So after reading about the Glock 42 today in the new edition of guns and ammo and drooling over it, I went to the Smith and Wesson website to see any updates and there it was ,new for 2014 M&P Bodyguard .380. Take a look

 

 

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/images/firearms/zoom_lg/109381_01_lg.jpg

 

NO LASER

NEW SLIDE

 

 

I guess the .380 is en vogue at the moment. Not really sure why.

I've got one with the laser. It's not very intuitive. But it does work well. It's not really useful for a pocket gun role though. I'd rather have a little bit smaller gun. If you had the time to draw it in a situation you could use it to temporarily blind, disoriented, and possibly defuse the situation. To me a pocket gun is an emergency " oh shit "gun. Not one with the time to turn on a not so easy to turn on laser type of gun.

 

That being said I'm on my second set of batteries because with it unloaded it makes a great dog toy. You should see my dog chase after that laser dot!

I guess the .380 is en vogue at the moment. Not really sure why.

I've shot my by 380 thru a treated 4 by 4. It's not the most desirable round ever but it's no slouch. I shot the bodyguard far better than all the other pocket sized pistols I tried out. Both 9 and 380. If I was hunting elephants in Africa I wouldn't carry it but given the role I intend to use it for it will do just fine.

 

I actually plan to do a few other tests come spring. There haven't been many boxes of 380 around. Especially the self defense ammo. I've found fmj for the most part.

380 has been one of the harder rounds for me to find. Freedom Munitions has been putting some FMJ out recently.

The 380 is the most popular size for CCW.  Sells like hot cakes on a Sunday morning.  CCW noobs love them for their low profile.  They don't like the "bulky" 9mm package and the price point is fantastic.  Why do you think Glock is releasing a 380 all of the sudden?

I have one and like it. I'm not a big fan of lasers. I could have saved some money if I waited. The size and the sights make it easier to shoot. I really don't want to carry a gun I can't qualify with out to 25 yards (although I can do that with a Jetfire). The gun works well with no malfunctions using a variety of FMJ and JHP ammo.

 

AFAIC all you want for ammo in a 380 is FMJ, moreso with a short barrel. Dicks in Manahawkin has had 380 FMJ every time I've been there. $20 a box no bargain but beats $40 Cheyenne Mountain was charging.

I am disappointed in battery life. Seems the batteries go dead after 3-4 months of non use. And they are a pain to change out.

 

Other then that - quite a bit more friendly then my old KelTec 9

I've shot my by 380 thru a treated 4 by 4. It's not the most desirable round ever but it's no slouch. I shot the bodyguard far better than all the other pocket sized pistols I tried out. Both 9 and 380. If I was hunting elephants in Africa I wouldn't carry it but given the role I intend to use it for it will do just fine.

 

I actually plan to do a few other tests come spring. There haven't been many boxes of 380 around. Especially the self defense ammo. I've found fmj for the most part.

Not necessarily a knock on .380, theres a niche for every round. Just wondering why the new push on the .380's.

I am disappointed in battery life. Seems the batteries go dead after 3-4 months of non use. And they are a pain to change out.

 

Other then that - quite a bit more friendly then my old KelTec 9

Iirc the manual says to remove the batteries if your not going to use it for awhile. Not always possible but I'm pretty sure it says to do that.

I like the look of this. i would like to compare it to my Sig 938 Carry gun.

love the 380 pocket guns.. with the CCW boom in the U.S everyone wants a gun they can carry everyday all day with all attire.. BTW When I say the U.S I exclude the NY/NJ/CA hole of @$$ states... 

Not a bad looking gun any idea on price. Would be a nice pistol for my wife.

Iirc the manual says to remove the batteries if your not going to use it for awhile. Not always possible but I'm pretty sure it says to do that.

 

The manual for every electronic device with batteries says to remove the batteries if storing for longer then "X"

 

And as I mentioned, the batteries are not a simple "pop a cap off" and remove.

The pistol has to be field stripped to get to the battery compartment.

Not a bad looking gun any idea on price. Would be a nice pistol for my wife.

 

The gun is snappy. I actually bought it for my wife. One magazine and she said Nope!