need some advice fellas

[k6saunde]

Im assuming your thinking of buying the S&W Bodyguard because it has a laser sight built in. Which in concept is a good idea, but in my opinion poorly executed by S&W. The reason I say this is because turning on and off the laser site on this gun in the best of conditions is challenging at best. If the only reason your buying this gun is it has a built in laser, then I say "STOP right there" and rethink your purchase.

A laser site on any handgun should turn on automatically when you grip the gun. Not require you to fumble for a switch in the dark. Crimson Trace makes excellent laser sights for almost all handguns. These are instant on lasers that activate when your hold the gun in your hand normally.

As for the rounds to get for the gun of your choosing I would suggest the Hornaday Critical Defense. Its what I carry in all my carry guns. The reason is a normal hollow point can get plugged up if the person your shooting at has on a heavy coat or even loose clothing. Which can prevent the hollow point from expanding and doing the job it was intended to do. Which can allow the bullet to pass right through your target like a full metal jacket and potentially hit someone behind them.

The Hornaday Critical Defense has a rubber plug where a hollow point would normally be. What this plug does is allow the hollow point to expand perfectly every time no matter the clothing being worn by the target or other obstruction.

 

[WESHOOT2]

poking the dinosaur

First, it is a disservice to suggest that modern HP projectiles need "this or that" velocity to perform properly upon impact; virtually all modern-design HP bullets expand reliably within their specific designed-in parameters.
And since the makers understand that their bullets may be used in handguns, they make them work at common handgun velocities.
Like the 380.

Modern guns no longer insist they be fed 'ball' to work, but many older unmodernized guns did not get that memo, and still might be best carried filled with 'ball' cartridges.


Get a big D-cell MagLite flashlight (club) and keep that next to your gun.

 

[jmortimer]

The .380 will work for sure depending on what you want out of it. For me I like non-expanding bullets with a large meplat for maximum straight-line penetration. Once again I'll link the best article I've seen on .380 ACP ammunition ballistic gelatin testing from Brass Fetcher by John Ervin 2-28-10 using a 2.75" Kel-Tec.
http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP ammunition performance in ballistic gelatin.pdf
As you can see, the Winchester 95 grain FMJ "TC" (really more like a FP) went 21.8" in ballistic gelatin at 795 fps. The 100 grain Buffalo Bore hard cast FP will go two feet plus. Out of my Bersa Thunder I get even better penetration and the Buffalo Bore will shoot through any "bad guy." The Federal 90 grain Hydra-Shok goes one foot and expands real good. That is what I would carry if I wanted JHP ammunition.

 

[Wyosmith]

Home defense

Chick, any handgun is going to be more difficult to make hits with then any long arm. Handguns take a LOT more practice to become proficient with.
If you are ONLY going to use it as a home defense gun, you should consider getting a shotgun or a rifle.
If recoil is a problem check out an SKS or even a Ruger 10/22
Many will think such a recommendation is wrong, but a good hit with a high velocity 22 cal solid is way better then a poor hit with a 380.
2 to 10 hits is super good for you and super bad for anyone invading your home
There are a lot of good 20 gauge shotguns available too, for about the same money as the S&W you speak of. If money is not a problem, I would say to look closely at an AR or an AK rifle and get some hollow point ammo. If you live in a city, make sure your ammo will not penetrate too much. 223 round (even the FMJs) stop fairly soon in walls AK rounds (7.62X39) penetrate a lot more.
Heavy bird shot (like #4 and #2) are DEADLY in a shotgun, but also don’t go through several homes before stopping.
Please consider what I am telling you here. Ask combat veterans and homicide cops if I am right.
Those that have real world experience will agree with me.

 

[Ruark]

If you're going to get a small pistol, especially a VERY small one like that Smith, remember that it's hard to hit the side of a barn with that tiny little 1 1/2 inch barrel. That's one advantage of a .22: ammo is cheap. You can buy a box of 550 rounds at Walmart for $15 and shoot till the cows come home. Try blasting away with a small gun you're not used to at an indoor range sometime, one handed, without using the sights (which is how you'll fire it in a self defense situation). You'll be shocked: even at point blank range, say 15 feet, half of your shots won't even hit the paper. You can get much better with it, but it takes a LOT of practice ($$$).