Let’s be upfront about this: this evaluate can be a bit biased. I admit it. I personal a S&W Bodyguard 2.0. I purchased the evaluate gun after I did that piece a yr or so in the past. The gun simply appeared to nestle into my hand nearly completely, and it behaved properly after I shot it.
Plus, its 10- and 12-round capability magazines have been an enormous draw. I do know I’m not the one gun author to love this gun… when it got here out in July of final yr, many gun writers and YouTubers jumped on its bandwagon. S&W has hit one out of the park, in response to a number of of us hacks.
How so?
Let’s reply that by wanting on the one we have now in entrance of us right this moment —a Efficiency Heart model, with a muzzle compensator slot lower into the slide and barrel, which was launched this previous July. It’s the identical gun because the one I purchased, apart from the added compensator. The slide has one compensator lower in its prime and two on all sides, simply behind the muzzle. (I feel these are there extra for shaving a few ounces off the gun, and for appears. They’re not lined up with the highest barrel lower.)
First, some numbers for you…
Specs
Width 0.88 In
Size 5.85 In
Top 4 In
Weight 11.8 Oz
Caliber 380 Auto
Measurement Micro
Capability 10,12
Motion Striker Fired
Barrel Size 3.1
Grip Polymer
Sights Ameriglo® Evening Sights
Optic Prepared No
Security None
Shade/End Black
State Compliance CO, DE, IL, VT
Threaded Barrel No
Barrel Materials Stainless Metal
Body Polymer
Laser No
Quantity Of Magazines 2
10lb Set off No
MSRP: $549
Different options embrace some attention-grabbing sights. You’ve got a rear notch that’s serrated, and an Ameriglo night time sight up entrance.
The muzzle compensator and entrance sight. These should not your common “380-pocket-pistol” sights, however are very helpful.
Talking of the non-compensated mannequin, I took a few “household images” to check the relative measurement of every pistol. The 12-round prolonged journal is in each. I maintain that journal within the gun… it doesn’t add to the majority, and it gives two extra rounds over the flat-based magazine.
(I didn’t get them lined up completely, however you catch the drift.) The comp’d one isn’t for much longer than the non-comp’d model.
The set off is flat-faced and breaks at 6 kilos.
Additionally, the magazine launch is well reversible. Hawk-eyed readers will see that I’ve reversed it on my gun within the “two-guns” images.
The slide has some engraving…
Right here’s the barrel:
Notice the compensator lower close to the muzzle.
“Mug” photographs…
The grip texturing is excellent… not too little, not an excessive amount of. It’s extra aggressive on the back and front than on the edges. The gun matches my hand extraordinarily properly. Even the prolonged magazine base plate is textured.
At The Vary
I bear in mind after I first acquired the Bodyguard 2.0. I ended up holding that one, as I discussed, as a result of I used to be impressed with the way it shot and felt in my hand. This one is not any totally different.
I arrange some targets at about 10 yards and introduced out three .380 hundreds: all 95-grain FMJs from Aguila, MagTech, and S&B. I do know some people who carry a 380 with FMJ rounds for penetration, as they don’t belief JHP bullets to increase at 380 velocities. Plus, the ammo is a bit cheaper and extra available round right here.
Did the muzzle compensator lower assist? It positive did. The gun didn’t come again fairly as onerous, or the muzzle rise fairly as excessive, as my “regular” one does. Additionally, the set off was useful. That is progress for S&W, as a result of up to now, a few of their smaller carry weapons didn’t have such nice triggers. I’m glad to say that’s not the case anymore.
At any charge, listed below are three consultant targets.
Aguila. It shot excessive left with the sights as issued.
MagTech. Once more, high-left.
S&B. A bit decrease however nonetheless left. If I have been holding the pistol, I’d transfer the rear sight to compensate. No less than the underside two teams may largely be coated by the 2-inch black middle, with one flyer every. The gun is correct sufficient for its objective. As with all weapons, you’d have to experiment to discover a load that it appreciated. I used a middle maintain.
Discipline-Stripping
One very helpful characteristic on this 2.0 Carry Comp is its takedown lever. There are not any Glock-style tabs… my fingers should not good with these. As a substitute, pull the journal and empty the chamber. Then, lock the slide again. Flip the takedown lever downwards 90 levels and launch the slide. After you pull the set off, the slide will come off the entrance of the body. Separate the barrel and spring, and clear away. Reassemble in reverse order… It’s simpler than a number of different pistols I may title.
Concluding Ideas
The .380 has grown in reputation in recent times as a carry caliber. With new expertise and bullet building, it has been “ramped up” to a substantial diploma when it comes to effectiveness. You’ll be able to nonetheless purchase pocket 380s all day lengthy with 6-round magazines and crappy triggers, however why? For nearly the identical bulk, you possibly can have one with a 12+1 capability, a great entrance night time sight, a notched rear sight, nice grip texturing, and great controllability.
For a avenue worth of round $499, you may get a gun that might conceivably go along with you nearly each time you permit house, in your pocket. (Simply please use a pocket holster.) Insert the 10-round journal to hold, and place the 12-round journal in one other pocket or magazine provider. The .380 is nothing to sneeze at, and this newest gun from S&W in that caliber is among the finer ones available on the market.
In case you’re available in the market for a pocket .380, try this “tiny M&P”, as I affectionately name it. It bears no resemblance to some other tiny 380 that S&W has ever made, and the “M&P” comparability is welcome on this case. It appears like somebody put a full-size M&P within the dryer, and it shrank. Issues may very well be worse than that.
Test one out… You may prefer it. No less than I did!
The place To Purchase
