S&W Bodyguard vs Sig P238 Pocket Carry

Midget

Midget

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Joined
Jun 1, 2002
Messages
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hi, I'm looking for a pocket carry ccw option... I have been carrying a Sig P238 for about two years now, but find the weight of the firearm to be a bit too much for pocket carry (I normally carry IWB). when I tried pocket carry of the p238 I found the weight to be uncomfortable and also it printed pretty obviously. I tried a leather wallet-type holster but it still printed. the only other subcompact in the class that is available in Mass. is the S&W bodyguard .380.

it looks like the bodyguard is only 3 ounces lighter than the p238. does anyone have any experience with both, and do you think that 3 ounces makes a discernible difference? alternatively, does anyone here have experience in pocket carrying the s&w bodyguard?

I'd clearly go for the ruger LCP, no questions, due to the convenient weight and size. but LCP is not a Mass. legal firearm so that's not an option :( .

please no .380 vs 9mm debate, and thanks!!
 
PS some background..

i have and tried a shoulder holster for my p238 but I am slim enough that it still pokes out under my shirt.

I also have and tried an elastic band that wraps around my chest and has a pocket for the p238.
this worked ok but was uncomfortable over the long period of wear an also jabbed me in the ribs all day.

I have a leather iwb holster which is really nice but is thick and not as concealable as I prefer.

and I have a clipdraw which is attached to my p238 now and works well, although the slide release jabs me in the hips when I'm sitting and also the weight of the firearm is a pain


this is why I'm considering the bodyguard 380 but the 3 oz savings seems marginal. I'd probably carry it with a "techaclip" IWB, or opt to drop it in the pocket, particularly in the summer.



(I ride a bicycle or moped during my commute, so carrying iwb would flash when wind lifts up my shirt)
 
I carry the smith 380 daily in front pocket in a pouch or cargo pocket if applicable. No print easy draw. Love the gun, hate the trigger, 9lbs pull is excessive imo. I've put enough through it to learn and live with it. I forget it is there, it is like putting your wallet in one and smith in other. My other carry is glock 30 iwb. Some ankle carry the smith. I have xl hands and it fits and operates with no problem. I recommend it. The selling feature for me was the safty for pocket carry. Good luck hope this helps
 
When my wife got her CC permit, I went with her to look at a number of potential handguns, including the P238 and Bodyguard 380. Although she doesn't pocket carry, she wanted something very slim for IWB while wearing jeans or other non-baggy pants, and the S&W ended up being her choice. It is a bit slimmer, and the shape doesn't look as "gun like" to my eyes, which (in my opinion) translates to much less likelihood of printing.
 
Have you heard of Sneaky Pete holsters? The make belt holsters that look like large smart phone pouches.
 
The only problem with going down in weight on those little .380 pocket guns is it equates usually to more muzzle flip. The unfortunate downside to that is most people hate shooting them so they don't and never really get much practice in. Believe me I'm not knocking the .380 in the slightest, at 6'2" and 165 lbs. I find it pretty hard to carry a summer gun here in Nevada where it gets upwards of 110 degrees. My Glock 42 does the job pretty nicely and luckily I managed to buy mine after all the nonexistent issues were fixed by Glock lol. I can't speak on the Sig but my step Fathers S&W isn't unbearable to shoot. Also coming from a guy who EDC's a Spyderco Manix 2 and a Leatherman charge TTI on a daily basis so I guess when it comes to weight my opinion doesn't mean much.
 
Check out the holster shirts from " a better holster .com" best shirt holster bar none!!!:) much better than 5:11 in my opinion! For when it's warmer check out " kangaroo carry " out of Houston,,,took me a long time to find the right ones but these are very comfy and really conceal well to! The kangaroo carry is I think one that Air Marshals wear and is cotton. On both these order one size larger than you wear!!!!! :D
 
just bought a SW Bodyguard 380... will give it a try. it's a little lighter than the p238, not really too noticeable.

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