Thoughts on a S&W Bodyguard 2.0 380 ACP

Have you looked at the Ruger Security .380? It's Ruger's direct competition for that Smith. I've been considering one for awhile now. Yeah I have a .38 snub nose or 2 and yeah I have a compact 9...but I like .380 and the capacity to size/weight plus I have a bit of .380 rounds from my purchase of a POS Bersa Thunder .380.
No. I was unaware of this gun. I really like what I’m seeing in this picture. That grip looks very comfortable and secure, really like the swell that would fall between my index and ring finger, plenty of room for a pinky too. Price is right. I’m about to see my son who may be familiar with it. Thanks for the heads up!

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No. I was unaware of this gun. I really like what I’m seeing in this picture. That grip looks very comfortable and secure, really like the swell that would fall between my index and ring finger, plenty of room for a pinky too. Price is right. I’m about to see my son who may be familiar with it. Thanks for the heads up!

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I think that one you have in the picture there has a Hogue grip sleeve on it. One of the places online was offering that for a $10 up charge....probably worth it.
I'm focused on getting one in the next 2 months. I'm going to order it from the local gun store...maybe $15-$20 more than online. I like that it comes with 1 15 Rd. and 1 10rd. too.
 
I have the bodyguard 2.0 and a safe full of guns. It is tiny. Like way tiny. Hard to comprehend from photos.

I would not personally use this gun for home defense. It’s too small. Home defense guns are not limited on size. You want a full size pistol, shotgun , or rifle for home defense. That full size Walther will walk circles around this gun.

If you want a small carry gun, then this 2.0 is probably the best of the bunch. It’s superior to the LCP Max which I also own.

If you want a home defense .380 caliber gun for the wife, I’d look at something larger and with less recoil. I can recommend the Glock 25, Sig P365-380, the Ruger above, and the new Beretta 80X
 
That grip looks very comfortable and secure, really like the swell that would fall between my index and ring finger, plenty of room for a pinky too.
As the other person said, that's an aftermarket grip sleeve. Cabela's likes to add those - is that where the image is from.

I know for concealment, the grip is what you really have to hide but smaller isn't always better. If I have to think "will my pinky fit?", IMO, it's too small to be comfortable or allow a good grip. Definitely try both to compare though. My wife has a Shield and it's borderline too small of a grip for me.

Wow, I didn't realize how big the Ruger was. Look: https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/ruger-security-380-vs-smith-wesson-bodyguard-2-0. What's most shocking about the BG2 is the weight. It's less than 12oz with an empty mag.
 
As the other person said, that's an aftermarket grip sleeve. Cabela's likes to add those - is that where the image is from.

I know for concealment, the grip is what you really have to hide but smaller isn't always better. If I have to think "will my pinky fit?", IMO, it's too small to be comfortable or allow a good grip. Definitely try both to compare though. My wife has a Shield and it's borderline too small of a grip for me.

Wow, I didn't realize how big the Ruger was. Look: https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/ruger-security-380-vs-smith-wesson-bodyguard-2-0. What's most shocking about the BG2 is the weight. It's less than 12oz with an empty mag.
Hi. That image was lifted from the ruger.com web page. They show 5 versions of the gun and that the one that caught my attention because of the grip. I see now that it’s an aftermarket grip but it’s on the ruger web page and has its own model number. 🤷🏼‍♂️

That site you referenced that shows the pistols details and especially the comparison picture is eye opening. I’ve obviously held the Bodyguard 2.0 and have shot the LCP Max. As mentioned I already have the perfect 9mm for home protection but I would never carry the Walther PPQ, home or away. The Bodyguard 2.0 looks like it would essentially disappear when carried. Might be too small.
 
No. I was unaware of this gun. I really like what I’m seeing in this picture. That grip looks very comfortable and secure, really like the swell that would fall between my index and ring finger, plenty of room for a pinky too. Price is right. I’m about to see my son who may be familiar with it. Thanks for the heads up!

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That is a nice looking gun. Looks like it would handle well, and I like fiber optics sights on a defensive gun. The slide looks higher than the bodyguard, but it is a 380, so recoil impulse will be small anyway.

Not sure about the Hogue grip. I wonder if it is removable and replaceable?
 
I see now that it’s an aftermarket grip but it’s on the ruger web page and has its own model number.
That's strange that the manufacturer offers it. It's like admitting their grip has shortcomings.
The Bodyguard 2.0 looks like it would essentially disappear when carried.
The friend that has one uses it as a "pocket pistol". I tried it with cargo-type shorts and didn't feel it in my pocket anymore than a phone.
Might be too small.
My wife complains that her 9mm Shield is "too heavy" and wants something smaller. I emphasize to her that a smaller gun is harder to control and kicks much more since there's less gun (mass) to absorb the recoil. The minimal recoil is one thing my friend mentioned. He said it shoots great and has very little recoil.
Not sure about the Hogue grip. I wonder if it is removable and replaceable?
You can remove them but probably have to use a knife or cut if off some way. They are extremely tight fits (which is a good thing). My wife got one for her Shield and you have to boil it in water to get it loose or stretchy enough to put on. I actually ripped the first one and had to get a replacement. Once on though, it's like it is part of the gun.
 
My proclivities run more toward Mustang Pocketlites but that body guard looks pretty cool.

Depending on if price and size is a big factor i would shop the 80X if i was now in the market for a 380.
 
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Not a great fan of .380, a bit marginal in it's ability to do real incapacitating damage. Wound Chanel damage is marginal. Of course, shoot anyone 10 times with anything, you've going to at least get their attention. All my training has been centered on 2-3 shots high center mass. The fewer rounds you expend, less responsibility for stray rounds. "Stopping Power " is a misnomer, it's not the bullet that knocks someone down, it's their reaction to it. Lots of street drugs make an attacker non-reactive to pain or fear, so the bullet(s) have to do some real damage. I have 2 carry guns, both capable of either pocket or holster carry. One, a S&W M642UC with Speer 125 gr Gold Dots +P, the other, Sig P365x with Federal 147 gr HST. A carry weapon should LOOK like a deadly weapon, not a tiny toy. In other words, it needs to convey a visual threat. My house gun is a Glock 34 MOS with a Trijicon RMR and 19 rd magazine, using the same Federal 9mm 147gr HST, it definitely conveys a visual threat. It's all about physics and visual threat.

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That is a nice looking gun. Looks like it would handle well, and I like fiber optics sights on a defensive gun. The slide looks higher than the bodyguard, but it is a 380, so recoil impulse will be small anyway.

Not sure about the Hogue grip. I wonder if it is removable and replaceable?
Yes. They stretch and slide off... sometimes a bit of a fight. A little soapy water helps.
 
Not a great fan of .380, a bit marginal in it's ability to do real incapacitating damage. Wound Chanel damage is marginal. Of course, shoot anyone 10 times with anything, you've going to at least get their attention. All my training has been centered on 2-3 shots high center mass. The fewer rounds you expend, less responsibility for stray rounds. "Stopping Power " is a misnomer, it's not the bullet that knocks someone down, it's their reaction to it. Lots of street drugs make an attacker non-reactive to pain or fear, so the bullet(s) have to do some real damage. I have 2 carry guns, both capable of either pocket or holster carry. One, a S&W M642UC with Speer 125 gr Gold Dots +P, the other, Sig P365x with Federal 147 gr HST. A carry weapon should LOOK like a deadly weapon, not a tiny toy. In other words, it needs to convey a visual threat. My house gun is a Glock 34 MOS with a Trijicon RMR and 19 rd magazine, using the same Federal 9mm 147gr HST, it definitely conveys a visual threat. It's all about physics and visual threat.

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Yeah. The carry weapon looks and stopping power part of your post require a bit more research. Might want to rethink those points.
 
Yeah. The carry weapon looks and stopping power part of your post require a bit more research. Might want to rethink those points.
My experiences in law enforcement and actual ballistic Gel with fabric barrier testing by both the FBI and independent Labs are the research for my reasoning. Numerous training sessions in both tactical techniques and defensive carry are things i don't need to rethink. Having been shot with a small caliber weapon (net effect: pissed me off, not disabling, and the only drug I was on was adrenaline) form my thoughts on the subject. FBI research has proven that penatration and size of wound channel is what stops an attacker, hast to do enough damage where he is actually disabled. Drugs that inhibit or delay reaction are the real problem these days. You can kill an attacker with a small caliber weapon, problem is they will die after they kill you, most times they don't even realize they've been shot.
 
My experiences in law enforcement and actual ballistic Gel with fabric barrier testing by both the FBI and independent Labs are the research for my reasoning. Numerous training sessions in both tactical techniques and defensive carry are things i don't need to rethink. Having been shot with a small caliber weapon (net effect: pissed me off, not disabling, and the only drug I was on was adrenaline) form my thoughts on the subject. FBI research has proven that penatration and size of wound channel is what stops an attacker, hast to do enough damage where he is actually disabled. Drugs that inhibit or delay reaction are the real problem these days. You can kill an attacker with a small caliber weapon, problem is they will die after they kill you, most times they don't even realize they've been shot.
My experiences and training in law enforcement tell me a bit differently.
I refer to the Relative Incapacitation Index...which is older than your testing source(s). .380 isn't even included as it was not then, nor is it now, considered a duty round at least in the US. So I would agree that your source is more recent.
The appearance of lethality of a weapon is so subjective...and that's assuming an assailant can even see it depending on location, lighting or lack of it.
I believe advances in ammunition technology have improved incapacitation significantly over a wide spectrum of calibers from .22-.45 and everything in between. .380 obviously included.
I carry a .38 with Hornady Critical Defense or a compact 9mm with Hornady FTX.
But I am looking to soon purchase the Ruger Security.380. I like the size/weight and capacity.
 
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Ive never been shot.

However there are entire websites dedicated to testing "mouse gun" calibers of which 380 is a common one. I believe there is now ammunition which renders it more effective than previously common ammunition.

You will get no argument from me that assuming the ability to use it something starting with the sacred number "4" would be better (and preferably not 10mm short)...

Without really knowing the OPs experience it should probably also be mentioned that practicing with defense loads in a small lightweight 380 is not particularly pleasant. depending on the action type (of which i did not research either the topic BG or Later recommended Ruger) it can be down right unpleasant (Bersa i'm looking at you).
 
Ive never been shot.

However there are entire websites dedicated to testing "mouse gun" calibers of which 380 is a common one. I believe there is now ammunition which renders it more effective than previously common ammunition.

You will get no argument from me that assuming the ability to use it something starting with the sacred number "4" would be better (and preferably not 10mm short)...

Without really knowing the OPs experience it should probably also be mentioned that practicing with defense loads in a small lightweight 380 is not particularly pleasant. depending on the action type (of which i did not research either the topic BG or Later recommended Ruger) it can be down right unpleasant (Bersa i'm looking at you).
I have a Bersa Thunder .380 and it's proven itself repeatedly to be the worst gun I've ever purchased. It's not much smaller or lighter than my Taurus PT111 G2.
It's capacity is minimal comparatively. It's been a jam machine since new despite two trips to two different gunsmiths. I don't think most gun stores are even interested in accepting it as a trade in.
 
My experiences and training in law enforcement tell me a bit differently.
I refer to the Relative Incapacitation Index...which is older than your testing source(s). .380 isn't even included as it was not then, nor is it now, considered a duty round at least in the US. So I would agree that your source is more recent.
The appearance of lethality of a weapon is so subjective...and that's assuming an assailant can even see it depending on location, lighting or lack of it.
I believe advances in ammunition technology have improved incapacitation significantly over a wide spectrum of calibers from .22-.45 and everything in between. .380 obviously included.
I carry a .38 with Hornady Critical Defense or a compact 9mm with Hornady FTX.
But I am looking to soon purchase the Ruger Security.380. I like the size/weight and capacity.
This is truth!
 
Food for thought my friends.
"You can kill an attacker with a small caliber weapon, problem is they will die after they kill you, most times they don't even realize they've been shot."
 
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