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My CHL is being mailed to me as we speak. I am looking for a Pocket Carry. I like the size for the Bodyguard for pocket carry. I like the fact that it does have a safety and the laser is a nice plus. I was wondering if anyone has shot this gun. If so, what were your impressions?

I haven't even seen a Bodyguard 380 in person yet, The bodyguard 38 I have seen and handled but not shot.

I handled one at Academy the other day and compared it to the Sig P238, Ruger LCP, and Taurus TCP. My wife liked the S&W feel and controls, but being Academy, we couldn't try the trigger. I've heard it really stinks, but I'll have to reserve judgment until I actually get to try it.

BTW, her preferences just by feel and controls were: Sig, S&W, Ruger, Taurus (she's a 1911 woman). As to the S&W, I liked the feel and weight, the laser controls and option to use a manual safety or not (it has a very positive engagement/disengagement click), and the real sights. It is a bit bigger than the LCP and TCP, but it is lighter than the P238. Again, all bets are off until I pull the triggers.

Irons - just throwing this out there - my experience with Academy (Grapevine location) a few weeks ago - they had the S&W Bodyguard .38 and they let me handle it, pull the trigger, etc...I wouldn't buy a gun without doing that, of course. Anyway, I bought it. It was the store manager that I was dealing with, he was called to unlock the safe, as it wasn't on display yet (staff didn't know they had it but it showed up in computer inventory).

pucker

what is the price out there on these?

maisano,

I paid $479.99 for the S&W Bodyguard .38 Special +P at Academy (Grapevine). I've seen it for $549.99 on Cabela's website and the same price in the "Hunting Classic" ad from Bass Pro.

I'm not sure what the price is on the .380 as I haven't seen one in person, although I wasn't looking for it either.

CHL is in the mail too. I was set on the LCR until I found out the SW380 has better sights, second fire capability, and stays open after the last shot. Plus, I want a manual safety option. Life time warranty included. All that said, I'd love to hear more about how the two guns compare next to each other on the range.

Pucker,

I'll have to try that next time. I asked the counter guy (not a manager) if we could try the trigger, and he said they don't allow it. Maybe with cash on the counter he would have, I don't know.

As to the S&W .380, the Academy in San Marcos had it for $460 or $470, IIRC. Just about $100 more than the Coyote Special LCP they had.

txrr wrote:CHL is in the mail too. I was set on the LCR until I found out the SW380 has better sights, second fire capability, and stays open after the last shot. Plus, I want a manual safety option. Life time warranty included. All that said, I'd love to hear more about how the two guns compare next to each other on the range.

Did you mean LCP or LCR? From what I've heard, the S&W soaks up recoil much better that the LCP. I know nothing about the trigger on the S&W other than what I've read online, but I have heard from various folks that the Taurus TCP trigger is better than the LCP, but I don't know where the S&W falls on that spectrum.

Sorry I meant to type Ruger LCP not LCR. Hmmm, noticed the LCP priced at $290 at a local shooting range. Wondering if Ill make it throught the weekend if my CHL arrives tomorrow.

No, but I will say I paid alot for a 642, shot 20 rounds, and sold it for a big loss on this board. The DA only of a hammerless revolver put me where I cant hit the side of a barn. I've since gone to the LCP and have been mighty happy.

What does DA mean? I was considering a hammerless .38 in my list of pocket carry choices?

Double action Trigger

There are some good definitions of firearms terms on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_action_only" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can tell you that my Bodyguard .38 is definitely *NOT* a target pistol and it's also not the most pleasant to shoot (due to it's light weight). It's an up close "belly gun" as an ex-undercover cop buddy of mine puts it. But after spending some time getting used to the gun I have absolute confidence both in it AND myself in a defensive situation. I've been carrying it everyday since acquisition.

Here's my experience/review of the gun, BTW this is my *first* snubnose. I've spent a fair amount of time shooting my Dad's S&W 6" .357 Magnum and that's an all-day long on-target all the time gun (well, it could use some better grips, still has the original wood grips).

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I definitely can understand why you sold it, if you're not comfortable with a gun then I feel that it's best to move on.

BTW - I would like to add a Ruger LCP to my stable, someday. It's definitely priced right. I'd even like to add the Bodyguard .380 too! I saw another forum where a poster bought the set of Bodyguards, nice looking pair!

lawrnk wrote:No, but I will say I paid alot for a 642, shot 20 rounds, and sold it for a big loss on this board. The DA only of a hammerless revolver put me where I cant hit the side of a barn. I've since gone to the LCP and have been mighty happy.