/2lb more empty (nearly double with both loaded). If you are just wanting a small 9mm for to carry in a holster, it would probably be fine. If you are looking for something to carry in your pocket, the XD9SC is pretty much out, unless you wear clown pants. even with clown pants, with the added heft, it would swing around alot in your pocket when you walked.

Just for comparison, the PF9 is .7" longer, .7" taller, .06" wider, 5oz heavier than the LCP. Fortunately for me, it will still fit comfortably in my pocket.

I'm not trying to convince you to get the PF9, just stating facts about its size compared to the XD9SC.

[UpTheIrons]

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.

Not sure where you are looking, but I've seen 3000+ rounds each from more than one manufacturer on the shelf at Academy (a week ago, and again today) and Cabela's (a few weeks ago). The Academy FMJ stuff was $17/50, which ain't bad, in my book, for something so scarce for so long. It wasn't too much more at Cabela's, either.

[gwashorn]

Ah maybe a bit of confusion I caused on my part. I carry an XD9SC now. Mostly holstered but occassionally in my cargo pants, 5.11s, and it carries there just fine. No problem. Been doing it for almost two years. a few thousand rounds down it already. I thought the PF9 was the small 9mm considered the pocket carry model. My mistake. For my needs I am looking for me is a BUG to go along with my XD9SC. But back on topic, going to the range tonight with the wife and she will get to play some with a few 380s for comparison and should get to shoot the P238. It will be an interesting talk I am sure afterwards. All I care about is she finds a CCW that she likes, works and will carry. Wish me luck!

Gary

[philip964]

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.

Not sure where you are looking, but I've seen 3000+ rounds each from more than one manufacturer on the shelf at Academy (a week ago, and again today) and Cabela's (a few weeks ago). The Academy FMJ stuff was $17/50, which ain't bad, in my book, for something so scarce for so long. It wasn't too much more at Cabela's, either.

Academy near me has actually removed the sticker where they are suppose to put the .380. I asked and the person said they don't have any idea when they may see some. He said the last time he got some in they sent one box. I have seen it at gun shows for $32 for fifty. I would faint if I ever saw it at Walmart. Bass Pro shop at Katy Mills has plenty but its all self defense type stuff. Collectors Firearms sold me two boxes $32 for 50 when I bought the gun, that's all I could buy. Two weeks later, they would not sell me more.

I'll try Cabela's. I start worrying when I get down to four boxes. I panic when I am down to one box.

.380 is a nice round for a really small gun as it really does not recoil much. Its just so much easier to find 9mm.

[glock75]

Yes, I have. I purchased mine a couple of weeks ago. It had just come in that day to the gun shop when I walked in. I took it to the range last weekend along with my Keltec P3AT and Sig. P238. To me it shoots and feels very similar to the Keltec. Although it has a thumb safety (which is extremely difficult to thumb on/off) it is double action so the trigger pull is long and much like the Keltec. Accuracy is about the same as well.

The Sig being single action is very sweet to shoot. The Sig trigger is a little tight, but breaks very cleanly making it very easy to shoot good groups with rapid shots, unlike the Keltec and Bodyguard.

Now if you slow down and slowly squeeze the trigger on both the Keltec and Bodyguard, you can actually get decent shot groups. But I have to really concentrate and focus on my trigger squeeze to get it right. Not so with the Sig. Man it shoots good.

Another feature that seems to be a great selling point with the bodyguard is the built in lasersight along with the low cost. It is a hard combination to beat. But, in my view, with the trigger pull like it is, the laser is pretty much useless. At the short distances or range for this little gun, it is my opinion and experience that you are better off simply point shooting. I did much, much better that way than trying to aim with the laser.

I think that the S&W Bodyguard has its place, and being made by S&W will sell a lot of units but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't waste my money on it again.

[lawrnk]

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.

Last winter a guy walked up to therange with a new LCP with 5 rounds. He said, its all I could beg for. Prices were insane for the ammo.

[gwashorn]

But back on topic, going to the range tonight with the wife and she will get to play some with a few 380s for comparison and should get to shoot the P238. It will be an interesting talk I am sure afterwards. All I care about is she finds a CCW that she likes, works and will carry. Wish me luck!

Gary

Well, I took my lovely wife to the range last night. I know she was tired and quite honestly only agreed to go because she knew I wanted to. We went to The Arms Room and I called ahead and setup some training with Kim there for my wife. I wanted her to get some updated instruction on grip, holstering carry options and of course to try another fire arm. Well, I did not shoot. I decided to just let her be with Kim and came in later to just watch. I was the best time I have had in a long long time. Kim was great showing her things, grip, cycling, aiming and all types of things. At one point I saw my wife, Jeri Ann, shoot her S&W3913 which she loves and then try the Sig P238. It was not 5 minutes and Kim turns around and gives me a thumbs up. After awhile Jeri Ann shot her S&W 642 and you could see the strain on her face pulling that trigger and waiting on the uncomfortable kick.

then Kim had me come over to try the P238. Wife had tried Kim's personal LCP. Wife says, I don't like that but I do like that Sig. "How much overtime are you working?" she asks! Gulp.... We shot some more and wife was tired. We go in to look at the one in the case which was a Nitron Rosewood model. Wife says that is pretty. (Same one I showed her in a picture the night before and was too square). she says it sure is expensive. I said yes but I get a 10% off for being a member plus tonight and tonight only for you it will only cost you half the price. I had a $300 stash for aother gun I was wanting. I gave it to her and she fills out her papers and walks out with a new toy for her pocket. So now when I go out, I know I will have someone backing me up.

All in all it was a very fun and good feel night for me to watch my wife try and pick out her new toy. Thanks to everyone for all the info. Now I go today and do some practice on my own.

Gary

[gwashorn]

Yes, I have. I purchased mine a couple of weeks ago. It had just come in that day to the gun shop when I walked in. I took it to the range last weekend along with my Keltec P3AT and Sig. P238. To me it shoots and feels very similar to the Keltec. Although it has a thumb safety (which is extremely difficult to thumb on/off) it is double action so the trigger pull is long and much like the Keltec. Accuracy is about the same as well.

The Sig being single action is very sweet to shoot. The Sig trigger is a little tight, but breaks very cleanly making it very easy to shoot good groups with rapid shots, unlike the Keltec and Bodyguard.

Now if you slow down and slowly squeeze the trigger on both the Keltec and Bodyguard, you can actually get decent shot groups. But I have to really concentrate and focus on my trigger squeeze to get it right. Not so with the Sig. Man it shoots good.

Another feature that seems to be a great selling point with the bodyguard is the built in lasersight along with the low cost. It is a hard combination to beat. But, in my view, with the trigger pull like it is, the laser is pretty much useless. At the short distances or range for this little gun, it is my opinion and experience that you are better off simply point shooting. I did much, much better that way than trying to aim with the laser.

I think that the S&W Bodyguard has its place, and being made by S&W will sell a lot of units but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't waste my money on it again.

thanks for that report and you make me feel better compared to last nights report for my wife. I agree with what you say and nicely put. I feel good about why we went with the P238 for my wife because of her arthritis in her right hand. Good note on the safety too as I thought the same thing.

Gary

[Grokked]

Just FYI, I asked a guy at Walmart why they never get any .380 ammo. He replied that it appears to be a catch-22 loop. Apparently their ordering is automatically done by computer and it only orders what they sell, but since they weren't able to get any .380 ammo for so long, they never sold any, so the computer quit orderring it. Seems like a smart manager would override the computer, but that may not be possible.

Either way, I just bought a Ruger LCP last weekend and had trouble finding affordable ammo to shoot. Ended up paying much more than I wanted at Carter's Country on 59 South. But places like Academy (2 different locations), and Bass Pro Shops didn't have any, not even self defense types.

However, I was at Gander Mountain on 59 South today and they said they had plenty, including CCI Blazers for around $18/50. I didn't pick any up as I'm hoping to score a better deal at the gun show next weekend.

[UpTheIrons]

However, I was at Gander Mountain on 59 South today and they said they had plenty, including CCI Blazers for around $18/50. I didn't pick any up as I'm hoping to score a better deal at the gun show next weekend.

Good luck with that. No, seriously! It seems that the gun show folks haven't heard that the supply is loosening up yet. Unless things have changed in the last few weeks. I was able to pick up some Monarch brass today at Academy in San Marcos for $15/50. They still had another 1K rounds or more on the shelf, but that's the only .380 they had. All other calibers were well represented, and fairly well priced, too.

[gwashorn]

I just ordered 500 rounds of 380 practice ammo and will be here at my house early next week. I also ordered a few boxes of Critical Defense too. Easy to get for less than my walmart and I don't even have to go any where. But they had some the other day and said they had plenty in Alvin.
Gary

[gwashorn]

Not to resurrect this thread but my next comment is based on my wife getting her new P238 last week. I have to compliment her. So sitting at the table tonight cleaning guns. Getting it ready for break in for a few hundred rounds this weekend. I take it apart clean etc. She is out of the room and has never watched me strip the Beretta 92F, XDs and did not see me take her P238 apart. She walks in and I am done and tell her so put it back together! She picks up the parts, looks them over and she gets it all done except knowing exactly how to align the slide for the pin. I miss it on that gun too. But I was darn proud of her. Had to just say it. Thanks

Gary

[Matt78665]

Walmart in Round Rock on Hwy 79 had 150 rounds of .380 Winchester suitable for range. Surprise Surprise!!!!!