S&W Bodyguard 380

[SteadyD]

I am thinking of ordering one of these. I rented one and really like the trigger on it.

Any advice from current owners? Night sight recommendations? Holster recommendations? Known issues to be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pbearperry]

I have one and like it but it is not perfect. Sometimes when I carry it in a fanny pack along with wallet , the mag is released. I suspect it happens when I bend over and my gut squishes the bag. lol However if worn in my front pocket it never happens. It also does not like cheap ammo like Tula.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Worst trigger of any pistol Ive ever shot. Ever. Perhaps you got a good one?

10" groups at 7yd on a good day.

The laser (if equipped) wont hold zero and the battery hatch can come loose under the barrel, jamming the gun up solid.

On the plus side, mine would feed very reliably.

My new Beretta Pico beats the snot out of it in every catagory.

 

[SteadyD]

Worst trigger of any pistol Ive ever shot. Ever. Perhaps you got a good one?

10" groups at 7yd on a good day.

The laser (if equipped) wont hold zero and the battery hatch can come loose under the barrel, jamming the gun up solid.

On the plus side, mine would feed very reliably.

My new Beretta Pico beats the snot out of it in every catagory.

I will be getting a no laser/no manual safety model. Given my hand size, I like where the trigger breaks. On the RM380 it feels like it breaks too far back and I just can’t be consistent with it. The Pico is better but still not quite where it feels natural.

The Bodyguard I rented felt consistent and broke at just the point I expected it to. I’m guessing since it’s a range gun it’s been shot enough to smooth out the trigger considerably.

 

[jimbo555]

Mine has never failed to feed or fire. I've owned it for years. Only issue is it fails to lock back empty when the plastic mag followers wear. S&w sends them for free.You get used to the trigger.

 

[jar]

I added a Hogue HandAll and some grip tape to mine and it's moved up to my most often carried little 380. The safety though is near useless and I only use it if I open carry.

​

Trigger has smoothed out and now is very nice.

​

 

[BC17A]

I've had very good luck with my BG from day one, and it's very accurate. It's functioned perfectly through about 1000 rounds with all ammo I've used, but I'll admit I've only tried a few brands of SD ammo. Hornady AG is what I carry in it. I left the sights stock but did paint the front blade which made it very easy to see. I posted a target shot from my BG on the 10 yard challenge thread, if you want to see what it's capable of. As for a holster, I use a Desantis Nemesis and really like how comfortable it is in my back pocket. My Pico has now taken the BG's place for pocket duty since it's thinner, just as accurate, easy to shoot, and will eat a steady diet of my high velocity XTP reloads.

When it comes to reliability, early on the BG (not mine) had light strike issues but I haven't heard anyone squawk about that for a few years. Other than that, I can't recall hearing of other issues.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've carried mine almost daily for about 5-6 years as a primary in a low threat environment or as a backup to a bigger gun. It has run 100% with any hollow point or fmj. I've only used brass case ammo. The magazine has released when carrying in a pocket holster never with a OWB holster.

Accuracy is a subjective issue. I shoot mine about as good as a J frame. About 6-8" groups at 25 yards. Accurate enough for its intended purpose.

 

[Fiv3r]

I had one and liked it well enough. I traded it in for a Pico. I liked the Pico but not the warranty or the reported fragile firing pin. The Pico shot very well though.

The BG handled just fine for me. I never had an issue short of it not liking steel case ammo.

I'm actually in the market for a new pocket gun. I like my Rugers but I seem to sometimes bump the mag release. Both the LCP and LCP II pop out in my pocket sometimes. I never had that issue with the Pico nor the BG.

Right now I'm considering one of these two again with a possible RM380 or a NAA Guardian rounding out as a dark horse. I carry a pocket pistol more often than any other gun. I would rather have a good one of solid construction made out of solid materials, sorta leaning toward the extra cost of the Guardian.

I would not feel under gunned with the BG. It's all I had on me when a coyote unexpectedly broke through the brush chasing a deer down at the family cabin. The coyote wasnt interested me in the least. However, my then 4 year old daughter was with me. Instinctively stepped in front of her and drew the BG sporting a clip draw out of my waistband.

Coyote ran right past us....until he realized he had run right past us. I dont think he anticipated humans standing next to his path. He did a 180 and shot back down the lake cost. Deer: 1 Coyote: 0.

 

[SteadyD]

Alabama holster and pj holster will make you a pocket holster that covers the mag release if you request it.

I placed an order for the Bodyguard today. Hope the trigger is as nice as the one I rented. It fit me well.

Night sights and maybe magguts will be on my list.

 

[Kendahl]

Following are my impressions of the M&P Bodyguard 380 I rented:

• Although I have small hands, the grip still isn't long enough for three fingers.
• Sights can be replaced with night or fiber optic sights. (Laser looks awkward to turn on/off.)
  
• Trigger was heavy but smooth enough not disturb my aim.
  
• Recoil wasn't painful.
• Although I'm no great shot, I had no problem keeping all of a box of 50 rounds in a 7 inch circle at 10 yards.
• I had several light strikes. The round always fired on the second strike.
• The slide locks back but, on the rental, the minimal impact of setting the gun down was enough to release it.

Instead of a BG 380, I would spend more to:

• Get a Kahr CW380. (The P380 is more expensive without significantly improving function.)
• Switch to fiber optic sights.
  
• Get two 7-round extended magazines for carry. They have a collar which adds enough length for three fingers but leaves the gun small enough to pocket carry. (A CT380 holds 7 rounds but isn't quite as small.)
  
• Install MagGuts kits to increase capacity to 8 rounds.
• Carry in front pocket in a kydex holster from PJ Holster or Alabama Holster. (Active Self Protection has a video in which he disparages soft pocket holsters:
  
  Personally, I think something sturdier, like an Uncle George, would be fine. So would a Recluse since it blocks the trigger from moving at all.)

 

[94045]

The light strikes seem to be a common issue (this would concern me).

Aftermarket kits that move the trigger break forward do exist.

 

[bannockburn]

Friend of mine has an early production Bodyguard. Laser had a wandering zero, replaced a couple of times under warranty and still to this day doesn't work properly. Safety was very difficult to put on and off, also very noisy with a loud click every time he used it. Double action trigger is just okay; long and a bit on the heavy side but manageable. All in all though the gun has been very reliable with all most every kind of ammo and has held up pretty well over many years of constant use.

 

[SteadyD]

Well, just made my maiden voyage with the BG. And because I have terrible luck... light strikes...

I really like the trigger on these things, which I know most would disagree with. I’ll send it in to Smith and see if they can make it work right. If so, I’ll change out the dreadful sights and start carrying it. If not, I will likely just give up on my quest for the perfect pocket 380 for me.

 

[bumbazine]

Had one for a few years. It was very reliable and fairly accurate in my hands. I found out early on though that the laser wasn't very helpful. Also, it was possible for me to get slide bite if I got hold of it wrong. Traded it off on a Sig 938.

 

[94045]

If you like long heavy triggers their is always the Ruger LCP (not II). As far as I know they are still in production (or Ruger has millions stock piled) and they are still available for as little as $150.

 

[SteadyD]

If you like long heavy triggers their is always the Ruger LCP (not II). As far as I know they are still in production (or Ruger has millions stock piled) and they are still available for as little as $150.

I don’t like the partially cocked hammer on the LCP, unfortunately. I’ve almost run out of true DAO pocket 380s to try.

 

[jar]

I don’t like the partially cocked hammer on the LCP, unfortunately. I’ve almost run out of true DAO pocket 380s to try.

There's still the Sig P290RS in 9mm or 380. Just a little bigger, true DA with restrike, hammer fired and rock solid reliable. They can be found with night sights or three dot. I have the three dot on both of mine. It does fit in my pocket using a Desantis pocket holster.

The 380 (9 has red grips):
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[JohnMc]

I had a first generation one, but the plastic mag release started to wear out. There is an aftermarket metal one, but you have to take it out if the gun goes to S&W for service, as they apparently chuck them out and replace with factory plastic. M'eh.

 

[BC17A]

I had a first generation one, but the plastic mag release started to wear out. There is an aftermarket metal one, but you have to take it out if the gun goes to S&W for service, as they apparently chuck them out and replace with factory plastic. M'eh.

The problem isn't the plastic mag catch, the problem is the sharp corner of the magazines catching on the plastic when they're inserted. That, plus the fact that shooters are slamming the mags home when they hang up on the catch. I realized the problem the first time I went to the range with my BG and decided to fix the issue before the mag catch got sheared off. I simply radius-ed and polished the corner of each mag where they make contact the catch. Once done, they slip by the plastic mag catch without hanging up. Try it you'll like it.

 

[Fiv3r]

I got the itch for a new gun today, and had always kicked myself for getting rid of my BG. I had the version they first released without the laser when they moved it over to the M&P line a few years ago. I had decided that I wanted a .380 with restrike capability and wanted to go with an integrated laser this time. I have always been leery of lasers. Pocket sweat and rain and all manner of yuck could cause them to short out.

Then I remembered that the gun WILL function without the laser. So as long as I keep practicing with my irons I'll be OK should Murphy decide that in the heat of the moment the battery is going to crap out.

I have always like the BG trigger the best of all my long pull .380s. I found the Pico just a tick more accurate, but the BG was more controllable. I also find the BG to be the most friendly to my hand. Now, I really like my LCP II, but I had a holster malfunction the other day and no longer feel super comfortable carrying it the way I prefer to carry a gun that size. It's too "good" of a trigger for me to risk letting it rattle around in my pocket if my holster slips. The BG I bought came with a safety, but I will largely ignore it like I did when I had my last one. I used to only use it when we went on vacation and the gun was left in my jeans pocket at the hotel when we went to bed and my daughter was very little.

I picked up a new pocket filling sticky holster, but my old one works fine. I went ahead and picked up a small Fobus paddle holster they had for cheap just to have for days when I want wear it OWB on a walk or something.

I haven't taken it to the range, but I do like the laser so far. I haven't zeroed it yet, obviously. However, I plan on using it more for low light rough targeting where I am trying to quickly hit center mass and not trying to cloverleaf the groupings but just dump 7 rounds in a hurry. It doesnt seem to be terribly zeroed from the factory. Does anyone know what they are zeroed at? 25 yards would seem pretty excessive on a pocket rocket, but at 7-10 it seems low and left just to my eye.

For those of you who have had CT integrated lasers, how do they hold up? Is there anything they don't like or messes them up in short order? I don't plan on relying on the laser, but it would be nice to keep it rocking and rolling in case I need it.

 

[Fiv3r]

I just ran 150 rounds through the BG. I did have 2 light strikes. The most concerning thing is that it doesnt lock back on an empty magazine. Neither freshly installed nor after firing the gun. Not a big deal. It works fine besides that. I sent S&W a message to see what they think.

It took me about 20 rounds to dial in the laser. I calibrated it to about 10 yards. I think that is a reasonable distance in a low light situation where the red will actually show up.

All around, I like it.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I had one and liked it well enough. I traded it in for a Pico. I liked the Pico but not the warranty or the reported fragile firing pin. The Pico shot very well though.

The BG handled just fine for me. I never had an issue short of it not liking steel case ammo.

I'm actually in the market for a new pocket gun. I like my Rugers but I seem to sometimes bump the mag release. Both the LCP and LCP II pop out in my pocket sometimes. I never had that issue with the Pico nor the BG.

Right now I'm considering one of these two again with a possible RM380 or a NAA Guardian rounding out as a dark horse. I carry a pocket pistol more often than any other gun. I would rather have a good one of solid construction made out of solid materials, sorta leaning toward the extra cost of the Guardian.

I would not feel under gunned with the BG. It's all I had on me when a coyote unexpectedly broke through the brush chasing a deer down at the family cabin. The coyote wasnt interested me in the least. However, my then 4 year old daughter was with me. Instinctively stepped in front of her and drew the BG sporting a clip draw out of my waistband.

Coyote ran right past us....until he realized he had run right past us. I dont think he anticipated humans standing next to his path. He did a 180 and shot back down the lake cost. Deer: 1 Coyote: 0.

FYI, the firing pin on the Pico is hardly fragile. In fact quite durable. I have thousands of rounds through two I own. That crap was started by a popular internet FOOL, that could not read the directions in the owners manual which clearly stated to use snap caps. The Dumb a** broke his and went on to rant his trash talk. I bought a few spares like I do with all my guns and have never used one. The Pico is easy to break down and any parts to the whole gun are very available if one does need repair. I also bought a lifetime warranty through Buds.

I do not own the Body Guard, but have shot them (and just recently) and know friends that own them. VERY NICE gun. Solid build. And NO the trigger is NOT crap. Comments like those are usually from shooters that do not shoot double actions or trained to do so. The guys I know that have them love the gun and do not complain at all about the trigger. Gallaway has a upgrade to the trigger, but if I had one, I would keep the factory. I would not mind owning a Bodyguard someday. Again very nice gun.

 

[JohnMc]

The problem isn't the plastic mag catch, the problem is the sharp corner of the magazines catching on the plastic when they're inserted. That, plus the fact that shooters are slamming the mags home when they hang up on the catch. I realized the problem the first time I went to the range with my BG and decided to fix the issue before the mag catch got sheared off. I simply radius-ed and polished the corner of each mag where they make contact the catch. Once done, they slip by the plastic mag catch without hanging up. Try it you'll like it.

View attachment 837126

Thanks for the tip, but I can't do the mod; I sold the gun a year ago. I got so bent out of shape at the wear on the mag catch, off it went.
(It went to a dealer, who knew about the mag catch, which is why I got less than $150, I think.)

 

[JONWILL]

I like mine a lot. I had an LCP but it felt awkward in my hand. Then switched to the LCP 2. I never trusted it. Reliable but the hammer back with a very short and light trigger worried me.
Mine has run well with any ammo I use in it