Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380

[katmandu]

From SHOT Show 2014:

http://www.americanrifleman.org/blog.ph ... &cat=12463" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TexasGal]

Ooh...I think mama has a new gun on her birthday, Christmas, and I-just-want-it-now list.

[jmra]

If I had interest in a .380, the new Glock would be much more appealing.

[SkipB]

My wifes every day carry is a S&W Bodyguard .380. She loves the gun and has other choices for carry but really likes it. I'll have to take a look at the new and if she wants one I'll get it for her.

[Teamless]

Looking at the Specs of the M&P 380 vs the Standard BG 380, for me, there is no reason to get the M&P380, as they are the same length, and the M&P380 is only barely lighter.
However, if I did not have the BG380 already, I would look at the M&P380 as I never really used the laser anyway on the BG380.

[A-R]

What makes this an "M&P"? Did they incorporate an M&P style striker-fired trigger system? Anything would be better than the 800-pound* trigger in the original BG380.

* - yes I'm exaggerating, but not by much

[Keith B]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; vs. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

M&P Bodyguard description

Other Features
• Stainless Steel Drift Adjustable Sights
• Two magazines included (finger groove and flat butt plate)
• Ergonomic grip
• High-strength polymer frame
• External takedown lever and slide stop
• Manual thumb safety
• Double action fire control (2nd strike compatibility)
• Stainless steel barrel and slide

Combining popular M&P characteristics with existing BODYGUARD features, the new M&P BG380 offers consumers a uniquely engineered, lightweight self-defense pistol. Compact, sleek and ergonomic, the M&P BG380 pistol benefits from new fish scale serrations on the rear of the slide for ease of use and like other M&P pistols, ships complete with two magazines. Chambered for .380 ACP, the lightweight sub-compact pistol features a high-strength polymer frame with a black, Maximum Corrosion Resistant (MCR®) coated stainless steel slide and barrel. The new M&P BG380 is standard with a 2 ¾ inch barrel, which contributes to an overall length of 5 ¼ inches and an unloaded weight of only 11.85 ounces. Additional standard features include a rapid second-strike capability, thumb safety, take-down lever and stainless steel drift adjustable sights.

Sounds like the same frame, modified slide design and no laser. MSRP about $40 cheaper than the older Bodyguard 380.

[function12]

I pocket carry the B&G 380 now. It is an OK gun. No issues so far. My only problem is the trigger pull is two days loooooooonnnnnnggggggg. Laser is useless in the outdoor daytime. I can't wait to try out the G42.

[TexasGal]

Darn. If the trigger is like that. Then it would be off the buy list.

[NordicTexan]

I had my first real issue with my BG 380. This past weekend, when firing at the range, the gun would fire once then not be able to move the slide completely forward. On inspection, there is a small plastic plate that covers the top of the laser just under the barrel inside the slide that had come loose. It didn't look damaged but it would not stay in place after attempts to put it back on.

I called S&W customer service, after about a 15 minute wait on hold I talked with a technician. He said no problem, just send the laser unit back and they would replace it. I asked if I need to send the gun back, and the reply was no, just the laser.

Honestly, I have only used the laser a couple of times, so I will take it out and send it back, and keep using the rest of the gun. So far the experience with S&W is pretty good. If I was buying again, I would probably go for the M&P model with out the laser but for now the BG will be just fine.

[rotor]

I have had one for years and never had a problem. Don't care about the laser but it's there. Never had a failure to fire or extract no matter what I feed it. The trigger is a tough pull but useable. Look, if you are going to keep one in the chamber do you want a light trigger? .380 is not the perfect caliper but I can easily carry it all the time, can't say that for my Glocks, Berettas, Colts, revolvers or any other handguns that I have and I have a bunch. Everything is a compromise. Years ago I read a review about 380 autos in NRA magazine. Almost all of them had a "break in period". Not the S&W, never failed me, rack stays open when magazine is empty. Great little gun. And the laser, if you ever use it, right out of the box was smack on the bullseye.