Posted on 06/03/2016 9:23:17 AM PDT by Reno89519
My smallest concealed carry is a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380. By all accounts a quality pistol. In practice, though, I increasingly dislike it. The long 12-pound trigger pull prevents accurate, consistent shooting. After over a year and many hundreds of rounds, the results are all over the place.
By comparison, I can place a six-inch result at 45-feet and at 21-feet, mostly in 3-inch, using either a Sig Sauer P320SC or, almost as well, with a S&W M&P Shield 40.
At 21-feet, the S&W 380 Bodyguard is typically 8-12 inches.
I like the smaller size of the S&W Bodyguard 380.
So my question is, what replacement would you recommend? So many choices in that smallest size format...
Ruger LCP .380. Small, really small. Easy carry. Less than 10 oz.
I don’t have one but it’s on my list. Not sold on .380 as enough cartridge.
As far as accuracy, let’s face it, to defend yourself with a gun the perp practically has to be beating the s#$% out of you. Accuracy at 1-4 feet is point and shoot.
XDS .45 in an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 2 holster here. Love that gun for EDC.
At 21 feet 8-12 inch group is a little too much. Do not forget all subcompacts by nature have short sights and light weight and most are double action. The 12 lb trigger pull sounds excessive, but can be over come via a gunsmith lightening the pull. The 10 to 12 pound on most double action semi autos is the magic number some police departments require because of the pull on most double action revolvers and if they produce a weapon in several calibers, they will all get the heavy pull. So get that down to a light 8 or so pounds. Sights on mouse guns are another problem. short and usually black. That also can be fixed. Then lots of quality range time.
Summertime, I usually carry a Tauraus 380TCP. Weighs 12.5 oz loaded, double action with a pretty light (for a double action) pull. I highlighted the sights and can usually pull off a 6-8 inch group at 15 yards. Center mass. That should be sufficient for a belly gun.
Glock 43 is a good carry if size is a top priority.
Let me add:
Carry is not an occasional thing. It is not based on where you think you might need it. It is a way of life. IOW, you either carry or you don’t. It has to be a habit, like putting on your pants. You just do it.
The sheriffs detective who teaches the various classes I have taken (and will take) makes the above very clear.
I would have liked it better as a double/single action but the trigger (it has an exposed hammer) is light and over all, the gun is quite accurate.
I bought this slightly used. A sheriff’s deputy had it for sale when his boss mandated 9 MM for all carry and backup pistols. I think it had less than a box of ammo through it.
Walter PPK or PPK/S, and stick to German or French made versions, buddy. Expensive but quality always is. Safe, compact, accurate, dependable. If your life depends on it, spend the money.
You might want to check out the Ruger LC9s, it’s compact, light, and has a very sweet striker trigger. If you prefer a less nanny-ized version (no manual safety), there’s also the LC9s Pro.
I’m very pleased with mine.
Suggest you take a look at the Sig Sauer in 380. Single action. Very sweet. P238.
I love the gun threads. You seem like a person who practices so the recommendation to you is different than someone who does not practice.
Some considerations before a recommendation. Foregoing things like firepower...
1) Comfort and fit. Even guns of the same class and caliber often feel different, and depending on hand size may or may not work best. Try a Glock and a M&P and a XD and you will know what I am saying. Different grip widths and backstrap to trigger lengths.
2) Complexity. For concealed carry or even open carry defense, the more complex the gun, the slower your response time will be due to disengaging safeties, double action to single action pull trigger pulls, etc. Similarly, your training time on a complex gun will be considerably more to get your holster to shots on target time down. The flip side is if you can master the complex gun, like an M9 Beretta (double action to single action, safe hammer drop), you can probably shoot anything. But there is a reason most law enforcement is shooting Glock like guns these days.
So with that said, Glock/H&P/XD are probably amongst the best choices for personal defense. I used to say 1911 (because I like the idea that I still have a 7 pound club even when I am empty), but the thumb safety is a complexity that will slow your holster to shot time down. I have run an M9 just to try that, but would not personally recommend any double/single action. Getting used to two trigger pulls is not something I am against, but its not to my advantage either. Between the Glock, H&P and XD, I own all three but the Glock is less comfortable due to trigger to backstrap distance. The H&P and XD are pretty much even, though the XD added some tactile features that allow you to know the state of the gun (both loaded, and cocked) by feel (in the dark) which is nice, and ultimately why it is my carry of choice now.
I used to have one of those before the boating accident.
Anyway, the trigger pull is heavy. Go to a gunsmith. I think any small self-defense weapon is going to have a heavy trigger pull, for liability reasons.
Looking at a bersa thunder for a car gun on console by right knee. Do like my GLOCK 42. my edc is a GLOCK 26 +1 with two spare mags. Been in Maryland the past week. Longest time not carrying in over two years. I now find it uncomfortable to not carry.
I have had the same experience as you only I have a Ruger LCP 380 that I have a hard time hitting the target with. My EDC now is a Glock 19 in and Alien Gear IWB holster.
Ruger has as series of back up pistols that might suit you.
LCP .380ACP cal. wt. 9.4 oz. capacity 6+1
LC9 9x19mm wt. 17.1oz. capacity 7.1
Both have relatively lighter trigger pulls than the Body guard.
To follow up on my post 39, I think Glock, H&P, and XD are all offering slim single stack models these days, so you can probably find something as compact as your .380 in a larger caliber without any difficulty.
Sorry, my post 35 was referring to my post 30, not 39.
I have the Coyote special version of that. I always say LCP stands for little cute pistol. It is my concealed carry pistol.I have Hornady Critical Defense in it.
Check out a Ruger LCP if you want a small .380. My son likes his slightly larger LC9s Pro 9mm.
Sig makes a 9mm P938 that is essentially the P238 in a larger caliber, very small increase in size.
However, I can’t comment as to how good it is, only having personal experience with the P238.
I find the SigP239 9mm very concealable and very controllable.
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