Bodyguard .380 Review

[Opfor]

Just thought I would post a quick review of my Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380's first trip to the range. I know I did a lot of research before my purchase, and I always appreciated those who took time to give their impressions of a new firearm, so I thought I should return the favor in case anyone is interested in this little pistol.

First off, before I decided to obtain a CHL, my involvement with handguns was minimal. I had been in the Airborne Infantry so I was familiar with the AR platform, but as a civilian I had been fairly inactive as a shooter. Though I did have a few firearms in the house. Only in Texas would you hear the sentences "I'm not into guns. I only have three."

I own a Colt New Frontier I purchased as a teenager, a Rossi .38 given to me when a friend moved to the gun unfriendly state of Hawaii, and a shotgun inherited from my grandfather. I used the .38 as my carry gun for the first few weeks of being licensed, until the local gun show rolled around and I was able to get something else (though the little Rossi did a fine job).

I decided to go with a .380 as the first of my carry guns. I felt that, being so small, I would never have a reason to go without it. I will get a good small 9mm at some point in the near future, but my thinking was that if I started with a 9, there would be times when I could not carry. The .380 leaves me no excuse for not carrying, though I will be getting a larger weapon for times that I have a few more options in my dress.

I put 70 rounds through the .380. 50 WWB and 20 Federal. I did have one FTE, but this was likely due to my deficits as a new shooter. Other than that, the gun ran perfect. Accuracy started out pretty rough, but by the end of 70 rounds I was able to tighten things up. Even at it's worst, all the rounds would have hit a torso at 21 feet. I fully expect that with a little practice accuracy will continue to improve. The laser was handy and worked well. I don't think I would go out and put a laser on carry gun, but it's nice that it's already built in. It's also nice that you get actual sights, but I wish they used a three dot system. Felt recoil was not nearly as bad as I expected based on what I had read. My hand was a little sore the next day (which had never happened with the .38 or Glocks I'd rented), but it was not bad and did not affect me in the moment. My friend was there with a Kel-Tec 9mm, which was much, much rougher on the hand.

Overall, I am very happy with the purchase. I am a small guy (with small pants) and have no problems with pocket carry. Quality seems to be great to my newbie eye, and takedown was not bad (thought the takedown pin is super tight). I paid $389. I saw them at the same show as high as $418. One vendor had them for $355, but they were first editions which I felt better avoiding. If you are considering a small .380 I would recommend it based on my experiences so far. I really looked at the LCP and the Sig P238, and both seem like fine weapons, but the SW seemed to hit the sweet spot between the bare bones feel of the LCP and the pricey luxury of the Sig.

[paulhailes]

Thanks for the review!

[wgoforth]

Bodyguard does a couple of things the LCP does not. (1) Locks open on empty. (2) Has second strike ability should the round not go off due to hard primer or the like. Pull trigger a second time, and will go off 90% of time. I like the BG, having traded up to it from the P3AT, LCP, TCP, then BG. Sold the BG only because wife like P238 better and I'm big on saying partners should have matching guns if possible.

STRONG SUGGESTION:
I pocket carried it in the Desantis pocket holster most of the time, and had it in an external holster when I wore a sportcoat, suit, vest, etc. When I had my recent incident and actually needed to pull it from my pocket, I realize how much slower it was to get it out of my pocket. I have now gone purely to holster carry. It is not difficult at all, just a polo shirt over it hides it fine. When the environment requires a tucked in shirt, then a sport coat isn't out of place.

[steveincowtown]

Thanks for the review!

I purchased on of these on 8/20 and paid $369 at a local gun shop. I have put about 100 rounds through mine and have found it to be accurate enough for a BU/Get off Me gun.

I found the take down pin to be somewhat stiff and the safety to be ridiculously stiff. I don't carry with the safety on, but I do use the safety if I am handling the gun (i.e. putting in car safe or home safe).

I agree with you, I wouldn't have purchased the laser, but it is nice that it is included. Enjoy your new purchase!

[wgoforth]

Thanks for the review!

I purchased on of these on 8/20 and paid $369 at a local gun shop. I have put about 100 rounds through mine and have found it to be accurate enough for a BU/Get off Me gun.

I found the take down pin to be somewhat stiff and the safety to be ridiculously stiff. I don't carry with the safety on, but I do use the safety if I am handling the gun (i.e. putting in car safe or home safe).

I agree with you, I wouldn't have purchased the laser, but it is nice that it is included. Enjoy your new purchase!

Right about the takedown.... I sent it back (their dime) and don't know what they did, but was easier after it was returned. Also, though the laser was not a big deal to me, one thing it did help with was to add counter-weight under the barrel that lessened muzzle-flip.

[bluejay71]

A woman's perspective:
I just bought this firearm last Tuesday (8/30) and took it to the range on Friday (9/2). I fell in love with its feel and concealability and so bought it before ever shooting one. The laser needs adjusting and when we got there, we realized we had forgotten to bring the adjustment tool...oh, well, guess we will have to go again soon!

I found the trigger pull very long and stiff for my taste. After shooting a few magazines, my dominant hand was sore between the thumb and forefinger. Had to let DH finish up one of my last magazines. Just couldn't pull it any longer. But I don't think I would have a problem using it in a defensive situation...unless we were just leaving the range and my hand was already tired or a shoot-out required more that 3 magazines ! I figured I would be bruised the next day, but wasn't. We had no failures or problems with it.

We went back and forth from this pistol to the M&P9c and the M&P's trigger pull felt like a fly landing on it could discharge it by comparison. When I got home and reholstered the M&P (CHL in process), I was so afraid I was going to shoot my butt with the easy trigger pull possibly catching on the edge of my pants. On the other hand, I will have no unease about carrying the Bodyguard with one in the pipe because I know how much effort must go into discharging it!

A month or so ago, we rented a P238 at a range and that was much nicer to shoot. But for the price, it is hard to beat the Bodyguard. My primary carry choice will be the M&P (higher caliber, more comfy to hold, easier trigger pull), but for the times when a deep conceal is warranted, the Bodyguard will be so great to have.

I bought Chick Holsters (ankle and thigh) for the M&P, and it holds the Bodyguard very well (adjustable retention strap). Being a fabric holster, it doesn't hold the M&P as well as I'd like, but works great for the Bodyguard. When DH got home from work last night, he wondered why I wasn't carrying. The thigh holster under a skirt worked great. It is designed to go on the outer thigh, but I adjusted it to go on the inner thigh. Not sure I'd go for a long hike in it, but for, say church or office work, where you don't walk around a ton and there are bathrooms if you do need to tighten it up, it is a great, deep conceal option.

[RCeja]

I've been carrying my Bodyguard for three months and its been the best carry handgun i've carried.

[bluejay71]

This weekend, I got to spend some more time shooting the Bodyguard and now I can say that I love it. I was out in the country shooting cans I'd hung from a bush! Sounds silly, but more fun than shooting paper at a range. I was impressed how accurate it was. I had no difficulty with the long trigger pull. I can now say that I will feel comfortable carrying this and know that I will be able to hit the target I am aiming for and not struggle with the trigger. Zero issues so far with feeding several kinds of bullets. Can't wait to take it out again!