Bodyguard 380 Product Review
By Mark “Six” James

A friend called me the other day and asked if I wouldn’t mind taking a moment to write a review of the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380.   As a protection specialist and firearms instructor, I chuckled and said, “Harlan you know I don’t shoot starter pistols.” He then replied, “You have never seen a handgun you didn’t like to shoot.”  I said, “You are right, give me a week and I will get back with you.”

My everyday carry weapon is typically a compact or full size .45 ACP or 9 mm subcompact when I want to travel light.  I am not one to be sucked into the caliber wars as accuracy should always trump caliber size and in close quarter engagements it is often your tactics more so than the caliber size or marksmanship which will keep you alive.

However I am a proponent of a person carrying the largest caliber that they can shoot accurately.  A well trained operator will handle their business with any caliber you put in their hand, unfortunately most people are not well trained and handgun encounters are rarely one shot stops.

I had seen the “Bodyguard 380” advertised but had not taken the time to really look into it, as I had not historically been a big fan of pocket guns.

Although, I am a firm believer the situation should always dictate the tactics and the tools.  With that said there is a definite place for pocket guns.

Personally I think pocket guns function best as secondary and tertiary tools.  Most have poor sighting systems, undersized grips and are often underpowered.  Probably the biggest challenge I see with them is how they are often sold.

I see many people attempting to buy them as primary weapons for new shooters.  Many people are of the misconception that because they are small in both stature and caliber they will be easier to shoot and have less felt recoil.

Effective recoil management starts first with a good grip.  Since most people buy firearms and never get proper professional training they often suffer from poor fundamentals be it improper grip or poor sight alignment.  Thus rarely learning how to master the tool.

When I went to my local gun shop and range today to take a closer look at the Bodyguard 380, I was pleasantly surprised to see a large number of big gun features built into this small package.

The Bodyguard 380 has a polymer frame with a stainless steel barrel and slide.  It is also equipped with a manual thumb safety, slide stop, external takedown lever and loaded chamber indicator.

It has useable raised stainless steel adjustable sights (dovetail cuts) and an integrated Insight laser sight on the vertical axis with ambidextrous laser controls (constant on, pulsating, off).   The laser features a battery saver cut off, which automatically shuts off after 5 minutes.

It is a double action only, hammer fired semi-automatic handgun. While the double action may help reduce accidental discharges, from the new shooters I polled some were uncomfortable with the long trigger pull.

The trigger pull appears to be around 8 – 9 pounds.  However effectively managing a long double action trigger is something that a few more lessons can easily address.  It also features a steel guide rod.

The magazine has an extended finger tab on the bottom to make the grip more ergonomically pleasing.

The Bodyguard performed well on the range. The sighting system was effective and the recoil was what I expected out of a sub 3 inch barrel on a polymer frame. The weapon will also fire with the magazine removed.  The slide also locks back on an empty magazine.

While I am not ready to make it my everyday carry weapon, I would move it to the front of the line for pocket pistols.  The $399 suggested retail is a good value for the features built into the handgun and explains why dealers are having a hard time keeping them on the shelf.

It is more than fit for duty as an ultra concealment or secondary tool. In my opinion it is not a starter handgun and functions best in the hands of an experienced shooter.

The light weight, small frame, and short sight radius are not features that lend themselves to new or untrained shooters.  With the right operator or training the Bodyguard 380 can compliment your defensive capabilities.

In the hands of the untrained operator it has the potential for a bad experience.

Model:         BODYGUARD® 380
Caliber:         .380 Auto
Capacity:         6+1 Rounds
Barrel Length:     2.75″ / 7.0 cm
Frame Size:         Compact
Action:         Double Action Only (Hammer Fired)
Front Sight:         Stainless Steel
Rear Sight:         Drift Adjustable
Grip:             Polymer
Overall Length:     5.25″ / 13.3 cm
Weight:         11.85 oz / 335.9 g
Frame Material:     Polymer
Material:         Stainless Steel w/Melonite® Finish
Finish: Matte     Black

Purpose: Personal Protection, Professional / Duty
Mark “Six” James is the Executive Director of Panther Protection Services a full service protection agency.

He is a firearms and combatives instructor and internationally published author.  To find out more about Panther Protection Services visit www.pantherprotectionservices.com or www.facebook.com/pantherprotectionservices

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How to become a bodyguard: By Doc Rogers
Considering a career change from your present line of work, maybe the bodyguard industry is the right fit for you? This article gives 10 powerful thoughts to help make this a reality.

1. Do you have the ability to help others? As a bodyguard you keep your clients out of harm’s way and give them the confidence they need to achieve their business and personal goals securely.

2. Continuously learning. As a professional bodyguard you will be constantly obtaining special knowledge (expertise) from your formal training, on-the-job training and independent study (often at your own cost). You should never stop learning the trade.

3. Appreciation for different cultures.  You will gain an understanding of the world we live and work in, so you can better protect your clients. As a bodyguard you will learn about the cultures and the traditions of the countries you will be operating in as well as the respect for it’s people.

4. Great salary. Bodyguarding is a labor intensive profession. Charge your clients accordingly. You want to avoid having your fees to low or to high. Provide the best quality service at the best price, at a happy medium. As a bodyguard you won’t starve, but you won’t become a millionaire either.

5. Bodyguarding is a rewarding profession. Bodyguards have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their clients. Bodyguards are not only rewarded with money, but also the feeling of fulfillment in keeping their clients safe.

6. Career security. Even with a weak economy bodyguards are still needed worldwide. Bodyguards rarely take pay-cuts; our salaries stay stable even in these tough economic times.

7. Job mobility.  Bodyguards can move to any part of the world and conduct business.  Bodyguarding is an excellent mobile occupation that allows you to live anywhere in the world and there’s a big world out there with lots of opportunities.

8. Prestige and respectability. The respect accorded to trained bodyguards rivals that of law enforcement and the military. Bodyguarding is considered a noblest profession, according to folklore it’s the fifth oldest profession in the world.

9. Client versatility. You have a choice of working with high powered business executives, politicians, superstar athletes, famous entertainers and celebrities, as well as everyday individuals who are under threat.

10. Life long friendships. Bodyguards develop life long friendships with other professionals throughout the world. Some of these friends will become your second family while on the road. This is one of the greatest aspects of the job.

Always keep safe and God speed.
Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security. To learn how to make a full time living as a corporate bodyguard visit the websites below for more information.

http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707
http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927
http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

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By Doc Rogers
7 Great Ways to Improve Your Executive Protection Career
Many young EP agents discover that the competition is fierce and a good a EP career is not as easy to acquire as they have expected. When trying to improve your EP career, you should applied the following methods over a period of time; as nothing worthwhile happens overnight. Apply these following improvement tips daily and watch your career takeoff.

1. Love Your EP Career. As bodyguards we wake up each morning  protecting clients from insane or psychotic individuals who prey on the rich, famous and powerful. You’ve got to love your BG career because if you don’t love it, you’re not going to last long in the industry.

2. Read EP Literature. Devote a few hours a day reading EP and related topics to keep up on the latest EP trends, to spark new ideas and to get motivated. Because motivation is what guides and maintains your goal-oriented behavior.

3. Improve Your Physical Appearance. Make an investment in a new suit and tie, quality shoes, hair cut, join a gym to lose weight or bulk up. Remember, these are classified as investments not liabilities.

4. Join BG Associations: Join a professional association to network with other professionals in the business and to attend association workshops and meetings. A highly professional association is the North American Bodyguard Association the National the Director is Mr. Elijah Shaw.

5. Get a BG Career Mentor: Having a BG mentor is invaluable for improving your career. Professional mentors have been there and done that.  They have the experience, connections and know-how to assist you with your BG career improvement goals you wish to accomplish. Mr. Harlan (Hucky) Austin President of Bodyguards Careers has a career consulting program that is fantastic.

6. Email BG Colleagues: Keep in contact with BG colleagues in the industry you have met. If you haven’t stayed in touch, re-establish contact with an email like this: “Wanted to send you this email to say that our friendship is a strong one and you can call on me if needed at any time.” Include your website and contact information. Don’t take up their precious time or ramble on, but do let them know about any recent BG training you have received.

7. Be Results-Driven. To improve your EP career you need to be results-driven and have a mission-oriented mindset. Focus your attention on your shortcomings. Create a training regimen for yourself: advance work studies, basic and advance EP tactics, report writing and contract writing, as well as motorcade dynamics. I hope these seven tips will help you to achieve your BG career goals. Best of luck and God speed.

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Man held at ex-president’s home: The Secret Service detained, questioned and released a man who had a firearm in his vehicle as he pulled up outside the north Dallas home of former President George W. Bush.

Although they do not believe the man presents a danger to the former President, the Secret Service said at the time they were continuing to question him, but NBC reported that the man was questioned and released, according to Secret Service spokesman Agent Donovan. The Agent says the unidentified man showed up “uninvited” about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, saying he wanted to see Bush. Donovan says the man had a permit for the gun and his answers checked out, so he was released and left.

A Bush spokesman says the Bushes weren’t home at the time. The street leading to the house is blocked by a gate, however the man actually made it through a secure gate by closely following a vehicle that was in front of him, little did he know that the gate is monitored around-the-clock by the Secret Service.

There have been several incidents in the past of people trying to make it through the gates to get a message to or see former President Bush.”

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By Rick Colliver
In my capacity as both a “consumer” of protection services and as a member of several associations seeking to standardize and professionalize the protection industry, I spend my spare time talking to other security professionals, attending conferences and surfing the internet for protection training programs; all in an effort to identify the competent professionals in this business.

By now, most of us agree that protection is a unique career field that we can’t learn about in college, in the police academy, or by watching re-runs of our favorite crime drama. Depending on where we envision our careers going, we should embark on a never-ending pursuit of training and refinement, hopefully from competent and capable instructors. But, how do we find them?

I have often been disheartened when I have been told by school operators (or worse yet, they advertise this on their websites) that “we don’t waste time on theory…we get people out doing the hands-on stuff”.

Are you kidding me? Do you really consider protection theory a “waste of time”? What is it about the protection profession that would make us different from any other profession out there, where we feel comfortable diving into specific techniques without understanding why we’re performing them?

Would you want someone taking your tonsils out after only having watched it done a couple of times by another doctor? Or would you rather your surgeon had several years of graduate level anatomy and physiology supporting their knowledge of “where to cut”?

Would you want someone representing you in a use-of-force case, whose only training in the subject was that s/he had watched another attorney mount a similar defense…or would you rather have an attorney that had learned the ins and outs of the judicial system and had a thorough knowledge of the decisions and precedents that got us where we are today in terms of case law?

More to the point, if the bulk of your protection training is spent interrupting AOP’s while working the ropes, I think you are missing the bigger picture of 1) why did you think you needed a rope line, 2) where were you going to put those ropes and 3) how many protectors did you think you’d need for this? As a client, if I assign a protection mission to you, I need to know that you know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

Recently, I contacted a security provider about setting up a protection detail in a foreign country. The manager’s response was, “How many guys do you want?”

“Isn’t that your job to tell me?” I replied.

“Well…then I think we need about five”. He said.

“For what…you haven’t done the advance yet”? I asked him.

“That’s what we usually use.” He said, somewhat perplexed.

This exchange led me down the path of asking where his personnel received their training, and what kind of training did his team actually receive. The company website boasted that they had the finest, best-trained agents in the known universe, former special forces operators (etc), and I was mildly curious as to what made them the best.

It turned out that each agent received “about” forty hours of training in unarmed combat, evacuation drills and firearms; which included more than 500 rounds on the M-4. When I asked him about training in advance work, threat/vulnerability assessment, operational strategies and etiquette, he merely grunted, “Yeah, they get that too.”

Needless to say, they didn’t get the job (and M-4’s were illegal in the country where we were going). More importantly, it illustrated the type of service a client should expect when they contract with the “hands-on” team that thought that theory was a waste of time. In short, there’s no such thing as the “usual” protection mission, because there’s no such thing as the “usual” threat.

What my research has shown is that protection schools that offer only “hands-on” training are equipping students for reactive rather than proactive roles. Worse, it indicates to a client that this curricular shortcoming may be due to 1) the instructors don’t understand protection theory themselves and/or 2) their training programs don’t have any real academic content. The school owners simply grab a bunch of firearms instructors or martial artists and sell a protection training program built upon reactive skills.

Central to security planning is the ability to understand the nature of threats extant in any given protection scenario. And, usually this can only be accomplished through risk and vulnerability assessment of the Protectee; including their work and residence venues. From these assessments, we construct design-basis-threat (DBT) profiles around which we can develop appropriate security strategies.

This particular assessment methodology was originally developed by Sandia Laboratories ( http://www.sandia.gov/ram/ )  and can be applied to a variety of scenarios/industries, including nuclear, chemical and public utility security programs, to name a few. More importantly, it can be applied to almost any security problem; such as programs for individuals determined to be at-risk due to occupational, environmental or relational exposure to violent acts.

As the Department of Defense tells us, a DBT is the threat against/from which an asset must be protected and upon which the protective system’s design is based. A DBT establishes the objectives of a security system or program; it 1) defines the assets to be protected, and 2) defines the threats to protect those assets against.

The DBT is often reduced to several paragraphs that describe the number of adversaries, their modus operandi, the type of tools and weapons they would use, and the type of events or acts they are willing to commit.

A standard definition of a DBT revolves around four important themes:

•    Insider and/or external adversaries – A potential adversary is any individual or group of individuals deemed to have the intent and/or the capabilities to conduct a malicious act.

•    Malicious acts leading to unacceptable consequences – Steps taken to prevent malicious acts, and protection against unacceptable consequences to protected individuals (intentional and unintentional injury, kidnapping, embarrassment etc).

•    Attributes and characteristics – The attributes and characteristics of potential adversaries describe their capabilities to carry out a malicious act. Capabilities may include weapons, explosives, tools, transportation, insiders and insider collusion, skills, tactics, and number of individuals committed to attack.

These capabilities help determine the detection, delay, and response criteria for design and evaluation of an effective physical protection system (protective intelligence).

•    Design and evaluation – A DBT, which is defined at the facility or personal level, is a tool used to help establish performance requirements for the design of physical protection systems.

A DBT is also used to help Operators and public safety authorities assess the effectiveness of the systems to counter adversaries; by evaluating the systems’ performances against their capabilities described in the DBT.

This assessment process involves not only security personnel, but other departmental leaders from the Protectee’s organization so that threats and responses can be reviewed in a multi-disciplinary setting. This type of approach helps balance our understanding of security problems and prevents consistent under or over-reaction to potential threats.

This assessment methodology is but one tool in the protection specialist’s toolbox to help determine the appropriate application of personnel and equipment to any given protection mission. It helps us build our credibility and perceived contributions to a client’s personal and organizational goals.

Summary

While it doesn’t have the sex appeal that shooting and car-smashing offer, theory is that component of protection training that allows you to sit across the desk from a client and make them feel like you are worthy of their trust and confidence…and their cash.

By understanding and applying protection theory, you are better positioned to adequately protect a client’s interests under a variety of circumstances, without over or under-responding, delivering a security package that keeps them safe without unnecessarily draining their budget or impeding their ability to conduct business.

So, when looking for a protection school, ensure that you select a program that will give you a solid foundation of protection theory so that you can properly analyze existent threats and find appropriate solutions for your clients.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Rick Colliver has served as the global security director for two multi-national corporations with operations in 24 time zones, and has managed protection details in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. He is the course developer and lead instructor in the Principal Protection program at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and is an adjunct instructor in protective operations through several police, military and academic organizations. His book, “Principal Protection; Lessons Learned” will be available in electronic format March 1, 2012.

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IN THE NEWS – In what’s already been a rough week image wise for the bodyguard industry, Britney Spears ex-bodyguard breaches client confidentiality, and then Madonna’s ex-bodyguard jailed for smuggling guns into the UK.

Now it seems that three of Oprah Winfrey’s bodyguards were detained by Indian police after a scuffle with local TV journalists.

The incident occurred while the internationally acclaimed TV host was shooting for her show ‘Next Chapter’ while visiting the Hindu pilgrimage town of Mathura, about 90 miles south of Delhi, Indian police briefly detained three of Oprah’s bodyguards after they scuffled with local TV journalists. No one was reported hurt.

The three bodyguards were released after apologizing in a letter to the journalists.

Today, she visited the Taj Mahal and on Friday, she plans to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, reports AP.

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Usually when you see the word ex in front of bodyguard it’s a negative story. Well this one is no exception; Britney Spears ex-bodyguard Fernando Flores becomes the latest bodyguard to consider writing a tell-all book about his former client. Like many other bodyguards who have decided to go down this dark road of no return, Flores decides to empty the Spears laundry bag on the table of public opinion for all to see. I won’t deny that there may be a lucrative payday in front of him. But without a doubt, his inconsideration for the EP business will cast a negative impact on the industry as a whole, and will surely prevent him from ever working as a protective agent on this scale again. To read the full article click on the following link: http://www.nme.com/news/britney-spears/61496

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In the News: Security Secrets Left On Train

Top secret  security documents detailing plans for policing this summer’s London Olympics was left on a train. The file, which could have provided terrorists planning an attack with very useful data, was lost by a policeman.
A commuter found it and handed it to The Sun, who returned the file to the police, the newspaper reported Tuesday. The chief inspector in Scotland Yard’s Territorial Policing branch is said to be “hugely embarrassed” by the potentially serious blunder.

“Restricted” files spell out the security plans in place at the sites of events and provide minutes of top-level meetings in which ways to beat terrorists were discussed. The document contains dates and details of pre-Olympics rehearsals, explains emergency lockdown procedures and sets out plans to avoid traffic congestion. It also reports at length on damning complaints from officers about the radios they will use during the Olympics.

The documents were found by a commuter on a train in Dartford in Kent, southeastern England, on Jan. 5. “I couldn’t believe any policeman could have left this on a train. It’s a worry,” the unnamed commuter said.
London’s Metropolitan Police played down the incident, saying the files were not thought to be operationally sensitive. A spokeswoman said, “An officer lost his bag containing a number of documents. He reported the loss. The Directorate of Professional Standards have been informed, as is routine.”

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Bodyguard job hunting is a job in itself, and there are many ways of going about it. Job agencies, sending out resumes and posting ads are the traditional ways to get a BG and they still work. However, there are more ways to hunt for a bodyguard job. Use the bodyguard job hunter’s checklist below for your assistance.

1. Direct approach; knocking on the door of the corporation you are interested in working for and dropping off your resume personally. This may be done whether they have posted an bodyguard job opening or not.  This is called “cold calling” contacting the corporate bodyguard department or executive protection unit directly to find out if they foresee any upcoming vacancies.

2. Most bodyguard jobs are not advertised; for this reason it is a good idea to send your resume out to corporations at random. There are always hidden BG jobs waiting to be discovered out there.

3. The old standby networking; however I believe it should be done with a new twist. Don’t ask everyone you meet you are looking for a job, first develop a relationship with that persons, let them know what resources and expertise you bring to the table. How you can help them, and not how they can help you. The more people you develop a relationship and know what you bring to the table the more opportunities you will have.

4. Target overseas companies; don’t be afraid to send your resume to overseas corporations if you are not having any luck locally. Make a list of overseas companies in the areas of operation that you would like to work. Call these overseas companies directly to see if they have any bodyguard job openings.

5. Meet directly with bodyguards; put on some professional attire and meet up with bodyguards that you have met on the social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). Again, tell them how you can assist them with their operations locally and overseas. Don’t ask for a job, build a friendship, but do bring your resume for his or her review and for verification of your bodyguard training and experience so they know you are a legitimate professional.

6. Look for temporary bodyguard employment; these type of jobs can be found at boxing, mix martial arts (MMA) events, concerts and cultural entertainment and beauty pageants, anywhere there is a need for bodyguards due to local or international stars, celebrities, VIP’s and famous individuals being in attendance. Obtaining a temporary bodyguard job at one of these events, get your foot in the door, you may be called upon for future work or it can lead to permanent bodyguard position.

I hope this has been of assistance and I wish you all Good Luck on your bodyguard job hunt. Keep safe and God speed.
http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707

http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927

http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

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