Smith & Wesson Bodyguard with Integrated Laser

Posted in Pistols, SHOT Show by with 9 Comments
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Smith & Wesson had a huge booth (as you would have expected) and so Phil had a few of us writers meet him there to help cover some of the new products (as big as it was, we probably could have dedicated a writer to camp there for the whole show).

In any case, the product that I was able to chat with the rep about was the new variant of the M&P Bodyguard .380 which has an integrated laser, and which was a pretty good idea I thought. We had previously put out a press release on it.

This is the model w/o laser for comparison

This is the model w/o laser for comparison

Close up of the side

Close up of the side

Laser on

Laser on; the pictures of lasers never do justice…

If you don’t know anything about the M&P Bodyguard here are some specs:
* Frame Size: Sub Compact
* Caliber: .380 Auto
* Action: Double Action Only (Hammer Fired)
* Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
* Barrel Length: 2.75” (7.0 cm)
* Front Sight: Stainless Steel Drift Adjustable
* Rear Sight: Stainless Steel Drift Adjustable
* Overall Length: 5.25” (13.3 cm)
* Grip: Polymer
* Weight: 12.3 oz. (348.7 g)
* Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
* Slide Material: Stainless Steel
* Frame Material: Polymer
* Finish: Matte Black

And a short promo video:

What is nice about this is that the laser only adds about $70 onto the price and the laser is truly integrated. On my PF-9 I added the Crimson Trace Laserguard and that set me back an additional $170 (and clamps onto the front of the trigger guard–though I do rather like the look).

I really wish they would come out with a Bodyguard in 9mm…


 


Tom is a former Navy Corpsman that spent some time bumbling around the deserts of Iraq with a Marine Recon unit, kicking in tent flaps and harassing sheep. Prior to that he was a paramedic somewhere in DFW, also doing some Executive Protection work between shifts. Now that those exciting days are behind him, he has embraced his inner “Warrior Hippie” and assaults 14er in his sandals and beard, or engages in rucking adventure challenges while consuming craft beer. To fund these adventures, he writes medical software and builds websites and mobile apps. His latest venture is as one of the founders of IronSights.com; a search engine for all things gun related. He hopes that his posts will help you find solid gear that will survive whatever you can throw at it–he is known (in certain circles) for his curse…ahem, ability…to find the breaking point of anything.

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  • Nicholas Chen

    This has been out for a while. Unless there is something new about this Bodguard integrated Crimson Trace laser? My work has been selling it for almost a year, it seems. Before it was a Crimson Trace laser module, the laser unit was provided by Lasermax. However the Lasermax lasers had spotty reliability. Many customers sent theirs in for repair or replacement.

    • Doc Rader

      Hrmmm. The rep indicated it was new. We only put out the PR in July (Which I linked in the article). I’ll go back tomorrow and see what I can find out. Maybe “new” is a relative thing with them.

    • Rokurota

      I believe the original Bodyguards had Insight lasers. The CT lasers would be new, if not a new feature.

      • nova3930

        Thats what my Bodyguard 380 has. It appears as if they M&P Bodyguard 380 with integrated laser is virtually identical to the old Bodyguard 380 aside from the CT laser and slightly different slide serrations.

        • Doc Rader

          Yep it is definitely the Crimson Trace as the difference.

    • Dan Atwater

      The previous Bodyguards had Insight lasers, which had frequent problems. S&W then came out with the “M&P Bodyguard” (as opposed to just “Bodyguard”), which was nothing more than a Bodyguard with M&P style slide serrations and no laser module. After that S&W came out with an update to the regular Bodyguard, where they replaced the Insight laser module (gray button) to the Crimson Trace module (red button)–presumably because of the frequent issues they had with the Insights.

      It would seem that this “new” pistol is the earlier M&P Bodyguard, now with laser (where previously it had no laser).

      So it’s the same gun with M&P style slide serrations. And probably a different marketing campaign. S&W phoning it in, basically.

  • Ratcraft

    I have been packing this gun for nearly 2 years, with a laser. I assume the brand name “crimson trace” is new. Mine has a grey button not red. It is still on it’s 1st battery and works just fine, I wonder why the switch? I would buy a 9mm version IF it has a better trigger. That’s my one gripe is the trigger, typical DA though so what ya gunna do…

  • john

    Bodyguard in 9mm? Ouch! Sounds like a snappy little turtle.

    • Doc Rader

      I think most of these little guys are pretty snappy… 🙂