so as a new BG380 owner i've been doing a lot of net searching, and as with any product there are good and bad things said. While browsing this site, i've found fixes for the laser sight (which i'm not sure if its a real problem yet).... but also saw mention that someone sent theirs back to S&W for a "safety switch issue" but it was left at that. I know mine is very very hard to switch from safe to fire and vise versa, but i am just assuming its supposed to be that way... any insight on the difficult safety would be helpful, thanks!!

I sent mine back to S&W because the safety was almost impossible to operate and hadn't become any easier with some use. It came back improved, but still not really easy. But then you don't want it to accidentally engage either. If you think it's too difficult call CS.

Dave

when things are sent back to smith, does it cost anything or just bring it to the dealer and its paid for by s&w?

also curious as to others experiences with the safety

The safety on mine is a little hard to operate. The way it is recessed makes it difficult to disengage from a shooting position. I find the darn thing redundant anyhow. The long double action pull is sufficient in my book to prevent accidental firing. But if you are the type that must have a safety if a round is chambered, it's there for your use. I don't bother with it.

Call customer service(1-800-331-0852 x2905) and tell them what the problem is that you're experiencing. They will ask for your gun S/N. If they agree that it's a problem, they will send you a prepaid FedEx label (get it by email) to send the gun back to S&W. It will be fixed and returned to you by FedEx at no cost to you.

Dave

i have to take it to a dealer to ship, right?

Nope. If S&W sends you a prepaid label, just get a FedEx box, put the label on the box and take it to FedEx or call FedEx to come and pick it up. I believe you have to tell FedEx it is a firearm, but tell them you are shipping it to the manufacturer which is legal. You CAN NOT, put it in a FedEx drop box. You have to give it to a counter person or a driver. It will either be a next or 2nd day label.

You can have the dealer send it back if you want and if he will do it, but it's not necessary to go through the dealer. That is an extra step and can take longer, depending on the dealer.

Call S&W CS and talk to them about your concerns with the gun.

Dave

and one last question (i have no need to call them yet, i need to put some rounds through it this week before i decide how everything feels).... but when i ship (if i ship) to them, can i get it shipped back to my house?

Yes, they automatically will ship it back to your house, but an adult signature may be required.

Dave

I've had my BG380 for a few weeks now and my safety is relatively hard also. I called the factory and they said it would most likely become easier over time, just needs to be worked a bunch.

After reading the 100th thread on the issues of the BG380 ,I can firmly say that I'll never ever buy one of these. I think the 'looks cool' factor overcomes the useless laser, rough trigger, and myriad of other issues surrounding this paperweight.

They are pretty good for letting your wife think she's holding a real gun, however.

Last year when I had issues w/ the laser button, I inquired to S&W about the proper functioning of the safety. According to them the safety is designed to be more difficult to engage than to dis-engage. I found that to be the case w/ mine, and was satisfied as I cannot conceive of an eminent life threatening scenario where I will need to ENGAGE the safety. After only a week the safety was perfectly capable of being disengaged w/ ease, and that is when I noticed the difference between the ease of engaging vs disengaging the safety.

"...looks cool..."

Hmm... I never thought that. I simply thought it was another ugly, overpriced, striker fired gun, constructed as cheaply as possible, from the current company calling itself S&W. Regards 18DAI.

OK, tell me why you think the laser is useless. I'm thinking about buying one and I've tried out the laser in several gunstores. It's easy to see at 30 feet in indoor daylight. I understand that in bright sunlight outside it would be harder (but the sight picture would be better).

This laser seems about as powerful as others of the same size. Perhaps you think all lasers of this sort are useless, but what makes this one "useless"?

Dogmeat, disregard that post by nogoodnamesleft! Read the ones with current owners problems and those of us that are happy and try one out. He made his decision based on 100 posts without regard for the over 50,000 BG380s on the market. And, he has not held or fired one. Try one at your local gun shop or range. If you can't find one, come on down to St Pete and I'll let you shoot mine.

I think it's useless because I have to manually turn it on with a finger that should be on the trigger. I prefer CT style or other lasers that activate when you put pressure on the grip or trigger (like the lasers activated when you depress the 'safety' on a glock trigger) ..

Don't get me wrong, it's a great cat toy .... but if I have to pull and fire a weapon, I don't want to fidget with a little button that's gonna turn on the laser and then fumble for the trigger ....

That's why I think it's 'useless' .... the advantage I see to lasers is being able to be accurate with a weapon in less than ideal stances or without being able to look through the sites .... turning it on wastes time that could be the difference between life and death.

I'm curious. Have you shot one? I like mine. The trigger is a double action trigger, period. Mine sits in my pocket and I hardly notice it. At the range at 7 yards it shoots as accurate as my 1911 compact. The 1911 weighs a ton. The BG380 does IMOP what it was designed for.

here's another question, obviously from a newbie, is there any way to change the trigger pull so its not so hard? I know some guns you can, but not sure on this one...

Yes, get another pistol. One that is single action, or try out different da only pistols at your lgs. If you try to tamper with the springs on a dao pistol, you will make it unreliable. You don't want a target trigger pull on a pocket pistol for safety reasons. I don't consider the pull on the BG to be any worse than some wheel guns in da mode. Try an AMT backup, after that you will think the BG is easy.

I've shot one, and I did indeed like it. I think it's a sleek compact gun that shoots well and fits nicely into a pocket. My only issue with the product is the button activated laser. I feel it's a quality firearm, no matter what 'bugs' have been worked out in it ... when you pull the trigger it goes bang.

For something that size, however, I'd forgo the laser if my only option was a manual 'on' ......

But hey, I sure wouldnt want to be at the working end of one, and would feel absolutely confident using one as a SD weapon ...

I just think the laser is a bit janky, that's all.

I'm posting this where ever I can, because it could cost a lot to fix for no reason. If you are shooting your BG380 and the slide won't go back all the way, it is probably because of the little screw that holds the laser in place. The tiny screw that holds the laser in the bottom part of the gun has shaken loose, and is blocking the slide from locking back. I went home, noticed the screw was poking up, tightened the screw...problem SOLVED. This is a simple problem to fix, and I'm going to call S&W for a new screw just in case...problem SOLVED.

Hey guys, how ya' doing? Let's be serious and honest...how often will you use the laser in a SD situation which would most likely occur at a close distance encounter, 3-10 yds. . I agree that turning it on isn't as easy as it should be but at the range ( where I'll use mine once in a while ) who cares!? It's a selling hook, at most it might intimidate a younger BG...ooh a laser on me, I'm dead. The 380 BG is , to me, a great little defense piece, I bet my & my family's life on it. MO

I'm posting this where ever I can, because it could cost a lot to fix for no reason. If you are shooting your BG380 and the slide won't go back all the way, it is probably because of the little screw that holds the laser in place. The tiny screw that holds the laser in the bottom part of the gun has shaken loose, and is blocking the slide from locking back. I went home, noticed the screw was poking up, tightened the screw...problem SOLVED. This is a simple problem to fix, and I'm going to call S&W for a new screw just in case...problem SOLVED.

Thanks for the post. I was having the same problem and this fixed it.

Smith & Wesson has made many subtle improvements to the Bodyguard since it's introduction and all the bugs have been worked out. I bought one of the first ones and had the dreaded takedown pin problem. Sent it back and they relaced it with the improved frame. Yesterday my local dealer received 4 new Bodyguards and since they are so much less expensive now I bought one. I looked at all 4 pistols and I can report that the safeties on all of them were easy to engage and disengage. Also the lazer buttons on all of them were very easy to operate. I made my choice solely on trigger pull. All had the typical long DA but one was very light and that's the one I bought. For a hot weather carry gun these pistols are hard to beat. I've owned the Ruger LCP, and a Kahr P380 which is vastly superior to the Ruger, and now 2 BG380s. Of the 3 the Bodyguard is my hands down favorite. Anyone comtemplating buying one now can rest assured the problems with the first early examples have been rectified and are long gone.

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i bought one last month and have not really heard about the take down pin problem. I know with mine, i have to use something to push the take down pin all the way down, my fingers just can't do it. is that the problem??

The original 'takedown pin problem' was that it would back itself out of the frame during the action of the slide while firing... They stiffened it up considerably, which is why it is hard to push now.
With that said, it does loosen up once the firearm is broken in... ... ... a little.

No, don't use your trigger finger. You're likely using a thumbs-forward grip; if so, use the thumb of your left hand to switch it on once the grip is established. Lefties, like me, do the opposite.

Scott

I find it easy and very natural to use my trigger finger to activate the laser. With practise it become second nature and is fast.

I have also had problems with the laser screw coming loose, Even after i re-tightened it will still back out. I havent had it jam the slide while shooting because ill check it after 20 rounds or so and tighten it again. Also has a halo around the laser because of moisture, really need to send the whole housing in...

So, I'm pretty sure this is my problem now. However, I can't get the slide to go back far enough to allow the take down pin to push down. Now what? Needless to say, I'm fairly frustrated with this problem, especially after I've only run 100 rounds through it. By the sound of things after looking around on the internet, this is a fairly common problem. Any ideas on how to prevent this from happening again? Thanks for any replies!

Most likely it is because the laser's dust cover screw was not torqued down enough & backed out on you. Call S&W, they will take care of it for you. In addition, remember to torque down on that screw. I have replaced batteries, installed re-inforcements for the laser button nipples, and taken the laser out just to look at. In all cases I torqued down on the screw to ensure it does not back out. I shoot BB +P ammo & it still has never backed out on me EVER.

You should have S&W send you another screw, or put some blue loktite on it. I shoot BB +P through mine and NEVER have back out problems. Hundreds of rounds through my pistol, never had an issue w/ backout of screw.

Check out BG380 Reassembly on YouTube, that should help for reassembly. As far as the laser screw, contacted S&W and they said that the screw was part of the laser assembly. They had me send in my laser and they sent me a new one with extra nipples. Blue loctite will also work.

I shoot and reload a lot and I really like my BG380 I like that you can double strike ammo if needed and its very accurate it locks back on the last round the sights are great and its a Smith & Wesson.
My carry ammo is Golden Saber 102 gr. it opens up like a rose!

Had by BG 380 for a few months and put 500 rounds or so thru it. I've found that the more you shoot and carry the weapon the more it grows on you and you appreciate the features such as the loaded chamber indicator, the safety, the dbl action/strike capability, its ergonomics and size, the laser, easily loaded magazines (and two of them), plus the zippered case - all this for the $350 range. You can also squeeze out highly accurate performance as well. In NoVa at the Ft Belvoir gunshop they sell everything they get in FAST. Customers pick the BG 380 over the LCP when they have the comparison and chance. I also liked the fact that S&W even with pressure to keep the costs of the system low didn't skimp on the guide rod and kept it metal (Beretta's PX4 and civilian M9's are PLASTIC). Very pleased with the purchase.

I had to return my newest BG to S&W for laser repair. I didn't have any problems with my first BG, but the new one, EAS prefix, had laser troubles. At first it worked fine. Then one button wouldn't work. I switched the buttons and it still wouldn't work. Then when it finally came on, it wouldn't shut off. From either side. I finally got it shut off and then it wouldn't turn back on. The problem wasn't the buttons, but the laser itself. Hopefully I'll get it back with everything working as it should.

__________________
Misty

Hi, new owner of 2, BG380's. I wanted to buy one for my wife for her b'day but no one could get their hands on one (must be popular) so I bought her a Taurus TCP380.
Long story short, one of my local dealers got a Bodyguard in and I snatched it up; figured I'd let the wife choose which one she liked best and I would keep the other. Well, after thoroughly checking out the bodyguard, I decided I had to have one so I took back the TCP380 and swapped it for another Bodyguard my dealer happened to get in. I must have hit the lottery because both of them work very well. Smooth trigger and yeah the take-down lever is a bit stiff but better that than falling out. I spoke to S & W customer service about that and they advised that it would loosen up a bit from use. The rep also stated that the BG380 can use the sights from one of the M&P pistols if you want better sights.
Personally, the stock sights on the BG380 are some of the better one I have seen on sub compact .380's.
I have been shooting it at 15 yards and head shots on the target are not difficult. The laser was factory regulated pretty well for "out of the box".
My wife and I are well pleased with these weapons, especially how nice they are for CCW.
I haven't run into any ammo issues yet but will post if that happens.
Plan to carry Buffalo Bore standard pressure 100 grain, hard (and I do mean hard) cast .380's.
One thing I do agree on is the recoil of these light little sub-compacts is hard on your hand after about 100 rounds. Of course in a SD scenario I will not shoot 100 rounds :-).

BTW and FWIW, the BG380's aren't the only handguns I own. It is my wife's first however (for 30 years she never wanted a firearm, go figure).
I wanted a nice concealable handgun that one can slip in one's pocket (in a pocket holster) and forget that it's there.
Some of my other pistols are OK for carry, but would have to be on a belt type holster.
A note about the Buffalo Bore heavy .380 ammo; for a sub-compact, I personally would stick with the standard pressure load.
Will the BG 380 be able to handle the 100 gr. Buffalo Bore +P .380? I think so, because it is a well constructed firearm, but I wouldn't use it because of the potential for accelerated wear and tear. I have read too many articles about Ruger LCP's and other sub-compacts that ended up with bent take-down pins and excessive wear from the heavy .380 loads.
Using them occasionally would most likely be OK however I am a firm believer in the theory that one should practice with the same ammo that one plans to carry.
The BB standard pressure heavy .380 is no slouch at 100 grains and 1,000 fps.
Just my 2 cents.

Hmmm....did the rep say which model M&P's sights will work with the BG380? ...direct swap? Perhaps Trijicon tritium sights for M&P model? would fit the BG380 Kinda stirred my curiosity now!

Got my BG380 back today, with a new laser. It took all of eleven days from the time I sent it back to S&W for service until I got it back. No complaints here about S&W service!

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Misty

I have owned a BG380 for the past 9 months. I never use the safety and pocket carry it in a Desantis nemesis holster. I think the safety is overkill. Why would I ever want to have to disable a safety in a life or death situation? I believe the double action trigger serves the same purpose. If you have problems operating the laser, call S&W customer service and they will send u new buttons. If you draw your gun and put your trigger finger in the safe position, activating the laser is easy. If you have any problems with any feature of the pistol, call S&W support and they will help u immediately and pay for any and all shipping. If you find the trigger difficult, I recommend buying a sigp238 or learning to shoot a da trigger. Great gun, much better and more accurate than any lcp with or without that Ct grip. Know what you buy, and get off your *** and put 500 rounds downrange. A joy to shoot, and so easy to carry.
I'm out.... Enjoy and defend yourselves.