The newer Rugers seem to have more issues with QC than in the past (IME).
S&W has less QC issues with their autos (again IME).
I haven’t owned either (did have a LCP II) but plan to get a BG 2.0

 

The Max has been my edc for a while now.

From Handgun Hero, it looks like the Bodyguard sits lower in your hand. I'll be getting one eventually when I find one on sale.

The Max is currently around $275, while the Bodyguard is still $400.

 

The Max has been my edc for a while now.

From Handgun Hero, it looks like the Bodyguard sits lower in your hand. I'll be getting one eventually when I find one on sale.

The Max is currently around $275, while the Bodyguard is still $400.

275 at lgs? I see big name stores still selling the max for 375 or so, if I can find locally, 275 sounds enticing.

 

This is Vances. They have an online store, Sportsmans something or other.

 

This is Vances. They had an online store, Sportsmans something or other.

View attachment 1364526

whys the 75th anniversary cheaper than the standard model? I'm seeing that around in my area for $300, which seems fair given FFL fees and such.

 

I have the DAO first version of the BG and I really like it a lot. When i carry it's most often the little BG.

I also have an LCP Max, but I don't like it as well. There's nothing wrong with it but I just can't warm up to it. For one thing, I like a manual safety on a semiauto that isn't truly DAO like the BG 1. I carry with a round in the chamber. I'm not saying the Max isn't safe to carry; this is just my peculiarity!

I've handled the BG 2.0 and plan to buy one at some point. It's smaller than it looks in photos and the grip is a longer portion of it, which everyone seems to like.

All these seem well enough made, but my BG1 seems a little more sturdy feeling than my Max, imo. It may simply be a perception, though. I haven't heard any complaints about QC in any of them.

 

The 75th is stainless, doesn't have the little cocking tabs, and has a metal trigger.

Looks like vances no longer has the non stainless non 75th. Not sure if Ruger replaced the original with the 75th or what.

I'll get pics comparing the 75th to the original later today.

Ruger .380 Guns | Pistols for CCW | Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

Our collection of .380 guns features compact semi-automatic .380 ACP handguns for CCW. Get your tactical .380 pistols at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.

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The 75th is stainless, doesn't have the little cocking tabs, and has a metal trigger.

Looks like vances no longer has the non stainless non 75th. Not sure if Ruger replaced the original with the 75th or what.

I'll get pics comparing the 75th to the original later today.

Ruger .380 Guns | Pistols for CCW | Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

Our collection of .380 guns features compact semi-automatic .380 ACP handguns for CCW. Get your tactical .380 pistols at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Do you prefer the metal trigger over the plastic one? Cost not being a factor here, just shootability and relative comfort?

 

Never fired, or even held an LCP II.

 

Bam $239!

Ruger LCP Max 75th Anniversary Black / Stainless .380 ACP 2.8" Barrel 10-Rounds

The Ruger LCP Max 75th Anniversary edition is a compact and lightweight semi-automatic pistol designed for concealed carry and personal defense. Chambered in .380 ACP, it features a 2.8-inch barrel and a 10+1 round capacity. This special edition combines a black, high-performance, glass-filled...

grabagun.com

 

My original LCP max and 2 x LCP max 75th editions have been flawless (why not for $239). Soft shooting, accurate, Mags are $20.

 

I own both. The 75th anniversary Max sets higher in the hand than the 2.0. The Max shoots point of aim for me, the 2.0 slightly left. The trigger is better on the 2.0. Can’t drift the rear sight on the 2.0 even with a sight pusher or a hammer and punch. Less perceived recoil with the 2.0. The Max comes out of my pocket smoother than the 2.0. The rear sight on the 2.0 sometimes hangs up on the pocket of my jeans. The build quality of the 2.0 seems better than the Max. After break in they both run flawlessly. They fit the same holsters. I trust either one as an edc at bad breath distance.

 

Thanks for this post! What round count is consider break in for lcps? I never considered that, and now that I think of it back when I first bought my lcp2 in 2018, it did malfunction here and there for the first 100-150 rounds.

 

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This is the dingus I modified, by removing material at the top/back.

 

Both are good Id carry either... currently those are the only 2 .380's that id carry. Both are also 100% PCOKET guns size wise no matter how much people want to say it almost every 9MM is too big(though they will dress around a gun which I never do.. aka they will wear special pants to fit stuff into them thats actually a bit too big(Hellcat,365,Glock 42 etc,etc). But the BG 2.0 and Max are 2 that are the right size and better capacity that I NEVER "dress around a gun" and can still fit either in any pant pocket I have.

I got the Max simply as it was out first.. Id have to flip a coin now for what to get if they had come out at the same time though id probably have went with the Max because the price difference(the BG isnt worth any premium over the max its basically a tie for me so why would I pay MORE and substantially more at that).. I dont consider either "better" than the other but I like both. Others as always happens will have different opinions on why they may like one or the other more.. I consider it a total tie.

I dont think you can go wrong with either its a Win/Win type deal.. I will 100% say that id not pay more for one over the other though as one isnt that much "better" to warrant more $$$$ So for me total tie with the tie breaker being Price and flipping a coin.. I have the LCP max.

-At $250-275 id BOTH are that range(and I know for a fact the LCPMax is) coin flip
-If one is in that $250-275 range and the other is closer to $400 im getting the less expensive one as there for me is little to no difference in performance or how they carry/draw/shoot/reliability

 

I have both. The winner is easily the 2.0.

 

Perhaps you could explain why?

 

I had an LCP Max and currently own a S&W Bodyguard 2.0. Within 100 rounds I knew that I did not like the LCP Max at all. I got trigger bite and accuracy was terrible even as close as 10 yards. This could be because I am used to a Sig trigger on my primary guns, and this required too much of an adjustment for me when I switched to the Max. Also, follow up shots were slower than I like. It just didn't work for me. I sold it at a loss.

I bought a BG2 as soon as one came into my LGS. For me, accuracy was better than the LCP Max right out of the box. My accuracy at 10 yards was much better, but I still struggled a bit at 50 feet with the dinky sights. The front night sight was barely visible in the dark, or even under lighted conditions when l was looking at a dark target, and the rear sight had a huge opening that made any kind of precision at distance impossible for me. I put it in the safe waiting for the aftermarket to come up with some real sights. Well, that finally happened.

I put some XS R3D 2.0 sights on the BG2 yesterday and put some test shots through it before applying the thread locker (per the instructions) on it. In 30 shots of Blazer FMJ and of 68 grain XD rounds, I knew it was a shooter. It certainly is head shot accurate at 50 feet shooting offhand. I still have to work with it some more before deciding if it can be a carry gun, but I am optimistic. (I don't like set screws or having to use a thread locker to keep a rear sight in place.) It may retire the Glock 42 with Ameriglo sights shown as my current avatar.

 

I have been through two of the Maxes and now own a BG 2.0. All have been reliable, but I find the BG to be the most ergonomic pocket pistol ever created (been shooting and carrying a large variety of pocket guns for decades). Both models required sight drifting (no big deal). The trigger on the BG is much better, and I shoot far better groups with it than the Rugers. Every time I pick up my Bodyguard 2.0, my mind says "Perfection!" Both are good guns, but I sure found my favorite.

 

I have both, and agree with posts above that the 2.0 is the clear winner.

 

I have both. The LCP Max is OK, but the BG2 is better.

My Max shot extremely low, even at 7 yards. I replaced the OEM sights with S&W Bodyguard sights, it now shoots to the point of aim. Also had an issue with the magazine releasing when the gun was fired, I replaced the mag release spring with a Glock spring cut to length, it corrected that issue. Slide to frame fit is loose, it sounds like a maraca when you shake it.

A common complaint about the BG2 is that one or both of the sights are not properly centered, so it doesn't shoot to the point of aim, something to check if you buy one. Everything about it seems higher quality than the Ruger. The very low bore axis makes it feel softer recoiling. I can get a full three fingers on the grip with the flush magazine, unlike the Ruger.

 

Ruger LCP Max is the pistol I pocket carry. Took a look at the Bodyguard 2.0 and chose the LCP Max because the slide was easier to rack and because it was around $250 vs the $400 Bodyguard 2.0. Zero problems with the Ruger!

 

I bought and carry the Max for most of my .380 duties. Its my gas station and food store gun, tho overall I prefer carrying my P365/.380. While not a marksman gun it always goes bang and it is what it is, a 13 shot pocket rocket that I mate with a "Sticky" pocket holster or carry strong with a cheap plastic OWB that does just fine. Ive been tempted to buy the S&W since my experience with the Shield Plus has been so good but then I ask myself, do I really need another .380 ?

If I did it would probably be a G42 since its so much fun to shoot on paper.

 

365-380, I’m carrying mine today (Cal-X Kit). Shocked me the first time I shot it how accurate it is. IMHO the 380 caliber is the 365 sweet spot.

 

I've had the LCP MAX and have the Bodyguard 2.0 and the S&W is the better gun. The LCP MAX isn't bad by any means, but to me it's a small gun and feels like one whereas the Bodyguard 2.0is a small gun that feels bigger than it is...it's more ergonomic.

 

I've owned the LCP Max and my BG 2.0 is definitely the better gun.

 

I had an LCP2. Sold it off and got a Max. 350 rounds including my preferred carry (Hornady XTP). 100%. Good to go.

 

I prefer the Ruger, personally. I’ve shot both.

 

Any particular reason why you prefer the Ruger? Or is it a matter of just overall feel?

 

I have the lcp max.i have had zero problems with it.

 

My experience with the LCP Max is that it has been flawlessly reliable since day 1 (knock on wood). I had a chance to spend time holding, racking, and holstering the BG2.0 a the LGS. It seems a bit harder to rack in comparison. The safety on the BG seems a bit difficult to disengage. Thus, the Max is the daily errand edc tool.

 

I've run the full gamut of pocket pistols over the last 20+ years, beginning with the Keltec P3AT, then the first and second generation of LCPs, an LCPII and an LCP Max. They all fulfilled the role of a pocket pistol, but only the LCPII and LCP Max proved accurate in BUG matches, which I shoot with some regularity. I liked the Max fine for reliability, but the way the slide rattled on the frame simply annoyed me because I felt it reflected poor quality control.

Enter the BodyGuard 2.0.

What a world of difference a striker firing mechanism makes. Now, I've got a pocket pistol I can shoot with a high degree of accuracy with my preferred CC ammunition - Precision One cartridges with the 90-grain Hornady XTP bullets. I made that ammo choice based on the review by Ammo Quest a few years ago. Hopefully, I'll never have to test it on a live target.

So, my vote goes to the BG. I liked the first one so much that I sold my remaining Gen 2 LCP stainless pistol to help finance a second BG. Now, I have one with a safety and one without. Couldn't be happier. I even placed 7th out of 38 shooters in a recent BUG match, followed by a 5th place finish the next month with a new Taurus GX4. With a little more practice, I think I can place higher with either gun, which makes me feel warm and fuzzy ... having a pocket pistol AND a deep concealment pistol that can place rounds on target with two effective calibers.

 

Enter the BodyGuard 2.0.

This is rapidly becoming the next gun that I want to try out. Hopefully one of the local indoor ranges in my area has one. If not, one of the guys at my indoor range said that they were looking at holding a S&W Dealer Event Day later this year.