One of the fundamental things that people look for in a concealed carry pistol is found in that very term: concealability. So, it makes sense that smaller can be better, at least for the purpose of keeping the firearm concealed until, God forbid, you have to pull it out to defend yourself or someone else.
So, if your only consideration is concealability, then, you’re likely to simply look for the smallest pocket pistol that you can find.
There are many drawbacks to a pistol being tiny, though. Aside from the difficulty in getting a good grip on it if you have larger (or even, medium-sized) hands, there is the issue of greater felt recoil due to the lower mass of the small pistol itself. And that is a problem because you need to put range time in to become proficient, and if it isn’t fun to shoot, that often equals little to no range time with that gun.
What do you do, then, if you want small but you want something that is comfortable to shoot and that can be effective when you need it?
Smith and Wesson appears to have decided to find the solution to exactly that problem with their newly redesigned Bodyguard 2.0 pistol. Dan Zimmerman writes,
When compared to the original model, the Bodyguard 2.0 boasts a new profile, has a higher capacity, and includes modern design enhancements that make this the ultimate concealed carry choice. Chambered in 380 Auto, the pistol ships with a flush fit 10-round magazine and an extended 12-round magazine giving the user substantially more capacity, and models will be available with or without a thumb safety. The Bodyguard 2.0 has an overall height of 4-inches, a width just under 1-inch, and weighs in at 9.8 oz unloaded, which provides the user a more comfortable fit and improved control. It also includes a striker-fired design and new flat-face trigger for better consistency for more accurate shots. Out of the box, the pistol ships with a black u-notch rear sight, and a bright tritium-insert front sight, that allows the user to rapidly acquire and stay on target.
In a nutshell, it sounds like Smith and Wesson took the original Bodyguard and brought in technology that made their Shield Plus microcompact pistols so popular such as increased capacity and a trigger that people rave about.
Even with that information, some people are bound to say, “That’s nice and all, but how well does it shoot?” And that’s a valid question, so, you can see a full video review below, including range time with it from three different people.
So, should you buy a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 2.0? That’s completely up to you. After all, many people do prefer a larger caliber than .380. But if you’re looking for a very concealable pistol that will do the job in most concealed carry defensive gun use situations and that many people are saying is very comfortable to shoot, then, this may be a pistol to consider.