S&W Bodyguard .380?

Anyone seen one in person? Shot, handled, read about, opinions, etc.?

Any better than the KelTec P3AT, or LCP Ruger? It has all sorts of controls that the others don't plus a built in laser. The KelTec has a mag release and that's it, the LCP has that and a slide stop. Do you want all that stuff on a pocket pistol?

Thought's?

DD

Endeavor to persevere.

The .380 auto.

I have the KelTec but always liked S&W except for the Sigma's.

DD

Endeavor to persevere.

I don't believe you want or need extra "stuff" on a semi-auto pocket pistol...it is for very short range usually (limited by sights or lack of & small caliber usually) so mostly it's just Point & Shoot....mostly...

&

Bear said.......

"Now there are TWO new Bodyguards. one revolver and one auto. So what are you interested in the 380 revolver or the 380 auto. Inquiring minds want to know???"

S&W does indeed make TWO new Bodyguards, one a Revolver in .38Spl & one an Autoloader in .380 ACP but they do not make a .380 ACP in a revolver. Least ways none show up in a catalog.

Edited by Irish Bird Dog

Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter

to me this is a S&W Bodyguard.

I thought that was the "Lemon Squeezer"?

DD

Endeavor to persevere.

DD,

I think the "Lemon Squeezer" had a grip safety.

Wing master

I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

Wing that is a model 40 I believe. Yep, it had a backstrap safety similar to an auto. S& W made them up until the 1970s when they cutback on some models as automatics started to be more popular. And that grip safety cost a few extra bucks too make. The Centennial model 40 was brought back as the model 42 without the grip safety, and the aluminum version is the 442 which I do have. The 42 and the 442 are double action only.

The Bodyguard is not hammerless; instead the hammer is shrouded by the frame. In my picture you can see the top of the hammer protruding out of the top of the rear frame. You cam cock it by pressing down on the hammer and sliding it back. So it is a single action and a double action. The idea was to avoid the hammer catching on clothing. I've shoot many bodyguards and like the shroud factor. BUT, a disadvantage is it can be difficult to decock.

The shroud concept was popular in the 1920-1960s, and S&W also made a bolt on shroud for the j-frame I'm pretty sure you could order one. I've shoot the 38 snubbies with the bolt/scre on shrouds and they look strange but do avoid the clothing issue.

With my cast off now, I am carrying the 442 model; still can't cock anything with my thumb.

Do the new Bodyguard revolver and auto have a shroud?

IBD raises an important point, do you need (want) a laser sight on a snubnose gun?

Edited by BEAR

didn't impress me. more negatives than positives.

Size and simplicity. 8.2 OZ Keltec

DD

Edited by deaddog

Endeavor to persevere.

That red rash makes people feel like commandos. You ought to see the lasers dancing on the walls at gunshows, with no reguard for peoples eyes. I had one of those laser handgrip jobs on my SIG once. ONCE!!! All it accomplishes is chasing the bouncing ball. They can keep them..........................Kingpin

There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

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deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 991201	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: S&W Bodyguard .380? Posted: 09 February 2011 at 10:02
	Anyone seen one in person? Shot, handled, read about, opinions, etc.? Any better than the KelTec P3AT, or LCP Ruger? It has all sorts of controls that the others don't plus a built in laser. The KelTec has a mag release and that's it, the LCP has that and a slide stop. Do you want all that stuff on a pocket pistol? Thought's? DD
	Endeavor to persevere.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2011 at 10:11
	OK I love S&W, but the new marketeers are idiots. They had a gun called the "bodyguard". Nice piece, I've shot them, a little heavy compared to the airweight j frames. Now there are TWO new Bodyguards. one revolver and one auto. So what are you interested in the 380 revolver or the 380 auto. Inquiring minds want to know???

deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 991201	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2011 at 10:15
	The .380 auto. I have the KelTec but always liked S&W except for the Sigma's. DD
	Endeavor to persevere.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2011 at 10:26
	Haven't held the auto. looks good on paper. But lots of the new 380 autos are a tad bulky to me?

Irish Bird Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Too many Joined: 01 March 2009 Location: Midwest Status: Offline Points: 5574	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Bird Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2011 at 11:04
	I don't believe you want or need extra "stuff" on a semi-auto pocket pistol...it is for very short range usually (limited by sights or lack of & small caliber usually) so mostly it's just Point & Shoot....mostly... & Bear said....... "Now there are TWO new Bodyguards. one revolver and one auto. So what are you interested in the 380 revolver or the 380 auto. Inquiring minds want to know???" S&W does indeed make TWO new Bodyguards, one a Revolver in .38Spl & one an Autoloader in .380 ACP but they do not make a .380 ACP in a revolver. Least ways none show up in a catalog. Edited by Irish Bird Dog
	Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kingpin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2011 at 11:08
	In the words of the S&W armorers at the school, "Buy our revolvers, not our autos."......................Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 February 2011 at 02:40
	to me this is a S&W Bodyguard.

Irish Bird Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Too many Joined: 01 March 2009 Location: Midwest Status: Offline Points: 5574	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Bird Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 February 2011 at 02:54
	"to me this is a S&W Bodyguard."said Brer Bear.... Neat...even looks "tuff"..for a .38 Spl...I have those grips on my M36 & on the M85. More formidable too then a .380acp.
	Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter

deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 991201	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 February 2011 at 03:22
	I thought that was the "Lemon Squeezer"? DD
	Endeavor to persevere.

Igbo Foo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator .14 Flea Joined: 15 August 2003 Status: Offline Points: 567	Post Options Post Reply Quote Igbo Foo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 February 2011 at 05:17
	Not too long ago there was quite an article on the new-generation .380 auto's in American Rifleman. The article did not include the S&W offering as it hadn't been released yet. But, if I were in the market for such a gun, I'd certainly go back & review that article. Then when looking at the S&W, you'd have a pretty good idea of the comparative points with a fair amount of other guns. foo
	Wombat Snorgging: Australia's mystery perversion, Elvis's secret shame.

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 February 2011 at 13:48
	DD, I think the "Lemon Squeezer" had a grip safety. Wing master
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 February 2011 at 17:03
	Like this.
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2011 at 01:45
	Wing that is a model 40 I believe. Yep, it had a backstrap safety similar to an auto. S& W made them up until the 1970s when they cutback on some models as automatics started to be more popular. And that grip safety cost a few extra bucks too make. The Centennial model 40 was brought back as the model 42 without the grip safety, and the aluminum version is the 442 which I do have. The 42 and the 442 are double action only. The Bodyguard is not hammerless; instead the hammer is shrouded by the frame. In my picture you can see the top of the hammer protruding out of the top of the rear frame. You cam cock it by pressing down on the hammer and sliding it back. So it is a single action and a double action. The idea was to avoid the hammer catching on clothing. I've shoot many bodyguards and like the shroud factor. BUT, a disadvantage is it can be difficult to decock. The shroud concept was popular in the 1920-1960s, and S&W also made a bolt on shroud for the j-frame I'm pretty sure you could order one. I've shoot the 38 snubbies with the bolt/scre on shrouds and they look strange but do avoid the clothing issue. With my cast off now, I am carrying the 442 model; still can't cock anything with my thumb. Do the new Bodyguard revolver and auto have a shroud? IBD raises an important point, do you need (want) a laser sight on a snubnose gun? Edited by BEAR

Irish Bird Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Too many Joined: 01 March 2009 Location: Midwest Status: Offline Points: 5574	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Bird Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2011 at 03:10
	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od_m4Yz6Ivo here is the NEW S&W bodyguard revolver.....38 Spl note the new cylinder release latch
	Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2011 at 05:52
	didn't impress me. more negatives than positives.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2011 at 06:21
	this is a video of the auto bodyguard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2oOFN4nyu4 again it seems like a lot of unnecessary clap-trap for a CCW. the combination of the small trigger finger opening and the long pull, and the very long trigger reset distance for the second shot seem negative to me. But I realize that most of the double action syn frame autos are similar. the Lazar switching seems terrible for a CCW gun, set the laser style once with a screwdriver, and then just agile on and off. In a close defense use.....who would want to remember to tap the laser switch twice to get the laser sight to the position you practiced with. again, the laser seem to be an advantage only in low light levels. Again, I'm not a good evaluator of plastic autos. I like the j-frame snubbies that you just pull and fire. maybe I'm a low tech guy. Puting the safety and the mag release, and the slide stop all in a line could be confusing...drop the clip instead of taking the safety off???

deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 991201	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2011 at 08:01
	Size and simplicity. 8.2 OZ Keltec DD Edited by deaddog
	Endeavor to persevere.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2011 at 08:58
	I don't see how S&W will sell these two, especially the revolver. Must be counting heavily on people wanting that red laser.......that would be a deterrent to criminals (not).

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kingpin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 February 2011 at 10:30
	That red rash makes people feel like commandos. You ought to see the lasers dancing on the walls at gunshows, with no reguard for peoples eyes. I had one of those laser handgrip jobs on my SIG once. ONCE!!! All it accomplishes is chasing the bouncing ball. They can keep them..........................Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Muleskinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Muleskinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 February 2011 at 00:17
	I looked at it before I bought a Sig. Seemed cheap, poor tolerances, lots of plastic, crappy metal. Other than that, I liked it.
	Mule