S&W bodyguard .380 review

I took my little .380 to the range this weekend and got to shoot it some.

Range report.

-fits well in hand for being so small

-Very little recoil for being such a small gun

-the trigger pull is very long (leaves you wondering when its gonna go bang)

-the laser, useless beyond 4 yards in daylight, but it did hit where the laser was aiming. I have no idea why they have a strobe feature for the laser but for low light or night time bumps in the night I guess the laser would be usefull, or add an intimidation factor...

Overall I was impressed with this gun and I am confident in carrying it for my CCW.

Sorry, no pics at the range.





My wife actually went with me on this trip and loves my xd 40! she did very well for her first time. Time to get her a SC XD9

 

Nice, been thinking of getting one myself. What did it run u?

 

I paid 360 for it from my local mom and pop shop.

I had the Taurus pt740 but it was just a little too big for me to carry. I wanted something that I could fit in my pocket and not worry about my shirt lifting up and exposing the firearm

 

My dad is looking at buying one of these, they're pretty nice. Kinda small for my hands though.

My understanding is the strobe/pulsing laser mode is to make it so you can differentiate your laser from others in a crowded situation/conflict. Makes sense I suppose.

 

Now that I have had the gun for a little while I feel like the laser is kind of a novelty thing...I would rather just have this gun minus the laser The gun itself is great though. accurate, zero kick. Great little pocket gun

 

I surprised that the little plastic pistol didn't melt in your hand. I was up in WF this past Friday and Saturday and it was too damn hot!

 

i looked at one, was pretty set on getting one actually. But then i ended up getting a used kel tec that was in the cabinet for just under half the price instead. My kel tec also has a long trigger pull, it does make you wonder when it's actually going to go off. But it's nice to have a tiny 380 in your front pocket instead of my 40 in my back

 

lol how true. its like being in a damn oven. my temp gauge said 113 on saturday.

I went into the gun store to actually get the Kel tec but ended up getting this instead. I like the fit, feel, and finish way better. It just seems like a much more refined pistol than the kel tec (lego) gun.


Now I need a pocket holster. I bought a blackhawk one at Academy but the holster would come out of my pocket with the gun every time....

 

Well I've been having problems with my little bodyguard. The slide tends to not want to go all the way back which prevents a round from being chambered. I had the store I bought it from look at it last week and the guy got it working again. I took it to the range today and after the 2nd shot it would not slide back again.
I'll be droppin it off at my ffl dealer on Monday to have sent back to S&W for repairs

 

Dropped off at the dealer Monday at lunch. We'll see how long this takes

 

That sucks. Hopefully it will be taken care of.

 

I was thinking of purchasing one of these until I shot one. That trigger pull is far too long. I also agree with you about the laser, pretty worthless. Couldn't see it on a target in sunlight from 10 yards.

My friend has a Sig P238 which I shot, and loved. Since I had some extra cash, I went with that instead.
Bodyguard - $350
Sig P238 - $450

Anyway, I hope you get your .380 back soon.

 

I only had about 100 rounds though it too...Im kinda bummed about it

Shoulda got the sig

 

so no go on the bodyguard??? i had one of these in my future...

 

well when it worked it was great but then i started having issues. ive read reviews of people having trigger problems but i havent heard of anything like this. Im sure S&W will make it right for me though.

 

thanks for the review. i almost bought one last night glad i held off until i could do some research today.
sub'd so i can see how well S&W takes care of you.

 

here are a few other forums with people talking about them

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-report-problems-new-s-w-bodyguard-380-a.html

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...-report-problems-new-s-w-bodyguard-380-a.html

 

from here
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...eport-problems-new-s-w-bodyguard-380-a-6.html

this is the same thing thats happening to me

 

I've got the Bodyguard 38 revolver and love it. Its a bull to handle the first few times and the trigger pull is heavy but once you put a few hundred rounds through it, its a great carry weapon.