Ruger LCP vs. S&W Body Guard 380

[carlson1]

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.

Yes it does, but the newer .380 Body Guards are not that way. Smith fixed the problem. Most of the stories about the screw backing out or the laser stopped working was from the earlier models.

I have one of the older BG and one of the newer BG. The newer BG threaded part of the screw has been made larger and it will not back out of the hole for the laser cover.

[oohrah]

I just bought a new Ruger LCP, so I thought I'd add my two cents. I have a Colt 1911 with adjustable sights. It's too bulky for carry the way I dress. I needed a single stack, DAO SA, as I had selected the Hide-It holster for my EDC. I did a lot of web searching and made a comparison chart. I started searching for 9mm only, but when I ran across the LCP it fit my needs perfectly, although I had no experience with 380 ACP.

I put the first 50 rounds thru it shooting at paper plates mounted to a cedar post. At 3 and 7 yards I got tight groups, and at 15 yards, every round was on the plate. I did not experience any of the sore hand that has been reported. The action is very smooth altho a long trigger pull. I read that some do not like the 380 ammo, but it did a pretty good job shredding the cedar post. I'd like to get some HP for normal carry, so I'm curious if this would be more effective.

I'll also note that this gun in the Hide-It is very comfortable sitting and I don't even notice it after a while. I'm still practicing my draw.

[RJGold]

Bought the Body Guard today...

Now to find some ammo...

Also think I'm going to have to find some night sights for it...

[carlson1]

You made a good choice. I think you will be very happy with it. This is just me, but I would not go though the trouble of night sights on a pistol so small.

[Excaliber]

You made a good choice. I think you will be very happy with it. This is just me, but I would not go though the trouble of night sights on a pistol so small.

[RJGold]

You made a good choice. I think you will be very happy with it. This is just me, but I would not go though the trouble of night sights on a pistol so small.

I hear you on the night sights but having them on the rest of my weapons and not having them on this one makes it very hard to pick up the sights in my vision. I ordered ammo yesterday and provided it arrives this week, will head to the range on Saturday and see how it goes.

In this case, the night sights wouldn't be so much for aiming precisely but for picking up a sight picture quickly and making sure I am pointing effectively.

Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate it.

[Teamless]

RJ,
As the front and rear sights are all black, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up any acrylic white paint pen.
colored the front sight
no, it is not night sights, but makes it very easy to find the front sight when trying to acquire the target (during lighted times)

[Excaliber]

RJ,
As the front and rear sights are all black, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up any acrylic white paint pen.
colored the front sight
no, it is not night sights, but makes it very easy to find the front sight when trying to acquire the target (during lighted times)

Remember you've got the laser for exactly that purpose.

[w squared]

Remember you've got the laser for exactly that purpose.

I agree and also disagree.

First, I think that a laser will be quicker to pick up in a low-light situation than any set of tritium sights ever made. Second, I think that the most reliable laser ever made has a higher chance of mechanical/electrical failure than the least reliable set of tritium sights ever made.

As far as the LCP/BG debate goes - I would be okay with either...but not truly happy. If I were to choose between the two, I'd pick the BG.

Personally, I think that the pistols are just too small, and the .380 is lacking as a cartridge. I think that there are 9mm options that are still very concealable that offer increased terminal ballistics performance (because they're 9mm) and increased chance of getting good hits in a defensive situation (because when they were designed, they did not compromise as much in ergonomics in order to be small). I know that Kel-Tec has some offerings of that sort, as do Walther and Beretta. Personally, my pick is a S&W Shield in 9mm.

There are few circumstances that I can think of that I would be in where I could carry an LCP or BG, and not carry a Shield - but that's based on what I do, and the decisions I make. YMMV

[RJGold]

RJ,
As the front and rear sights are all black, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up any acrylic white paint pen.
colored the front sight
no, it is not night sights, but makes it very easy to find the front sight when trying to acquire the target (during lighted times)

Thanks. I thought about that as an option but was curious how it stood up to remoil...

[RJGold]

RJ,
As the front and rear sights are all black, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up any acrylic white paint pen.
colored the front sight
no, it is not night sights, but makes it very easy to find the front sight when trying to acquire the target (during lighted times)

Remember you've got the laser for exactly that purpose.

I agree for times when I want to use a laser. I also know that the laser is like using tracers...

Great for telling me where my rounds are going, but also great at telling someone else where they're coming from...

Really just looking for something that helps me get a sight picture as quickly as possible in a point and shoot situation. I have not practiced with a laser at all so it's pretty cumbersome to get it turned on and use it to acquire the target. I need to go shoot with it and get comfortable with it before I even think about carrying it.

Right now. it's just keeping some friends company in the gun safe...

[RJGold]

Remember you've got the laser for exactly that purpose.

I agree and also disagree.

First, I think that a laser will be quicker to pick up in a low-light situation than any set of tritium sights ever made. Second, I think that the most reliable laser ever made has a higher chance of mechanical/electrical failure than the least reliable set of tritium sights ever made.

As far as the LCP/BG debate goes - I would be okay with either...but not truly happy. If I were to choose between the two, I'd pick the BG.

Personally, I think that the pistols are just too small, and the .380 is lacking as a cartridge. I think that there are 9mm options that are still very concealable that offer increased terminal ballistics performance (because they're 9mm) and increased chance of getting good hits in a defensive situation (because when they were designed, they did not compromise as much in ergonomics in order to be small). I know that Kel-Tec has some offerings of that sort, as do Walther and Beretta. Personally, my pick is a S&W Shield in 9mm.

There are few circumstances that I can think of that I would be in where I could carry an LCP or BG, and not carry a Shield - but that's based on what I do, and the decisions I make. YMMV

I appreciate your views. I carry an XDm 9mm most of the time. Just wanted something that expanded my options and was as small as possible.

Thanks.

[RJGold]

Took the new BG to the range today (along with a couple of his friends)...

The long trigger pull takes some getting used to...

I finally got to the point where I would pull the trigger half way (you can see the hammer when it pulls back) and then settle on my aim point and squeeze). It's a wierd method but I think it will work...

I got fairly good groups at 3, 7 and even 10 yards...

I used the laser too, it was high (rounds landed below it at all of the distances mentioned)...

I need to do some reading to see if there is adjustment and if it's even needed...

I put about 100 rounds through it and I'm happy with it...

[Teamless]

where I would pull the trigger half way (you can see the hammer when it pulls back) and then settle on my aim point and squeeze). It's a wierd method but I think it will work...

This is basically what I do also.
I also focus on keeping the trigger on the middle of the 'pad' of my trigger finger.
As the grip is short, if you 'hook' the the trigger you will tend to do 1 of 2 things
1- not be able to fully pull the trigger
2- you will yank way low left (for a righty)
As you said, it takes some getting used to, and after a few hundred rounds, both of those things above (pull the slack, and refocus, and trigger on pad) are what works for me, and are 2nd nature.