Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
S&W’s Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is a tiny .380 that shoots flatter than it should, carries easier than most, and only needed one fix at the sights.
Tiny .380, Big Attitude: Meet the Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp
Would you carry a 380 ACP for personal protection? What if it were compensated and had a 12-round capacity? You’ll likely answer yes or no to both questions. I’m on team “yes,” but I haven’t always been. My discovery of Smith and Wesson’s Bodyguard 2.0 was my turning point on this matter. It is a micro compact that can be easily concealed in outfits that are incredibly hard to conceal carry in. It also has great ergonomics, a respectable ammo capacity, and incredible reports of reliability.
It’s now 2025, and S&W released a new model for the Bodyguard 2.0, so of course, it is compensated. This Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is everything that I like about the older models, but jazzed up a bit, as Performance Center guns always are! Strap in for this review, and I’ll explain exactly what is new and improved, share accuracy and reliability results, and general thoughts about the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp *No Thumb Safety model* that I’ve been testing.
Table of contents
- Tiny .380, Big Attitude: Meet the Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp
- Performance Center Upgrades That Matter
- Factory Sight Offset: What I Saw and How I Fixed It
- Accuracy Testing Results With 4 Loads
- Does The Port Do Anything? Yes, And Here Is Why
- Range Time: Shootability Beats Its Size Class
- Concealed Carry Holster Choice That Worked For Me
- Specifications And Features For S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp
- Pros & Cons After Real Carry And Range Time
- Final Thoughts: The Micro I Actually Want To Carry
- Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
Performance Center Upgrades That Matter
The Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp shares the same grip and familiar ergonomics as the original Bodyguard 2.0, but has a slightly longer, more aggressively serrated slide, Ameriglo night sights, and a port on the end of the barrel that reduces muzzle rise drastically. These upgrades add about $100 to the cost of this gun, landing the MSRP of the Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp at $549.00 with both thumb and no thumb safety models, plus a California-compliant option.
The slide on the Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is just over a third of an inch (0.35″) longer than the original non-compensated version. The slides are exactly the same (minus the iron sights and serration), up until the muzzle. At this end, the Carry Comp slide is extended 0.35″ after the iron sight. Here, they squeezed in the “PowerPort,” which is a cut in the slide and barrel that vents gases vertically. This port reduces muzzle rise, making the gun flatter and more pleasant to shoot. The PowerPort wasn’t placed here as an afterthought or as a result of lazy designing. It’s desirable to have the front sight behind the port so that it isn’t concealed by muzzle flash or coated in carbon after lots of shooting.
By the way, the slides on the Bodyguard 2.0 and Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp seem to be interchangeable. This doesn’t mean a ton, but it highlights the similarities between these two guns and suggests that the frames are identical.
Another upgrade on the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is the AmeriGlo Protector LumiGreen Night Sights. These sights consist of a serrated rear and a bright green front dot with a Tritium insert. This rear sight is slightly different than the older Bodyguard 2.0’s. It’s much more squared off and narrow. I like this new rear sight because it feels like I am able to be more precise with my shots.
Factory Sight Offset: What I Saw and How I Fixed It
There are many reports that the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp shoots to the left, right out of the box. I doubted the validity of these claims because this is usually the result of a common trigger pull error. However, I noticed mine also grouped several inches left at 10 yards! To determine that I was not the issue, I also shot a Ruger LCP Gen II during the same range session. I shot this other micro compact 380 at the same distance, and it grouped exactly where I intended.
I used a sight pusher to move the rear sight, which resolved the issue. Now, at a glance, it appears that the sights are very misaligned. The truth is, it’s perfectly sighted in now. This is the one negative thing I have to say about this gun. Is this nitpicking for a gun that was designed for close-range engagements? I don’t think so. Please test your gun if you have one, and make sure that the bullets hit where you intend them to hit. If you ever had to use the Carry Comp in a hostage situation (god forbid), your loved one will appreciate it.
Accuracy Testing Results With 4 Loads
To test a variety of ammunition, I worked withAmmo To Go. If you are interested in a comparison between 9mm and .380 ACP, check out their blog at The Lodge. For this review, they sent me four different types of ammunition to test. These are Winchester Target & Practice 95gr FMJ, Cor-Bon 90gr JHP, Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 90gr, and Barnes 80gr Tac-XPD. I tested only the Winchester ammo as “target” ammunition because the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp isn’t really a range gun; it’s a personal protection device. As such, I tested the Cor-Bon, Speer, and Barnes offerings, which are self-defense-marketed ammunition.
I performed my accuracy testing at a distance of 10 yards, freehand. Because of this, I’ll admit that the accuracy test results are more indicative of practical accuracy than mechanical accuracy. Keep in mind how notoriously difficult a micro compact handgun with iron sights is to shoot precisely. Still, I’m confident in the results and my shooting. The Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is a very ergonomic handgun with an incredibly smooth trigger for its class.
The Winchester Target & Practice 95gr FMJ put down a respectable 2.126″ 5-round group. This group is about average when compared to the rest of the ammo tested, which means that this would be a great ammunition for practicing with. The personal defense category of ammunition is led by Cor-Bon 90gr JHP, which printed a 1.471″ 5-round group at 10 yards. The runner-ups were then Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 90gr with a 2.579″ group, followed by Barnes 80gr Tac-XPD with a 3.510″ group. One odd thing I noticed was how much vertical dispersion the Barnes had. Simultaneously, it also had very little horizontal dispersion, which was interesting. Overall, I would choose the Cor-Bon ammunition to carry in the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp. This ammunition has a great reputation and performed very well in my accuracy test.
Does The Port Do Anything? Yes, And Here Is Why
There is some debate if the small port in the barrel does any real work to reduce recoil and muzzle rise, but I assure you that it does. There has also been some bad information floating around during the discussion of this handgun. This is the idea that the port will eject metal spall from the bullet’s jacket. It will not. The port will eject hot gases and unburnt powder, but no metal. Engineers design the section of the barrel from the front of the port to the muzzle without rifling so the bullet never makes contact. The design intentionally eliminates the possibility of spall flying out of the port at high velocities. To prove this, I held a sheet of paper above the port and fired a whole magazine. The results showed no damage to the paper.
Range Time: Shootability Beats Its Size Class
The Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is a micro compact, which makes it excellent for concealed-carry, but inherently difficult to shoot. Still, this handgun is very ergonomic, and the recoil is minimal because of the ported barrel. I find this gun to be much easier to shoot than many, if not all, of the micro compact guns that I have. I think this is the highest praise you can give a gun in this class, because comfort and shootability are usually an afterthought to concealability. Even though it fits in my pocket, I can still comfortably and accurately shoot the Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp.
Oh, and the trigger? I measured mine to have a pull weight of 4 lbs. The break is crisp, and the reset is positive. This is one more aspect that I think the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp leads its class in.
This gun comes with two different magazines. One is a flush-fit 10-rounder, and the other is an extended 12-round magazine. I have average-sized hands, and the 10-round flush fit magazine still leaves enough real estate on the grip for my hands to fit comfortably. The 12-round extended magazine feels even better yet, and this is the magazine that I typically keep in the gun when concealed carrying.
Concealed Carry Holster Choice That Worked For Me
The holster that I use to carry this gun is made by Invader Concepts, and it is called the Outlaw IWB. Invader Concepts is a local company in Montana. This holster keeps the gun and trigger protected in a rigid kydex shell, but it also has a leather backing for maximum comfort while carrying IWB. Even with this comfort feature, the holster has great retention, and the gun clicks into place positively. The Outlaw IWB also comes in right or left-hand configuration and is available in 25 different colors and patterns. At the range, this holster was easy to draw from in practice. Out on the town, the concealment claw keeps the grip tucked, and carry discreet.
Specifications And Features For S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp
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| Model | Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp No Thumb Safety |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 3.1 in, ported, PowerPort design |
| Overall Length | 5.85 in |
| Weight | 11.8 oz (unloaded) |
| Capacity | 10+1 (flush), 12+1 (extended) |
| Sights | AmeriGlo Protector LumiGreen front with tritium, blacked-out serrated rear |
| Trigger | Flat-faced |
| Finish | Armornite slide and barrel |
| MSRP | $549.00 |
Pros & Cons After Real Carry And Range Time
- Pros: Ported barrel keeps the muzzle flat, excellent trigger for the class, true micro size with 12 round option, bright front sight, and reliable so far.
- Cons: Factory sight alignment was off on my sample. 380 terminal performance is load-dependent, small controls may challenge larger hands.
Final Thoughts: The Micro I Actually Want To Carry
The Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is the best micro-compact .380 Auto handgun that I’ve ever used. My only complaint about it is the sight alignment issue that I already discussed in detail. This sight alignment problem is important to be aware of, but is far from a deal-breaker to me because it can be easily remedied. You should go out and test your carry ammo accuracy with any gun you depend on for personal protection anyway.
Everything else about this gun earns top points. The ergonomics are excellent, the trigger is light and crisp, the ammo capacity is incredible for its size, and much more. This tiny handgun is easy to shoot fast and accurately because of the ported barrel that greatly reduces muzzle rise. I’ve enjoyed practicing with this gun because shooting it is a pleasant experience in general. I’m even capable of being surprisingly accurate with it without the aid of a red dot.
I also believe that this gun is very capable of stopping a threat. Yes, it’s.380 ACP, which is smaller than the popular 9mm options, but this gun is capable of being concealed in outfits that would be difficult to conceal a larger handgun in. Also, modern ammunition has come a long way in regards to bullet design. All of the personal defense ammunition I tested in this review would provide adequate penetration to stop a threat, and you have access to 13 rounds of it in an SHTF situation.
If you are in the market for a micro compact handgun, the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp is an excellent choice, and I stand behind that fully.
Learn more about the Performance Center S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp here.
Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
- Shield EZ .380 Review: Soft Shooting, Easy Running
- Pocket Pistols Compared: .380 Carry Options Tested
- How Porting Changes Recoil Control On Carry Guns
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Riley Baxter is a seasoned hunter, outdoorsman, and competitive shooter with deep roots in the backcountry. He has guided professionally for bears, bighorn sheep, and other big game across rugged terrain, bringing firsthand knowledge of what gear actually works in the field. When he’s not chasing game or running drills on the range, Riley is likely in the garage customizing his rifles, pistols, or backcountry kit.
A competitive pistol shooter and lifelong firearms enthusiast, Riley brings both precision and creativity to every piece of equipment he touches. Outside of the gun world, he works as a perfusionist in Montana, a vital role in heart surgery that demands attention to detail, critical thinking, and mental fortitude.
Experience:
– Professional Hunting Guide – Guided for bears, bighorn sheep, and more in some of the West’s toughest country.
– Competitive Shooter – Skilled USPSA pistol shooter with a passion for precision and performance under pressure.
– Custom Builder – Enjoys building and tuning firearms and equipment to meet the exact demands of the hunt or the range.
– Experienced Marksman – Experienced in long-range hunting and precision rifles to meet the demands of the terrain of the West.
– Montana-Based Perfusionist – Medical professional accustomed to making critical decisions in high-stakes environments.