Thinking of selling my Ruger Wrangler and buying a .380 Bodyguard on Hold

[Autodidactic]

So, I have a Ruger Wrangler, Talos addition. It's a fun .22 LR plinker for what it is. Although I would love a nicer Ruger .22 LR such as an LCR or a Single Six/Bearcat, or a Smith and Wesson .22 LR revolver, I hesitate to spend that kind of money on a .22 revolver. Especially a single action. Thus entered the Wrangler. This is it below, stock image. Yes, it came with the holster.



However, after having it since about May 1st of this last year, I'm pretty bored of it.

What I do need is a replacement micro carry gun, namely a .380 most likely. I had a finicky .380 LCP that I sold, jammed non-stop. But, I have a bunch of .380 ammo and I bought the LCP specifically to have an easy-to-carry, small size, warm weather gun. But even for just a run to the store gun. So, the need still exists.

There is a used S&W Bodyguard in .380 at my LGS for $220. I have it on hold for 24 hours. Yay or nay?

Full disclosure, I currently have a one gun in one gun out policy to moderate myself a bit. This is also helping me hone down to the essentials, for example, trade out things I'm not using or bored with for items that serve a purpose.

 

[ECVMatt]

If you are not using the Ruger, sell it. Why keep something that you won't use? I would try and think down the road a bit, but if that gun doesn't work for you I would vote for passing it along to someone else.

 

[Autodidactic]

If you are not using the Ruger, sell it. Why keep something that you won't use? I would try and think down the road a bit, but if that gun doesn't work for you I would vote for passing it along to someone else.

Thanks for the response. I do take it out occasionally but I'm bored of it. There is only so much SA .22 fun one can have at a pistol range.

The one reason I would keep it is to have a .22 revolver, that can shoot .22 LR, .22 L, or .22 Short, and a beater gun for camping let's say.

If I trade it in on the .380, at least I will have a functional carry gun I can use and probably will carry frequently.

 

[Targa]

Nothing wrong with the Bodyguard, I had one and really liked it.

 

[danez71]

The Bodygaurd would be low on the list for a 380 for me... but I'm not buying it, sooo...... If it's what you want, go for it. You seem to want/need it more than the wrangler.


Funny..., I have a Ruger 22lr LCRX that I should get rid of. I dont shoot much at all and when I do it's mostly SA.

 

[Autodidactic]

The Bodygaurd would be low on the list for a 380 for me... but I'm not buying it, sooo...... If it's what you want, go for it. You seem to want/need it more than the wrangler.


Funny..., I have a Ruger 22lr LCRX that I should get rid of. I dont shoot much at all and when I do it's mostly SA.

Ha! The LCR's are much nicer than the Wranglers. Not feeling the .22?

What is your view of the bodyguard? I know they have a heavy trigger pull. But, I also like S&W a lot, and the M&P line. I know there are new and improved .380's, such as the LCP Max, or the Sigs etc. The Max's are still working out some quirks I think, and I don't want to pay for a Sig in .380. There are larger, nicer guns ranging from a Glock 42 to a S&W Shield in .380, Walther, Beretta, etc. But again, those aren't really pocket pistols, or are expensive.

If I'm going to carry many of those I already have a sub compact size service caliber gun.

 

[starling]

I like the bodyguard but most people have trouble with the trigger. Full DAO with second strike so its a solid little 380 and fills the hand better than the LCP. I think its one of those love it or hate it guns. I would carry one and I am pretty picky. Not many pocket 380s I like but the bodyguard has the best grip for something that small I have felt. S&W did a good job on it and the bugs have been work out for a while now. I think you will be happy but all those little 380s are snappy little buggers so its probably not going to be a "fun" gun. Its basically the opposite of the wrangler in every way.

Honestly... I get your mentality of one in and one out but you might want to keep the wrangler anyways. A decent 22 revolver is one of those guns everyone should have. So much variety in 22 that they are kind of a must have in a tool sense. Similar to a shotgun or 22 rifle.... or 4" 357/38 special revolver. Maybe a Desert Eagle 50ae or two... just kidding.

Bodyguard has a better build quality than LCP max does IMO. they feel great in the hand but like you say.... too early. They have really flimsy magazines.

 

[Targa]

I can tell you that mine was a very heavy pull but when you realize it isn’t a range gun that you are trying to shoot groups with and are just going for minute of man at defensive distances all is well. This isn’t a use the pad of your finger to evenly pull back on the trigger while anticipating the break and then the reset because they are non existent. You grab a finger full of trigger much like a Bond Arms derringer and yank that sucker back….. Anyway, that’s how I do it.

 

[1942bull]

You might consider selling the ammo. There is a big demand. Before you buy a Bodyguard visit the two S&W forums. Those guns get as many or more complaints at the Ruger LCP series on the Ruger forums. You can’t put a Ford 150 engine into a Kia sedan. The optimum size handgun is a full/duty size. They are designed for optimum performance. As guns are shrunk down from that size compromises are made in design and performance. I once thought an LCP II would be great to carry because of its size. It was very concealable. It stung the hands when shot. It had limited accuracy. It has no chance at expanding HP ammo, and it being lower powered it achieves less than maximal penetration. But it is small. I sold mine. I sold my LC9s too. I bought a Security 9 Compact. Bigger and heavier than the LC9s, but not too big to conceal. No more hand stinging, better accuracy, reliable expansion, and good penetration. Shall is nice in an EDC pistol, but lethality is better.

 

[Autodidactic]

I like the bodyguard but most people have trouble with the trigger. Full DAO with second strike so its a solid little 380 and fills the hand better than the LCP. I think its one of those love it or hate it guns. I would carry one and I am pretty picky. Not many pocket 380s I like but the bodyguard has the best grip for something that small I have felt. S&W did a good job on it and the bugs have been work out for a while now. I think you will be happy but all those little 380s are snappy little buggers so its probably not going to be a "fun" gun. Its basically the opposite of the wrangler in every way.

Honestly... I get your mentality of one in and one out but you might want to keep the wrangler anyways. A decent 22 revolver is one of those guns everyone should have. So much variety in 22 that they are kind of a must have in a tool sense. Similar to a shotgun or 22 rifle.... or 4" 357/38 special revolver. Maybe a Desert Eagle 50ae or two... just kidding.

Bodyguard has a better build quality than LCP max does IMO. they feel great in the hand but like you say.... too early. They have really flimsy magazines.

I hear you on all those points. Temptation is to keep the Wrangler, to have the .22 revolver.

I do want a quality, useable, micro pocket pistol.

The LCP I I had was junk, and soured me on the series. I have no doubt the newer versions are improved. Mine was new from the new factory. Many people think the quality control has gone down at Ruger.

Regarding the recoil, I didn't find the LCP that bad, nor the other .380's I've shot. Granted, I've been shooting a S&W 642 airweight a lot, including with +P up to Buffalo Bore. Honestly, I think even wadcutters out of the airweight equal a .380 LCP or Bodyguard in recoil.

I can tell you that mine was a very heavy pull but when you realize it isn’t a range gun that you are trying to shoot groups with and are just going for minute of man at defensive distances all is well. This isn’t a use the pad of your finger to evenly pull back on the trigger while anticipating the break and then the reset because they are non existent. You grab a finger full of trigger much like a Bond Arms derringer and yank that sucker back….. Anyway, that’s how I do it.

Once one gets used to a BA it can be shot decently enough. But the first few times out at the range most people aren't shooting well with one.

You might consider selling the ammo. There is a big demand. Before you buy a Bodyguard visit the two S&W forums. Those guns get as many or more complaints at the Ruger LCP series on the Ruger forums. You can’t put a Ford 150 engine into a Kia sedan. The optimum size handgun is a full/duty size. They are designed for optimum performance. As guns are shrunk down from that size compromises are made in design and performance. I once thought an LCP II would be great to carry because of its size. It was very concealable. It stung the hands when shot. It had limited accuracy. It has no chance at expanding HP ammo, and it being lower powered it achieves less than maximal penetration. But it is small. I sold mine. I sold my LC9s too. I bought a Security 9 Compact. Bigger and heavier than the LC9s, but not too big to conceal. No more hand stinging, better accuracy, reliable expansion, and good penetration. Shall is nice in an EDC pistol, but lethality is better.

I get it, and yes, the larger firearms are generally more reliable, more accurate, etc. I actually agree that sometimes too much power is put in tiny packages. We need more mouse calibers again in micro guns. The return of .32 ACP would be nice. I think that's the perfect caliber for micro guns. To your point, it may perform as well as .380 for all intents and purposes, out of micro guns. 8-9 inches for expanding hollow points (except a few that also penetrate), 12-16 for FMJ. The thing is most people don't want to carry a full sized gun.

I think the ideal is actually a sub compact if one wants reliability and some accuracy. I think modern manufacturing has produced subcompacts at that size that are reliable and durable. When they get smaller is when it starts getting iffy.

 

[3Crows]

The worst things I have done, gun related, is to sell or trade a gun to get another gun. Now, I really have to hate something to sell or trade it.

The S&W BG .380 is one of my summer carry weapons. I like it fine. I like the safety/slide lock. It shoots just fine. I did get the Galloway trigger kit for mine and install it and some grips and the pocket clip. Yes, I trust my life to it such that if somebody was stupid enough to engage me at close range they would rue the day as I pump Federal Hydrashocks into them. And the little thing is accurate, more than enough for a pistol meant for close engagement. And it is sort of ugly and I do not think a gun that is hardly ever seen needs to be pretty, it just needs to work.

3C

 

[Autodidactic]

The worst things I have done, gun related, is to sell or trade a gun to get another gun. Now, I really have to hate something to sell or trade it.

The S&W BG .380 is one of my summer carry weapons. I like it fine. I like the safety/slide lock. It shoots just fine. I did get the Galloway trigger kit for mine and install it and some grips and the pocket clip. Yes, I trust my life to it such that if somebody was stupid enough to engage me at close range they would rue the day as I pump Federal Hydrashocks into them. And the little thing is accurate, more than enough for a pistol meant for close engagement. And it is sort of ugly and I do not think a gun that is hardly ever seen needs to be pretty, it just needs to work.

3C

Thanks. Ultimately, that's what I want the micro gun for, summer carry, running to the store, etc. I don't think they look that bad, but honestly my nicer firearms or ones I really like I don't like carrying a lot because I don't want to wear them out! So they become functionally safe/range kings.

 

[reddog81]

I had a single six and didn’t enjoy it much. Shooting 45 Colt in single action is fine. It’s easy to eject the large cases and they cost more than a few Pennie’s per round. Shooting 22’s out of a single action is a pain to eject the tiny cases and I’m fine blasting through 22’s at a higher rate than is possible with a single action.

 

[danez71]

Ha! The LCR's are much nicer than the Wranglers. Not feeling the .22?

What is your view of the bodyguard? I know they have a heavy trigger pull. But, I also like S&W a lot, and the M&P line. I know there are new and improved .380's, such as the LCP Max, or the Sigs etc. The Max's are still working out some quirks I think, and I don't want to pay for a Sig in .380. There are larger, nicer guns ranging from a Glock 42 to a S&W Shield in .380, Walther, Beretta, etc. But again, those aren't really pocket pistols, or are expensive.

If I'm going to carry many of those I already have a sub compact size service caliber gun.

The BG has had reliability issues. May be fixed now... I don't know. But I can't accept the trigger either way. That's my issue.

I'd take any of the others just for the trigger even if a little larger.

Having said that, the LCRX is fine... it's me. I bought it to plink with and cheaper practice for my 9mm LCRX. But I'm not a DA guy. Again, that's me. I could probably sell the 9mm LCRX too but it's a 9mm revolver so its somewhat unique.

 

[starling]

I hear you on all those points. Temptation is to keep the Wrangler, to have the .22 revolver.

I do want a quality, useable, micro pocket pistol. I have a Beretta Tomcat in .32 ACP but I don't want to carry it all the time, and it's .32 ACP.

The LCP I I had was junk, and soured me on the series. I have no doubt the newer versions are improved. Mine was new from the new factory. Many people think the quality control has gone down at Ruger.

Regarding the recoil, I didn't find the LCP that bad, nor the other .380's I've shot. Granted, I've been shooting a S&W 642 airweight a lot, including with +P up to Buffalo Bore. Honestly, I think even wadcutters out of the airweight equal a .380 LCP or Bodyguard in recoil

I usually dont say it because it can piss people off but I think the LCP series are pretty junky too. I wanted to like the max until I tore it appart. Only one I might get is the 22lr for my son to plink with because 25acp is made with diamond bullets now.

Best build quality I have seen is the Pico but there is not much to hold onto. Kahr p380 is pretty nice. And the bodyguard is the best ergo wise. Those are the only three that I thought were decent. I have not messed with them all though.... most I dont want to after looking under the hood.

If you are shooting airweights a lot you are probably going to love the bodyguard. I have shot them 4 or 5 times now and might pick one up for pocket carry in the summer myself. I was waiting for some Picos to come in but I dont know what is going on with Beretta lately.

Hope you keep the 22. Not because I am a fan of wranglers. Just because of the reasons mentioned. They are just so cheap to shoot and useful to have on hand as a tool. Be nice if Bearcats and single sixes were not as much as a HK but Ruger thinks they are colt now when it comes to steel SA revolvers. Maybe hold on to the wrangler until you can find a used single six then dump it. Wranglers are a little junky too IMO.

 

[Autodidactic]

I usually dont say it because it can piss people off but I think the LCP series are pretty junky too. I wanted to like the max until I tore it appart. Only one I might get is the 22lr for my son to plink with because 25acp is made with diamond bullets now.

Best build quality I have seen is the Pico but there is not much to hold onto. Kahr p380 is pretty nice. And the bodyguard is the best ergo wise. Those are the only three that I thought were decent. I have not messed with them all though.... most I dont want to after looking under the hood.

If you are shooting airweights a lot you are probably going to love the bodyguard. I have shot them 4 or 5 times now and might pick one up for pocket carry in the summer myself. I was waiting for some Picos to come in but I dont know what is going on with Beretta lately.

Hope you keep the 22. Not because I am a fan of wranglers. Just because of the reasons mentioned. They are just so cheap to shoot and useful to have on hand as a tool. Be nice if Bearcats and single sixes were not as much as a HK but Ruger thinks they are colt now when it comes to steel SA revolvers. Maybe hold on to the wrangler until you can find a used single six then dump it. Wranglers are a little junky too IMO.

I have no doubt the original LCPs were as reliable as people say. I would have kept mine if it was. Mine was new, from the new factory. It was decidedly and horribly unreliable. It was cheap, for $270, but it also felt cheaply made. Again, I have shot the LCP II in .22, and it felt a bit higher quality. Although, those have also reliability complaints. It sounds like the Max is upgraded even more.

What looks nice is a Beretta 21a in .22 LR.

However, before I bought the LCP I actually wanted the Bodyguard, but went for the cheap price at a gun show of the LCP. Now here is a used Bodyguard for $220, hence my draw today.

I've never had a chance to shoot a Pico or Kahr. I feel like often these aren't at firing ranges for rent. I've shot a few other .380's such as Glock 42s, those are nice. Not cheap though either, and not truly a pocket pistol. I'm really trying to avoid getting a nicer, larger .380. I don't need a sub compact or compact gun. Already have them.

Wrangler, I feel you on that advice. I am torn on getting rid of it. I like the idea of keeping it as a beater until I get a nicer .22 revolver. I'd actually like to get a double action one such as an LCR one day. The Wrangler is fine for what it is. I trust it to work. It's accurate enough. But, fit and finish leave something to be desired. 1-2 of the cylinder chambers seem not quite fitted right, where it's both hard to push a cartridge in, and get it out with the ejector rod. They do, but takes some force.

 

[Armored farmer]

My opinions differ from some here. I love my .22 revolvers and couldn't do without one. If you don't like your revolver, and aren't using it then by all means....move on.

I am a fan of the micro .380 pocket guns. Mine is an original model LCP, not much different than a Bodyguard. This size pistol is so small that it can be carried virtually anywhere it is legal. Mine hardly ever is out of my reach. From sweatpants around the house, to the vest pocket of a three piece suit, you can be discreetly armed.
With it comes the responsibility to learn to shoot such a small pistol. It isn't easy. You have to bring all your marksmanship skills together at once.

 

[starling]

My opinions differ from some here. I love my .22 revolvers and couldn't do without one. If you don't like your revolver, and aren't using it then by all means....move on.

I am a fan of the micro .380 pocket guns. Mine is an original model LCP, not much different than a Bodyguard. This size pistol is so small that it can be carried virtually anywhere it is legal. Mine hardly ever is out of my reach. From sweatpants around the house, to the vest pocket of a three piece suit, you can be discreetly armed.
With it comes the responsibility to learn to shoot such a small pistol. It isn't easy. You have to bring all your marksmanship skills together at once.
View attachment 1051658

you wear your gun around the house? Has Illinois gotten that bad?

why did your grill attack you?

 

[Autodidactic]

My opinions differ from some here. I love my .22 revolvers and couldn't do without one. If you don't like your revolver, and aren't using it then by all means....move on.

I am a fan of the micro .380 pocket guns. Mine is an original model LCP, not much different than a Bodyguard. This size pistol is so small that it can be carried virtually anywhere it is legal. Mine hardly ever is out of my reach. From sweatpants around the house, to the vest pocket of a three piece suit, you can be discreetly armed.
With it comes the responsibility to learn to shoot such a small pistol. It isn't easy. You have to bring all your marksmanship skills together at once.
View attachment 1051658

It's more that in the gameshow of my gun cabinet, the one to be ejected from the game is the Wrangler. The only one I can bear to part with is the Wrangler. If it was a nicer .22 revolver, or double action, I doubt I would.

I agree with you on the micro carry. Even subcompact guns can be heavy or bulky. They aren't that small. But the LCPs and Bodyguards of the world, are. They do take practice though yes to be proficient.

 

[starling]

sometimes its a matter of finding something that fits your pocket. I always have a belt pouch on in the summer when I am out. Whatever I have has to fit in that pouch. I am not going to wear a burka or dress like a slob when I am at the park with the kids. 90 degrees deep concealment is out because I sweat.

I would suggest you stay away from the 21a in 22lr for carry. Those pistols are not all that reliable and even when you get a good one..... rimfires are not all that reliable either. Maybe in a revolver. I like rimfire for plinking and range practice but I wont carry one. Seems like I get at least one dud every time I am out.

 

[Autodidactic]

sometimes its a matter of finding something that fits your pocket. I always have a belt pouch on in the summer when I am out. Whatever I have has to fit in that pouch. I am not going to wear a burka or dress like a slob when I am at the park with the kids. 90 degrees deep concealment is out because I sweat.

I would suggest you stay away from the 21a in 22lr for carry. Those pistols are not all that reliable and even when you get a good one..... rimfires are not all that reliable either. Maybe in a revolver. I like rimfire for plinking and range practice but I wont carry one. Seems like I get at least one dud every time I am out.

I knowwww. Unjustifiable, expensive wants (21a). What do you carry usually?

 

[starling]

I knowwww. Unjustifiable, expensive wants (21a). What do you carry usually?

Same as everyone else.... guilt, regret, sorrow.... just kidding.

I carry a bunch of stuff. Its winter so When I go running its a 9mm. If I am out its a 357sig or 40s&W. I dont carry around the house. It changes with the seasons and what I am into. I carry chamber empty and safety off. I dont subscribe to a lot of the operator stuff. I know.... no time to rack a slide in a quick draw. I will risk it. I can move faster than 99% of people. Besides if something does happen that fast the first instinct I have will be to shield my kids no matter how much I practice drawing.

I am actually contemplating just carrying around a $1000 or so in cash and paying off any perp that tries something. Reality is if you are a fit guy that looks confident then a random thug isnt usually going to mess with you unless he has rabies. They look for easy targets like women or old men in wheelchairs. I am most vulnerable when I run at night in the park. I have had more run ins with dogs than anything else. 357sig and 40 is so I can penetrate a pit bulls skull if one grabs my kids throat. I had a few bad run ins with dogs as a child (paperboy) so I always have spray. Having to shoot someones dog is a last resort.

I stay out of bad areas and on the rare occasion someone might get hostile..... I paid attention to Kenny Rogers as a child. Know when to walk away and know when to run. In other words I dont start crap....and do my best to avoid stepping in it. Lots of fear manipulation out there these days. Nobody trusts anyone... people are tired etc. etc. I carry and pay attention (wont own a cell phone) but I am not paranoid and working out tactical advantages every where I go. You cant live like that and not go crazy eventually.

I am kind of old school. Just a lover of firearms since I was very young and try to preach safety and responsibility to newbies. I never got into this to carry a gun every where I go. I really just started doing it once the kids were born.

The list is long though for what I carry. Lots of classics that I have a lot of trigger time on and respect the design. Makarov... Tokarev... Beretta...Hi-power...ruger P series and revolvers... even Hi-points (trail gun). Pocket guns are everything from Baby brownings to Keltecs. Trips I usually throw a pump shotgun or a 22 rifle in the car. Nothing to fancy. Just stuff that works and is dialed in. All the tactical stuff is for home defense.... and the way things are going will probably be like the Alamo.

I have some pocket 22s that are 100% reliable but rimfire is not reliable ammo in a pocket gun nor is it all that effective. Browning couldnt make it work either. Thats why he created 25acp. 21A is a nice pistol... just track down a 20 or 950 if you are going to use it for carry. Practice with the 21A. Pocket autos are pretty accurate and easy to hit with in smaller calibers.

 

[redneck]

I get slide bite from the bodygaurd. If you have large hands, I would handle it carefully and make sure that's not an issue before selling a gun and committing to it. I can shoot an LCP just fine, but the bodygaurd is shaped much differently with less of a "beavertail" to the grip.

 

[Tallball]

I've had most of the micro 380's, other than the Bodyguard. Mine have all worked fine. The LCPII is my favorite. I had a friend with a Bodyguard 380. She carried it often and liked it a lot.

I prefer to carry snub revolvers, but in cold weather the breast pocket of a flannel is very fast to draw from, while my belt and other pockets have a coat hanging over them. That's a time when a tiny pocket pistol shines, and the tiny 380's are the largest caliber I've seen in a pistol that small. I shoot them just fine for SD. It gets easier with practice.

A 22 revolver is a handy tool. I doubt if a used Wrangler will be worth a lot in trade. I would break the rule and keep the Wrangler. It comes and goes with different decades, but over the years I've undoubtedly shot more 22lr out of handguns than any other caliber.

 

[webrx]

You may have already gotten rid of the LCP, but just in case,
I put a 13# recoil spring (https://gallowayprecision.com/13-lb-recoil-spring-set-for-ruger-lcp-pistols) and a stainless steel guide rod (https://gallowayprecision.com/ruger/lcp/stainless-steel-guide-rod-for-ruger-lcp-and-lcp-II) in my LCP, also added a hogue handall grip (https://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Handall-Hybrid-Ruger-Sleeve/dp/B004Y8AYGE). These adds did make it "feel" better and shoot better for me and I have not (knock on wood) had any reliability issues with mine. I have been carrying mine for about 8 years now, and it (mine anyway) is one of my carry guns when I need something small and extra concealable. I may have to buy another just to have a spare around.

I have almost always, as long as I remember had a .22 revolver around the house, have several revolvers, pistols and rifles still today, one of those calibers I have always wanted to keep around, and one that I was able to shoot a lot during this pandemic due to stocking enough ammo to make it not a concern.

I don't own a body guard, never shot one so can't help there, but, will say, that depending on what you are looking for, the little sig p238s are nice little .380s also, again, more pricy than a wrangler or bodyguard, but nice shooters.

here is an article on the mini/micro .380s if you have not read it yet.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/380-pocket-pistol-roundup-review/

d