Small .380 semi-auto VS small .38 Special revolver

I've been considering the BG380 as well for an EDC, specifically for warmer weather. The Colt New Agent and the Bersa Thunder are also great guns to consider but they aren't quite in the same class. The BG380 is a pocket gun, around 5-1/4 inches while the Bersa and the Colt are closer to a subcompact- sized at around 6-3/4 inches. It would be closer to compare them to something like a S&W M&P 9c than the BG380. All of them have their pros and cons for each purpose and situation.

Also, I have heard about many FtF problems with the BG380 with the early SN's. The later numbers seem to have been addressed. S&W will do the warranty work for the early numbers to get them back up and running.
 
With equal training and practice, a revolver being reloaded with a "speedloader" will never be as fast or as easy to do as inserting a magazine (even one as small as some .380 mags are) into a semi-auto with the slide locked back is.
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I think this guy will disagree with you 12 shots accurate shot all hitting the target from a 6 shot revolver in under 3 seconds

And forget the so-called intimidation factor. If you have cause to point a firearm at another human being, it's only because your life and/or limb or that of another innocent person's is at risk. And if yours or another's life is on the line, you want a defensive handgun to put your adversary down; not count on it to make him run away (if he does flee at the mere sight of your pistol, that would be the best possible outcome and a welcome response-but I would never select a firearm to be employed for self-defense on the basis of any supposed "fear factor").
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I agree with you 100%, pulling a gun out to scare or intimidate is against the law in most if not all states, it's called brandishing.
 
Brandishing, even if its a self defense situation?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid to have to pull the trigger, but its a tough economy, and good SD rounds aren't cheap. :D

I'm leaning more and more to the .38 Bodyguard, loaded with either PowrBall or Hornady Crit. Def., both in +P.


Just to reiterate, I'm only looking for a new carry pistol for summer time, when I'm likely just wearing a T shirt and shorts. In which case I'm going to get an IWB holster, but the M&P 357sig compact is just a tad too big to be concealed in this attire.

I'm open to other suggestions, I'm a S&W guy and these were the first weapons that came to mind.

Thanks for all the input guys. Keep it coming!!!


PS, another weapon I've looked at is the Sig P238, either the Equinox or Laser model.
 
Brandishing, even if its a self defense situation?
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You are walking a fine line between self defense and being arrested and charged with brandishing.

I your life was in danger why did you take out your gun and not shoot?

If you admit to taking out your gun to scare someone there is a good chance that you will be charged with brandishing.

I happen to own a lot of S&Ws but my first though when I saw these two guns was ugly. These are the three guns that are my regular carry guns A S&W 1911 a S&W model 327 eight shot .357 and the Colt 1911.

I prefer a revolver with an exposed hammer but having a shrouded hammer can prevent the gun from snagging on clothing when drawing the gun.

If I were looking to spend somewhere around $400 I would look for a nice used pre-lock S&W. S&W makes some of the smoothest double action revolvers. Look around for a nice used .38 S&W snubbie and forget about the .380. The .38 special is just a better choice for self protection than the .380.

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Whats the big beef with the lock? I read that they are phasing it out already, and the BG .38 doesn't come with one.

I really like concept of polymer, ultra-light revolvers, and I've looked at the Ruger LCR, but to get the laser sights, you pay an extra 200 bucks, where as with the SW, they come factory, minus the 200 bucks.

The Taurus Polymer Protector is brand new, heavier, and bigger in the grip area. No laser sight option, and only about 70 dollars cheaper.

Heck, I even entertained the thought of the polymer Judge for ohhhh about .2 seconds.

So I think I ruled out the BG 380, and I'm going with the .38

Silvercorvette - That Model 327 looks pretty sweet! Kinda big on the grip end. Assuming its built off the N frame?
 
Whats the big beef with the lock?
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In some higher power rounds the lock has broken and cause the gun to become non-functional.
There are also politically correct people who dislike the lock because it exists.


If someone isn't intimidated by a small semi, they probably won't be intimidated by a small revolver.

Pick the gun that best suits your needs and that you shoot the best.
 
Silvercorvette - That Model 327 looks pretty sweet! Kinda big on the grip end. Assuming its built off the N frame?
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correct it is and N frame, and as far as the locks go there have been reports of guns locking up by themselves. That is the last thing I want if my life depends on the gun firing when I pull the trigger. My carry guns all have the locks removed.

I haven't heard of any rumors about the lock being phased out and since S&W is owned or partly owned by the company that makes the locks I doubt the will stop making the locks.

I also hate the lock because it leaves an ugly hole in the side of the gun. There are a few gum makers that have locks that are less objectionable, if I am not mistaken Ruger makes a better locking system

I really like concept of polymer, ultra-light revolvers, and I've looked at the Ruger LCR, but to get the laser sights, you pay an extra 200 bucks, where as with the SW, they come factory, minus the 200 buck
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If you are going to be shooting a magnum you need a gun with some weight to it.

A light weight gun is fine in .38 or .380 but too light for .357 loads.

There is nothing wrong with light weight guns, I own a few. But sometimes a person may want something more substantial. I have gotten used to carrying the "N" frame to the point I don't notice the weight
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all you need to do to fix the lock is remove this part, the downside is you wind up with a space

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Some where lost in the process, I didn't know we carried to produce a "intimidation factor". Thought is was more serious then that when you pulled out a weapon. As far as .380 vs .38, in good hands, it wouldn't mater.
 
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With equal training and practice, a revolver being reloaded with a "speedloader" will never be as fast or as easy to do as inserting a magazine (even one as small as some .380 mags are) into a semi-auto with the slide locked back is.

I think this guy will disagree with you 12 shots accurate shot all hitting the target from a 6 shot revolver in under 3 seconds
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Not to take anything away from Mr. Miculek's extraordinary feat, he was using six round "moonclips" in a revolver set up with recessed chambers to accomodate same, not a conventional speedloader.
 
Grumpy,

As I stated before, if I pull out my carry pistol and the attacker saw it and just ran away, I view that as a better outcome than me pulling it out, him not even thinking twice, until there are a few holes in his chest that are about .38 inches wide.

When I first posted this, I was in the mindset that someone looking down the barrel of a revolver would be more likely to stop what they are doing, rather than a little toy-looking pocket pistol of the same size. But this was already clarified by LordTio3 when he pointed out that the demeanor when you present your weapon will be more of a factor than the type of weapon.


The reason I was in this mindset is because I've been in a situation before, where it was completely self defense, and the person on the receiving end of my pistol had kids and a wife. Once I pulled the pistol out, the situation defused. He thought about his family and decided to put the broken beer bottle down and walk away. Then again, I backed up about fifteen feet before I pulled out the pistol, therefore giving him and myself time to consider.

I don't know how many people here have had to use their carry pistol for a legitimate self defense situation, but its completely different than I imagined. Hell, I was in the Army, and it felt completely different than that even.
 
Just found out the M&P compact I was going to buy from a friend is actually a full size soooo. This Bodyguard .38, or whatever else I find, is going to by my new main carry pistol. Walking around with this 5'' Pro series is becoming annoying.
 
Nice gun Doc. Something like that would be good. How heavy is it though. Weight is going to be an issue for me for sure.

If I go to the park or something and start running around, I don't want a three pound revolver floppin around my hip. I know I can find a holster thats secure enough to hold it, but whether that holster will stay put is another issue.
 
carry gun

My suggestion is to buy and carry the best compromise of caliber, size, power, capacity and accuracy. The most important part is carry it. I personaly carry different guns for different seasons due to my and their clothing. I carry at a minimum a kel tec p3at or DiamondBack 380 and my kel tec p40 gets carried the most. Alot of people malign them but the Kel Tec p11 and pf9 are good juju for everyday carry.
 
The Keltec PF9 looks promising. Sure would like to have a 9mm Parabellum over a .380 any day.

I've always liked Keltecs, my friend had one of the earlier P-32s, and never had an issue with it.
 
I have looked at the PPS, and seen the Kahr PM9 advertised a lot (hard to miss the ads in the gun magazines!!!) and they are more than the Bodyguard, and lacking the laser.

I feel like I'm kinda being stubborn because all the guns suggested are great weapons, but I keep going back to the Bodyguard .38
Thanks for all the input though guys, I've got some things to think about now at least.
 
Try shooting a compact revolver and a compact pistol before you buy. I had a S&W 442 (hammerless compact 38) and sold it. I can shoot a compact pistol (LCP, P3AT) MUCH better than I ever could the revolver. My P3AT is also much easier and more comfortable to carry. In fact, I would only carry the 442 when I knew I was going into very sketchy areas. I carry the Kel-tec just about everywhere because I don't even notice it's there.
-Dan
 
I've shot the Bodyguard .38 and shot very well with it. It's hard to NOT shoot good with a laser sight, though. Using the iron sights, I could still hold good groups.

I've shot a Keltec before, an older p-32, and a few other, random "micro-pistols" and I could hold good groups with them too, but they've always felt too small for me. I felt like if someone sneezed hard enough, it would knock the pistol out of my hand. Hard to get a good grip on them, and still have a good trigger squeeze.

The "micro- revolvers" though feel a lot better in my hand, the only thing is they are wider because of the cylinder. So its all give and take from what I'm learning. I've never been a big fan of these ultra compact guns, but now that I'm finding a need for one, I'm having to adapt.
 
Nice gun Doc. Something like that would be good. How heavy is it though. Weight is going to be an issue for me for sure.
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If you like Doc's revolver, be advised that, unfortunately, Colt hasn't made this gun for decades. But the Colt Cobra (or its near twin, the Agent) is my carry snub of choice and the good thing is they can be found readily at most gun shows, selling for under $500.00 in excellent condition.
The Cobra/Agent snubbies have many advantages: Light weight (they weigh no more than a Smith Airweight @ 16 ounces); six shot capacity (one more round than the Airweight but, as mentioned, weighing the same); excellent trigger pull, both da and sa; fine workmanship and finish and high resale potential. Drawbacks are mainly two: It is becoming harder and harder to find people competent to work on all Colt revolvers and the use of +p ammunition in most Colt alloy frame revolvers should be kept to a minimum.
They are worth looking for! :)
 
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