Ruger LCP vs. S&W Bodyguard

[southkogs]

MT's AR Topic got me thinkin' maybe there are some opinions on the forums about these pistols.

Any of y'all have or have experience with either the Ruger LCP or the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard? I'm looking for a small pistol as a carry gun. I've got a medium frame 9mm, but it's a little tough to conceal all the time (kinda' bulges out too much). I was looking at the Ruger LCP in .380 as I've never had a Ruger (currently have 2) that didn't shoot great. But the dude at one of the gun shops suggested the S&W Bodyguard as an alternative.

It's a little pricier, but it has a few features that I like comparative to the Ruger.

Any thoughts?

 

[MTboatguy]

What I carry these days is a Charles Daly .45 small frame, loaded with 9 rounds .45 HP rounds, nice shooting gun, but I don't think you can get them new anymore here in the states, which is a shame, cause it a nice little gun for CC. I have carried my High Point 9 as a CC gun, but if I really want to be in secret, I carry my great grandpas off duty .38 revolver. I don't often carry CC anymore as we have no reason to around here, I can actually walk into a bank with a pistol on my hip and they don't say a word, things are goofy in my part of the country, or they are sane, depending on your perspective!

 

[Limited-Time]

Springfield's XDS in .45 cal is a nice small CC. It's down side is it's only 7 round capacity in the standard mag.

 

[aspeck]

I like my LCP. Never had a misfire, the price was nice, and it fits snugly in my pocket. It is with me almost all the time. I did add a laser to it.

 

[alldodge]

Haven't tried either of those, I have the Kel Tek 380. Think they should all be good for close-in self defense. Appears the Body Guard has a safety and the Kel Tek is the smallest

 

[southkogs]

For the moment, I've ruled out the Bersa (have a couple of friends who really like theirs) and Kel Tek (shot a couple and I just don't find 'em comfortable, but know they have a good reputation). I'm down to the Ruger and the Smith & Wesson. I had myself sold on the Ruger, and the dude at the gun shop got in my head with the Smith (kinda' like having the safety).

I have a 9MM CC gun already. It's not bad in the winter, but in summer it's too easily seen. TN is a carry state (not necessarily concealed), so it's not a big deal that way ... but sometimes it's about being comfortable, or not having your shorts sliding down 'cuz ya' got 16 rounds of 9MM hanging on yer' waistband

Thanks y'all ... keep 'em coming.

 

[sublauxation]

I know nothing of the S&W but I have an LCP that I carry daily. It's a fun gun to shoot in general but mine did develop an attitude with FTF's about 100 rounds ago. It's fine now, not really sure what the problem was but I do shoot a lot of cheap junk ammo at the range and I think it got a bit dry inside. The trigger pull on the LCP is long enough that the lack of a safety doesn't bother me.

 

[southkogs]

The trigger pull on the LCP is long enough that the lack of a safety doesn't bother me.

As it happens, one of the guys at work just bought the LCP and had it today. I got to mess around with it, and that's exactly what I thought about the trigger pull.

I liked what I saw.

 

[Bonus Check]

I just bought two LCPs two days before CHRISTmas. Palmetto State had them for $199 each no tax

 

[sublauxation]

$199? I just looked and they're completely out of stock, guess that explains it.

As to the trigger pull, my first couple mags I pulled a bunch of shots high right and that's 100% related to the trigger pull. Once you get the hang of it it's not so bad. My brother is a much better shot than I and he holds some great groups with his LCP. I had no problem passing Gander Mountain's CCW permit class with mine. I do love the gun but hate the ammo price. Today I came across a great deal on a couple Taurus PT22's which are about the same size and trigger pull so I figure it will be great for practice in place of the LCP......once I go through 150 mags of ammo the PT22 will pay for itself....at least that's my excuse for buying them.

 

[southkogs]

BC - I jealous of that $199 buy, but I'll probably only wind up about $20 or $30 more.

I've got a Ruger Mark III .22 for practice and target shootin'. Though, right now it's almost cheaper to shoot my 9mm (Taurus PT 24/7).

A cool little app y'all can check out - Ammoseek. Add ".com" to the end and there's a site too.

 

[Tnstratofam]

I bought an LCP when they first came out as a backup carry gun. I have carried it in both an ankle holster, and a pocket holster. It is a great shooting gun, and the long trigger travel has always been enough of a safety for me. My everyday carry gun is a KAHR CW45. It is a nice compromise between my 1911, and Ruger SR9 for everyday carry. I do like to carry the LCP in a sticky pocket holster.

 

[Boomyal]

Springfield's XDS in .45 cal is a nice small CC. It's down side is it's only 7 round capacity in the standard mag.

That's what I have, LT. It is a sweet piece!

 

[gm280]

I have a few CC guns. And that is because the wife carries as well. We both have legal CC licenses. I have an older Colt Pocket Nine in stainless steel. It is really small and has no safety because it is double action for every shot. It holds 7 rounds of 9mm. I also have a Taurus millennium Pro PT111. It also is in 9mm (12+1). I also have a Taurus 380 but I don't carry it at all. The Millennium Pro is actually my wife's. She like the feel of it in her small hands. She does carry it at times. The Colt is easy to conceal and carry or even in your pocket. The Taurus PT111 is not that easy being a little bigger. However, I do have plans to buy (really soon as well) a Sneaky Pete belted holster and carry it basically exposed. But it doesn't look like a typical holster but more like a cellphone case. Nice...

I like the 9mm better then the 380. And that is simple knockdown capabilities. I reload my own ammo and my 9mm's are relatively hot with Hornady XTP bullets. My motto is shoot to kill, not wound. I mean if I am ever in such a situation, heaven forbid, I don't want to hurt the criminal, I want to kill him...or her. JMHO!

 

[southkogs]

I've shot all kinds of stuff. Used to have a Glock 23c that I did some competitive shooting with. And I already have a 9mm. I like a larger framed gun, but this is pure practicality. I need a little 'un to carry 'round all the time.

I've done a fair amount of shooting competitively and different trainings (had a buddy who taught classes for permit holders on technique). Stopping power is a consideration, but truly even a .22 can be plenty effective if you train with it. And really, in defensive shooting it's mostly about threat suppression ... Lord Willing in the least lethal way possible.

Truth is ... I'd probably be so busy wetting my pants that any shot that connects would have to suffice.

 

[Bonus Check]

The lowest priced Ammo I could find in 380 was at Sportsman's Guide. The catch is to purchase ammo when they have free shipping. 50 Rounds of Fiocchi RN was like $14.99 with no tax or shipping. Hornady's Critical Defense 25 rounds were $18.99. The trick is to sign up for emails and when the free shipping with no minimum is going to buy then.

 

[MTboatguy]

There is only one reason to shoot, and that is what I live by, I don't and will not point my gun at anything, unless it is for that reason, I don't want to, but I am very good at it as is my wife.

 

[thumpar]

Get the LCP custom. The trigger is better than the normal one and skelitonized, The guide rod is stainless and the sights are not part of the slide so they can be changed. The front sight is illuminated out of the box too. I bought 2 of them from a friend that has a shop for well under $225 each new in the box. I carry it everywhere they don't have metal detectors.

 

[gm280]

I've shot all kinds of stuff. Used to have a Glock 23c that I did some competitive shooting with. And I already have a 9mm. I like a larger framed gun, but this is pure practicality. I need a little 'un to carry 'round all the time.

I've done a fair amount of shooting competitively and different trainings (had a buddy who taught classes for permit holders on technique). Stopping power is a consideration, but truly even a .22 can be plenty effective if you train with it. And really, in defensive shooting it's mostly about threat suppression ... Lord Willing in the least lethal way possible.

Truth is ... I'd probably be so busy wetting my pants that any shot that connects would have to suffice.

southkogs, wetting your pants is the prime reason to get either polymer framed hand guns or stainless steel. ound:

I do understand what you are saying though. I think what we all would love to own is a very small easily concealable handgun that hold 20 to 30 rounds of ammo and has the knockdown capability of a powerful 44 mag with zero recoil and cost about $100. But that is certainly never going to happen. So we pick and chose what is available and hope and pray we never ever have to use it. But we surely need to really know the gun we chose and shoot it a lot to become totally familiar with it. JMHO!

 

[southkogs]

MT - I get ya', and I'm a pretty good shot even in awkward conditions. And frankly, I don't even really disagree with what you're saying.

southkogs, wetting your pants is the prime reason to get either polymer framed hand guns or stainless steel. ound:

Well ... humorously ... my favorite spot to carry is in the small of my back, inside the waistband. And my 9mm fits pretty well there even under a T-shirt. BUT part of my hormone problems cause me to sweat ... excessively ... disturbingly ... in weather over about 80 degrees. And I seriously will (during the summer) need to move the gun occasionally to somewhere that conceals a little better ... and stays a little dryer

So, you're not too far off!

Not to mention that I think the smaller pocket gun will be better in situations while at work. Not real noticeable by clients.

Thanks Thumper - I did a little more looking. I've handled the Ruger 3 times now and I'm just about completely convinced. The gun shop dudes are all pushing me toward the Bodyguard, but all the guys I'm talking with are leaning toward the Ruger. And I really like Ruger firearms.