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.
I got a new Body Guard .380 recently, For the price it has everything I wanted in a small .380. The laser,the extra safety, it shoots well most of the 380 ammo (I had problems only with Fiocci JHP) and there is a minimal recoil.
I like the Kahr guns but sometimes they leave the factory with problems and you have to send them back for them to work well.
The Sig is a good one but is more expensive and comes without a laser even at that price.
I just bought the 380 Bodyguard for $439 @ Academy Sport. I was out this weekend with 4 friends who all have carry permits. My small 380 was in my pocket. Their Glocks were at home, to heavy to carry. Which had more stopping power that night, the 380 in my pocket or their 45s and 9s sitting at home?
The nine on my hip.
The bodyguard comes in a 9mm flavor as well. Anyone have any reviews on it?
According to s&w web site it also comes in a .380 revolver – not 9mm.
I recently bought a BG .380. I also keep it loaded with Hornady Critical Defense rounds. As for recoil, the BG 380 is very manageable, it is not a blow back, but it has a Browning locking action. Stopping power in a carry piece is one of the least important considerations because 90% of the time the gun will stop the aggression without firing a shot. A criminal is just as scared of a .380 as he is a .45. As Neil pointed out, shot placement is much more important than caliber. Learn shooting skills and practice them. Spraying and praying is rarely effective.
Well, I used to have a Diamondback DB380, now I have a S&W BG380. The S&W is a full three ounces heavier, which I would guess was mostly in the slide weight, and appears to be what made the DBs so fussy; the latter couldn’t handle the range in bullet weights. Regarding the S&W, on the other hand, I ran across one article that said you could run anything from 60-100 grain through it without a hitch. It’s a far more solid platform than the DB, and it has a safety.
When I went to initially look at the 380s, none of them had a safety, which meant that you couldn’t rack them beforehand and then enter a dangerous situation. If you carried it unchambered, then you had to give yourself away by racking it. At least the S&W gave you the option.
As for accuracy, hitting a succession of 10″ steel targets at 25 yards in one second intervals on flimsy iron sights I didn’t think was too shabby, particularly when its use was designed for more intimate encounters.
S&W seemed to have had some issues with the earlier EAAxxxx serial numbers (with the take down pin/lever), but it seems to have been resolved by EABxxxx. They’re well past that now.
I own a Kel Tec P3AT and carry it every day, every where I go. Problem one is it can easily rust in your pocket not being stainless. The Bodyguard 380 has stainless barrel and slide.
The P3AT has poor sites and needs a laser site. I can solve that with an add on laser site by Crimson Trace.
The P3AT does not lock back after last shot or anytime, and has not slide lock. Which means when you clear it and put it down or hand it to someone, they have to clear it again to insure it is empty (they can’t just look). The BG380 not only has a slide lock, but it locks back after the last shot. It also has a manual safety (if you want to use it).
The BG380 has a take down lever instead of a pin.
I was at a gun store today and the only reason I did not buy the BG380 was when the salesman broke it down for me, we had a difficult time getting it back together. As a matter of fact I could not do it and the salesman only did it two out of five tries.
When I find a salesman that can show me how to reassemble the thing I will buy it for the LIST PRICE of $399.00 ($575 is for the revolver), and sell the P3AT to someone.
I field stripped and cleaned my BG 380 right after I got it home from the store. Very simple to take down and re-assemble. The instructions are straightforward.
Real world… not statistical analysis is where the rubber meets the road. You can say, all day long, that a .45 is a better one shot stopper than a .380, of course it is. But a .357 is better than a .45. There is always something out there better than the last one… it comes down to what do yo want to carry? Do many of you out there carry concealed with the idea that you need be ready for a multiple bad guy, long running, multi clip gun fight? More likely if you engage it will be a couple of quick rounds inside 2o ft and run away. No need for 20 rounds for that scene. But lets look at the real world.. here’s a little known fact, the .380 round is a higher percentage stopper than .38 special in real world gun fights. The .380 is equal to ANY caliber in stopping power (%) from ANY weapon with a 3″ barrel or less. So, if you want to be able to carry a small, comfortable, totally concealable pocket gun there is none better (in percentage of actual stops). Now, if you are ok packing a full size high capacity high caliber weapon then good for you… but thats not what I or I’d venture to say, most .380 mouse gun advocates need. Pair your .380 with an excellent self defense round of course, never standard ball ammo for carry. (All of my statistics are from analysis of real life gun fights, not benchtop theoretical pissing contests.)
PS- The S&W BG380 absolutely rocks taking all things into account… big gun features in a very small size. BG380 is the current top of the food chain.
The S&W bodyguard 380 can now be found online for about $330, a steal compared to absolutely any other .380 gun as the laser is basically free. And as for Winchester white box, $20 for 100 9mm and $30 for 100 .380ACP FMJ. JHP ammo is approximately the same for 9mm and .380 acp. Stopping percentage for Federal JHP hydrashock in .380ACP for a single chest shot is 70% and moves at 1000+ FPS, not bad for self defense. The laser provided an intimidation factor, in a situation bullets might not even have to be fired. 6+1 plus an extra mag is plenty, if you get in a gun fight where you need more bullets than that you have no business involving yourself with that much danger. This gun looks very aesthetically pleasing, is very light, and extremely concealable. I wish it came in 9mm as well as all of my other handguns are 9mm and I would only need one size. I plan on purchasing this gun soon as I always dress nicely, I’m not a t-shirt/hoodie and cargo pants kind of guy.
Purchased mine after the S&W price drop. Couldn’t be happier. Much more likely to carry than the G23, and with Xtreme ammo I feel secure.
Are you talking about Extreme shock ammo?? If so…. Do some research.. that stuff is useless……..
I’ve sent over 500 rounds down range with and without laser active. The weapon has operated as advertised. I have a CCP and wanted a everyday carry weapon. I have 9mm’s for home and auto and looked for a 9mm for everyday carry. I reviewed many 9mm pocket guns on youtube, gun shows, and local gun shops. I carry in the front pocket of slacks or jeans and the 9mm’s were not comfortable. The bodyguard 380 fits in my pocket hostel and looks like a front wallet.
Don’t get me wrong, If I knew I was going to a gun fight I’d want my 9mm with 16 rounds and extra mags. However I’m living a normal life working 9/5 and want to protect myself and family from the off chance a thug or two attempts to harm us. You point a red dot on most thugs and it’s all over. Those thugs bent on harm you have 7 rounds of critical defense ammo to end their advance.
Let’s be real, if you need more then 7 rounds your in deep stuff! These pocket weapons are for self defense not offense.
the gun you carry has infinitely more stopping power than the one left in the nightstand/car and lets be real if i was expecting to get in the sh!t the hell with a handgun hello Ar-15 with a drum mag
Lol @ you guys ‘ if I knew I was going to a gun fight’…. Why would you know ahead of time you were going into a gunfight and still go into said gun fight? The whole purpose of having a gun is to avoid a gunfight or confrontation at all costs, and to only engage if it’s the absolute last resort. Unless you plan an old fashion 10 step back to back gun dual with your neighbor for letting his dog shit in your yard, no one should expect a gunfight. I understand if maybe you knew you were going to be in a very dangerous place and you wanted to bring along a more substantial gun for defense just in case.
Just bought a brand new bodyguard 380. I carry an XD now and just wanted this for a backup or for when my clothing doesn’t allow for a larger weapon. But as far as the bodyguard is concerned, I love this gun! I picked mine up for $379, a lot of gun shops around here are selling then for $349 but are selling out weekly so finding one is a little difficult. There was a lot of problems with the first generation of this gun but S&W seems to have worked out the bugs. The old model had problems with the take down pin coming loose and also the button for the laser wearing off and/or turning itself on while holstered. The problems have been corrected with both of these issues and the gun is fantastic! The easy way to identify an old model vs. a new one is to see if the gun has a ring around the button for the laser. If it does have the ring, you are good to go! Happy and safe shooting to all!!!
Just got my bodyguard in the mail, $405 total for shipping and transfer fee from the local FFL. Awesome feel to the gun, great features, can’t wait to put some rounds through it. This is going to be my every single day carry for when I can’t carry a larger weapon AND even when I am carrying a larger weapon. I have my kimber ultra carry on me on most days when it’s cold and I have a jacket or when wearing loose clothing, and even then I’ll carry this gun in addition as a backup.
Got my 380 bodyguard in October. It has been on me every day. There have been times that I had to say I forgot something in the truck because I was entering and passed checkpoints that weapons were not to pass.I have a full size gun also but when I have that one on me some people can tell, that takes away my advantage.if I need more than two mags, than I’m in the wrong place to begin with.
Love the safety and the laser it just a bonus. It has never a jam or any other type of problem. As far as take down the manual tells you the little trick to get it back together , I did have trouble until I read it.
Bill S
The first rule of self-defense or a gun fight is to have one. I don’t know how many times I left a nice, capable M1911 or M9 at home because it was too heavy or too akward for where I was going or what I was doing. I am in the military and run quite a bit. Try go jogging in July with a 1911. Try wearing a G26 on your ankle and see how fast you have hip problems. In my opinion, the point of CC is that no one knows you have it. I would rather be underestimated in a situation than overestimates, known, figured out, and planned for.
This weapon is not pointless. It has a rythm and reason. The .380 is not pointless or ineffective. With rounds like SafetySlugs, Carbon DPX, and other newer contenders this is a nice deep-carry weapon. Anyone that argues otherwise should imagine shooting themselfs with it center mass and reevaluate their opinion. (Don’t actually do that!) Besides, if you were mugged while jogging, caught in a gas-station or ATM robbery, etc… would you rather have a .380 JHP or the .45 ACP you left at home, or in the glovebox? Try wearing a full-size with a suit and observe how fast people notice and act differently. There are pros and cons of EVERYTHING in life. Firearms are no different. If there was a single best choice, why make different models (?)
I purchased the BG380 as a concealment weapon. My Glock 26 was a little bulky, and my H&K P7 was worth too much to continue carrying. I like the size and concealability of the BG380. My only complaint after firing the gun is that the laser sight is nowhere near to be close to sighted in. I had a friend witht he same problem. And, the gun comes with only one mag. Need two or three to do any real shooting without reloading mags after firing 7 shots.
Just picked up a BG .380 for $360 and am looking forward to taking it out to the range. Cabela’s did not have any clips, nor do they expect any for the next several months; ordered 2 from S&W ’cause no one has them! It field strips very similar to my FNH FNP40, was somewhat tricky getting the take down lever out; but it went back together without a hitch.
The built in laser and the portability is what sold me on it. During the CCW class I attended, they stressed very heavily that IF you are ever involved in a shooting that you do not want ANY modifications on your weapon or non-factory loads. You will be considered a “cowboy” and it will not bode well during either a criminal or civilian lawsuit!!! (After market lasers are a modification… any questions?)
Anyway, I picked up some snap caps and a De Santis pocket holster and have been doing a lot of practicing. The laser seems to be a little low, but S&W provided a nice little allen wrench to adjust the laser.
It fits very nicely in my front pocket and I know it will be a life long companion with me and my FNP 40 will still be close by…