Smith & Wesson have begun shipping their new BODYGUARD 380 semi-automatic pistol and BODYGUARD 38 revolvers to gun dealers around the country. Both weapons come complete with Insight Technology laser sights. A laser for a double action snub-nosed revolver? That’s a topic for another day. Today we focus like a you-know-what on the BODYGUARD 380′s standard-issue not-so-secret weapon against the chart-topping LCP. Here’s how Smith & Wesson describes their new mini-me semi in today’s press release . . .
Compact, sleek and ergonomic, the BODYGUARD 380 delivers personal protection in an easy-to-carry platform. Chambered in .380, the lightweight pistol features a high-strength polymer frame with a black, Melonite® coated stainless steel slide and barrel. The new BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a 2 ¾-inch barrel, which contributes to an overall length of 5 ¼-inches and an unloaded weight of only 11.85 ounces.
The new pistol features a double-action fire control system, which allows for rapid second-strike capability. The BODYGUARD 380 has been further enhanced with a smooth trigger pull. Adding to its simplicity, the BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a manual thumb safety and an external take down lever and slide stop. On the lower portion of the frame, the pistol has been fitted with an integral INSIGHT® laser, which is easily operated by both left and right-handed shooters.
With its slim-line ergonomic grip, the pistol is comfortable in the hand and points naturally. To help aid in quick sight acquisition when the laser is not in use, the pistol includes black, Melonite-coated, stainless steel, drift adjustable dovetail sights. The BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a 6+1 magazine capacity.
Some might say that the .380 bullet lacks sufficient stopping power for self-defense. Others would point out that a six-bullet mag makes the BODYGUARD 380 a one-bad-guy gun in a multiple felon world. And there are those who would assert that any bodyguard using a BODYGUARD 380 for anything other than a second or even third weapon needs a new line of work.
Me? I couldn’t possibly comment.
One thing’s for sure: someone’s buying these things. In 2008, Ruger sold 83,161 LCPs, helping them supplant Mssrs. Smith & Wesson at the top of the U.S. sales charts.
Common wisdom says the .380′s newfound popularity reflects the large number of personal defense newbies entering the market, thanks to new, less onerous concealed carry laws (in states that aren’t California or New York). It’s a snub-nosed revolver for non-gun people who want a semi-automatic; mostly it looks cooler.
Drilling deeper into the bedrock of baseless conjecture, I reckon the BODYGUARD 380′s an OSG (Oh Shit Gun) for women who don’t like big guns (or guns in general). And men who can’t be bothered to carry a full-sized weapon (so to speak).
Both of whom are highly unlikely to train with the new breed of mouse guns. Did anyone notice that Winchester white box .380 ammo costs around $50 for a box of 100 catridges? The same spec in 9mm runs about $30. Did I forget to mention that the .380′s recoil is fairly punishing?
The Smith & Wesson BODYGUARD msrp’s at $575. The Ruger LCP runs $299 without a laser, $548 with. Too close to call? Time for a shoot out.
Yeah I gave the body guard to the wife. She shot it and fell in love with it, wont let me touch it anymore haha. I’ll tell you what, I trust 7 good expandable hollow point .380 ACP rounds to protect her more so than I would trust some pepper spray or even a taser. The .380 round is a great compromise as it still packs a wallop and can fit anywhere on the body. I laugh at people that believe it’s about as effective as a .22. I sure as hell know i wouldnt want to be on the receiving side of a .380. Great gun for women and men alike as it has balls and shoots like a champ once it’s broken in easily. For when I can’t carry my 1911 .45 I got me my sig p238 as it is a familiar design for me and can be concealed even if I were naked (jk). It’s my trusty .380 gun I carry when I can’t carry the big boy comfortably.
I purchased the bodyguard 380 for $300 new. I was trying to choose between the LCP and the 380, I shot both before purchasing. The accuracy on the bodyguard to me was impressive and way better than I expected. The weight also was heavier and overall felt more comfortable and of better quality. After comparing the two I felt that the LCP was a toy gun, no offense to anyone with an LCP if the BG380 didn’t come out I would have purchased one. I also own a glock 29 10mm and glock 23 .40, for those of you saying yeah but your a woman. I just needed a smaller gun that was easier to conceal than either of my glocks. The only issue I didn’t really like about this gun is that it on comes with one magazine and it was a pain finding extras. Also the takedown lever was quit difficult but that was S&W’s intentional fix from the earlier generation BG’s. As far as stopping power I don’t see anyone raising their hand to have it tested on them so I can’t comment. I hope I will never have to use it or any weapon for defense but definitely have no problem with increasing my chances of survival and won’t hesitate should the need arise.
After years of ccw I have been involved with all type and size weapons. Just purchased a 380 and find that for its size and ability it handles well and has a good safety feature.. Remember folks that its not the size of the weapon tat counts but the expertise of its user…
Dudes… My Kimber Raptor Stainless .45 acp is my weapon of choice, my 9mm Beretta Parabellum is a good back-up, but when I’m firing up the Harley for a ride, I pack the BG .380. I’ve sent 500 flawless rounds down the tube and find it 2″ group accurate at 25′. If you can drop the machismo for a minute, you’d find it a useful gun when packing light. All that being said… I’d trade it in a minute for Kimber’s new concealed 9mm Solo
Picked up one of these for my wife. She loves it, and she will carry it, which is what matters. She wouldn’t carry anything bigger/heavier.
The guys who insist on carrying .40 or .45 and mocking anyone who carries a smaller caliber crack me up. It’s like a bunch of 16 year old boys arguing over what exotic Italian supercar has more horsepower or faster acceleration or whatever. Meanwhile they drive Civics or get rides in their moms’ station wagons. Some of the .45 advocates here talk like they have to leave a trail of expended brass from the parking lot into the Wal-Mart on a daily basis.
The Bodyguard 380 is perfect for my wife. Sure, it would be nice for her to have an AR-15 pistol with a loaded 100-round CMAG and an EoTech, but it just won’t fit in her purse. And where I live, we don’t need to lay down covering fire for one another just to get groceries.
The .380 isn’t a bad round. I can’t stand people who act like if you’re shooting somebody with anything less than a .50 BMG they’ll just keep coming at you like some kind of zombie. I have a Ruger LCP that I carry. For what I use it for it’s great. I carry a .40 Glock 27 most of the time. But in the summer (I live in GA, aka HOT) if I’m just wearing shorts and a T shirt I’d rather have 7 (or 13 if I’m carrying a spare mag) rounds of .380 than just my 2 fists. And I’d rather have that .380 than have to wear more clothing to conceal my .40. I’m more likely to die of heat stroke than assault. I do carry 90 gr JHP Buffalo Bore ammo in it though. It gets right about 1,000 fps out of my LCP. Not too shabby for a pocket pistol. And I’ve seen quite a few people shot over the years (12 years in law enforcement so far) with everything from .22LR to .45 ACP in pistols. I’ve never seen anyone hit with a .45 actually die. And I’ve seen 3 or 4 shot with it, including 1 that was a head shot and 1 neck shot. I’ve seen 3 people shot with .380 in 2 incidents. I believe all 3 were with FMJ’s also. I know 2 were, the other one we only recovered 1 bullet that missed and it was too mangled to tell. 1 took 2 .380′s to the chest, dropped right there and died. 1 took one in the arm AFTER it penetrated through a car’s windshield! 1 took one under the jaw from about 20 yards away (lucky shot from a rival drug dealer in the parking lot shooting at a guy on the 2nd floor of an apartment building). He was lucky, it exited under his ear. Didn’t die but really jacked him up. He had an AK-47 in the closet but he wasn’t even able to go in and get it after he took that .380. So depending on how you look at it the guy with the .380 beat the guy with the AK in a gunfight. If it had been an inch or 2 to the left it would have got into his brain and he’d have been DRT. So basically, .380 is no wonder cartridge. But neither is the .45 ACP. But it’ll get the job done if you do your part, and it sure beats not having a gun at all.
I’ve had mine for almost a year, an early variant that was sent back for refinishing.
One of the most reliable and accurate little pistols I had ever shot. The laser is invaluable. At about 15 yards it shoots about 2 inches low. Which is very good.
With DPX ammo it’s real world performance should equal or better a .38. Good enough for usual self-defense purposes.
FAST holster co. in Brooklyn, New York makes an excellent and slim kydex holster for it with good retention.
BTW, I sold my Ruger LCP because it had several FTFs. Not the case with the Smith, a far better crafted weapon.
Sure, I’d rather have a 9mm, but then again, a modern 380 will perform well enough and the saving in weight and carry comfort is a major consideration for most people.
Guys who carry 1911′s as their CCW are the same kind of rubes that put huge tires on their truck at the expense of performance.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a .380 as a CCW.
In fact, I’d say it’s better in some situations.
For instance, suppose you’ve just been asked for your wallet at gun point. Who the hell keeps their wallet up under their armpit? Or in waistband of their pants for that matter?
I know I keep mine in the front pocket of my jeans…right next to the BG .380.
And before anyone says it, God save you if you still wear a fanny pack!
Ruger is selling their LCP like hotcakes, but this new S&W BG380 seems a bit better. I will be a new, first time gun owner, so I’m the perfect market for these two types of guns. Can’t wait to try them.
It’s possible if I had picked up a Ruger LCP first maybe I would have purchased it ! But I liked the fact that the S&W bodyguard .380 slide locks open on the last round fired and lets you know it’s time to reload another mag. Also the double strike capability. And it has real sights that function. Also the S&W bodyguard .380 has the built in laser. For me it was also about getting what I thought was a good deal. I picked the bg up on sale at GT Distributors in Austin, TX. for $289. + tax. I have no idea if they have anymore? This was a limited quanity sale and they had received there final shipment and aren’t offering rain checks when they sell out. Also would like to add and I’m not into selling holsters but by chance on UTube videos I saw “Uncle George’s holsters. I picked up the nicest custom leather wallet pocket holster I’ve ever seen for $42. dollars. I tried to get Uncle George which is in Austin, TX to let me come over and pick it up but ended up paying $6 dollars shipping and handling plus sales tax. But I must say this is one fine very high quality leather holster. Check out his web site and see for yourself. He only makes holsters for a few small pistols and the Ruger LCP and S&W bodyguard are among those he makes. Also would like to say my first choice for conceal carry for ME is a Glock 4th gen mod 22 .40 cal 15 +1 or a 1911 .45 but we just had 90 days of triple digit temps here in Texas and when all you have on are a pair of shorts and a t-shirt carrying this new .380 bodyguard makes life good! As far as all I’ve heard about the .380 being to small a caliber I believe it has it’s place and can be very effective. People have been shot with much smaller cal. and are not here to collaborate. What I don’t like is paying so much for .380 ammo ! Anyone as you may already know can buy 9mm Luger for much less which is a whole different subject..
I have had the SW Bodyguard .380 for several months now. It’s a great shooter, light weight and easy to carry. A gun you carry is better than the one you left at home. A .380 is plenty if you practice often and shoot well.