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| Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 |
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| .380 ammunition, rubber-filled hollow point. |
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| VERY slim, easy to pocket carry! |
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| Built-in laser. |
I had it long enough to take a few pictures. :-) This is a new gun for my lovely Mrs. North. It should make it to the range very soon. She will likely fire a couple dozen rounds and compare it directly to her Ruger LCP. She already likes the feel of the unfired gun more than the LCP, and loves having reasonable sights to use.
This .380 has a built-in laser, but I am (when I'm done typing) adding a laser to her LCP.
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| Bodyguard (above) LCP with laser (below) |
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21 comments:
Please keep me posted on how you like that. My friend works at the company that builds the laser and I was able to put my hands on the frame before production, it was a nice size. I would like to get one for pocket carry especially in teh summer when only wearing a t-shirt. What kind of bullets do you use? Thanks..PISSED :)
Looks like Hornady Critical Defense. Just a guess :). I'm really interested as well. That one was on my short list.
45er - you are correct. I keep the LCP fed with Hornady CDs. If the S&W Bodyguard likes them I will keep them both filled with the same ammo.
I have a couple of different hollow-points I'll try, as well as an assortment of round-nose.
So far the LCP has not been bothered by anything that I've fed through it. I hope that the S&W will perform as well.
Word is that the Bodyguard is supposed to be a bit easier to shoot. I'll find out soon.
Love the way it feels in my pocket. It is thinner than my billfold. The Mrs. likes the grip.
My gal and I have been very impressed with our Ruger LCP right out of the box. It has about 400 rounds through it now without any problems. Our Kel-Tec 3AT took a lot of rounds and finessing to work reliably. We're looking forward to any updates you have on this little gun.
Dann in Ohio
I have had my Bodyguard for a little over 7 months. Once you get over the LOOOONG trigger pull, its OK. I like it better than the Kel-Tek P3-AT and it has usable iron sights! Seems to feed anything I have put in it.
The Insight laser died on it and S&W sent a new one that seems to be much brighter than the one that died.
On the S&W Web site you can get a DeSantis OWB holster that fits like a glove too.
Thanks North... Christmas in July!! :)
http://theferalirishman.blogspot.com/2011/07/bagd-spur-of-moment-purchase.html
Hubby wanted me on the Bodyguard but he always forgets my lefty issue lol. If it had been ambi I would have considered it. I was worried the smallness would mean to much youch for my FMS too. I do love the laser though. I am thinking of putting a compact laser on the HK even though my aim is getting pretty accurate finally. Hope she loves it!!
I have a couple of the old AMT .380 backups. Nice little hideaway guns. These look more modern but about the same size.
I carry the same 38 as your wife so I can't wait to see what she thinks of shooting the bodyguard.
@ Lila- The trigger pull is so long and heavy on this gun I usually don't carry with the thumb safety on. Laser activation is ambidextrous!
I'm not hearing good things about the trigger pull...
LASER pic ishere, with some advice! Remember the screw on the laser is captive!
The whole laser thing gets my interest despite the fact that I like old stuff. Me eyes ain't as good as they used to be and "paint and fire" appeals.
ProudHillbilly,
The laser DOES come in handy in low light or positions you cannot get a traditional sight picture. My Father is 71 and was trained with the M1911 equipped with trench sights. HE LOVES his laser! Running tri-focals was problematic for traditional sight alignment and picture.
He can run that laser and not worry about which portion of his glasses needs to be in focus!
Having said that, the laser does NOT make you a better shooter, all of the basic skills come into play.
I've tried to talk my wife into a new carry weapon, this might fit the bill. Thanks.
For ammo in a mouse gun, read your ballistics charts VERY carefully. .380ACP is marginal for defense to start with, and most of the charts showing muzzle velocity and energy were written for 4" barrels. The much shorter barrel in the LCP, Bodyguard, P3AT, etc, will cut that M/V by a substantial margin, and the resulting energy may not be enough to get the expanding bullet to expand properly, OR it might not give enough penetration if it DOES open properly.
I use HPR's solid bullet offering instead, because when things get sacrificed by that short barrel, a solid will still plow though and do some damage. Alternately, you could use Speer Gold Dot SP, since it's 102 grains and will do ok even if it doesn't open up.
With these marginal calibers, you HAVE to game bullet performance closely.
I don't have any problem operating it left handed, but I've operated so many right handed firearms left handed for so long, I'm just used to it.
I do have a good bit of Fiocchi .380 that won't go into battery by 1-2mm on mine, so my Sig gets those. Just have to be careful with the loading.
Went to the range with this and will have a range report in a day or so.
The news is NOT good... for anyone I might point this gun at. :-)
It was an excellent night!
so which would you choose- the S&W or the LCP? Both are sweet little pocket powerhouses!
Hornady critical defense? How's expansion with that goofy tip?
@ Mike W. - The goofy tip is to insure that the hollow point does not get clogged up as can happen with traditional hollow points. They will expand almost every single time regardless of clothing.
Many reviews online. Reduced muzzle flash is another feature of this ammunition.
I carry it!
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