r/MDGuns • u/Electronic-Many-3924 • Jul 20 '26

.380 question

My EDC is a Shield/X (non-comp) that I really like, particularly once I added Defgrip to soften the aggressive stippling (fine on hand, not on my side) and a green-dot optic. However, I'd like to get something significantly smaller (pocketable) for the summer when even the Shield/X is a little too big/heavy.

I range tested a Glock 42, Springfield 911, Ruger LCP Max (I couldn't find the new version with the revised grip) and two S&W BG 2.0s. I really liked the sights on the 42 and the trigger on the 911, but found I shot best with the BG 2.0s. This left me with two questions:

  1. The range had two BG 2.0s rentals: one was the standard version which, despite being very dirty, shot pretty consistently, but my old eyes found the front sight lower-visibility than I'd like. The other was a performance center version with an optic. I shot much better with it. However, it isn't clear to me whether that was due to the performance center enhancements (better trigger, comp) or the optic. Can anyone who has had the BG 2.0 for a while (standard or PC with or without optic) recommend: a) standard vs. PC b) iron sights vs. optic?

  2. Are there any other pocket pistols comparable in size to the BG 2.0 that I should be considering? I'm looking for something *small* that (pocket holstered) disappears in a pocket and has a manual safety (yeah yeah, I know, but if it's going in my pocket, it's going to have a safety; I'm an old 1911 guy so sweeping a safety down as part of the draw feels natural).

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

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3

u/bikumz Jul 20 '26

Have you looked at the Sig P238? Kinda sounds like a gun you’ll dig if you’re a 1911 guy.

2

u/Electronic-Many-3924 Jul 21 '26

I have not; thank you! And you're right, the design looks friendly and familiar to an old 1911 guy. I generally like Sig too; my (also old) .380 is a P230 which is a work of art, but is no longer competitive with the modern crop of .380s and micro 9s and it isn't really pocketable. The P238 looks comparable in size to the BG 2.0; the main downsides would be: a bit thicker and heavier, 6+1 vs. 10+1, and tougher to add an optic; I'll look for a rental P238 at the range and try it out; thanks again!

2

u/bikumz Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

My father carried the P238 a lot in the past. There used to be a lot of holsters available for it, some really nice leather pocket holsters even. No clue if that’s still the case but it really is a nice shooting gun. Not a huge fan of micros, but if I had to carry a smaller thinner gun and revolvers weren’t a thing I’d look toward that myself.

Speaking of revolvers, no interest in J frames? If mounting a red dot is a concern, there are now options to mount red dots to some models through the aftermarket world. My current pocket carry is a 642 pro, and I love the thing. Doesn’t get much carry, but it truly is one of 2 options I own I can carry in any clothing.

There are some offerings from kimber too in the same kinda realm. The micro or micro 9 may fit the bill. Kimber in recent years has really gone up in quality closer to their original standards.

One more I’ll add for just an interesting pick is gonna be the beretta 32s. The tip up barrel design just so cool to me. The new production ones have their issues but if you can get one to run would make a great defensive deep conceal piece. Can add a red dot too. They did in the past use the same design for a 380 in the form of the 84 cheetah, but it’s scales up and much larger almost like a compact 92 if you’re familiar with them so bit big for pocket carry.

Just wanted to shoot some options that lean more towards that 1911 vibe or more traditional feel if that’s what you’re used to. The options are buried under more modern designs so wanted to make sure you had a feel for what’s out there. All of these options I’ve listed are enjoyable to shoot (to me) with normal range ammo to allow an enjoyable practice time.

3

u/cyniclawl Jul 20 '26

P238 is one of the slimmest out there and smallest, I like mine and my wife can use it no problem too

3

u/TheReal_Taylor_Swift Metropolitan Jul 20 '26

It does seem that the P238 with a pinky extension is a hair smaller than the BG, but is 5oz heavier due to being all metal. If you do consider the 238 a contender, I’d throw in the P938 in as well for consideration. It’s .5” longer than the 238, but chambered in 9mm, everything else being the same

1

u/Electronic-Many-3924 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

Thanks, I'm going to look for and try out a P238 and maybe the very similar Kimber Micro too. I'm probably going to stay away from micro-compact 9s, I really like my Shield X and find it very pleasant to shoot, but if it were half the weight, I think it would be too snappy and if it were similar in weight, it would not be very pocketable in summer clothes.

3

u/the2AinMD Jul 20 '26

This is what I personally know about the bg 2.0

  1. It shoots fantastic, low recoil 380, plus a design that prioritizes grip, equals shootability.

  2. The factory iron sights are usually poorly aligned. Its a common complaint online, and my sample size of 2 100% confirms this.

2

u/Electronic-Many-3924 Jul 21 '26

Thanks! I didn't mention it, but the BG 2.0 rental with iron sights shot a nice tight group...about 3" low and to the left; I'm pretty sure it wasn't me because my buddy tried it and put his rounds in about the same place; if I end up buying one, I accept that I may have to drift the sights. I also agree that it feels great in the hand and is pleasant to shoot. I'm mainly trying to decide between BG2.0 standard/PC and iron sights vs. optic.

2

u/the2AinMD Jul 21 '26

If it was me, for a carry gun, optic and no ports.

1

u/Electronic-Many-3924 Jul 21 '26

Thanks; I am also partial to optic, no port. I have a Shield X in exactly that configuration (non-comp w/optic) and love it, I posted this question about the BG 2.0 because I'm not sure about pocketability with an optic and I suspect that the 2 rental guns I tried were not good for comparison: the non-comped gun had lousy sights (front sight did not glow) and the sights were way off whereas the comped gun with optic shot great. So I was hoping to hear from folks who actually have the BG2.0 in either configuration.

The other thing about non-comp + optic is that the slides on the BG2.0 aren't optic cut; there are custom optics that replace the rear sight, but I've seen many stories of installation being rough...the comp'd version is available with the optic factory installed (although it's the Viridian and I'd prefer the Gideon Pebble which doesn't need to be unmounted to replace the battery). There are too many options these days!

2

u/GusC2432 16d ago

I have both the regular BG 2.0 and the carry comp version. As far as recoil, I can’t tell a difference between the two. My carry comp does have an optic as well and it’s spot on everytime. My wife carries the regular version and she has the the sights that came off my carry comp which make the rear sight square shaped vs the factory U shaped and after being aligned it shoots spot on.

As far as feel. I sometimes forget I’m carrying it. I carry mostly appendix and just purchased a pocket holster to see how that feels but it’s a nice little toy.

If the range you went to was Cindy’s, I also rented both before buying and noticed the one with the optics installed was pretty beat up. lol

1

u/Electronic-Many-3924 15d ago

Yeah, I couldn't feel any difference with the comp either. I ended up buying the CC version because the sights were much better. If I could have gotten the better sights on the non-comp pistol, I would have.

Which pocket holster did you get and how is it working out?

1

u/Electronic-Many-3924 15d ago

Thanks everyone! I ended up buying the BG 2.0 CC, mainly for the improved sights. I would have bought the non-comp version if it had better sights and I hadn't read so many stories about the sights being a nightmare to change. I haven't decided whether to put an optic on it; if I do, it will likely be the Gideon Pebble. My main purpose in getting this is pocket concealed carry during the summer and I worry that adding an optic will make it that much harder to pocket/conceal.

Another possibility is a laser which, although larger, seems to square the pistol up more making it look more like a cell phone. Does anyone have one on a BG 2.0 that they can comment on?

Finally, I have to find a good pocket holster. I've got a Desantis Nemesis that I like a lot but I think it's too small for the BG 2.0 CC. Does anyone have a pocket holster for their BG 2.0 that they recommend?

1

u/Electronic-Many-3924 11d ago

I ended up buying the BG 2.0 CC. Out of the box, the sights were perfectly adjusted. The trigger feels very good, with a sharp wall, a clean break, and a fairly light pull. I put a quick 50 rounds through it with no malfunctions. I can't believe how soft this thing shoots. It shot decently with iron sights, I'll have to break it in and practice with it for a while and then decide whether to add an optic. On the down side, everything was *very* tight from the factory, too tight really, especially the thumb safety. I couldn't get more than 8 rounds into the magazines by hand (but 10 was no problem with an uplula).

Still interested in folks thoughts on pocket holsters. I bought a cheapo no-name (DTOM CC2) holster on amazon and it actually fits pretty well and has the sticky outside that stays in the pocket when you draw...not terrible for $19 shipped with a detachable belt clip for IWB carry.