What’s the difference between the Ruger LCP and the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380? The LCP is lighter, simpler, and slightly more compact, while the Bodyguard adds built-in sights and optional laser functionality for better target acquisition. Both are chambered in .380 ACP and designed for deep concealment, but they prioritize different features.
The Ruger LCP appeals to minimalists who want a no-frills pocket pistol that disappears in a pocket holster. The Bodyguard .380, though slightly bulkier, offers enhanced control and sight options for more deliberate shooting.
Each gun suits a different type of carrier—one focused on weight and size, the other on usability and precision. Choose based on what matters most: smallest footprint or more control under pressure.
| Feature | Ruger LCP | S&W Bodyguard .380 |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP | .380 ACP |
| Capacity | 6+1 | 6+1 |
| Weight (Unloaded) | 9.6 oz | 11.25 oz |
| Overall Length | 5.16" | 5.25" |
| Height | 3.6" | 4.1" |
| Width | 0.82" | 0.75" |
| Sights | Fixed, low profile | Adjustable, better visibility |
| Optional Laser | Yes (select models) | Yes (Crimson Trace) |
| Trigger | DAO, ~8 lb pull | DAO, ~8 lb pull |
| Manual Safety | No | Optional |
| MSRP | ~$259 | ~$375 |
S&W Bodyguard .380 Is Fairly Diverse For A Pocket Gun
Thing about Smith and Wesson is they know how to give people options. Look at the catalog and there are something like four dozen variants. The Bodyguard .380 is still a small gun, but there's some diversity of choice.
You can choose standard black or FDE frames, black Melonite coating or stainless slides, and you can choose to have a factory-installed Crimson Trace laser. You can also choose whether or not you want a thumb safety.
The basics of the pistol are that it holds 6+1 of .380 Auto. The Bodyguard stands 4.1 inches tall, 5.25 inches long (with a 2.75-inch barrel) and 0.75 inches wide. Empty, it weighs 11.25 ounces, so it's small and light, easy to carry and easy to conceal. The Bodyguard magazine does come with a pinky rest, which actually makes it a bit easier for people with marginally large hands to grip it.
Sights are low-profile but adjustable, which aids in accuracy.
However, one area where some shooters may start to grumble is the trigger. The Bodyguard is fired by means of an internal hammer, which makes it DAO, with about an 8-pound pull. Far from the worst, but it's not a the most perfect gun ever custom shop unit either. It will go bang every time, though, and with a base MSRP of $375, very reasonably acquired.
Ruger LCP Has A Lot To Offer Too
The Ruger LCP also has a lot to offer for a small gun. Dimensionally, it's fairly similar to the Bodyguard but is a tad smaller in certain dimensions. Really, they're about the same size of gun through the Ruger is touch more compact.
The LCP stands 3.6 inches tall, 5.16 inches long (barrel length is the same) and 0.82 inches wide, weighing 9.6 ounces unloaded. It likewise carries 6+1 of .380, and you get a pinky extension floor plate that you can choose to install or leave off.
The base model is black glass-filled nylon, which we hear can be used to make some darn fine that won't stretch, warp or otherwise break during normal usage, and comes with a blued slide. However, there are a good amount of other finishes available as well, including FDE, a few different shades of Cerakote, even pink, purple and even some camo finishes.
There's even one model that comes with a Crimson Trace laser. However, those are about the only features that you can opt for.
The LCP gives you what you need and nothing you don't. It's also an internal hammer DAO, with about the same trigger pull. The sights are fixed, being integral to the slide, and very low profile.
In fact, some people say they're too small to be used all that well, but the reception of the sights vary from person to person. Controls are a magazine release, slide release, takedown button...and that's about it it.
Everything you need, nothing you don't, and a price to match at $259 MSRP. If you prefer, there's also a model with more bells and whistles, including a revised slide and frame and a tabbed striker-style trigger (the LCP II) for about $90 more.
LCP vs. Bodyguard 380... Depends On What You Want
Deciding between the LCP vs. Bodyguard will partially come down to what you want out of a micro gun and also which feels better. After all, the best pistol is the one that subjectively feels and handles for you; do some testing in the gun store and see if you can shoot both to figure out which that is. After all, not all of has to do with the on-paper stuff.
We can tell you the specs. We're happy to do it! We're also happy to compare them. However, that isn't the whole story; you have to handle these guns to see which you like.
That aside, the Bodyguard has a bit more to offer in terms of features, appointments and so on. The grip is a bit longer, which makes a big difference when it comes to how well you'll handle and shoot the pistol, though plenty of people have found the LCP very shootable.
The Bodyguard also offers a bit more in terms of features beyond mere finish. You can get a manual safety if desired, which you can't with the Ruger. It has better sights, which can also be upgraded if desired; the Ruger has to go to a machine shop unless you opt for the LCP II.
Again, handling and shooting these guns will give you a better idea of which suits you best. That said, the Bodyguard will cost a bit more but also comes with more in terms of features. When those features include decent sights, that can actually add up to a big difference.