I saw a S&W Bodyguard at a show recently; nickel finish with wood grips- I didn't cycle the gun's action; I did note a bit of minor flaking of the nickel along the joint between the sideplate and the frame, possible about 1/8" in length and less than 1/16 in width

Would this indicate possible "forcing" of the sideplate back into place causing the flaking? Or is it more likely that the flaking is occuring along a joint naturally?

The gun was priced at $400...seemed kind of inexpensive to me for this gun; what do you think on the price?

Sometimes when something is "inexpensive" it could be because it has problems?