.380 vs. 9mm: Which Option is Best For Everyday Carry

The best gun for self-defense is always the one you have immediate access to. In the concealed carry world, that firearm is typically a semi-automatic handgun due to its high magazine capacity, reduced felt recoil, and overall shootability compared to a revolver. Gunmakers, like Smith & Wesson, offer various carry options in multiple sizes. The new M&P Bodyguard 2.0, chambered in .380 ACP, is just 5.5 inches long, small enough to fit in your front pocket. S&W’s Shield Plus Series is a slightly larger 9mm handgun built for self-defense.

The .380 and 9mm are two of the most popular concealed-carry cartridges. Self-defense handguns chambered in either offering comfortably fit in a holster or purse, making it easy to carry them regularly. Overall convenience depends on your chosen cartridge, but there are always trade-offs. S&W’s Bodyguard 2.0 is far less cumbersome than the Shield Plus Carry Comp, but .380 cartridges are lighter than the 9mm bullets, which contain more powder. Thus, a 9mm generally penetrates deeper and expands more rapidly than the .380.

Before delving into the benefits of each concealed-carry firearm, here is a side-by-side comparison of the Bodyguard 2.0 and Shield Plus.

S&W’s Pocket Pistol: The Bodyguard 2.0

S&W’s first Bodyguard was a J-frame revolver, introduced in 1955. The semi-automatic Bodyguard debuted in 2010, and the first .380 variant was released in 2014. Like the initial semi-automatic Bodyguard, the 2.0 has a locked breech and polymer frame. But the similarities end there. The 2.0 has a textured grip with superior ergonomics compared to its predecessor, and the slide serrations make loading and unloading a snap.

Prior to 2.0, the Bodyguard had a double-action firing mechanism. S&W engineered the new variant as a striker-fired pistol (a style taken from the M&P series) to reduce slide height. The flat-faced trigger is crisp and produces little creep. There is an added quarter-inch of length to the 2.0. Still, the magazine capacity has been increased from six rounds to 10, and the Bodyguard includes a second 12-round magazine, giving you more firepower and an extended grip. The 9.8-ounce gun has two variants: NTS (no thumb safety) and TS (thumb safety).

S&W’s Micro Compact: The 9mm Shield Plus Carry Comp

Next to the dainty Bodyguard 2.0, the Shield Plus looks super-sized (it’s almost 10 ounces heavier than the .380). But what the 9mm lacks in carry convenience, it more than makes up for in firepower and features. The Shield Plus has multiple magazines and can hold up to 15 rounds. It also features a “Power Port” system that places a port at the top of the barrel and inside the slide. This diverts gas upwards and helps the shooter manage recoil.

An optics-ready variant of the Shield Plus allows you to mount a red dot to improve accuracy. A “Clear Sight Cut” also diverts gas away from the optic’s sight picture, making target acquisition more manageable if follow-up shots are needed to subdue the threat. Iron sights include a tritium front night sight and blacked-out rear. A light or laser can be mounted to the underside of the Shield Plus just forward of the trigger group.

Which S&W Will Serve You Best?

The concealed-carry gun you choose will be based on personal preference. There is no clear winner between the Bodyguard 2.0 and Shield Plus Carry Comp. If you are looking for a gun of convenience and are comfortable with a slightly less effective cartridge than a 9mm, the .380 is ideal. Shooters that want a heavier bullet with more stopping power and a gun with more features will gravitate towards the Shield Plus, though it will be more cumbersome. There are always trade-offs with guns, especially concealed carry firearms, because manufacturers like Smith & Wesson are trying to pack as many features as possible into a compact frame. At some point, they run out of room. You can’t have it all in one firearm, which is likely why so many of us have safes full of firearms.