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

Status
Not open for further replies.
webrx said:
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
Click to expand...
If I had one and all it did was jam, I'd probably be done with it too, I also don't like the idea of having to put aftermarket anything into a gun to make it run reliably, but wouldn't mind doing so to make it shoot better. I may give your suggestion a try although I've been carrying my LCP for about 10+/- years and while I haven't shot it a ton, I've certainly shot it enough and with enough different ammo to know it's reliable and can't recall a single malfunction, ever.

It certainly isn't fun to shoot, but for a micro it is very accurate for me. I'd recommend them to anybody looking for a micro .380 but they make really small 9mm's now that it's almost like why? Why spend more money on less potent cartridges that in addition seem to be less available, and when the size difference has gotten much smaller between the .380's and 9's.
 
DustyGrant, Mine was reliable from the start, I put the add-ons in place because it does make it "feel" better to shoot for me - YMMV. Mine was always reliable but snappy, I did the grip first, followed by the spring and guide rod several months later. The little $10 grip made a big difference in ability to hold on, and the guide rod and spring felt like it lessened recoil to me.

I agree if it is a jammer or has other issues, then it would not be one I kept around for long either.

d
 
DustyGmt said:
If I had one and all it did was jam, I'd probably be done with it too, I also don't like the idea of having to put aftermarket anything into a gun to make it run reliably, but wouldn't mind doing so to make it shoot better. I may give your suggestion a try although I've been carrying my LCP for about 10+/- years and while I haven't shot it a ton, I've certainly shot it enough and with enough different ammo to know it's reliable and can't recall a single malfunction, ever.

It certainly isn't fun to shoot, but for a micro it is very accurate for me. I'd recommend them to anybody looking for a micro .380 but they make really small 9mm's now that it's almost like why? Why spend more money on less potent cartridges that in addition seem to be less available, and when the size difference has gotten much smaller between the .380's and 9's.
Click to expand...

webrx said:
DustyGrant, Mine was reliable from the start, I put the add-ons in place because it does make it "feel" better to shoot for me - YMMV. Mine was always reliable but snappy, I did the grip first, followed by the spring and guide rod several months later. The little $10 grip made a big difference in ability to hold on, and the guide rod and spring felt like it lessened recoil to me.

I agree if it is a jammer or has other issues, then it would not be one I kept around for long either.

d
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I wish my LCP had been reliable. I gave it an honest try, and put about 350 rounds through it. I cleaned it many times, so it wasn't a cleaning issue inherently. I tried diligently to hold it firmly and so on. It actually got less reliable over those 350 odd rounds, not more. That's when I sold it. If it had been reliable, I would have been happy to keep it as an easily carryable micro pistol, which it was bought for.
 
Jimbo80 said:
If you're bored you are not buying the right guns. Interesting is the first thing I look for when buying a gun. Most modern guns are anything but interesting (to me).
Click to expand...
Well, sometimes we buy a gun for practical reasons such as concealed carry or self defense, or a variety of other reasons. I do try to buy guns that actually interest me. But, sometimes an experiment to gain entry into a certain type of guns is buying an entry-level, affordable firearm. For example, an LCP .380 or a Wrangler in .22.

I'm a lot more interested in a Colt Mustang in .380, PPK in .380, or a Single Six in .22, LCR in .22 lr. BUT, I'm not ready yet to pay that kind of money in any of those cases.
 
Last edited:
Autodidactic said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I wish my LCP had been reliable. I gave it an honest try, and put about 350 rounds through it. I cleaned it many times, so it wasn't a cleaning issue inherently. I tried diligently to hold it firmly and so on. It actually got less reliable over those 350 odd rounds, not more. That's when I sold it. If it had been reliable, I would have been happy to keep it as an easily carryable micro pistol, which it was bought for.
Click to expand...
I had a similar situation with a Kel Tec PF9, I really wanted to like it and carry it because at the time, probably close to 10 years ago now, it was concealable in my pocket and I liked the gun overall but it was a dud from the start and the recoil impulse was horrid. At that time one of the only other micro 9's I can recall was the Kahr PM9 and I would have loved it except the trigger I just could not abide, same with the PF9.

Things have come a long way in the last decade and there are at least a dozen micro .380's and micro 9's to choose from. Most of them are quality, have decent triggers and are ergonomic and very concealable. You almost can't go wrong. I'm a Glock guy so I went with a G43 but if I was looking for a .380 I'd have gone with the G42. Excellent guns with excellent reliability and are sub $500 guns. As far as the bodyguard, I shot one once. I think I like my LCP better but that might speak more to the many hard roads we've been down together :D jk. I've just been carrying it forever. I like the Smiths but as far as autos go, I don't care for their triggers/resets....
 
DustyGmt said:
I had a similar situation with a Kel Tec PF9, I really wanted to like it and carry it because at the time, probably close to 10 years ago now, it was concealable in my pocket and I liked the gun overall but it was a dud from the start and the recoil impulse was horrid. At that time one of the only other micro 9's I can recall was the Kahr PM9 and I would have loved it except the trigger I just could not abide, same with the PF9.

Things have come a long way in the last decade and there are at least a dozen micro .380's and micro 9's to choose from. Most of them are quality, have decent triggers and are ergonomic and very concealable. You almost can't go wrong. I'm a Glock guy so I went with a G43 but if I was looking for a .380 I'd have gone with the G42. Excellent guns with excellent reliability and are sub $500 guns. As far as the bodyguard, I shot one once. I think I like my LCP better but that might speak more to the many hard roads we've been down together :D jk. I've just been carrying it forever. I like the Smiths but as far as autos go, I don't care for their triggers/resets....
Click to expand...
I'd actually like a .380 Glock 42, or .380 S&W Shield. Both are quality, lighter recoil weapons. But, they violate the reason I sought the LCP in the first place, a micro pistol smaller than these sub compact guns (for example Shield). One day I think I'll get a Glock 42, but for now I want to replace the micro pistol. The Bodyguards feel more solidly made than the original LCPs. But when you add in LCP Max, then it may be better overall (sights, better capacity, trigger, etc). But, I want to give the Bodyguard a try. I'll likely pick it up in the next week. At $220 it's hard to pass on.

One thing that is good about Glocks is mag compatibility, for example in all 9mm's.
 
Autodidactic said:
One thing that is good about Glocks is mag compatibility, for example in all 9mm's.
Click to expand...
Well that's true for the most part. One of the good thing about Glocks is if you know one, you know them all, and with the double stacks, the magazine compatibility was really good but one thing that irks me is that the 43 model does not have compatibility with the 43X and 48 10rd magazines. The 43, 43X and 48 are all single stack 9's, with the 43X and 48 models boasting a 10rd single stack OEM magazine but it doesn't work in the 43. I put a couple +2 extensions on my 43 mags for a total of 8+1 but I think it's pretty uncharacteristic of Glock not to have engineered the 43X and 48 magazines to be compatible with the 43...... it's kind of a trademark of theirs....
 
DustyGmt said:
Well that's true for the most part. One of the good thing about Glocks is if you know one, you know them all, and with the double stacks, the magazine compatibility was really good but one thing that irks me is that the 43 model does not have compatibility with the 43X and 48 10rd magazines. The 43, 43X and 48 are all single stack 9's, with the 43X and 48 models boasting a 10rd single stack OEM magazine but it doesn't work in the 43. I put a couple +2 extensions on my 43 mags for a total of 8+1 but I think it's pretty uncharacteristic of Glock not to have engineered the 43X and 48 magazines to be compatible with the 43...... it's kind of a trademark of theirs....
Click to expand...
Ah interesting, I didn't know that. And with the Glock 42, there isn't another .380 to share mags with. I feel like a 42 would be a pretty sweet carry gun though. How are the 43's? I haven't fired one yet. Aren't they slightly larger than the 42?
 
i am late to this discussion, sorry. i am with o.p.: i also have a well-appreciated ruger wrangler and a one in/one out policy.

i rented a bunch of 380acp pistols awhile ago at a shooting range. i wasn’t particularly looking for a pocket piece, a keltec p32 perfectly fills this ccw role for me. my 380acp first choice was a s&w shield ez, second was s&w bodyguard, next was sig p238, taurus spectrum, last by far was a ruger lcp. i’m no fan of recoil. if i were o.p. i would put a hogue grip sleeve on the bodyguard and shoot up alot of my ammo stash to see if it works for me.
 
jstert said:
i am late to this discussion, sorry. i am with o.p.: i also have a well-appreciated ruger wrangler and a one in/one out policy.

i rented a bunch of 380acp pistols awhile ago at a shooting range. i wasn’t particularly looking for a pocket piece, a keltec p32 perfectly fills this ccw role for me. my 380acp first choice was a s&w shield ez, second was s&w bodyguard, next was sig p238, taurus spectrum, last by far was a ruger lcp. i’m no fan of recoil. if i were o.p. i would put a hogue grip sleeve on the bodyguard and shoot up alot of my ammo stash to see if it works for me.
Click to expand...
I’d like p32. I’m of the belief that the .32 acp is the ideal round for tiny pistols. Sufficient to be used for defense, centerfire, but not high recoil like .380 and above.

.380 recoil doesn’t bother me though. I’d love a .380 Shield or Glock 42, but they aren’t that small, therefore not meeting my goal. I concealed carried the Bodyguard now several times and true to size, it concealed like a dream. I was looking at the hogue grips, may get one. I had one on my LCP before selling it.
 
autodidactic, did i read elsewhere here that you have a bond arms derringer? if so, why not get a 380acp barrel for it.

after my testing session i ended up getting a s&w shield ez 380acp, not for pocket carry but for an eventual weaker old age, at a great price. that said, i was surprised that i liked the s&w bodyguard so much.

imho, every gun maker ought to offer its pocket 380acp pistol in 32acp as well.
 
jstert said:
autodidactic, did i read elsewhere here that you have a bond arms derringer? if so, why not get a 380acp barrel for it.

after my testing session i ended up getting a s&w shield ez 380acp, not for pocket carry but for an eventual weaker old age, at a great price. that said, i was surprised that i liked the s&w bodyguard so much.

imho, every gun maker ought to offer its pocket 380acp pistol in 32acp as well.
Click to expand...
How do you like the Shield? Shields are great guns. If it wasn't for my goal of a pocket pistol, I'd get the Shield in .380.

As to Bond Arms, yes I'm tempted by a .380 barrel. What I actually want is a .32 ACP barrel for it. They make the .327, but I hear mixed reviews on using .32 ACP in .327 barrels.

As to the sub $400 pocket .380's (LCP, TCP, Bodyguard, etc), the Bodyguard definitely feels higher quality. The one exception may be the new LCP Max to that.
 
Different price structure and not for everyone but look at Seecamp. Considered the Rolex of the pocket pistols. Available in .25 .32 .380
I have the .32 and I carry it everywhere. Wife has one as well and will carry , need her to carry more often.
 
ctdair1 said:
Different price structure and not for everyone but look at Seecamp. Considered the Rolex of the pocket pistols. Available in .25 .32 .380
I have the .32 and I carry it everywhere. Wife has one as well and will carry , need her to carry more often.
Click to expand...
Those do seem nice, I'd love to shoot one.

I got the Bodyguard as it was a great used price for $220. I have a thing for pocket pistols, so I think over time I'd like to collect a few nice ones.
 
Autodidactic said:
How do you like the Shield? Shields are great guns. If it wasn't for my goal of a pocket pistol, I'd get the Shield in .380.

As to Bond Arms, yes I'm tempted by a .380 barrel. What I actually want is a .32 ACP barrel for it. They make the .327, but I hear mixed reviews on using .32 ACP in .327 barrels.

As to the sub $400 pocket .380's (LCP, TCP, Bodyguard, etc), the Bodyguard definitely feels higher quality. The one exception may be the new LCP Max to that.
Click to expand...

my s&w shield ez 380acp is very nice, lives up to its easy billing in all regards. as noted it’s too big for a pocket ccw, but my keltec p32 fills this role very well. the ez’s downside, as well as the p32’s, is ammo’s higher cost and lower availability. i don’t know about the ez 9mm, but suspect recoil is greater, making it less easy for me.

i like having a bond arms derringer 380acp barrel. after buying a 327mag barrel i asked b.a. directly about shooting 32acp and the reply was a hard no, so i’ve not tried it. 32long is fun, when i find ammo.

you scored on a s&w bodyguard for $220, it’s a nice piece at a fine price. as much as i like ruger 22 handguns i don’t like the lcp, either in 380acp or in 22lr.
 
jstert said:
my s&w shield ez 380acp is very nice, lives up to its easy billing in all regards. as noted it’s too big for a pocket ccw, but my keltec p32 fills this role very well. the ez’s downside, as well as the p32’s, is ammo’s higher cost and lower availability. i don’t know about the ez 9mm, but suspect recoil is greater, making it less easy for me.

i like having a bond arms derringer 380acp barrel. after buying a 327mag barrel i asked b.a. directly about shooting 32acp and the reply was a hard no, so i’ve not tried it. 32long is fun, when i find ammo.

you scored on a s&w bodyguard for $220, it’s a nice piece at a fine price. as much as i like ruger 22 handguns i don’t like the lcp, either in 380acp or in 22lr.
Click to expand...
Yes, a p32 fits the role perfectly for pocket carry. Regarding the EZ 9 mm, my understanding is that the regular Shield in 9mm functions better. I have one, it's flawless. But, if someone needed the EZ rack, well, there you go. I do feel like I scored for $220 on the Bodyguard. I jumped on it for that reason. I often see LCP's going used for more than that.

For the Bond Arms, one of these mouse calibers sounds attractive for low recoil, in .32 or .380. I'd go bigger than .357/.38 but the .357 is atrocious recoil. .38 and 9 are fine but snappy. I hear the .410 is heavy recoil in it.
 
Autodidactic said:
For the Bond Arms, one of these mouse calibers sounds attractive for low recoil, in .32 or .380. I'd go bigger than .357/.38 but the .357 is atrocious recoil. .38 and 9 are fine but snappy. I hear the .410 is heavy recoil in it.
Click to expand...

38sp, 32long and even 45lc are the most pleasant calibers from a b.a. derringer. rubber grips help too. 357mag and 45acp are no fun at all.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Ruger LCP vs. S&W Bodyguard
2
Replies
33
Views
7K
Guns and more
G
U
  • Locked
What self-defense ammo for a .380?
2
Replies
46
Views
5K
Shawn Dodson
Shawn Dodson
Gtscotty
  • Locked
New Ruger Wrangler.... I'm confused
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Replies
437
Views
74K
Mal H
Mal H
the count
  • Locked
Should I trade in my Ruger LCP for a S&W Bodyguard???
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
jpwilly
J
B
  • Locked
S&W Bodyguard 380 w/o laser
Replies
13
Views
919
The_Armed_Therapist
T
Back
Top