I have had a problem with my .380. I had the screw that holds the laser in place back out and jamb the gun so that it will not cycle fully. I sent it back to S&W and had the screw and bushing replaced, came back to me and has worked fine for years. The batteries died about a year ago and I have just gotten around to replacing them. I could not believe it but after just two mags the gun short cycled and yes, the screw had backed out again and locked out the gun. I know, use Loctite and be through with it but instead, I just removed the laser, after having to beat the heck out of the gun to get the slide back enough and leave it alone. The gun has otherwise been perfect feeding many different brands of hp and fmj ammo so I will just live without the laser. The fact that the gun is so reliable without the laser is all that matters to me. Well, that and the fact that I am fairly accurate with it and I like it. Just getting this off my chest.
Be safe, Frank.

I'm going through the same issue, took the gun apart after a shooting session and the laser felt of the frame, the head of the screw was almost gone, couldn't use the screw anymore.
Definitely don't want to send it back, tried without the laser but there is a big hole left at front, so I opted for hot glueing it in place. Haven't shot the gun after that so time will tell how long it holds.



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M&P 9, Shield9.

Exactly why i didnt get the laser when i got mine, just another thing that can break and effect the gun. Hope you get it fixed soon and they take good care of you.

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Smith all the things

Yup, I traded mine in on the newer model without the laser. Don't miss it at all.

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These guns are well designed, but under-engineered. The screw that holds the laser in....it's so easy to over tighten, and that's where the problem starts. I keep a dedicated driver just to tighten the screw after every visit to the range. It requires such a soft touch to tighten it correctly. Then there's the MIM firing pin and MIM barrel on some [maybe all] of them and the hammer spring and the mag release button. If they had done it all first class the price most likely wouldn't have been competitive. Still, mine is carried, mostly backup, every day. It gets shot very little and cleaned alot. I have a couple of extras to practice with. I'm smitten with this little gun.

I really like the gun but have to agree that it was not as well engineered as I would have liked. Mim Barrel?
Be safe, Frank.

I agree with most posters here on the subject of the practicality of the laser in a pocket SD gun.

I bought the BG380 with the integrated Insight Laser about 2-1/2 yrs ago. I have had no problems with the gun except for the laser. The integrated laser unit was hard to turn on, kept losing it's on target zero, would go off many times while shooting, etc. I sent it in to S&W for a replacement. They sent me a Crimson Trace replacement unit.
I had removed the laser unit from the gun sometime ago and have been using the gun without it. I closed the holes in the dust cover with plastic hole plugs. I probably will not install the new laser unit. By leaving it out, I don't have to constantly check the hold down/ mounting screw to make sure it doesn't back out and catch the slide! I also found that in the instructions for the Crimson Trace Laser, S&W states, Remove the laser unit before cleaning the gun. This in itself is a pain!
BG380 sans the Insight Laser

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

Have had the BG380 for a year with no issues but was going to hand it over to the wife since getting my shield. I might have to reconsider and probably look for a LC9s or something else she might like.

I too have noticed the screw being slightly bent.

It happened to me early in ownership lesson learned been flewless ever since thanx to lock-tite

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Did S&W sent you a screw or you had to send the gun back to get it fixed?


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M&P 9, Shield9.

They sent me two screws and a lifetime of batteries,great service.

That's good to know, I really didn't want to send mine back for a simple screw.

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M&P 9, Shield9.

Do any of you actually use the laser? I found the it to be nothing but a PIA since day 1.
~ The buttons being too difficult to activate, so I did the button mod
~The laser constantly turning on in the holster and killing the batteries, so I modded the holster
~ The screw frequently coming loose and eventually being torn out ...

so, at that point I just pulled the darn thing out and filled the the space with black Sugru. Problem solved.

only when I'm at the range, just aim and shoot.

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M&P 9, Shield9.

Same as Shield 9 stated but it was a usefull tool when I first got her,as to get use to when the trigger brakes in dry fire drills.. I have never had the laser come on in the pocket or IWB holster..