- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
S&W Bodyguard 38 Special +P opinions
Posted on 4/25/14 at 10:57 pm
Posted on 4/25/14 at 10:57 pm
Old fart here...used to post a ton on OT and Poli Board, but have resorted to lurking mostly the past few years...and this board is the BEST!
Question for you experts here, and I know there are a lot of you, since I have seen a LOT of good advice on this board: I won't go in to all of the firearms I own and what I pack as a daily carry and all that....
I'm considering the little Bodyguard for my wife...she isn't a beginner with firearms, has shot casually all her life, has shown herself to be "OK" with my H&K (.45) and my M&P (9mm), but she needs a small purse weapon that is good for close quarters....she is a retail store manager that often arrives at 6AM to her store, and sometimes a couple times a month closes past 10PM when she does not open...
I've shot the bodyguard, and as it is only double action, and the trigger pull is a bit of a burden, I know I would never think of winning a marksmanship battle with it past 10 feet...but in my opinion, it seems like a reliable close protection weapon that would be reliable and always there when you need it...and it's not maintenance intensive....
What say the wise advisors of this board?
Question for you experts here, and I know there are a lot of you, since I have seen a LOT of good advice on this board: I won't go in to all of the firearms I own and what I pack as a daily carry and all that....
I'm considering the little Bodyguard for my wife...she isn't a beginner with firearms, has shot casually all her life, has shown herself to be "OK" with my H&K (.45) and my M&P (9mm), but she needs a small purse weapon that is good for close quarters....she is a retail store manager that often arrives at 6AM to her store, and sometimes a couple times a month closes past 10PM when she does not open...
I've shot the bodyguard, and as it is only double action, and the trigger pull is a bit of a burden, I know I would never think of winning a marksmanship battle with it past 10 feet...but in my opinion, it seems like a reliable close protection weapon that would be reliable and always there when you need it...and it's not maintenance intensive....
What say the wise advisors of this board?
5
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:07 pm to geaux88
I like snub nosed revolvers. But, if I were you, looking for my wife, is look at some .380s - ruger lcr, walther come to mind. Or a subcompact 9.
I only suggest that because even in .38, those things can be uncomfortable for her to shoot.
But guys with much more expertise than me will come along shortly.
I only suggest that because even in .38, those things can be uncomfortable for her to shoot.
But guys with much more expertise than me will come along shortly.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:13 pm to geaux88
The Bodyguard, with the right grips, will probably be a better all-around choice than a sub-compact semiauto.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:15 pm to geaux88
I'd go with a ruger lcr personally, but the bodyguard would work just fine.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:24 pm to 03GeeTee
get a 357mag, and shoot both 38 and 357, get it without a hammer if you plan to carry it
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:34 pm to BrotherEsau
quote:
I only suggest that because even in .38, those things can be uncomfortable for her to shoot.
True, and excellent point, and I thought about that for sure, but she has shown herself to be comfortable with shooting a myriad of weapons without shying away.... I've got a friend who has the bodyguard that he bought at Academy, and it has the stock grips and a laser pointer (why the laser , I don't know on this weapon, b/c a Navy Seal would be hard pressed to be accurate even with the laser on this thing b/c of it's trigger pull....
)... but it is a great close quarter weapon that will work when one needs it even if it has been ignored and not cared for in a woman's purse for a long period of time.... 
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:36 pm to geaux88
I've shot one and liked it, when I was looking for a handgun for the mrs, I was told it has a little pop to it since it's so light. I've been shooting for a good while so I didn't really notice. But I'll tell you what, I bought a S&W shield 9mm recently and that sumbitch is sweet. As far as the pop from being light, get her to shoot something small, like a .22 handgun and see how she likes it.
Since the Mrs. had never shot a handgun before, that's what I did with her. She now shoots the shield comfortably. Also, let her hold onto a few different ones and see what fits her hands well.
ETA: just read your post, if she's comfortable shooting different calibers then have at it.
Since the Mrs. had never shot a handgun before, that's what I did with her. She now shoots the shield comfortably. Also, let her hold onto a few different ones and see what fits her hands well.
ETA: just read your post, if she's comfortable shooting different calibers then have at it.
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 11:39 pm
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:37 pm to Clames
quote:
The Bodyguard, with the right grips, will probably be a better all-around choice than a sub-compact semiauto.
I'm leaning this way...........
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:42 pm to ninthward
quote:
get a 357mag, and shoot both 38 and 357, get it without a hammer if you plan to carry it
Yeah, I've already got an old Colt King Cobra .357 Mag and an OLD Dan Wesson .357 Mag with a 6" barrel...not going to modify those...
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:44 pm to geaux88
My wife has a bodyguard and loves it. I got the grip extender for her and she shoots it well. I bought her a shield and she didn't want to carry it cause if the weight it added to her purse. I figure a .380 in her purse is better than a shield left on the nightstand.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:50 pm to BrotherEsau
Many thanks to all of you for your advice and opinions....I think I'm going to give her a test drive with my friend's weapon and if she's comfy I'll go with the Bodyguard.... 
Posted on 4/26/14 at 1:52 am to geaux88
quote:
she isn't a beginner with firearms, has shot casually all her life, has shown herself to be "OK" with my H&K (.45) and my M&P (9mm)
She needs more practice with your full sized handguns before moving on to a small subcompact. Small guns are terrible first guns for new shooters (even though shes been shooting on and off her whole life).
The best place for most beginners to start is a full sized 9mm. If you can get them really good with a 22 that's better but I know how difficult 22 is to find right now. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who can't handle the recoil from a full sized 9mm.
Once she gets comfortable with that you can move her on to a smaller gun for CC. Contrary to popular belief, women can rack the slide on semi auto handguns. It just needs to be the proper form. Here is a video you would benefit from.
Firearms for Women
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News