S&W .38 bodyguard or....

Hey guys, lookin to add another gun to my collection. Right now I carry a Kahr CM9 in IWB. It's OK, but I have some issues with it. I had a Sig 228 and loved it, but it clearly wasnt made for CC. The Kahr has a stiff slide (PITA to rack, coule be because ts still fairly new), hamerless (not used to) etc.. just still getting used to the change after carrying the Sig for years.

Anyways, Im looking at another carry gun. Something for me, but that Girl can carry as well. I WAS looking at the bodyguard .380.. but then looked at and figured a S&W .38 wheelgun would be better for her if the time comes she needs It. Simple, reliable, .38 +p round, comfortable.

So the question is; should I go with the .38 bodyguard or the .380 bodyguard? Or something completely different? I'm still not 100% sold oj my Kahr either.. I'm hoping it just needs to be broken in more.. because as of now, I'm kind of dissappointed, aside from the fact It is easily carried and concealed.

Opinions? Input?

Thanks
Moose

 

I own the 38+P wheelgun as my first and carry handgun. It depends how comfortable your other half is around firearms and what she will be using it for. Can she load and rack with one hand? Can she field strip? Since she's going to carry, I would hope she's had a class or 2.

If she is a bit on the novice side, I'd go with the revolver. The trigger pull is pretty heavy but I've gotten very comfortable with mine.

Practice, practice, practice. I couldn't hit crap with the 38 when I first got it.

 

She knows her way around a gun definitely. She comes out shotting with me regularly. She does have a difficult time racking the slide on my Kahr, which is why I was considering a revolver. Simpler and easy to use. I would be carryingt more honestly, and when she goes out, or needs It, she can carry it (maybe ill like it so much ill get a second one

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with that S&W .38.

My other dilemma is my Kahr, and I'm sure Its just because I haven't hit the 200rd break In yet,.but Damn that thing is stiff! I'm considering a bodyguard .380 for my all time carry instead of my kahr. I think ill wait though, and break the Kahr in first.

 

I have the .380 BG. Is a nice compact unit, but I Have to say I really HATE the trigger pull and weight of the trigger. Its a real long heavy draw, and surprising when it fires. so my vote would be go for the .38 instead. less complicated and will serve the purpose nicely. (But ultimately I would say check them both out, see if you can fire them or at least pull the trigger to see what I mean, then make your decision from there.)

FWIW - good luck with the purchase!

 

Thanks man. I've checked out both, and I Like the size of the .380, but like the simplicity of the .38. I'm probably gonna go with the .38... I need to figure out the deal with my Kahr tho.

 

Yeah, good choice on the 38. Simple, compact.

Just dont lose the little allen Keys they give you. You'll need to adjust the laser a bit out of the box.

Since it is a heavy pull, the low-left tendencies are there. If you dont mind dry firing once or twice you can use the laser (once you clear the gun and aim for a safe wall) to check any muzzle pull during the firing process. I did this a couple times and was surprised at how inconsistent my trigger control was

 

The salesman actually showed me that with the .38. He dry fired and showed how much it pulls. Pretty surprising actually.

 

Exactly what I found out with the .380. The trigger pull causes you to be off the mark and a bit inconsistent. S&W really needs to change that up a bit. (Since I am a Lefty, I had Low right tendencies..)

 

I carry a black S&W airweight (model 642-chambered in .38+P) everywhere and I just put it in my pocket.

If I'm going somewhere where I cant carry my gun (like on base) then I carry my Kimber PepperBlasterII. http://www.kimberamerica.com/pepperblaster

Also, Kimber makes a pretty cool micro-compact called the Solo and its chambered in 9MM. I don't have any personal experience with the Solo, but it is made by Kimber and if I was in the market for a micro-compact, this would be at the top of my list. http://www.kimberamerica.com/solo

Hope this helps.