Ruger LCP vs. S&W Body Guard 380

[carlson1]

Anybody look at/try the little diamond back 9mm? It is itty bitty....but I don't know how it shoots.

I have never owned a Diamondback, but I have shot one. I did not like the ergonomics of the pistol. It is also more snappy than the Ruger and the Ruger is more snappy than the Bodyguard.

[RJGold]

but I am in Houston

I only have the BG 380, but if you want to shoot it, I am a member at PSC and can take you out there if you like.

Sorry but I am headed north for a few days. I will resume my search and decision this weekend.

Thanks again for your offer to let me shoot your BG.

[trentwhite778]

For what it's worth, I purchased an LCP with Crimson Trace and took it to the range several times. I then shot my brother's Bodyguard and the next week I sold my LCP back to Cabella's and bought the Bodyguard. It had all of the pluses of the LCP and none of the minuses.

1. The LCP's sights are virtually non-existent. The Bodyguard has excellent sights.
2. while the crimson trace is easier to turn on (just by gripping it), you basically don't have a choice to use the laser or not, as it comes on at the slightest touch. The Bodyguard has a laser that you can choose to turn on, plus it has a strobe option.
3. The LCP has no safety. Yes the long/stiff trigger pull and keeping your booger hook off the bang switch are more than enough safety, but the Bodyguard has a proper thumb safety.
4. The Bodyguard has a "load indicator" in the form of a tiny gap that you can see if a round is chambered.
5. The LCP does not lock back on the last round. Not a huge issue, but the Bodyguard does lock back so changing magazines is faster.
6. The Bodyguard, while very close in size to the LCP, is easier to grip. The LCP, even with the pinky extension on the magazine, felt like it was going to jump out of my hand. I can get a much firmer purchase on the Bodyguard.
7. I BELIEVE the feed ramp on the LCP is a tad steeper than the Bodyguard. At least that's what it seemed like to me. I had a few misfeeds on the LCP and have not had one issue with the Bodyguard.

[nyj]

I think you need to consider what the gun is used for before harshly comparing them like above. The lcp is a back up, or a 'get you to a bigger gun' weapon. It's also cheap. The BG is 100-150 dollars more. Is a gun that has a low priority duty worth $400? Not to me. Nor do I care about it having all kinds of features. It's not a range or fun gun. It's a point and shoot gun.


That said, I do not carry a .380. I have no faith in the round and there are way too many guns on the market in .38 or 9mm that are very close in size to the lcp and BG. However, if having one of these guns means you're more likely to carry, then by all means, a .380 is better than nothing. I personally carry a ruger LCR in the pocket.

[Excaliber]

Anybody look at/try the little diamond back 9mm? It is itty bitty....but I don't know how it shoots.

I have never owned a Diamondback, but I have shot one. I did not like the ergonomics of the pistol. It is also more snappy than the Ruger and the Ruger is more snappy than the Bodyguard.

A number of dealers have told me that they stopped carrying the Diamondback because nearly every one sold had to be returned to the factory due to feed failures. That was about a year ago. I don't know if it's true any more because I stopped paying attention to them.

[trentwhite778]

I think you need to consider what the gun is used for before harshly comparing them like above. The lcp is a back up, or a 'get you to a bigger gun' weapon. It's also cheap. The BG is 100-150 dollars more. Is a gun that has a low priority duty worth $400? Not to me. Nor do I care about it having all kinds of features. It's not a range or fun gun. It's a point and shoot gun.


That said, I do not carry a .380. I have no faith in the round and there are way too many guns on the market in .38 or 9mm that are very close in size to the lcp and BG. However, if having one of these guns means you're more likely to carry, then by all means, a .380 is better than nothing. I personally carry a ruger LCR in the pocket.

I wasn't trying to be harsh in my comparison. I was just outlining the aspects that I preferred in a BUG. Also, the BG is approx 100-150 CHEAPER than the LCP with the CT laser (which is what I was comparing). This is all just my opinion on the 2 guns he asked about, which I happened to have owned both of. For two guns of similar size, function, and price, I simply like the BG better because of the differences I pointed out. They can both be used as a "point and shoot" guns, but I also sometimes carry the BG when I'm wearing shorts, or running. So in that case it's no longer a BUG, and I like the extra features.

To each his own, obviously, but I was just trying to help list the differences.

[race4beer]

I can't speak for the LCP specifically, however I pocket carry a KelTec P3AT (so close in design, that Ruger was sued by KelTec for copying their design). I can consistently get 4"-5" groupings at 7yds with it, and have put hundreds of rounds through it without an issue. I put a rubber grip cover on it and a pinky extension and I'm good to go. I try to carry my PT740 Slim as much as I can, but sometimes throwing the P3AT in my pocket is better than nothing.

[jmra]

so close in design, that Ruger was sued by KelTec for copying their design

I have heard rumors about that but haven't found any details about the suit or an outcome. Please share.

[race4beer]

Oops my bad.. Upon firther review, it looks like I erroneously stated urban legend as fact. Apparently there was no lawsuit. Whether Ruger built it under license or just copied a design that want patented I don't know. They are rediculously similar..

[carlson1]

... They are rediculously similar..

Except I carry the Ruger from time to time and I would not trust the Kel Tec.

[jmra]

Oops my bad.. Upon firther review, it looks like I erroneously stated urban legend as fact. Apparently there was no lawsuit. Whether Ruger built it under license or just copied a design that want patented I don't know. They are rediculously similar..

My understanding is that keltec couldn't sue because their design for the P3AT was in fact "borrowed" from another manufacturers design. Of course that could be urban legend also.

[nyj]

... They are rediculously similar..

Except I carry the Ruger from time to time and I would not trust the Kel Tec.

KelTec worked for Zimmerman.

[jmra]

... They are rediculously similar..

Except I carry the Ruger from time to time and I would not trust the Kel Tec.

[HotLeadSolutions]

Keep a close eye on the bodyguard. The screw that holds the battery cover on begins to work loose and will lock the slide up. I've seen this on 3 models now.

Great weapon otherwise.

[RJGold]

Keep a close eye on the bodyguard. The screw that holds the battery cover on begins to work loose and will lock the slide up. I've seen this on 3 models now.

Great weapon otherwise.

Do you think removing the screw and adding locktite (blue kind) and re-installing will remedy this?

Thank you.