Help with a decision on a BUG gun

M

mreservices1

New member
Hello everyone. This is my first post here. I am looking for help on deciding between a few BUGs. This is what I am considering and price I can get it for:

S&W BG380 BODYGUARD W/ INSIGHT LASER 380AUTO $334.96
Ruger LCP 380ACP BLUED STEEL $269.99
Ruger LCP 380ACP w/ LASERMAX LASER $354.99
Kahr P380 380 SS/POLYMER 6+1 NS TRITIUM NIGHT SIGHTS $594.73

If price was no option, I would be leaning towards the Kahr as I have only heard good things about them. However, it's very hard for me to justify $600 for a .380. I have read a TON of threads comparing the Bodyguard 380 and the Ruger LCP. From what I can tell, everyone seems to be split down the middle between the two. As well, everyone is split between having a laser or not.

I had the Sig P238 with nightsights/laser and liked the gun, however on something that small I did not like carrying "cocked and locked". Even though it was in a holster in my pocket, it just didn't give me a good feeling. Hence the reason for my new purchase.

Where I live, it would be hard for me to go find these to shoot, so I am really leaning on reviews and opinions for this purchase. My other guns are:

M&P Shield 9mm
M&P 9C 9mm
XDM 3.8 .40 (for sale)
Kimber CDP II Pro .45

I usually carry my M&P Shield and sometimes my 9C. Because of that, I am leaning a bit towards the Bodyguard right now. I don't use the safety on the Shield (9C doesn't have one), so that is not a deciding factor for me. I would likely carry with it off anyways.

I just wanted to get your opinions as I am tired of beating my head on the desk trying to make a decision. I appreciate your assistance and input.

Have a great day.
 
I would avoid the S&W Bodyguard. I had the screw for the laser back out and render the gun inoperable. This happened after 120 approx. I sold the gun.
 
hey mre, if your considering the kahr, why not just get the pm 9mm, basically same size as the .380, more stopping power. jmho. my carry gun is a kimber ultra carry + cdp, and i choose between a s&w chiefs special, berreta model 21 in.22lr, or my old kimber ultra carry, for my bug guns, depending on dress code, and time of day.. hope this helps, larry
 
This will be a BUG to carry while I carry the M&P. It may also be used when I take the dogs out in the morning or for their evening walk. It's a lot easier to grab one and throw it in a pocket. That's what I did with my Sig P238 before I sold it. It's really only for those quick times as I don't want to be unarmed.
 
If you're considering the Rugers, might as well go for the LC9, I think it's about $399 from Buds. Personally I love Kahr, got a NYPD K9 and it's perfect for CCW. Kahr also has outstanding customer service.

Not that I'm bagging on .380, I've got a P232 that I ccw with nooo problem.
 
I can only comment on the lcp from ruger w/lasermax. I bought it for my wife from budsguns but some of the Academy stores sell it and you will save the ffl transfer fee. While fine tuning the lasermax I did not like the long trigger pull, but MOST of all if you have large hands you will not like the rearward part of the trigger pull. It seems my finger would rub tight against the trigger guard spacing. I had to use the extreme fingertip close to the nail. I would recommend the s&w shield in 9mm or .40. I will be getting it in .40 as well as the springfield xds .45. Either way have fun.
 
The LCP w/o the laser is what I drop in my pocket when steeping out the door for a quick walk or get the mail. I would also suggest you look at the Bersa CC....it's decent. The LC9 is another great option.
 
If you need your backup gun, you are likely to be in more trouble than you were in when you started. That would be a bad time to find out your back up gun has problems. It is also a bad time to discover that you can't hit the ground with it. Likewise, your main gun and back up gun should operate identically, this is not the time to stop what you’re doing to remember which operating system you're using. That is why I carry guns in pairs. I believe in the KISS principle.
 
The ruger lcp I owned one . Because this would be a back up weapon it's great small light . Has heavy recoil but isn't a range gun . I passed my ccw coarse with it . Five out of six shots at the end of the range distance
 
mreservices1 said:
Hello everyone. This is my first post here. I am looking for help on deciding between a few BUGs. This is what I am considering and price I can get it for:

S&W BG380 BODYGUARD W/ INSIGHT LASER 380AUTO $334.96
Ruger LCP 380ACP BLUED STEEL $269.99
Ruger LCP 380ACP w/ LASERMAX LASER $354.99
Kahr P380 380 SS/POLYMER 6+1 NS TRITIUM NIGHT SIGHTS $594.73

If price was no option, I would be leaning towards the Kahr as I have only heard good things about them. However, it's very hard for me to justify $600 for a .380. I have read a TON of threads comparing the Bodyguard 380 and the Ruger LCP. From what I can tell, everyone seems to be split down the middle between the two. As well, everyone is split between having a laser or not.

I had the Sig P238 with nightsights/laser and liked the gun, however on something that small I did not like carrying "cocked and locked". Even though it was in a holster in my pocket, it just didn't give me a good feeling. Hence the reason for my new purchase.

Where I live, it would be hard for me to go find these to shoot, so I am really leaning on reviews and opinions for this purchase. My other guns are:

M&P Shield 9mm
M&P 9C 9mm
XDM 3.8 .40 (for sale)
Kimber CDP II Pro .45

I usually carry my M&P Shield and sometimes my 9C. Because of that, I am leaning a bit towards the Bodyguard right now. I don't use the safety on the Shield (9C doesn't have one), so that is not a deciding factor for me. I would likely carry with it off anyways.

I just wanted to get your opinions as I am tired of beating my head on the desk trying to make a decision. I appreciate your assistance and input.

Have a great day.
Click to expand...

Its to bad you dont care for the Sig, of all the guns you mentioned the Sig would be my first choice, I have had the kahr, LCP, have shot a friends S&W bodyguard, and also have two Taurus TCPs, now please dont misunderstand I am in no way promoting Taurus, they make a decent gun, but there cust service SUCKS, that being said the little TCPs shoot and handle great, for the price they are tough to beat, they have a few features that the others dont, and they can be bought for $199, however for me, if price was no concern, I would learn to live with the Sig, but I do carry a 1911, so it would not be a big deal, and as far as the laser is concerned on a gun that size they are a toy, if you want to test that, buy one, go to the range, and give yourself a honest test, shoot the gun both ways with and then without the laser, using the guns sights, if it has any, and if your honest you will most likely do better without the laser, certainly no worse, I almost sighned off, but I do have another suggestion, take a look at the Bersa thunder 380, a little bigger than the others, but its a very nice gun to shoot, well made, we have had one now for about a year, and of all the 380s we have had and shot, the Bersa has never ever screwed up, never had a FTF or FTE, misfire of any kind, if I didn't know better I would say Glock made it
 
I know you didn't look at, or at least ask about, a revolver, but I want something in a back up gun that is truly point and shoot. (even through a coat pocket.) Ruger LCR .38 or .357. Yes, the .357 is going to have a heavy recoil, but it is going to be within 2 to 5 feet. Very few moving parts. Definitely not a range gun.
If not that LCP.
 
I was looking at the LCP for a BUG and a friend showed me his S&W 642 - Sold! I did get the S&W 638 to have SA/DA option. Completely concealed in front pocket, and .38 special +P, NOT .380. Stuck a CT laser on it and loaded with Speer GD short barrel. This J frame is 16 oz loaded and it's the best purchase I've made since buying my last Glock. :biggrin:
Two more quick thoughts:
1. I considered the black J frames but wanted stainless and in this case aluminum to see the crud better when I'm cleaning it
2. Lot of guys will talk about .357 in the J frame, but there is some serious recoil, and if someone is leaning that direction, I always tell them to go shoot one before buying. A lot of .357 J frame folks will run .38 +P in them for that reason.
 
agree it's a shame you didn't like the p238. That would be my #1 choice.

After that is the p380, then the lcp.

If price is not an issue, get the kahr. Otherwise the lcp with the laser.
 
I have two Ruger LCP's and love them, my orignal light carry was the Kel-Tec p3AT same as the Ruger. I also have the Sig P-238 Equinox it is a much better choice for carry. It has the Sig night sights and to me a more controllable gun. But for running to the store in 110 heat here in Vegas the ruger is lighter and more concelable. Shorts and tee are the uniform till mid Oct. Carry the Ruger with a Tecna clip!
 
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