Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easily concealed
- Good ergonomics
- Solid trigger
Cons
- Challenging for big hands
- Not designed for accessories
The Bottom Line
Smith & Wesson's Bodyguard 2.0 received some greatly appreciated updates and punches far above its weight. It's a concealable but useable .380 pistol.
Smith & Wesson has a new take on an old design, launching an upgraded version of their ultra-concealable .380 ACP — the Bodyguard 2.0.
Sporting an improved trigger and some updated features, this pistol looks to balance functionality with concealability. But does Smith & Wesson pull it off with a balance of both in the Bodyguard 2.0?
After a couple of range sessions (not all of which went smoothly…more on that later) we reached a conclusion on whether the Bodyguard 2.0 is better than the original or more of the same.
So read on for our full range report!
Table of Contents
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Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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How We Tested the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0
For this review, we tested the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 with iron sights only, shooting 10-round groups at 7 yards.
We went through 300 rounds of ammunition, using both practice ammo. Ammo included:
- Fiocchi 95gr FMJ
- Independence 90gr FMJ
- Winchester 95gr T-series
- Hornady Custom 90gr XTP
- Federal Premium 90gr Hydra-Shoks
We also tested the trigger on the Bodyguard 2.0 with a Lyman Digital Trigger gauge to get an accurate assessment of the actual trigger pull weight.
Specs & Features
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Specs
- Caliber: .380
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Capacity: 12+1
- Length: 5.5”
- Barrel Length: 2.75”
- Width: 0.88”
- Height: 4”
- Weight: 9.8 oz.
- Comes with: Cardboard box, 12-round magazine, 10-round magazine, gun lock, owner’s manual
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Features
- Flat-faced trigger
- Aggressive slide serrations
- Tritium front sight
Background
Smith & Wesson has been making Bodyguard pistols since the 1950s, though the line started as (J-frame) revolvers. The original semi-automatic version was released in 2010.
The driving idea behind these guns has been keeping them small but still serviceable — easily tucked away or concealed but still functional enough to defend yourself if the need arises.
Who Is the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 For?
A number of people might enjoy Smith & Wesson’s Bodyguard 2.0 for various reasons.
First and foremost, small to large-handed shooters will appreciate the ergonomics and ability to conceal.
This series of guns also has a long history tied to law enforcement, whether as a main weapon (revolver) for detectives or as a backup gun for other officers. I wore a Bodyguard revolver on my ankle for years of uniformed service.
In short, anyone wanting a micro-compact for personal defense should check out the Bodyguard 2.0.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
I’ll warn you in advance: I don’t always do well with micro-compacts.
They are so small (by design,) but that doesn’t lend itself to my 2X-sized hands.
That said, the Bodyguard 2.0 fits a range of hand sizes. Its grip has a natural oval shape and is covered with a more aggressive grip texture front and rear, but gentler on the sides to aid with carry and retrieval.
Thankfully, the backstrap swells into a good-sized beavertail that mostly protected my shooting hand. The overall grip length is good, too, though better when the 12-round magazine with flush-fit extension is used.
This is an important distinction for those with larger hands. The 10-round magazine causes my pinky to wrap around the bottom in a grip less optimal for taming recoil.
Inserting either magazine is fairly standard, though there isn’t any kind of flaring of the magwell, likely due to the concealment motif. There is a tiny, beveled edge to assist insertion, but that’s it.
Not surprisingly, the Bodyguard 2.0 is tiny. For example, it’s even smaller than a Glock G42, a little shorter in overall length, and much narrower.
It is also extremely light, tipping the scales at only 9.8 oz. empty. The design is well suited as a backup gun, deep concealer, or even a pocket gun if you choose.
I’ve often gotten the impression of cheapness from previous micro-compacts I’ve handled, but that isn’t the case with the Bodyguard 2.0. It is small and light but feels well-made in the hand.
The trigger guard features an improved cut from the original, so a high grip can be established. In addition, the frame has a textured spot in front of the trigger for additional tactility.
One notable improvement over the original Bodyguard (semi-auto) can be found on the slide. Serrations have been added to the front and increased in the rear.
I appreciate the fact that these cuts now extend at least in part to the top of the slide. This provides even more tactility for racking the Bodyguard or press checking.
Another improvement Smith added to the Bodyguard 2.0 can be found in the sights. A tritium, orange dot graces the front while a blacked-out, serrated U-notch completes the set in the rear — both are made of steel.
Also made of steel, the 10- and 12-round magazines feature a high-visibility orange follower and round-count windows on one side. Base pads are standard polymer, though the 12-round includes a collar to fill the gap between magwell and base.
Controls
Smith did an excellent job of laying out the controls on such a small pistol. They don’t feel cramped despite the lack of space to work with.
The slide stop/release was easy to reach, though it was almost too stiff to release with just the thumb. It is also located on the left side only.
However, the magazine release was easy to use and is thankfully reversible for the lefties out there. Finally, the trigger features a nice flat bow and a safety device that compresses seamlessly when you press it back.
Using a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge, I measured the Bodyguard 2.0’s trigger and found it averaged 2 lbs. 5.2 oz. The trigger traveled back a few millimeters before hitting a defined wall, then broke crisply.
Reset was light, though audible and tactile.
How Does the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Shoot?
One of the biggest things I look for in a micro-compact is how effective it will be. This gun category is not designed to engage targets 50 yards out, but how useful is it within its intended purpose?
Some guns are so small and lightweight that their recoil impulse makes them challenging to control. There is no escaping sheer physics.
Thankfully, Smith & Wesson included enough weight and grip texture to strike a fine balance with the .380 chambering. The Bodyguard is still a little snappy, but not unreasonably so.
I was able to deliver several strings of fire and stay on target while shooting steel from 12 yards and in. More importantly, I was able to keep my established grip without adjusting my hands after shooting.
Accuracy was a bit more challenging. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t shoot irons as much anymore, so take my results with a grain of salt; you may do better!
When shooting accuracy, I fired four 10-shot groups of different ammo from ten yards to see how the Bodyguard would perform. My groups were fairly consistent, but I also had fliers in three groups that resulted from me jerking the trigger.
My best group was 2.5 inches. That isn’t terrible, and the more I got used to the trigger, the fewer fliers I experienced. The shorter sight radius could be at play.
Another critical function I analyzed was reloading the Bodyguard 2.0. While this isn’t a problem I’d expect most people to have, magazines would often stay in the gun for me after I hit the release.
This was strictly based on the fact that the heel of my palm hangs out below the base pad and traps it in place. If I loosened my grip, I could experience normal function.
Otherwise, lockback, loading and reloading all functioned perfectly normally. Reliability on the whole was great, but it didn’t start out that way.
During my first outing with the Bodyguard 2.0, I had several occasions when the trigger would break, but the pistol would not fire. I was able to find a small stick and place it down the barrel to test the firing pin.
For whatever reason, the firing pin was only deploying intermittently. I’m not sure what caused this, but the second gun functioned perfectly in all respects.
.380 ACP Ammo in Stock
Why is the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Unique?
This gun is a great combination of small meets utility. It’s still effective enough to be used defensively but can be concealed just about anywhere.
The upgrades Smith & Wesson applied to the Bodyguard, such as trigger refinements, slide serrations, and sights, greatly improve its overall usability without affecting its size.
By the Numbers
Reliability: 3/5
As mentioned above, our first test gun had an issue with the firing pin not consistently deploying. However, Smith replaced it quickly, and the second gun ran flawlessly.
Ergonomics: 4/5
Despite being very small, the Bodyguard 2.0 has good ergonomics that should work for a fairly wide range of hand sizes.
Accuracy: 3/5
With a shorter sight radius but good trigger, I assembled some decent groups at ten yards.
Customization: 2/5
The Bodyguard 2.0 is purpose-driven as a concealment pistol. There is no rail for accessories and no ability to mount a red dot, plus adding extended magazines would defeat that purpose.
Value: 3.5/5
Compared to other micro .380 pistols like the G42, the Bodyguard 2.0 has improved features and ergonomics at a comparable (sometimes better) price of around $400.
Overall: 3/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Upgrades for Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0
While we will be the first to suggest alternative methods for carry, a pocket gun lends itself to well… pocket carry. Just don’t do it without a holster!
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You’ll definitely want to spend some time on the range with the Bodyguard 2.0 and make sure it cycles your favorite ammo. Do it safely and in style with some pro gear from ShellShock!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
We ran Fiocchi through the Bodyguard 2.0, and it cycled fine while providing good accuracy.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Meet the Experts
At the helm of this review was Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis. Sean has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles.
This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association and has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years, and has worked as an editor for five years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.
Final Verdict
While the first Bodyguard 2.0 we took out experienced a problem with the firing pin, the second one experienced zero reliability issues. In fact, it performed really well for such a small gun.
The ergonomics are sound, the accuracy is decent, and recoil impulse shouldn’t be too much to handle for most shooters. If you’re looking for a pocket pistol, a backup gun, or just a tiny pistol you can conceal about anywhere, the Bodyguard 2.0 is a solid choice.
Will you be picking up a Bodyguard 2.0? Let us know in the comments below. For even more options, check out Best Concealed Carry Guns of 2024!
20 Leave a Reply
The original Bodyguard (no laser) has a number of things going for it the new one doesn't and that is re-strike capability. While light primer strikes are rare it's nice to have that option. The original is also smaller and carries better in a pocket holster or ankle carry and hammer fired.
Hey Kris.. Check out the "Sig Sauer P238" Best .380 IMO $699 retail, but you can find them cheaper..It's all Metal, and handles recoil great! I also have the P938 9mm version as my Every day carry!
Beware if you get the manual safety version. It is VERY stiff. Even more so than the original Bodyguard. Some say a few hours on the couch flicking it off and on will break it in but that never happened with my original version. I tried for a week. The almost recessed location amplifies the problem in both versions.
My Google-foo has not located any aftermarket levers for either version so my next option is to try some JB weld. But, I'm not sure that would even work on the new version due to the type of texture they use on the tiny lever.
The original (semi-auto) Bodyguard was double action-only hammer fired pistol, the 2.0 is striker-fired, so you don't have that ridiculous trigger pull. As stated in the article, the average weight was 2lbs, 5.2oz on the trigger, so it is much more user-friendly. And yes, I have fired this gun.
I have a BodyGuard that I puchased several years ago and the trigger pull was AWFUL! The firing pin did not go off until the trigger pull was all the way back to the trigger area. Has this improved over the previous model? If not, I will follow up with S&W as I have already reached out for potential gun smith work on it. Thanks!
Thanks for the review Sean. I bought the Bodyguard 2.0 for my wife late last year and out of the box, had several issues with the recoil spring, the feed ramp, and magazine. The recoil spring tip often stuck out beyond the flange making it impossible to reassemble and had to carefully slip the tip of the spring behind the flange. The magazine orange follower has a tab that stuck out so loading ammo past I believe 3rd or 4th round was impossible. I ended up disassembling the mag and clipped the extra material off the follower with a nail clipper and solved that problem. The biggest problem was the feed ramp. It was not properly feeding the rounds and the upper often needed a tap assist to chamber a round. This was more prevalent with the 12 round mag for some reason. Frustrated, I sent the firearm to Smith & Wesson and looks like they polished the feed ramp and seems it's solved the issue, at least close to it. I've shot over 500 rounds to see if the feed ramp has been fixed, but after few hundred rounds and when the gun is running more dry, the issue does creep back. So, keeping it well lubricated (more than other firearms) seems paramount especially for the Bodyguard 2.0. I love the ergonomics of the design, but I just can't pass this gun to my wife unless I feel 100% confident so I'll continue to test it at the range. When it works, it's very accurate and has a great trigger. My micro carry is the original Lugar LCP which I enjoy carrying in my pocket for deep conceal, especially when going for a run. I would get the Bodyguard 2.0 for myself, but at the moment I'm on the fence.
I love the size, and it fits my very petite hands perfectly, but it is so stiff that I have great difficulty racking it. It probably has about 200 rounds through it, and it is still miserable. Has anyone else experienced this? I was looking for something to carry that would be appropriate for a smaller, older female. Thanks!
Thank Sean for taking the time to reply I'll go check both out!
Always enjoy your reviews and am curious as to how the Bodyguard 2.0 compares to the Ruger LCP Max which I believe Eric reviewed previously? Thanks for any info! Mike McGuire
Hey Mike, thanks for the support, we appreciate it! I would say these two pistols are definitely competitors so pretty close as far as features and pricing go. In these cases, the best thing to do is go to your local gun store and put both in your hands and see which feels better. I'd probably lean toward the Smith in this case, but it's been a while since I've handled an LCP.
I've had the 2.0 for a few months now. I really enjoy the concealment aspect, almost disappears in my front pocket w holster, which goes double for my vest pocket. This is the main reason I bought it. Being in maintenance/construction day to day, this pistol relieves the worry of my t-shirt rising for bystander holster & grip viewing! It's my first micro compact and .380. I've got medium sized hands and just like Sean said, a slight grip adjustment was needed at the range after the slide nibbled my hand. The grip with the flush mag fits my hand very well and inside my pocket,(the extended mag usually find itself in another pocket). It's a snappy shot right off and can echo all the rest Sean said. Mine came with manual safety which takes getting used to, all my others utilize my trigger safety, so I keep that in mind when I load up the edc or whenever my spidey senses tingle. Mostly I just keep the safety off whilst still getting used to the firearm. Thanks Sean for the review and ammo references, I'll be trying these options as well.
Hey Jeremy, thanks for sharing your experiences, that's great information! Your profession is a great application for this pistol. It conceals easy and still allows a good range of movement. Thanks for sharing.
How is the size in comparison to the original Bodyguard 380?
The slide is pretty close but the grip is longer. I would probably only get two fingers on the original.
I do have big hands. And I have it. I love using the Bodyguard 2.0. It doesn't need accessories. As for which is better, the original p365 or the Bodyguard 2.0? If the original p365 had an extended 12 rd mag like the Bodyguard 2.0, they would basically be the same gun. I think the Bodyguard is smaller though. 2.75" barrel i think? I love the Bodyguard 2.0 and I have the AXG Legion p365. I love using both. The AXG Legion on my hip and the Bodyguard in my pocket as backup.
You've got some solid options Ronald.
I'd be interested to see how it compares to p365 in 380 which seems to have some reliability issues or be ammo picky.
Tony we checked out the .380 P365 and had good luck with it. While I didn't conduct a full review, it was solid with what we fed it. This is another one of those scenarios where I'd suggest heading to the gun store and putting both in your hands to see which feels better.
What exactly did you feed it? I'd really appreciate knowing that, if you would be so kind.
Sure. As I recall, I had some Winchester (white box) and some PMC. I believe both were 90 or 95 grain FMJs.