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Originally posted this in the wrong forum...

I know this is like asking "which handgun do I buy?" but I am looking for a smaller handgun to pocket carry when I don't feel like carrying my XDm 9 or Browning Hi Power 9.

I have it narrowed down to Ruger LCP and S&W Body Guard 380.

Any feedback from the forum on these two weapons as pocket carry choices?

I went through this same thought process 2 1/2 years ago.
I went and felt all of the small pocket semi's.
Asked for opinions

I eventually went to the Bodyguard .380
and I am very glad I did

the LCP (TCP also) are very snappy, harder to hold onto than the Bodyguard.
While both are very thin, the Bodyguard has a bit more "meat" to hold on to.

I did find that I never use the laser on the bodyguard, and feel that if the situation ever came down to needing it, I would not be able to get it turned on, so if the built in laser is something you are leaning towards, better off getting a weapon and buying a Crimson Trace and not getting the Bodyguard.

I didn't have the same experience as Teamless with Bodyguard .380, and only owned it for about 6 months.

I couldn't hit a target with it at 3-5 yards.

I let my buddy shoot it, neither could he.

I let my brother shoot it (who is a great marksman) and he barely could hit anything at 3-5 yards and nothing at 7 yards.

All that being said, this caused me to completely get out of the .380 game and just carry a 5 Shot .38 as a back up.

I have the lcp and my buddy the bodyguard, I've shot them side by side and to me they shoot very similar. There are better sights on the body guard but I like the sleekness of the lcp. He has actually had to send his back to repair the laser twice now which is unfortunate as its a nice feature IMO. They definitely arent going to win you any shooting contests but they will get the job done. My other carry is the xdm9 as well and I don't plan to change my lcp back up option any time soon. I shoot it each time I go to the range to make sure I stay comfortable with it and its a nice weapon once you learn how to use it.

RJGold wrote:Originally posted this in the wrong forum...

I know this is like asking "which handgun do I buy?" but I am looking for a smaller handgun to pocket carry when I don't feel like carrying my XDm 9 or Browning Hi Power 9.

I have it narrowed down to Ruger LCP and S&W Body Guard 380.

Any feedback from the forum on these two weapons as pocket carry choices?

Feedback: Not enough oomph. A CM9/PM9 is only a little bit bigger, and not much heavier, and pocket carries quite easily. And I pocket carried my XDS today without difficulty. I would only consider a .380 as a BUG, rather than as a primary carry weapon—even for pocket carrying a primary. The pocket 9s like the Kahrs are just too easy to carry, and so much more powerful than a .380. My XDS 45 is only .3/4" longer, and 1/3" taller than my PM9.

I have a LCP and a Bodyguard .380 for BUG. I personally like the Bodyguard better. I carry it in a wallet holster. I carry the LCP in a Kydex Neck Holster.

I like both of the about the same, but I lean to the Bodyguard more. I do not use the laser. The Bodyguard just feels better to me shooting.

My wife prefers the LCP.

I do not think you could go wrong with either one.

If you are in the DFW area you are welcome to shoot both of mine.

I have a Bodyguard 380, I also never use the laser but I will tell you it is dead on accurate if you do use it. I have shot everything through the S&W with never a problem. Never a ftf or fte. I reload for it. Only thing I have not tried is tula. What don't I like, the trigger is a very long pull. What do I like- the trigger is a very long pull. You are not going to ever mistakenly pull this trigger. All of the small 380's have a kick. The sights on the s&w are better than the ruger but it's point and shoot. Both seem to me to handle the same. The S&W is double action so if you ever had a light strike or hard primer you could trigger it again without racking (never had that). I don't know if ruger does that. S&W racks open after last shot is fired. Don't know if ruger does. You can fire S&W without magazine in pistol, don't know if ruger can. Perhaps some ruger owners will chime in. Both are great pocket guns- I just like S&W more. Forget the argument about it's only a 380. I have a S&W 629 in 44 magnum but it sits in the safe, not concealed on my body. It's a 380- accept it for what it is. Very easy to carry. Not going to stop a water buffalo.

The Annoyed Man wrote:A CM9/PM9 is only a little bit bigger, and not much heavier, and pocket carries quite easily. And I pocket carried my XDS today without difficulty.

TAM, I agree the PM9/CM9 is just a bit bigger and can be pocket carried, as well as the XDS.
However, when I first went to buy a pocket carry gun, I tried the CM9 as a friend of mine had just bought one, the butt of the gun stuck out of my pocket, where the BG380 did not.
it was close, but just enough.
I have also pocket carried my XDS but only in my cargo shorts pocket, not normal pants/shorts pocket.

So while bigger is generally better, that extra quarter inch longer barrel, and 1/2 inch longer grip, can be a huge difference.

carlson1 wrote:I have a LCP and a Bodyguard .380 for BUG. I personally like the Bodyguard better. I carry it in a wallet holster. I carry the LCP in a Kydex Neck Holster.

I like both of the about the same, but I lean to the Bodyguard more. I do not use the laser. The Bodyguard just feels better to me shooting.

My wife prefers the LCP.

I do not think you could go wrong with either one.

If you are in the DFW area you are welcome to shoot both of mine.

Thanks. I really appreciate the offer to let me shoot both but I am in Houston.

Thanks for all the feedback.

I appreciate everyone taking time to give me their thoughts.

RJGold wrote: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.

Teamless wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:A CM9/PM9 is only a little bit bigger, and not much heavier, and pocket carries quite easily. And I pocket carried my XDS today without difficulty.

TAM, I agree the PM9/CM9 is just a bit bigger and can be pocket carried, as well as the XDS.
However, when I first went to buy a pocket carry gun, I tried the CM9 as a friend of mine had just bought one, the butt of the gun stuck out of my pocket, where the BG380 did not.
it was close, but just enough.
I have also pocket carried my XDS but only in my cargo shorts pocket, not normal pants/shorts pocket.

So while bigger is generally better, that extra quarter inch longer barrel, and 1/2 inch longer grip, can be a huge difference.

I guess I forget that not everyone is built to my ....shall we say "generous".... proportions, and that their pockets might therefore be smaller than mine.

I've fired both and for me the S&W has significantly better grip ergonomics which makes it much easier to hold properly and prevents shifting in the hand when shooting.

That being said, both are very well made and reliable guns that give you whatever you can get from a .380 out of a short barrel. You gain a significant amount of carry convenience when compared to some of the larger caliber guns mentioned below, and you lose a lot in terms of energy delivery and accuracy beyond arms length range. If those tradeoffs fit the need you're trying to fill, you can't go wrong with either one.

Teamless wrote:

RJGold wrote: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.

Thank you. Not sure if I am in town this week (after tomorrow) but if I have some time, I can PM you. I appreciate the offer.

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