Best upgrade for the BG380 is selling it and buying the P238. Or G42, or LCP...
Bingo! I bought a G42 and couldn't be happier. Felt lucky to hit the paper with the BG, the G42 punches holes in groups.
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Best upgrade for the BG380 is selling it and buying the P238. Or G42, or LCP...
Bingo! I bought a G42 and couldn't be happier. Felt lucky to hit the paper with the BG, the G42 punches holes in groups.
I remember reading your review when I was trying to decide on buying it.See my previous review of the S&W Bodyguard along with reply post #25 (a follow-up)
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/249607-New-S-amp-W-M-amp-P-Bodyguard-Range-Review
Ido head size groups with the Bodyguard 380 at 50 feet. Averaging 9" groups at that distance. 5-6" groups with it at 25"
and Jerry Miculek hits the target with a bodyguard at 200 YARDS!
I had both laser/no-laser models and had no issues. If I pocket-carried, I'd probably have kept one. I liked the size and design, but decided I liked the Kahr P380 and Sig P238 better. Both of these guns a very popular on this board for good reasons. Try them before you buy the Bodyguard, side-by-side if possible.
Bodyguard trigger is worse than a revolver. If you're only shooting a few rounds out of it during range visits, it's not an issue.
I gave up on buying a BG380 after reading owner testimonials (and when I'd try to buy one from the NES classifieds, the seller would usually say "works fine other than light strikes/broken part/loose part/etc") but objectively speaking they seem to be chunkier and with worse triggers than competing pistols. Its main advantage over an LCP/TCP/P3AT is restrike capability, plus it's on the list in Mass. Also has a manual safety which could be seen as a plus or a minus depending on your preference.
The P238 is a great gun but it's a lot bigger and heavier than the poly pocket .380s.
Honestly, it's not worth buying one from the classifieds since they are usually priced within $20 of brand new, and sometimes even more than places like 4 Seasons sell new ones for! As you said the P238 is a great gun but it's heavier, slightly bigger, and twice the price. For what I was looking for, which was a deep concealment summer, or dress clothes gun, the BG fit the bill best. I have plenty of fun range guns, so I wasn't planning on using it for that anyway.