[ARCHIVED THREAD] - LCP vs. Bodyguard (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/12/2014 6:13:14 AM EDT
| What would be your choice? I am open to other options I may not be aware of as well. Has to be small, unobtrusive, and comfortable. I already have traditional compacts and they are a pain in the ass to carry in summertime, so not looking at any of those....G27 for example etc. |
| Lcp rides in my pocket all day every day. Nice an small yet, still comfortable in hand. I also find it comfortable to shoot and very easy to keep on target. The option to add or remove a laser sight is great. (I know S&W makes a bodyguard without a laser but I don't believe there'd be anyway to add one.) Ruger also makes 7 round mags that extend the frame and make the gun quite a bit more comfortable to grasp. |
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Between the 2, I would pick the LCP (the improved version with the better sights). The LCP has a long trigger, but the Bodyguard trigger is longer and heavier. Makes it difficult to get good hits with such a small gun. If you are open to other options, and want to keep it at a .380, I'd suggest the Kahr CW380/P380. Much better sights than the LCP/BG, a functional slidelock that the LCP lacks, and very shootable. In my opinion, it has a much better trigger than the LCP/BG. <a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/dirksterg30/media/general%20guns/P380withmagcarrier_zpsee3b8159.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/dirksterg30/general%20guns/P380withmagcarrier_zpsee3b8159.jpg</a> The Kahr is the one to have in 380 IMO But I also suggest the PM9 and the Kimber Solo |
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LCP hands down.
I recently had the same dilemna and ended up choosing the LCP. I normally never ask the salesman what their opinion is but this time around i was curious. I asked and he responded with the BG380. When i asked why he said because the BG380 has removable sights.... Removable to replace with...what? The trigger on the BG380 is awful. It is very heavy, it stacks and it breaks to the rear of the frame on a ridiculously small gun. I have to practically use an entire finger in order to reliably drop the "hammer". The LCP was a steal at 275 out the door and it is accurate, the trigger is exceptional for a gun of this size and the sights are workable for what the pistol is designed to be. I wont be stopping any bank robberies with this thing but i also dont intend to, even if i were carrying a full size gun... Overall, i really do believe the LCP is a better package and value. |
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LCP hands down. I recently had the same dilemna and ended up choosing the LCP. I normally never ask the salesman what their opinion is but this time around i was curious. I asked and he responded with the BG380. When i asked why he said because the BG380 has removable sights.... Removable to replace with...what? The trigger on the BG380 is awful. It is very heavy, it stacks and it breaks to the rear of the frame on a ridiculously small gun. I have to practically use an entire finger in order to reliably drop the "hammer". The LCP was a steal at 275 out the door and it is accurate, the trigger is exceptional for a gun of this size and the sights are workable for what the pistol is designed to be. I wont be stopping any bank robberies with this thing but i also dont intend to, even if i were carrying a full size gun... Overall, i really do believe the LCP is a better package and value. There are tritium sights made for the BG380,for what it's worth. |
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p238.
you can put a laser on it if you want. there are still ones out there for 499 with the laser. the lcp sucked to shoot. it hurt. if you are one of those that it doesn't bother, then go with the LCP. but for me, I couldn't get through the 20 rounds they gave me to test fire it. my hand hurt for 3 days after that. not as cheap for sure, but recoil operated vs blowback is always better for recoil. |
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What would be your choice? I am open to other options I may not be aware of as well. Has to be small, unobtrusive, and comfortable. I already have traditional compacts and they are a pain in the ass to carry in summertime, so not looking at any of those....G27 for example etc. I just got another LCP to replace the one I foolishly sold. Newest " no dash in the serial # " versions have a much better trigger than the older " dash " versions. It has a smoother, lighter and shorter pull. I carry mine in a Recluse Holster. The holster is a one sided piece of leather with patented trigger block molded in. Gun Blast had a write-up on it and the holster is perfect. http://gunblast.com/Recluse.htm I had the black rounded edge version shown in the review first, but it looks odd in the pocket of tighter pants or slacks that showed the outline of the holster. The square tan one I have now is absolutely anonymous looking. It looks and feels like you are carrying a wallet or smart phone case even with tight clothes. |
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I have (or have had) pretty much every 380 BUG available other than the Kahr options... Going to buy one at some point, like the CM-9 quite a bit that I have.
The LCP / P3aT were inferior to the BG380 for two reasons in my experience.... The BG380 had usable sights. The BG380 had a useable trigger.... Not great, but combat usable at short range. BG380 also has much better 'hand-feel' FWIW... It feels like a gun, not a toy in the hand. I stil have my BG380, the rest of my 380's have been sold. I intend to give the Kahr a whirl, it may replace the Smith as my subcalber BUG of choice. |
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I've the Keltec and the BG. (Keltec is near identical in feel to the LCP). I carry the BG.
-Useable sights. -Consistent trigger pull. (Long/heavy but once your used to it the gun is accurate). -Prefer the grip/mag. -Has been 100% reliable for me and my friends with them. -Feels more 'solid'/ like a gun and not a toy. Yes I know Ruger is built better then Keltec, and I've handled the LPC, and still feel like the BG is better built. For me it all balls down to I can make faster more accurate shots with the bodyguard. Quoted:
Take a look at Kahr CM9 and Diamondback DB9 also 380 sized but in 9mm I have a DB9. Its similar in size to my Bodyguard .380. I carry the Diamondback a little less for a few reasons. 1. Reliability requires a firm grip/wrist. 2. While its accurate, stiff recoil prevents fast shoots. 3. Recoil is so bad you have to just hold on as tight as possible and hope the gun doesn't shift in your grip while your shooting. 4. Its literally painful to shoot after about 20 rounds. I actually wish DB would make a .380 the same size as their DB9 and focus on reliability. Supposedly they've done an update which improves the design but I haven't mailed mine off yet to get them to fix it. |
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I have a DB9. Its similar in size to my Bodyguard .380. I carry the Diamondback a little less for a few reasons. 1. Reliability requires a firm grip/wrist. 2. While its accurate, stiff recoil prevents fast shoots. 3. Recoil is so bad you have to just hold on as tight as possible and hope the gun doesn't shift in your grip while your shooting. 4. Its literally painful to shoot after about 20 rounds. IMO, all of those things are equally true of any pocket gun. P3AT up to a CM9. Pocket guns are not for inexperienced or weak handed persons. |
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OP- I bought a stainless LCP about a month ago after doing extensive research. I started with the same two that you are considering, but quickly discounted the Bodyguard after reading some reviews (reliability not so great). My research led me to also consider the Kahr CW-380 and the Taurus TCP. Here are my notes on the 3 contenders:
LCP- reliable, proven design (Ruger has been making it for years as did Keltec before that), chamfered slide in back = easy pocket removal CW-380- requires 200 round break in, longest grip (good for holding, bad for concealing), best trigger, best sights TCP- reliable, most durable, melted (chamfered) slide, cheapest, false reset I ended up eliminating the TCP due to the false reset. If you let the trigger out partially, you will feel it click (reset). Pull it again and you get a light strike causing you to have to rack the slide to get back into the fight. Depending on how you operate a trigger, this is either a deal breaker or a non-issue. I will note that the LCP also has a false reset, but pulling the trigger after the false rest doesn't drop the hammer. You just need to let the trigger fully reset before pulling again. I ended up going to a gun show to check out both the LCP and CW-380. I found a great deal on each of them, and decided on the LCP. My reasoning was that the strengths of the LCP (reliability and concealability) were the reasons that I was getting this pistol. The strengths of the Kahr (trigger and sights) weren't all that important for a pocket pistol. I immediately had buyers remorse (SOP for me  ) until I took the LCP to my friend's house to shoot. He told me that he had the Kahr, and it was the only pistol that he ever sold due to poor reliability. I was also impressed with the way that the LCP performed (0 malfunctions, accurate, pleasant to shoot). Been very pleased with my decision since.
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There are tritium sights made for the BG380,for what it's worth. Quoted:
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LCP hands down. I recently had the same dilemna and ended up choosing the LCP. I normally never ask the salesman what their opinion is but this time around i was curious. I asked and he responded with the BG380. When i asked why he said because the BG380 has removable sights.... Removable to replace with...what? The trigger on the BG380 is awful. It is very heavy, it stacks and it breaks to the rear of the frame on a ridiculously small gun. I have to practically use an entire finger in order to reliably drop the "hammer". The LCP was a steal at 275 out the door and it is accurate, the trigger is exceptional for a gun of this size and the sights are workable for what the pistol is designed to be. I wont be stopping any bank robberies with this thing but i also dont intend to, even if i were carrying a full size gun... Overall, i really do believe the LCP is a better package and value. There are tritium sights made for the BG380,for what it's worth. Thank you! I stand corrected as i had no idea the aftermarket finally started producing. Cool. In regard to the G42...the gun is large for a .380. It is one of the most shootable offerings out there but it is LARGE. There is no way i could fit a G42 into my slacks pocket or suit pants. As is, my Pocket holstered LCP is on the larger side. Damned fashionable tight pants! :) |
| Have been extremely impressed with the new LCP. Very nice trigger,accurate and conceals extremely well.I have a Red Dog Gunleather pocket holster. Works well as a pocket holster ( I dont use the shield though,don't feel the slighly better concealment is worth the extra bulk) but it REALLY shines with the flip top.Fits right in your back pocket and looks for all the world like a wallet.Not the quickest draw but super concealable and comfy. |
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For me it depends largely on whether we are discussing the 1st or 2nd generation of LCP against the bodyguard. My first LCP sucked, trigger a mile long, tiny vestigial useless sights. Proponents of the LCP at the time said 'it's a belly gun and you just point and shoot'. That's all well and good, but I'd rather sights than not have sights. The Bodyguard has real sights/dovetails. The newer LCP has made vast improvements towards this, but still falls short of the bodyguard (taller machined sights, but no dovetails to allow for aftermarket sights). What really makes the difference is the Gen 2s trigger which I believe is roughly 2/3 the travel of it's predecessor. To compensate for the still inadequate sights I went with the crimson trace model, as the activation button is on the grip and requires no thought or steps to activate. This again places it above the Bodyguard.
They will both serve their purpose well as an extremely small carry piece, but I feel the LCP plus Crimson Trace and possibly the Mag-Guts +0 7-round magazine conversion will fill that role a little smaller, lighter, and more effectively. Just my .02, but I definitely feel I've made the right choice for me. |
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p238. you can put a laser on it if you want. there are still ones out there for 499 with the laser. the lcp sucked to shoot. it hurt. if you are one of those that it doesn't bother, then go with the LCP. but for me, I couldn't get through the 20 rounds they gave me to test fire it. my hand hurt for 3 days after that. not as cheap for sure, but recoil operated vs blowback is always better for recoil. The 238 is the size and weight of the Kahr PM9/CM9 in a less powerful caliber...........not anywhere close to the size or weight of the LCP/P3at/P380. None of those are blowback action, all are locked breech actions. |
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I've carried a Keltec for years. It is substantially similar to the LCP. I am switching to the M&P bodygaurd .380 at our next qual. They are not in the same class. The Smith is better in every way. "Better" as in wider, heavier, longer and taller?..........you're right they aren't in the same class.
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I've carried a Keltec for years. It is substantially similar to the LCP. I am switching to the M&P bodygaurd .380 at our next qual. They are not in the same class. The Smith is better in every way. The Bodyguard might be more refined and better finished but when it comes to reliability, it isn't even close. The LCP was already a proven design when Ruger started making it (thanks to Keltec) and they have improved on it since. For a gun that lives in my pocket, I couldn't care less about what it looks like; it damn well better work though. |
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Just be aware the new LCPs have two clicks to reset the trigger. If you are used to firing, feeling the trigger reset as you release it during recoil recovery, hold there, align the sights, fire again (which is what some pistol shooters do), the LCP is going to get you in trouble, because it won't fire again. You have to release the trigger even further until you feel a second reset click further out.
Aside from that, they are good tiny little carry pistols. Not as familiar with the bodyguard, but for a close range GTF-away-from-me point and shoot gun, the laser just seems like something to distract yourself screwing with, and in practice you probably won't. Just extra weight and expense for my usage. As to the Glock .380, it's almost twice as big for almost twice the price. Glock fans willl love it. |
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Just be aware the new LCPs have two clicks to reset the trigger. If you are used to firing, feeling the trigger reset as you release it during recoil recovery, hold there, align the sights, fire again (which is what some pistol shooters do), the LCP is going to get you in trouble, because it won't fire again. You have to release the trigger even further until you feel a second reset click further out. Aside from that, they are good tiny little carry pistols. Not as familiar with the bodyguard, but for a close range GTF-away-from-me point and shoot gun, the laser just seems like something to distract yourself screwing with, and in practice you probably won't. Just extra weight and expense for my usage. As to the Glock .380, it's almost twice as big for almost twice the price. Glock fans willl love it. Yea, I don't care about a laser on either choice. |
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The Kahr is the one to have in 380 IMO But I also suggest the PM9 and the Kimber Solo Quoted:
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Between the 2, I would pick the LCP (the improved version with the better sights). The LCP has a long trigger, but the Bodyguard trigger is longer and heavier. Makes it difficult to get good hits with such a small gun. If you are open to other options, and want to keep it at a .380, I'd suggest the Kahr CW380/P380. Much better sights than the LCP/BG, a functional slidelock that the LCP lacks, and very shootable. In my opinion, it has a much better trigger than the LCP/BG. <a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/dirksterg30/media/general%20guns/P380withmagcarrier_zpsee3b8159.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/dirksterg30/general%20guns/P380withmagcarrier_zpsee3b8159.jpg</a> The Kahr is the one to have in 380 IMO But I also suggest the PM9 and the Kimber Solo Every person I know has had to send theirs back for work. I would say avoid. |
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I use an LCP, have no experience with the S&W. I can't imagine one is head and shoulders above the other. The S&W is probably a little more equipped for changing sights and what not, but in the end they are pocket guns.
My only useful comment is I wish I would have gotten a laser one. |
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I carry an LCP. My second ex-wife, who has made bad decisions all her life, got her LCP confiscated by Austin PD and then decided to buy a Bodyguard. If she made the decision to get a Bodyguard, that's all I need to know that it's a terrible pistol. If she got it confiscated, I'm surprised she still had her license to use the BodyGuard. Or I am too used to the rules and standards males are held to? |
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Quoted: If she got it confiscated, I'm surprised she still had her license to use the BodyGuard. Or I am too used to the rules and standards males are held to? Quoted: Quoted: I carry an LCP. My second ex-wife, who has made bad decisions all her life, got her LCP confiscated by Austin PD and then decided to buy a Bodyguard. If she made the decision to get a Bodyguard, that's all I need to know that it's a terrible pistol. If she got it confiscated, I'm surprised she still had her license to use the BodyGuard. Or I am too used to the rules and standards males are held to? |
I pocket carry my Ruger LC380 in a DeSantis Nemesis all the time. It's much easier to shoot than either the LCP or the Bodyguard. Is it as good at the deep concealment role? No, but with these specs it does OK. I'm probably going to give this one to my Mom and get the LC9, which is dimensionally the same, except for a slight increase in ammunition weight. It has been 100% reliable through many range sessions.
Downsides? Magazine disconnect. This is huge, but can pretty easily be defeated. Also, some people don't like/trust a manual slide safety. I find that a bit ridiculous, since 1911's have them. Is it redundant on a striker-fired pistol? Absolutely.  |
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You'll see Glock produce a 9mm version of it shortly. These are not on my wish list. Im for the LCP. Carry mine all day Quoted:
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No one likes the Glock 42? You'll see Glock produce a 9mm version of it shortly. These are not on my wish list. Im for the LCP. Carry mine all day Where are you getting this info? |