Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Review: The Best .380 Pocket Pistol for Concealed Carry?
Looking for the best .380 pocket pistol? The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 delivers improved ergonomics, 10+1 capacity, and reliable performance.
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Introduction
The concealed carry pistol category has been in transition over the past 10 to 15 years as manufacturers and shooters try to find the perfect pistol for concealed carry. Names like Glock, Sig, Ruger, and Smith & Wesson are among the names that have released pistols trying to gain market share. Micro .380 pistols are one of the sub-categories that have gained popularity during this time. Still, it is a category that has also faced the question of whether you prefer concealability or shootability.
Micro .380s are light, discreet, and easy to stash in a pocket, but they are often snappy, hard to control, and have rudimentary sights and poor ergonomics. I have owned and carried pocket .380s for years. I own or have owned the Taurus TCP, Ruger LCP II, & Ruger LCP Max. I have also spent time with the Glock 42 and Sig 938. These pistols all have their pros and cons, but for the most part, they are all carry-first, shoot-second guns.
This brings us to the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0. It is the latest .380 pistol to try and win the hearts and minds of gun owners, but is it the greatest? Keep reading to find out.
Bodyguard 2.0 at a Glance
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Capacity: | 10+1 (flush), 12+1 (extended) |
| Barrel Length: | 2.75″ |
| Overall Length: | 5.5″ |
| Height: | 4.1″ |
| Width: | 0.88″ |
| Weight: | 11.5 oz |
What’s New with the Bodyguard 2.0
Smith & Wesson didn’t just polish the original Bodyguard, slap some paint on it, and call it the 2.0. They listened to the community and addressed the biggest complaints. The Bodyguard 2.0 comes with a redesigned grip that feels vastly better in the hand, a front tritium sight, and upgraded magazines that give you much increased capacity over the original Bodyguard.
The double-digit capacity of the Bodyguard makes it one of the few .380s in the micro size range that have this much capacity. Previous generations of picket pistols were limited to 6 or 7 rounds. The Bodyguard 2.0 gives you 10+1 out of the box and 12+1 with the extended mag. It does this while keeping a pocketable form factor.
Tritium Front Sight: A Game-Changer
Let’s be real, most pocket pistols have garbage sights. On older LCPs or budget .380s, you’re lucky to get nubs that are even zeroed properly. The Bodyguard 2.0 bucks that trend with a high-visibility tritium front sight.
It’s not just a gimmick; this thing makes a real difference in low-light or indoor environments. If you’ve ever tried aligning black-on-black sights in a shadowy corner of your house, you know why this matters.
Performance: Testing the Bodyguard 2.0
To test the Bodyguard 2.0, I ran a mix of ammo through the gun, primarily Monarch FMJs and Hornady Critical Defense loads. I have a round count of around 500 with the pistol, and it has been flawless so far. Hollow-point ammunition is frequently the Achilles heel of firearms, and thankfully, Hornady Critical Defense has performed well in my experience. I have also used Federal Hydra-Shok without issue, but have only run a few magazines.
At under 15 yards, the Bodyguard 2.0 rings steel with ease. As with any micro .380, shots beyond become challenging, but it is still possible to consistently ring steel. Accuracy at typical self-defense distances is excellent.
Micro .380 pistols have a reputation for being punchy and not terribly fun to shoot. My Taurus TCP could really beat you up. The Bodyguard 2.0 is the opposite. Every time I shoot it, I am pleasantly surprised by how low the felt recoil is. No, it doesn’t have Glock 17 levels of felt recoil, but it doesn’t need to. It is very realistic to go to the range with the Bodyguard 2.0 and have a quality range session without feeling like your hand got slapped and hammered for an hour. The improved ergonomics of the Bodyguard 2.0 compared to the first-generation Bodyguard and other 2010s-era .380s are impressive.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent Ergonomics: Bodyguard 2.0 is pleasant to shoot
- Higher Capacity: 10+1 flush fit and 12+1 extended magazines
- Tritium Front Sight: glowing tritium sight gives you real low-light capability
- Mild Recoil: Recoil is soft and controllable
- Reliable Performance: Cycled all ammo types I tried
Cons
- Magazine Break-In: Some users have noticed that the magazine followers were stiff at first
Top Alternatives to the Bodyguard 2.0
If you are shopping for a micro .380, several other pistols are worth considering. Each has its strengths.
Ruger LCP II
The LCP II is the micro .380 I have owned and carried the longest. The LCP II is smaller & lighter than the Bodyguard 2.0. It is an excellent size for a pocket holster and carry. The trade-off is that the recoil is harsher than with the Bodyguard 2.0, and it has a 6+1 capacity.
Ruger LCP Max
The LCP Max is the closest competitor to the Bodyguard. You get a similar 10+1 capacity in a slightly more compact frame. It is light, affordable, and has better sights than the LCP II. The recoil for the Max is snappier, making the Bodyguard more comfortable to shoot.
Glock 42
The Glock 42 has Glock’s legendary reliability. It is also a larger framed .380 than the Bodyguard and handles the recoil of the .380 better. But, it is noticeably larger than the Bodyguard 2.0 and is limited to 6-round magazines. It’s also harder to pocket carry and doesn’t offer a night sight out of the box.
Scorecard
Reliability
Across multiple range trips, I experienced zero malfunctions. The Bodyguard 2.0 digested both range and carry ammo without issue. That’s the baseline for any carry gun, and this one delivers.
Ergonomics
This is where the Bodyguard 2.0 shines. The improved grip contour makes it far more comfortable and shootable than older .380s. My mother-in-law liked the Bodyguard 2.0 so much she bought one too.
Customization
You’re not getting the world’s most modular gun here. It’s not a Glock or 1911. But honestly, it doesn’t need to be. Get a good holster, find the ammo it likes, and you’re set. Not sure if it is practical, but I’d love to see what an optics-ready version looks like.
Value
You’re paying a bit more than the LCP II or LCP Max but getting a better trigger, better sights, better capacity (than the LCP II), and way better shootability (than the LCP II). That’s a fair trade.
Who Should Carry the Bodyguard 2.0?
This pistol shines in the same scenarios that made .380s popular in the first place:
- Deep concealment: Pocket carry, ankle carry, or backup gun role
- Those who want capacity without the snap of a micro-9mm
- Anyone needing a gun that’s small enough to carry every day without excuses
If you’re the type of shooter who believes the best gun is the one you’ll always carry, the Bodyguard 2.0 deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Last Words
I’ve shot plenty of .380s, and most of them feel like a compromise. I was very pleasantly surprised by Bodyguard 2.0.
Smith & Wesson managed to make a truly pocket-sized .380 that you’ll want to shoot at the range. That’s no small feat. It offers real-world improvements over the original Bodyguard, meaningful capacity gains over older .380s, and a recoil profile that won’t make your hands hate you after a box of ammo.
It’s not perfect. But it may just be the most well-rounded .380 pocket pistol on the market today.
