S&W Bodyguard 380 Review [Updated]

There was a time when the pocket 380 ACP ruled the roost. About a decade ago, the pocket 380 ACP and the single stack 9mm were belles of the ball. Today we are going to look at one of the original 380s pocket guns, the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 ACP. In this personal S&W Bodyguard 380 review, I’ll take you through the background and specs of this gun as well as my personal experience with it.

I originally reviewed this gun back in 2022 but after a year and a few hundred rounds more with it, my opinions have changed than when I had purchased it as a new gun. So I’ve updated my review accordingly. Let’s get right into it.

Background and Specifications

The S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP traces its lineage back to the original S&W Bodyguard series. The Model 38 was the original Bodyguard and was a 38 Special five-shot, J-frame revolver. The frame featured an enclosed hammer that has a small tab that allows the hammer to still be manually cocked. The Bodyguard series has always personified small, concealed carry firearms. 

The Bodyguard line remained a key part of S&W’s concealed carry revolvers, but the world changed and S&W changed with it. They expanded the Bodyguard lineup to include a semi-auto pistol, and it was the era of the pocket .380 ACP. This was like sugar and cream in coffee, it just made sense to cash in on the trend and produce a .380 ACP pocket pistol. The Bodyguard .380 was born!

The S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP was only 5.25 inches overall, and it packed a 2.5-inch barrel, making it a slightly larger gun than its counterparts like Ruger LCP. At a little over 12 ounces, the Bodyguard certainly posed no challenge for daily carry. 

The S&W Bodyguard 380 is designed with a fixed firing pin, which means it doesn’t move or strike the cartridge like a traditional firing pin. Instead, it has an internal hammer-fired system where the hammer directly strikes the firing pin to ignite the cartridge primer when the trigger is pulled.

The micro sized pocket pistol uses a double action only design that uses a hammer. That’s not a huge surprise and even though its semi-automatic it kept to the general theme of the Bodyguard revolvers. The Bodyguard .380 combined that with a polymer frame and produced a lightweight and affordable carry gun that matched contemporaries like the LCP and P3AT. 

There wasn’t much notable about the gun, except for the fact that S&W integrated a laser into the frame. It’s a one piece design. Visible lasers have largely fallen out of favor these days and in many cases rightly so. With that said, on micro sized guns a laser can be a handy tool to have. The sights on this gun are barely nubs and the little laser can be handy in low light and for a target focused design. 

Later models would offer a laser free option at an even cheaper price point. Many would assume the Bodyguard’s long double action trigger would be safe enough, but they also integrated a thumb safety.  It’s redundant, but in some states it’s also legally necessary to sell the firearm. 

S&W Bodyguard 380 Features

1 Integral Frame Laser 

2 Double Action Only Trigger 

3 Manual Safety 

4 Stainless Slide and Barrel 

S&W Bodyguard 380 Models 

Bodyguard 380 ACP – Our Take

Let’s start with the good things. Or, well, a good thing. The S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP does give you a very reliable little weapon. The little automatic cycles and functions without any issues. I’ve yet to have the weapon malfunction. Little guns like this can be a little tricky for new shooters. 

They tend to be more susceptible to limp-wristing due to their small size and snappy recoil. Limp wristing can cause issues with reliability, but it’s more on the shooter and less on the gun. I won’t fault the Bodyguard for someone limp-wristing the gun. Hold it firm, and you’ll be good to go. That old-school double-action trigger just works. 

The S&W Bodyguard is absurdly small. You get two magazines, one with a flush-fitting baseplate and the other with a slight finger extension. I prefer the slight finger extension because I need as much grip as possible on the gun. I have more than just a hanging pinky, but a hanging pinky and a half-hanging ring finger. Don’t forget, it’s .75 inches thick! 

It’s so absurdly thin, and the grip is so short that it’s not super comfy to grip. You can grab it, but it’s not very comfortable. My fingers feel too large for the small trigger guard and micro-sized grip. It’s what you expect from a micro-sized .380 ACP.

Just a note: manipulating the safety isn’t super easy. S&W should’ve just ditched the safety altogether. It’s super small and hard for me to engage in the draw. Typically, I wouldn’t use it and carry without it, but you have to train to disable it just in case it accidentally jumps in place while being carried. A slight beavertail protects your hands from slide bite, and I appreciate it from a technical perspective. I’m not too fond of slide bite, and I happily don’t experience it with the S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP. 

Oh boy, this is not an easy gun to shoot. Chic Gaylord, a pistolero and holster man, said something along the lines of that any man looking to carry a snub nose revolver should shoot at least 100 rounds a week in practice. I feel that way about the S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP. While a lot of new shooters will choose small guns for their convenience factor, many might not know just how hot they are to handle and how hard they are to shoot accurately. 

The .380 ACP Problem

The problem with the S&W Bodyguard is the same problem most pocket .380s have. It’s simply reflective of this genre of firearm. The .380 ACP cartridge was never designed for guns this small. The .380 ACP was designed to be about the most capable round for direct blowback pistols in the early 1900s. The first gun to chamber it was the Colt Pocket Hammerless, and while pocket is in the name, the gun was nearly the same size as a Glock 19, just way thinner.

Accurate shooting with a handgun revolves less around your trigger and more around your grip. The trigger only becomes a problem when it’s so long and so heavy that it disturbs your grip and sight picture. If you have a micro-sized grip with a long, heavy trigger, you run into problems. Oh, and don’t forget the rough recoil of the .380 ACP in a micro-sized firearm.

This gives us a gun that’s hard to shoot accurately and dang near impossible to shoot quickly and accurately. If you really take your time you can print a small group, but in a practical situation this isn’t an easy gun to shoot.

Your sights are two tiny nubs, and your sight radius is almost nothing. The sights are not fast to acquire by any means. The Crimson Trace laser is a big selling point, but if you are in a bright environment, you might have a hard time finding that laser. 

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 ACP typically features a double-action-only (DAO) trigger mechanism but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Good DAO triggers exist. However, this isn’t one of them. It’s a terrible trigger. The super heavy and long trigger pull does not leave a good impression. It takes a very slow and dedicated pull to ensure your sights don’t move. That’s not a good trigger for a combat handgun. 

I’ve found that the weight, typically around 8 to 10 pounds, and the longer trigger pull length can be a bit of a hurdle, especially for those used to lighter, crisper triggers. For precise shooting, especially at longer distances, it might take some getting used to.

In high-stress situations like a gun fight, that heavy trigger pull might slow down your response time, and the longer pull could affect accuracy until you’ve really familiarized yourself with it through practice.

Sure, it’s a safety feature in its own right, making accidental discharges less likely, but for some shooters, myself included, it can feel like a bit of a drawback, making rapid or precise shooting a bit more challenging than desired.

In general, this weapon is bad guy accurate and only at very close range. Even well-aimed, slow fire doesn’t group well. Throwing shots is very easy to do, and even after lots of practice, I felt barely competent with the gun. 

Shootability

This thing is a hand slapper. 380 ACP recoil in a .75 inch thick grip, and a 12-ounce gun, doesn’t equal a pleasant experience. The gun bucks and jumps and fights its way out of your hand. That recoil, mixed with the average grip, makes the gun hard to handle. After a few shots, you’ll have to adjust your hand to fire again. 

The long DAO trigger, sharp, snappy recoil, and adjustment requirements make it tough to fire rapidly. Even a double-tap isn’t easy, and this gun is very poor in the shootability department. 

Admittedly, a 400 dollar price tag isn’t too bad, and that’s a common price for a dependable, reliable firearm. However, I think there are much better, easier to handle firearms at this same price point. I think most people would be better suited with any of the current Micro Compacts over the S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP. Check out our list of best 380 pistols to find what we think is a better option.

Final thoughts

From my experience with the S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP, it’s a mixed bag. On the bright side, this little gun is reliable, never giving me any malfunctions, which is a huge plus. But there are hurdles, especially for newer shooters. Its small size and sharp recoil make it prone to issues like limp wristing, more due to shooter technique than the gun itself.

The gun’s tiny frame and ultra-thin grip sacrifice comfort for concealability. Handling the safety can be a hassle due to its small size, making carrying without engaging it a tempting choice.

Shooting it isn’t a walk in the park either. The sights are small, the trigger is heavy with a long pull, making accurate and rapid shooting a challenge. In high-pressure situations, that heavy trigger can slow down response time.

While it’s affordable at around $400, I think there are better options out there. Its limitations in handling and shootability push me toward considering other micro compacts at a similar price. For close-range accuracy, it might do the job, but for overall usability, I’d lean toward exploring alternatives.

Bodyguard 380 Pros And Cons 

FAQs

Is there a safety on the Bodyguard 380?

Yes, the S&W Bodyguard 380 features multiple safety mechanisms, including a manual thumb safety located on the left side of the frame, near the rear of the slide. Additionally, it has a passive internal safety feature.

How much does the S&W Bodyguard 380 trigger pull weight?

The trigger pull weight on the Bodyguard 380 typically ranges between 8 to 10 pounds in a double-action-only mechanism. This heavier pull is deliberate for safety purposes, aiming to prevent accidental discharges and requires intentional pressure for firing.

Is the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 a good pocket gun for concealed carry?

Absolutely, the S&W Bodyguard 380 is often hailed as a reliable choice for concealed carry due to its small size and ease of pocket carry. It’s popular among those seeking a compact yet effective firearm for self-defense.

Is the S&W Bodyguard 380 a good daily carry option?

While I can recommend it as a backup gun, its recoil, and heavy trigger pull doesn’t make it a great choice for regular carry.

S&W Bodyguard 380 Ammo

S&W Bodyguard 380 Starter Pack

If you’ve decided to pick up the Bodyguard 380, or found another firearm that suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to pick up in order to maximize its potential and your safety regardless of if it’s your first firearm or not.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon, or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check out our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
• Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

Upgrades and Accessories

S&W Bodyguard 380 Accessories

1. Do-All Outdoors Steel Resetting Target		Rated For . 38 – . 44 Caliber Pistols High Visibility Targets Reset Without Walking Down Range	Check Amazon
2. 100 Round Ammo Box		100 Round Capacity Scuff-resistant textured surface Snap lock latch	Check Amazon
3. Pineworld Biometric Gun Safe		Reliable Biometric Scanner Sturdy and Well Built Cheaper Than Most Biometrics	Check Amazon
4. Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs		Great In-Ear option Custom molded – super easy and comfortable NRR: 31	Check Amazon

Caring for your S&W Bodyguard 380

It’s critical not only to keep your guns secure, but also to understand how to care for your firearms properly. We’ve located a fantastic video below on this subject.

Important Links and Manuals

• S&W M&P Bodyguard Manual
• Smith & Wesson
• Smith & Wesson Warranties