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

[bannockburn]

Autodidactic

A friend of mine had a S&W Bodyguard .380 and for the most part the gun was reliable and fairly well made. Two things that bothered me while using it were the long, heavy DAO trigger and the useless built in laser. The laser would not hold zero and after having it replaced twice, my friend gave up on it, finding it more useful as a toy for his cats and dogs to chase when shown on the walls of his house!

I currently have what I consider to be mini .380s: a Colt Mustang, a SIG P238, and a KelTec P3AT. The Colt and the SIG are great little .380s, blessed with nice SAO triggers, decent sights, and reliable performance. They are both very soft shooters, thanks to their locked breach method of operation and are surprisingly accurate too.

The KelTec is by virtue of it's miniature size my go-anywhere gun and I use to carry it at home when I was out working in the "Back 40", so to speak. While nowhere near as pleasant to shoot as my other two .380s, the P3AT is still a very serviceable and comfortable gun to have around.

 

[Autodidactic]

Autodidactic

A friend of mine had a S&W Bodyguard .380 and for the most part the gun was reliable and fairly well made. Two things that bothered me while using it were the long, heavy DAO trigger and the useless built in laser. The laser would not hold zero and after having it replaced twice, my friend gave up on it, finding it more useful as a toy for his cats and dogs to chase when shown on the walls of his house!

I currently have what I consider to be mini .380s: a Colt Mustang, a SIG P238, and a KelTec P3AT. The Colt and the SIG are great little .380s, blessed with nice SAO triggers, decent sights, reliable performance. They are both very soft shooters, thanks to their locked breach method of operation and are surprisingly accurate too.

The KelTec is by virtue of it's miniature size my go-anywhere gun and I use to carry it at home when I was out working in the "Back 40", so to speak. While nowhere near as pleasant to shoot as my other two .380s, the P3AT is still a very serviceable and comfortable gun to have around.
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Nice guns. I'd love a Colt Mustang. They sell new though today for $600+.

Those Sigs are nice as well. My main thing is if I'm spending $500+, it's not going to be for a micro .380, however much I like many of them. I'm using that kind of money for a hunting rifle, AR15, or a .357 mag revolver.

It's also why I got a Wrangler versus a nicer .22 revolver, similar logic. Neither a high end .22 revolver nor high end micro .380 is on my priority list, even though if someone giffts one to me or I find a killer deal used, then maybe.

 

[danez71]

Financial considerations, of course....

IMO, I wouldn't balk at spending $500 on a quality gun.

I wouldn't bargain basement shop for either a self defense pistol nor a hunting rifle if my livelihood was a factor.

If youre begrudgingly going unarmed rather than taking 1 of your current larger guns and you hunting isn't a main source of food....

Not trying to me judgy or put you on the spot; just putting the considerations out there for consideration.

 

[starling]

Nice guns. I'd love a Colt Mustang. They sell new though today for $600+.

Those Sigs are nice as well. My main thing is if I'm spending $500+, it's not going to be for a micro .380, however much I like many of them. I'm using that kind of money for a hunting rifle, AR15, or a .357 mag revolver.

It's also why I got a Wrangler versus a nicer .22 revolver, similar logic. Neither a high end .22 revolver nor high end micro .380 is on my priority list, even though if someone gifts one to me or I find a killer deal used, then maybe.

You have a practical mindset and look at firearms as tools. Nothing wrong with that and good to know and be honest with your own mindset. You are going to do well with sticking with the used market and finding deals on proven designs that are well vetted. Stuff like single sixes, security six 357, Ruger MK2 22lr etc. The new ruger semi autos are more like pretty keltecs or Heritage RR in quality but the older ruger stuff were real workhorses. You would probably like a mini 14 if you can find a deal on a used one.

Its too bad all the surplus stuff has dried up because there was lots of bargains that you would be drawn to. Sometimes stuff still makes it in so keep an eye out. Budget 1911s are kind of in the golden age right now. Lots of good ones out there that are great values. I could see you liking a 9mm or 45acp 1911. Maybe check out a Metro Arms 1911 if you see one. They are really nice and well built for the money. Lots of good ones but Metro impresses me the most in terms of what you get for the money.

I dont know how big your pockets are but used Keltec p11s are pretty inexpensive and not lightly built. Its one of the few Keltecs that can take a lot of abuse and not have major or minor components failure. I wouldnt carry one if it was fragile. They are worthy of being daily tools

 

[Electrod47]

The Ruger Wrangler is not a gun for target shooting at a gun range on paper. Heck I would be bored out of my skull also. That light handy comparably cheap six shooter was made for the walk in the desert or woods to engage a dirt clod or some little nasty that needs attention. My self defense weapon is hostered on my hip. The cross-draw? has the Wrangler for fun. Its a natural pointer and I'm amazed at what hit from the hip with it at age 75. Hang onto it 250 bucks in the scheme of things won't matter. You know my experience is today that every gun I wish I had right now was one I got rid of long ago.

 

[Zendude]

If the Bodyguard is a second generation (M&P) version, then it might be worth trying. Otherwise, it sounds like you already have a nice pocket gun with your 642.

 

[Jimbo80]

I wouldn't make that swap. The BG380 is unpleasant to shoot and a poor choice for anything other than bug duty. On the upside they have lifetime warranty. Downside is there's a very good chance you'll need it. IMO one of the micro 9 pistols are a much better option these days. If I were you I would sell the .380 ammo and use the profit on a better pistol.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I like my SW 380EZ. Nice trigger and easy to work the slide. And it's accurate for a little gun.

 

[Seedy Character]

Sounds, to me, like your mind is made up.

I am not a LCP fan and no experience with BG.
I would stick with the TomCat, you already have. Makes more sense, to me, to trade TomCat for BG, if caliber is your reasoning.

Ruger Single Sixes are more costly, I have 2. You get what you pay for. Them CALIBER makes no difference. Cost to manufacture is same for .22, .357, or .45.
Hence, the Wrangler. It is and does exactly what it was meant to.

Everybody should have a .22, if just for cheap plunking or training new shooters.

IF you want them BG and must maintain 1I-1O;
sell TomCat, buy BG, then sell Wrangler and buy Single Six or a Taurus DA.

My $0.02, may be worth less

 

[Autodidactic]

Financial considerations, of course....

IMO, I wouldn't balk at spending $500 on a quality gun.

I wouldn't bargain basement shop for either a self defense pistol nor a hunting rifle if my livelihood was a factor.

If youre begrudgingly going unarmed rather than taking 1 of your current larger guns and you hunting isn't a main source of food....

Not trying to me judgy or put you on the spot; just putting the considerations out there for consideration.

I hear you in general. I have $500 + firearms, or used ones that originally would have been. For example, a new Glock 19 I bought. I'm not adverse to spending for quality. But, .380's and .22 revolvers in single action are not high priority enough.

With .380 micro pistols, you don't have a spend $500 to get a functioning, reasonable quality gun. Even a Glock 42 can be had for $450.

The thing is, S&W is not a "bargain basement" brand, and neither really is the Bodyguard. If I was going bargain basement I'd buy the Taurus .380 which is in the same case for like $140. The only S&W firearms that felt like lower quality I've fired are the SDVE or SIGMA type guns.

 

[Autodidactic]

You have a practical mindset and look at firearms as tools. Nothing wrong with that and good to know and be honest with your own mindset. You are going to do well with sticking with the used market and finding deals on proven designs that are well vetted. Stuff like single sixes, security six 357, Ruger MK2 22lr etc. The new ruger semi autos are more like pretty keltecs or Heritage RR in quality but the older ruger stuff were real workhorses. You would probably like a mini 14 if you can find a deal on a used one.

Its too bad all the surplus stuff has dried up because there was lots of bargains that you would be drawn to. Sometimes stuff still makes it in so keep an eye out. Budget 1911s are kind of in the golden age right now. Lots of good ones out there that are great values. I could see you liking a 9mm or 45acp 1911. Maybe check out a Metro Arms 1911 if you see one. They are really nice and well built for the money. Lots of good ones but Metro impresses me the most in terms of what you get for the money.

I dont know how big your pockets are but used Keltec p11s are pretty inexpensive and not lightly built. Its one of the few Keltecs that can take a lot of abuse and not have major or minor components failure. I wouldnt carry one if it was fragile. They are worthy of being daily tools

Thanks, good points. A few things, I'm all about buying some nicer, higher end firearms, but that's going to be as an example a full-sized 1911 or .357 magnum revolver. I plan to drop $800 odd for the right one at some point.

To clarify, I already have a Glock 19 and a S&W Shield in 9mm, so I have quality larger sized handguns for SD. The thing is, even the Shield isn't that small for some carry situations.

I actually agree with you that I haven't been impressed with the quality of some of the newer Ruger semi-autos. LCP was sold for that reason. I have a Mark IV, speaking of $500 + guns, that looks really nice but doesn't always run reliably.

The Ruger Wrangler is not a gun for target shooting at a gun range on paper. Heck I would be bored out of my skull also. That light handy comparably cheap six shooter was made for the walk in the desert or woods to engage a dirt clod or some little nasty that needs attention. My self defense weapon is hostered on my hip. The cross-draw? has the Wrangler for fun. Its a natural pointer and I'm amazed at what hit from the hip with it at age 75. Hang onto it 250 bucks in the scheme of things won't matter. You know my experience is today that every gun I wish I had right now was one I got rid of long ago.

To your latter point, unless I sell it on the private market for let's say $180 (Talos edition with holster, etc), my LGS will probably give me $100 for it. So not a lot.

Sounds, to me, like your mind is made up.

I am not a LCP fan and no experience with BG.
I would stick with the TomCat, you already have. Makes more sense, to me, to trade TomCat for BG, if caliber is your reasoning.

Ruger Single Sixes are more costly, I have 2. You get what you pay for. Them CALIBER makes no difference. Cost to manufacture is same for .22, .357, or .45.
Hence, the Wrangler. It is and does exactly what it was meant to.

Everybody should have a .22, if just for cheap plunking or training new shooters.

IF you want them BG and must maintain 1I-1O;
sell TomCat, buy BG, then sell Wrangler and buy Single Six or a Taurus DA.

My $0.02, may be worth less

To be fair, I also have another .22 LR. Tomcat is staying as one of my relatively impractical collectibles, ha!

 

[starling]

I hear you in general. I have $500 + firearms, or used ones that originally would have been. For example, a new Glock 19 I bought. I'm not adverse to spending for quality. But, .380's and .22 revolvers in single action are not high priority enough.

With .380 micro pistols, you don't have a spend $500 to get a functioning, reasonable quality gun. Even a Glock 42 can be had for $450.

The thing is, S&W is not a "bargain basement" brand, and neither really is the Bodyguard. If I was going bargain basement I'd buy the Taurus .380 which is in the same case for like $140. The only S&W firearms that felt like lower quality I've fired are the SDVE or SIGMA type guns.

Hey now.. I like Sigmas. Them be fightin words! I am a wizard with sigmas and since the 90s I have not had a parts a parts failure.

Taurus 738 had a nice feel and wasnt too bad but it was a little junky/fragile feeling like the other aluminum framed 380s. I kind of wish they would have stuck with it. Spectrum has a few features I like but its junk inside. I would trust the keltec p3at for carry once I had it dialed in. P32 is a great pistol. P3at/p32 can be a little rough around the edges but keltec uses good materials on those. Its rare to hear of slides, barrels, frames cracking. Plus keltec is really good about supplying parts to the customer.

 

[starling]

Thanks, good points. A few things, I'm all about buying some nicer, higher end firearms, but that's going to be as an example a full-sized 1911 or .357 magnum revolver. I plan to drop $800 odd for the right one at some point.

To clarify, I already have a Glock 19 and a S&W Shield in 9mm, so I have quality larger sized handguns for SD. The thing is, even the Shield isn't that small for some carry situations.

I actually agree with you that I haven't been impressed with the quality of some of the newer Ruger semi-autos. LCP was sold for that reason. I have a Mark IV, speaking of $500 + guns, that looks really nice but doesn't always run reliably.

If you are going to drop $800 on a 1911 check out the Fusion Firearms 1911s (if you dont know about them). Those are really nice. Very well built 1911s. Buddy of mine is really into them. They are tops I have seen in that price range that I have seen... including colts. My next 1911 is most likely going to be one of their 38 super builds. Maybe a longslide.

 

[Autodidactic]

Hey now.. I like Sigmas. Them be fightin words! I am a wizard with sigmas and since the 90s I have not had a parts a parts failure.

Taurus 738 had a nice feel and wasnt too bad but it was a little junky/fragile feeling like the other aluminum framed 380s. I kind of wish they would have stuck with it. Spectrum has a few features I like but its junk inside. I would trust the keltec p3at for carry once I had it dialed in. P32 is a great pistol. P3at/p32 can be a little rough around the edges but keltec uses good materials on those. Its rare to hear of slides, barrels, frames cracking. Plus keltec is really good about supplying parts to the customer.

Yeah, I wouldn't be adverse to the right Taurus revolver or their 21 A copy.
ALSO, their TX22 in .22 LR is great. I've considered getting one of those. Any thoughts on those?

A Keltec p32 would be sweet, absolutely.

Full disclosure, I fired only the SDVE. I had read it was derived from the SIGMA, but to be fair I haven't personally experienced the latter.

 

[Mosin77]

Funny how everyone is different. I wouldn’t bother selling the Ruger because it’s a new, currently available gun and so I figure it’s not going to sell more than ~$175 on the best of days… if they’re about $200 new. and for that I’d rather keep it as a plinker/utility gun. In fact I’m kind of in the market for one. I shoot my DA .22 revolver in single action more than anything.

.380 Bodyguard wouldn’t be my first choice but it sounds like the price is right, so, hard to argue with it. It certainly wouldn’t be my last choice either.

 

[starling]

Yeah, I wouldn't be adverse to the right Taurus revolver or their 21 A copy.
ALSO, their TX22 in .22 LR is great. I've considered getting one of those. Any thoughts on those?

A Keltec p32 would be sweet, absolutely.

Full disclosure, I fired only the SDVE. I had read it was derived from the SIGMA, but to be fair I haven't personally experienced the latter.

SD9 is a 4th gen sigma. Think Sigma-Delta. I like the 3rd gen Sigmas the most but I like triggers a little long and heavy compared to most on a striker.

The poly Taurus 21a copy is not bad. Like the Beretta (and any other 22) it is ammo sensitive. Heavy trigger with a double strike. They are fun to plink with but I have only shot friends pistols. I should probably get one for the kids. Those tip ups are kind of a strange design internally.

TX22?.... have not shot one. Lost interest when the slides started cracking. I am not a big fan of aluminum slides even on 22s. Maybe take a look at the Keltec p17. Looks like a winner for a cheap plinker. As always spare or replacement parts are a few clicks away on Keltecs website and innexpensive. I have been waiting for the market to stabilize. I am always looking at new pocket auto 22s for the kids.... and me.

 

[starling]

Funny how everyone is different. I wouldn’t bother selling the Ruger because it’s a new, currently available gun and so I figure it’s not going to sell more than ~$175 on the best of days… if they’re about $200 new. and for that I’d rather keep it as a plinker/utility gun. In fact I’m kind of in the market for one. I shoot my DA .22 revolver in single action more than anything.

.380 Bodyguard wouldn’t be my first choice but it sounds like the price is right, so, hard to argue with it. It certainly wouldn’t be my last choice either.

Some folks dont like to accumulate too much. I am like that with most things. Firearms not so much. I have given a lot of my old Airguns away to kids through the years. Kept my Crosman 600s and other classics though..... for my kids.

 

[Autodidactic]

Funny how everyone is different. I wouldn’t bother selling the Ruger because it’s a new, currently available gun and so I figure it’s not going to sell more than ~$175 on the best of days… if they’re about $200 new. and for that I’d rather keep it as a plinker/utility gun. In fact I’m kind of in the market for one. I shoot my DA .22 revolver in single action more than anything.

.380 Bodyguard wouldn’t be my first choice but it sounds like the price is right, so, hard to argue with it. It certainly wouldn’t be my last choice either.

Eliminating cost, the Bodyguard would not be my first choice either. I actually want a Colt Mustang, which costs double.

However, the Bodyguard is a reasonable quality pocket .380 in the sub $400 range. Not a whole lot in that range new except LCPs, Taurus, Keltec, Bersa, etc. There's not even much more in the sub $500 range, beyond the addition of Shields in .380, Glock 42, etc.

 

[Autodidactic]

SD9 is a 4th gen sigma. Think Sigma-Delta. I like the 3rd gen Sigmas the most but I like triggers a little long and heavy compared to most on a striker.

The poly Taurus 21a copy is not bad. Like the Beretta (and any other 22) it is ammo sensitive. Heavy trigger with a double strike. They are fun to plink with but I have only shot friends pistols. I should probably get one for the kids. Those tip ups are kind of a strange design internally.

TX22?.... have not shot one. Lost interest when the slides started cracking. I am not a big fan of aluminum slides even on 22s. Maybe take a look at the Keltec p17. Looks like a winner for a cheap plinker. As always spare or replacement parts are a few clicks away on Keltecs website and innexpensive. I have been waiting for the market to stabilize. I am always looking at new pocket auto 22s for the kids.... and me.

Did they start cracking? The TX22? Darn, for a while there they were getting good reviews. I shot one a number of times at my range. I don't have a pocket or sub-compact .22 semi-auto, which is yet another goal on my list.

 

[Mosin77]

Eliminating cost, the Bodyguard would not be my first choice either. I actually want a Colt Mustang, which costs double.

However, the Bodyguard is a reasonable quality pocket .380 in the sub $400 range. Not a whole lot in that range new except LCPs, Taurus, Keltec, Bersa, etc. There's not even much more in the sub $500 range, beyond the addition of Shields in .380, Glock 42, etc.

Maybe find a lightly used Sig P238? Very similar to the Mustang except unfortunately a bit uglier/more contemporary looking slide serrations.

I haven’t priced one post-pandemic, but in 2019 I bought one used for, I think, about $350.

 

[Autodidactic]

Some folks dont like to accumulate too much. I am like that with most things. Firearms not so much. I have given a lot of my old Airguns away to kids through the years. Kept my Crosman 600s and other classics though..... for my kids.

Nice, it's good to have a few airguns. So, what is your limit on firearms, or is there one? Part of me is feeling this artificial pressure to limit the number. I have some but far less than many on here.

 

[.38 Special]

I won't offer an opinion on stupid, useless compact .380s ( ) but will say that I can't imagine trying to keep house without a good .22 revolver. In the OP's shoes I would trade the Wrangler toward a .22 with a good trigger and adjustable sights and call it done.

 

[Mosin77]

Nice, it's good to have a few airguns. So, what is your limit on firearms, or is there one? Part of me is feeling this artificial pressure to limit the number. I have some but far less than many on here.

I personally don’t have one per se. But I’ve also checked off most of the guns on my “I need to try that one” list. If I didn’t have any guns for historical interest, I could probably limit myself to 10 that I actually take out and enjoy for recreation, or use for utility/serious purposes. But a .22 revolver is a staple for me since they’re cheap to shoot and fun to shoot with others.

 

[starling]

Did they start cracking? The TX22? Darn, for a while there they were getting good reviews. I shot one a number of times at my range. I don't have a pocket or sub-compact .22 semi-auto, which is yet another goal on my list.

I dont know how widspread it was.

bersa name came up. Those thunder 22s are nice. I ran a mix through one. Anything round nose fed and extracted. steel slide... aluminum frame and is also offered in 380 so you can have a nice trainer and also a self defense 380 if you want. Not a pocket gun but a nice dual use platform that pays for itself with enough trigger time.

soo many choices out there these days. I just bring up the bersa because they are sleepers nobody ever talks about anymore.

my smallest and most reliable pocket 22 is actaully a ratty looking Jennings j22. I reworked it a little but it runs anything and is small and thin. It started out as a neglected frame so lots of dings and scratches... it performs though. Its my sons favorite pistol at the range. It strikes hard and I dont remember ever getting a light strike on rimfire with it. You can find them cheap at pawnshops if the timing is right. Its basically a pocket 22 hipoint but it works and is accurate.

 

[Autodidactic]

You guys may have been successful in convincing me to keep the Wrangler, at least until I get an upgraded .22 revolver one day. I think you are right that it's a good idea to have one on hand. Plus, as mentioned, an LGS won't give me much for it anyways.