azbuckeye

Greetings all,

I'm planning on picking up a pocket .380 for primary carry on short trips to the store and for those days when a t-shirt and gym shorts are my uniform of the day.

I've narrowed my choices to the Ruger LCP and the S&W Bodyguard .380 and was curious if anyone had any experience with both firearms and your thoughts on the matter. Please note, I don't want this thread to turn into a discussion of caliber choice but would rather limit it to a discussion of my two options. Thank you for your understanding......

I will add that the laser sight on the Bodyguard is not a big feature for me and would be more than happy to buy the pistol without the laser if it were an option.

Also, any feedback you can provide on .380 ammo would be greatly appreciated as I've had no prior experience with this caliber.

Thanks again for your input

mndoggie

I have S&W firearms. I have Ruger Firearms.

I like Ruger as a company better because I can buy replacement parts easier.(Or spare parts....don't kid yourself, parts do wear out if you shoot alot.)

S&W is very stingy with providing exploded view drawings, parts lists and spare parts numbers. In most cases you have to go thru a gunsmith or directly to the factory and often you have to send the firearm back. Ruger is much better in that area.

Both the LCP and .380 Bodyguard had issues early on. Ruger fixed the LCP, I don't know the status on the Bodyguard...I would expect it to be fixed by now, too.

I've had a LCP for more than two years. More than 1000 rounds thru it.

NickFroelich

Ya I have a friend who's also had difficulty getting a new ejector from S&W. They wouldn't sell it to him.

I definitely prefer Ruger. I love my P95 and I wanna pick up a LCR soon!

Foxx

i would pick the ruger over the bodyguard.
i had one and the FTF was horrable, i couldn't trust the gun.
of the 6 months i had it, it spent 3 of those months at S&W 3 different times for FTF.
interesting concept, nice looking but rushed design.

sp101er

I've read through a number of threads on various gun sites which discuss the validity of JHPs vs. FMJs in .380 for self-defense, the jist being that many feel .380 JHP's are iffy in their penetration-depth AND their expansion so they opt for carrying FMJs.

I'm in this FMJ preference camp 'cause when I factor in their feeding reliability advantage they win out all-things-considered... But the other view has it's supporters too... The controversy "rages"...

My LCP is my most-carried gun... IWB with a 10-rd. ProMag...

LCP: Easy Fix For a Loose Magazine

wsteinborn

I've NOT owned a Bodyguard, but have had 2 LCPs that have been terrific.

I still carry one as my warm weather EDC.
It is loaded with FMJs as is a backup mag.
A second backup mag has Speer Gold Dots.

azbuckeye

Thank you for the input.

I'm definitely leaning towards the Ruger LCP based on price (about $70.00 cheaper at LGS NIB) and past experience with several Ruger firearms, but wanted to get some input on both options.

Pops 1

I teach conceal carry classes and have at least 2 or 3 LCP's in each class and never had any failures with any one of them.

Gun Fun

My dad bought an S&W Bodguard. It has a very long, heavy trigger pull and isn't fun to shoot at all. The laser could be set as either steady or blinking but it wasn't very strong in daylight. He's going to be selling the gun.
My wife has an LCP that my dad had given her. We've shot FMJ and Hornady Zombie max without any problems. The only ammo issue so far occurred with a very flat nosed FMJ that my dad had on hand. I don't remember the brand but it wouldn't feed.
My recommendation would be the LCP.

Shadyw

I own the LCP and it was my preferred choice for easy grab 'n' go in pocket gun. The bodyguard wasn't out then so I don't know about it, but my LCP I added a Pierce extension plate so I get 7+1 and better grip. It's been reliable shooting @ the range. Not a joy as it does have some snap, but I can shoot a box of 50 without blistering my trigger fingerling on the trigger guard after I quit limp wrisitng it. Also the practice and getting my grip correct improved my accuracy and eliminated the FTE, FTF issues I had been experiencing when I first got it. Had RO @ the range try it and he was hitting a clay pigeon on the ground out past 25yds. each shot. My range also has several guns to rent and includes both the LCP and S&W BG. Maybe you can find similar where you live to try before you buy.

waterguy

I have over 1000 rounds through my Bodyguard with no issues yet. The laser is worthless in daylight. The trigger pull is very long. I plan on keeping the gun for smaller conceal carry. I haven't needed parts yet, so I don't know about the factory parts service. I usually carry with my glock 27 instead. For shooting pleasure its my Blackhawk 45 colt. I have not handled the LCP(yet).

moakes58

I already have an LCP my wife carries & just got a Taurus PT 738 TCP .380.
The slide locks back on the last round. You can not beat a $199 msrp with a lifetime warranty. I have got to get it to the range! I am a big LCP fan, but with saving $100, I just could not buy 2 of the same pistols.

moakes58

It's not a controversy. Watch the You-tube video of Dick Metcalf shooting Hornady's .380 Critical Defense round through an LCP. It ends the controversy.

ExArmy11b

I plan to buy an LCP as soon as my funds allow............there's nothing wrong with .380 and I have used an AMT Backup .380 for CC occasionally.

I take all the discussions about "stopping power" with a grain of salt, because some people think that if you're not carrying a .357 or a .45 you "don't have enough gun".

I wouldn't pick an LCP if I was going to a gunfight, but as a civilian for last ditch CC use, it's a good choice.

Plus, these ain't your grandpaps .380's, today's self defense loadings blow the standard, anemic FMJ .380 from decades past out of the water.

Marine Division Two

I like both,but the LCP has much smoother contours.