Sure it is. Mine is a tack driver at 7-10 yards...

I noticed my serial number was KAJ4*** and it was test fired on 4/20/2013 so its about as new of a gun as you can get off the line. I have 200 rounds through mine and it has been flawless.



First thing I did was to check if the laser screw was loctited and it was. I added some white paint so I can easily see if the screw moves at all. After 100 rounds since painting, the screw hasnt moved.



With orange reflective tape on the front sight, its about as perfect as a pocket pistol can be. My trigger is also smooth with no grittiness since I Froglubed the gun.



Great primer strikes. The Bodyguard 380 can not chamber TulAmmo. I shouldnt have to say to avoid it but in these hard times, you cant be that picky but avoid TulAmmo.

Received my new S&W bodyguard yesterday took it to the range today and had a lot of failures to fire with it. Sometimes it took several pulls of the trigger to get it to go off, but usually only two pulls.

I was using PPU FMJ ammo I'm going to try something else before I panic and send it back. I was able to get the sights dialed in within the 50 rounds I put through it so far.

I noticed that the firing pin to primer strikes are very light even after multiple strikes.

I cleaned it and lubed it and am hoping it works better next trip to the range.

EDR

Pictures of the light strikes with my new Bodyguard .380

Should I send this back to be repaired or is there something I can try on my own?

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If it were me, I'd try the BG 380 with any of the major American brands of .380 ammo ...

None of the BG 380's owned and used by our folks have exhibited any problems when used with the standard Winchester FMJ loads (or Speer GDHP) used for quals.

Last time I asked, S&W uses an assortment of American produced ammo in their testing (it seems to rotate among brands).

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I had one heck of a time finding any American ammo in my area but was able to get a box of federal hydro shocks and it worked 100% so no more PPU in this little gun.

Have you gotten yours repaired? My BG380 has the same problem. I think the problem is that the polymer frame. My unit has too much gap between slide lock and the actual polymer frame so that the slide lock won't stay straight up when it gets pushed up with empty mag. I have compared some of other BG380s and found out that the area should be very tight without any spacing. This issue is also chewing up the part on the magazines... I will be contacting S&W to send this in for repair.

Have owned my Bodyguard for over two years now and use it as my conceal carry weapon. I have only fired it less than fifty times though and it has not failed . My serial number is EAK32xx . Observations after two years you need to do periodic maintenance and cleaning if you carry everyday which some people tend to overlook. My BG380 needs constant lubing to keep the trigger from sticking to the rear which some posters complained of, also unload and clean your magazine. The laser on mine is sticky on one side and I can never realistically turn it on with one finger while aiming the BG380, also in daylight I cannot really use the laser at all to sight in. Does anyone else have problems with daylight laser use ? Granted I have fired it sparingly but like any weapon routine cleaning,lubrication, and maintenance is a must to keep your weapon at the ready.

I have had my BG380 just a few weeks now. I traded for it used. The SSN IS EAN9xxx. I have put several types of ammo down the pipe and I am very pleased with it. The problem I am starting to have is when I brake it down for cleaning. I can lock the slide back with the mag well empty, but when I turn the takedown pin to remove it, as I turn the pin toward 6 o'clock the slide release moves and the slide closes. The only way I can keep the slide to stay locked back is to stick a empty mag in and lock the slide back. Then when I turn the takedown pin around to 9 o'clock and remove it the slide stays locked back until I pull down on the slide release. This seems to be a minor problem, but I am worried if this may be a problem that can cause additional problems. I have not read any post with a similar issue on the forum. Is this something to worry about? The gun works perfectly other then this.

Thanks for any help.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Bedford, TX here! The slide lock is spring loaded to hold it down when cycling. The notch on the follower of an empty mag pushes up on the lever engaging the lock. With no mag in the well, if you relieve the pressure on the lock the spring will cause it to fall and the slide will slam shut. I think as you're working the pin out, somehow this is happening.

Check the fit of the lock to the slide and make sure it looks healthy. If so, and it stays open on the last rnd, I wouldn't worry about it and just keep the empty mag in while you're busting it down.

__________________
I'm Proud To Be An American!

Thanks 3dots,
Everything looks good and healthy with the slide lock. I will just use a empty mag when taking it down like you suggested.

My younger son bought a Bodyguard for his very pregnant wife after a home invasion several months ago; luckily, she waddled in as the jerks were exiting out the back door, with several of their family guns. It scared him and her that they went on a crash program to upgrade their household security arrangements: alarm system, steel doors, better locks, and several guns where she can reach them in an emergency....but he wanted her to carry 24/7, and even her 642 felt like too much; the answer was Smith's Bodyguard .380.

I got to try it by day 3 and liked it so much that I bought one myself. Spent most of today cleaning, then shooting for sight-in on the Laser and irons....used Federal Eagle 95 gr FMJ's, as well as Remington's of the same type....good loads, didn't chrono them but got good hits at 7-10 yds from a modified Weaver stance. Haven't had a chance to try any bone fide SD rounds through it due to a local supply shortage. I prefer to carry factory loads for SD purposes so for now it'll have to be FMJ's.

My Serial Number is: EBZ56xx, with a March, 2013 test cartridge date. Don't know where that fits in the scheme of S&W's continuing progress with the design. Just hope that the light firing pin falls, the Laser screw problems, and take down lever issues have been dealt with....so far, at 85+ rounds down range, all's well.

Accuracy was surprising considering the size and construction of the gun. All shooting was done from a modified Weaver Stance, two-handed of course. Grouping initially with factory FMJ's, was one ragged hole at 5 yds, a little over an inch at 7, and roughly an inch and a half at 10, all shot with the irons. Later I tried some hand loads with Remington 95 FMJ's as well as Montana Gold's excellent JHP, using Win 231 with WSP caps. Nearing the top end of the recommended charges, things came together to beat the factory load gps. by roughly a 1/4" at all ranges.

As late afternoon rolled around, I switched to the Laser to get that in the ball park. No real need as both the irons and Laser were less than an inch out at 7 yds. A few minutes tweaking put them all on the Pt of Aim from the 7 yd line, with my hand loads and the Laser keeping them well under an inch. Those tightly packed holes, all clustered together with the red dot sight are addictive!

All in all, I put 85+ rounds though the gun, with no cleaning once firing started. I had no FTFire, FTFeed, or FTextract during that entire session. I cleaned it up after firing paying particular attention to the Laser attch screw in the frame's dust shield. I got about a 1/2 turn out of it with the supplied allen wrench....something I"ll pay another visit to, as the round count continues to climb.

I'm well satisfied with the gun, it's ergonomically well designed with the exception of the Laser on/off button. It's a bit of a reach, and then a bit much of a push to get it actuated. That said, for up close, bad breath CCW use, a Laser isn't needed...and beyond the 3 yd line, you've got time....I think....and hope never to find out.

My usual carry piece is a Smith J-frame [M60 .357 with a 3" tube] so the trigger was no great feat of learning....too, I carry a Sig P290 in my normal rotation, which has that same long trigger pull. The Bodyguard's trigger was better then either right out of the box, I"ll have to say...a big surprise.

So why'd I get it...the convenience of carrying in a front, loose fitting, jeans pocket, or a larger shirt breast pocket...bet you've not heard that one in awhile..used to be my J-frame location 40 yrs ago in lll Corps, RVN.

At less than 15 oz's. it's a very useful gun, albeit in a mouse gun caliber, but a gun in hand is worth infinitely more than its big brother back in the glove compartment or safe....

BTW, as to light firing pin strikes...all factory rounds fired as advertised, tho several looked a bit shallow. For my handloads, I normally use Winchester Sm Pistol primers...which normally have a slightly harder cup to them, at least in my experience. Those too fired just fine, but I switched to some Federals, again normally a bit thinner cup, and got better, deeper firing pin indentation. I have a similar light firing pin strike syndrome with my Sig P290, and in fact sent it back to Sig for re-work...got it back and have had no further problems, but I did switch to the thinner cup Federal caps for use in that gun...I'll do the same for the BG .380.

Best Regards, Rod

__________________
Vote the bums out!

Hi, I did a search and didn't find the issue I am having. I carry my BG in an ankle holster and am having to constantly "click" the magazine back in. I know that the mag release button is "touchy", as some have said in previous posts, and I thought that was just the problem. Apparently not the only problem...I just noticed that I can remove my magazine by wiggling it side to side, without being anywhere near the mag release. I was wondering if anyone else has this issue or if there is a fix for it. I am using a factory 6 round mag with the pinky extension. When the mag is fully inserted I can still see about 1/8" of stainless "mag" between the bottom of the grip and the pinky extension, so the extension isn't keeping it from going in all the way.

Doesn't take much effort to "pull" the magazine out...try it on yours...

I tried to do this on my Springfield XD40...not a chance getting the mag out this way.

Any ideas?

I've not had any magazine retention problems as you describe and will say that it takes a pretty good push on the mag release button to get it to drop free. If you were having retention problems only with the ankle holster, I'd say it was the holster positioning that was causing the problem.

Just wiggling the mag in its locked position should not cause a release. I tried wiggling my magazines while locked in the gun, as you describe, but couldn't get either to work loose. Both stayed locked in place. Sounds like you have an issue for customer service. BTW, both of mine have the pinkie extension. I tried the mag supplied with the BG, as well as another S&W supplied mag that I bought recently. HTH's Rod

__________________
Vote the bums out!

I recently purchase a new BG and I can not load a full magazine with six cartridges in to the pistol. Loading five is no problem. I called customer support and they instructed me to put at least 300 rounds through the thing. This seems a bit odd to me. I am a newbie and I have read quite a bit about breaking in these guns, but one of the reasons that I purchased this was to carry six rounds instead of five from sone of the revolvers that I was looking at. Am I asking too much, or am I the only one who can not use a mag to it's full capacity?

Brett,

If you're saying you can't get 6 rounds loaded into the magazine, well, it just takes a little practice.

If you're saying that you can't get the magazine into the gun with 6 cartridges, just slam it in there hard.


Let us know..

I guess this has little to do with the review but if they walked off with guns, and she has a child on the way, wouldn't investing in new guns stashed around the house be a bad idea? Obviously where they were stored before was not good enough. I'd hate to think that they could just come back in and get more firearms or even the kid getting a hold of one!

Thanks Rodfac. I tried to duplicate the issue I was having with a friends BG and couldn't duplicate it. It's not just the holster...if I squeeze too hard with my ring finger (rests on the mag) it comes out. Bump it, wiggle it, flick it, all cause it to fall out. I will be contacting S&W to see what I need to do. Thanks again

The wife wanted a carry gun so we want and looked at some. The S&W name is why I picked the BG380. I have had a lot of guns but never S&W. We picked it up and before shooting, I sat down with it to tare it down. I did everything I could by hand to get the takedown lever to drop. It would only go 1/2 way and never dropped. I took it back to the dealer and there gun smith said he can not get it to drop and I will have to call S&W. S&W tolled me to shoot it some and try again. Still no go. To top it off, I could not hit the side of a barn with it at 35'. With my other autos we both were hitting good. The trigger travel is way to far, not smooth at all and way to stiff.
I sent it in with a long list of what I think of it. I got it back in O.K. time. But there is a but..... Now it is still really stiff to drop the lever all the way and also when reassembling, the barrel wants to travel with the slide all the way and will not engage to allow the lever to be placed back in. I have to fight with it just to get it back to gather.
There is nothing I like about it now. it is dangerous. If it has to be pulled to save your life, the only hope you have is to empty the mag at them and then even with a well pointed shot, the first or all have a hi likely hood of missing the target and will be sent to hit what ever is behind them......
I will not let it be carried and it will now just sit in a box. nether one of us have any interest in shooting it. I will never buy a S&W again......

I wouldn't rely on this as a carry with all your issues, mine works great and if it didn't I would change to my other pistols, just saying

Mine also is great. Serial #KAKxxxx. Have fired 300 or so rounds with ZERO problems. No mag drops, no fail to feed or fail to fire problems. Surprisingly mine came with the standard barrel not the MIM one that most have. Wife bought one and she had problems with the trigger pull, arthritis etc, so she traded on a SIG 238 and loves it. Her's was serial #KAR 2xxx and had the MIM barrel. No problems other than her not being able to comfortably operate the weapon. Mine has gotten smoother and easier as time goes on as far as trigger pull but I do sit at the computer and dry fire it frequently. Laser buttons are hard to work even with the new style but I didn't buy it for the laser, it was just there. Love the size, the way is easily hides in your pocket and/or waist band. My experience with it is it is a very accurate weapon at 10 yards or so and even further if pushed there. I know many have had problems but I think many more have not. Like anything else there are lemons out there and for once I didn't get one.

hello everyone I join this forum just to share my experience with my bodyguard that I purchased today after just 50 rounds of shooting I had 3 fail to fire federal ammunition. also after just 3 mags worth of shooting the laser went out. I replaced the batteries and it still doesn't work.I made the decision to buy this gun after searching for a few hours on reviews around the web with great feedback. so I understand that I'm probably just that guy that got a bad apple. Still sucks :/ and I already lost the receipt so I cant send it in to have the laser warranty

Did you register it with Smith & Wesson? If so, shouldn't be a problem. They know when the weapon was produced and I would think they would want a happy customer. Try either calling customer service or sending them an email to see what they can do for you.

I got mine a little more than a year ago and was experiencing repeated light primer taps with varying ammo. Even after repeated cleaning and lubes, it was continuing.

I sent it off to S&W and I haven't had a problem since it's been returned.

The only thing I notice is assembly pin creep (right under hammer on frame handle) after a lot of shooting.

After 50minutes on hold they said just to send in the laser only no receipt required and they should have it turned around in about a month. I mentioned the missfeeds but he basically ignored my concern and just asked for me to send in the laser :/ better than nothing. I'm glad they're atleast taking care of the laser. Also is there a shorter aftermarket trigger available for this gun?

I took my new BG380 to the range for the first time last night and while firing the second magazine the little plastic laser cover came off and slipped forward jamming the slide when chambering the next round. I field stripped it put the cover back on, reassembled, checked the laser which was now about two feet off, and after firing two rounds the same thing happened again. Not the kind of quality / reliability I want in my pocket in a critical situation. Any ideas? Help?

My experiences w/BG380, EAR5xxx, purchased new Sep-2011:
Jan-2012, at ~500 rounds... broken firing pin & on-going laser switch problems. S&W
replaced both. Apr-2013, at ~1700 rounds total... broken trigger return spring. S&W repaired.
Get about 3% FTF on first trigger pull (12# when new, 10# now, at ~2800 rnds) with all ammo,
restrike always works. No solution yet for that. Have self-repaired more laser switch problems
(outer contacts on laser module shifted position under recoil or by in-out drag when replacing
batteries. glue problem?) Fabricated replacement laser battery contacts, both of which had
broken off at different times. (best results w/ 0.004” brass, sourced from an old feeler guage set)
Conclusions: 1. Laser design and/or materials inadequate. 2. S&W doesn't sell (last I checked)
most parts for this model to end users. Not much you can fix or maintain yourself. 3. Appears S&W
now has better firing pins, but found no info on better trigger springs. Have no idea if better
parts were used in either of the S&W repair jobs. 4. I don't trust my BG380 as reliable for CCW.
It's currently relegated to GSB (gun safe ballast) status.

I have two new stainless Walthers. A PPK & PPK/S. Each has been fired once, one round. If I ever need to carry them, I will qualify with them. Were I going to carry a .380 one of these would be the one.

My experience with the original BG with the laser was a nightmare, hope the newer MP version replacement by S&W CS fares much better......

Defective *** BG 380 - S&W CS To The Rescue!

Got my new BG380 yesterday...shot 200 rds of FMJ plus 25 rds of Hornady CD...my slide will occasionally lock back. It appears the slide lock tab is missing the slot on the mag follower and getting jammed between it. Even on an empty mag this will happen the slide will not lock back. It looks like the mag follower is getting twisted (away) from the metal tab on the slide lock. Sent S&W and email and received a ticket number for repair. It happens with both factory mags provided plus another factory mag purchased separately. Anyone else have this problem....

If you're left-handed, don't bother reading this ...

Before you send the gun back ...

Are you a right-handed shooter?

If so, try shooting left-handed and seeing if the "problem" still occurs.

If it doesn't, figure out somewhere else to position your thumb so it doesn't shift and push against/down the slide stop lever tab during recoil (meaning when the gun snaps/lifts and your thumb tries to move with it, but hits again st the slide stop lever pad).

If it still happens when you shoot the gun left-handed, I'd send it back.

Heck, you could send the gun back no matter what, if they offer you a shipping label and you want it checked out. if the gun checks out to be fine, though, it might still pay to check out if it's your thumb doing it without your being aware of it.

Just a thought.

Hanging onto these itty bitty .380's doesn't always leave much room for error when it comes to room for finger/thumb positioning.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

[QUOTE=Fastbolt;137974994]
129.jpg

127.jpg

116.jpg

Top pic is me physically holding slide back.
Middle pic is the off set follower.
Bottom pic is slide release barely engaged.

All pics were from an empty mag inserted and the slide pulled back.

It happens with (3) different mags...one is worse than the other....

If it does that when you're shooting it left-handed (no thumb to wander near the lever's outside tab and bump it when shooting right-handed), I'd return the gun and let them check it. Might be a lever spring problem where it's not strong enough to prevent the lever from lifting a little too high and partially catching the slide's stop notch during the normal "part's flutter" that occurs under recoil cycling.

__________________
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I have the same exact problem. It's not the ammo or how you hold it as I can get it to happen by just racking the slide several times with an empty mag. Once it happens, it won't lock back no matter how many times you rack it. The follower is to the side of the slide stop. You have to pull the mag out then it may or may not lock back. You did a much better job than I taking a picture. I couldn't hold it open with one hand and take the picture with the other. I sent mine back for this problem along with a misfeed problem. They fixed the misfeed but nothing on the slide lock back. In addition I have the failure to fire problem about 10% of the time with several different brands of ammo. My fireing pin strikes are the smallest I've ever seen, far smaller than any other small primer gun. Mine is a current M&P 2014 model.

All the more reason for me to not get the new M&P model, I'll stick with its LCP replacement that has no issues

Main reason I got one was for the 2nd strike capability. Didn't realize you needed that because it has a known misfire problem and you'll be doing 2nd strikes a lot.

I just bought a BG380 yesterday. When I took it to the range, I noticed the magazines wont seat. I dont have any issues with putting it in, but it wont stay. When the magazines are empty, there isnt a problem, but when they are loaded, none seem to stay in, they just pop back out.
Its a little unnerving, considering this is my conceal carry gun.
I was shooting the Hornady Critical Defense rounds, if that makes a difference.
Any ideas?

Update-even when the mags are empty they still want to fall out..
Any help?

Bought my new bodyguard yesterday in the BX. When I got home tried to disassemble to oil it and takedown lever would not go to the 6 o'clock position to remove slide. Any suggestions?

Mine did that also. Just a little stiff. I used a tiny flat head and pried it. Seems the more you work with it the easier it gets.

Bought my wife one to replace her bersa. When we took it to the range the trigger was horrendous. I've carried a 649 bodyguard for years and this trigger is worse. Also the slide doesn't lock back when empty.

Talked to a gun smith and he said he's seen the main spring fail on them. Anyone heard this?

I am looking at a friends weapon for him. He felt that the set screw for the laser sight was stripped. Actually, it was the brass piece that is pressed into the polymer that had pulled out. Possibly from over tightening is a wild guess. Possibly, real bad design. I also found a small cap of a pinkish materiel at the bottom of the hole that the brass piece is pressed into. (loose)

Does anyone have a suggestion for how to reseat this brass part that it might last a bit longer?

I was thinking some sort of a two part epoxy, maybe one drop, or a loctite glue that uses a two part also.

The SERIAL number begins with EBR if that means anything.

Is he likely to run into the broken firing pin from the early models?

Thank folks,
-= Bruce

Here's an update to my post from last November. To date, I've run 525 rounds through my BG380. I have found that while some commercial US made ammunition shows light firing pin strikes, all of it has fired after the first 50 rounds or so. As this is a defensive pistol, I feel that it should work 100% of the time right out of the box...you shouldn't have to put 100 rounds or the 200-300 Kimber insists on, to get the gun to work as it was designed.

That said, mine's been 100% for both hand loads and all US made ammunition. Accuracy has been a surprise since day one....groups from 10 yds using a Weaver Stance run just over an inch, slow fire. The gun points naturally for me and for my wife. The sights are adequate, but I'd prefer tritium night sights (but at the same overall price for the gun). Hey, ya gotta dream right? I've enhanced the supplied iron sights visibility with some neon enamel paint from Walmart. It helps considerably.

The laser sight is still working well, tho the difficult to manipulate on/off button is still...well difficult to manipulate. In a real defensive situation, it'd be hard to imagine using it.

Overall, I like the pistol and find that it rides along more often than I'd originally planned. Front jeans pocket is my location for it, using a Galco in the pocket holster to keep the gun upright and protected from pocket lint. It also rides semi-permanently in the center console of my Jeep Wrangler and in the small "wallet and registration" bag on my bike. Available in either location when I dismount, it's protection, albeit in a sub-standard caliber, that's at hand and not in a drawer or safe at home. My choice of ammunition for carry is Hornady's Critical Defense round...100% reliable in my gun and accurate. But I too, struggle to load that last round in the magazines.

Best Regards, Rod

__________________
Vote the bums out!

Rod:
I totally concur with you!
My BG380 is accurate at 10 yds and the laser is working well, but goes unused. I have 3-mags.
loaded with Gold Dots and I feel a lot safer with it than nothing at all.

mb

Fresh out of the box bodyguard 380 with fresh Remington amo. 19 minutes at the range to complete 12 shots, conservative 30 plus trigger pulls. What a pucker fest, misfire, late fire, no fire, light strike call it what you wish. Returning to S&W Monday first light. Do not take a chance on purchasing this pistol. Glock 42 tomorrow as I await my refund. Praise be we found out at the range and not in a compromising situation. Long time Smith fan, never again. Shame on me for not researching before I purchased.

Fresh out of the box bodyguard 380 with fresh Remington amo. 19 minutes at the range to complete 12 shots, conservative 30 plus trigger pulls. What a pucker fest, misfire, late fire, no fire, light strike call it what you wish. Returning to S&W Monday first light. Do not take a chance on purchasing this pistol. Glock 42 tomorrow as I await my refund. Praise be we found out at the range and not in a compromising situation. Long time Smith fan, never again. Shame on me for not researching before I purchased.

I know there are a bunch of posts on this, but I think I missed if there were a fix. BodyGuard 380 uses some sort of a wire spring to hold the mag in place. I have mostly good luck shooting the gun and really like it, but occasionally the mag pops out after firing a few rounds, sometimes only barely coming loose and I don't notice it, until I fire and there's no round in the chamber (because the mag slipped down a mere 1-2mm so a new round couldn't chamber). It takes a second or two to recognize that the mag has been jostled loose by the impact of firing, and possibly the leverage downward from my ring-finger on the curve of the bottom of the mag. That could spell big trouble in a real defensive situation. Is there a way to get a stiffer spring.

I have a new Bodyguard and had to send it back to S&W for the same lever issue but I had an additional issue. S&W uses a form of EDM to rifle their barrels. The lands were ok but the grove was so rough it looked like they were put in with a hammer. They replaced the frame for the lever issue but did nothing about the barrel. I am sending it back for the third time tomorrow with pictures. Hopefully they will put in a new barrel this time. We are not dealing with the old S&W. They didn't even take the time to remove the casting parting line on the top of the barrel.

Well, I hate to complain too much on the internet unless I am pretty sure I am not the problem. My BG380 returned from S&W a couple weeks ago. The "light strike" fail-to-fire malfunction was the issue. S&W sent it back with a piece of paper enclosed that said, "Replaced firing pin and spring." It was a little dirty, so I am pretty sure they tested it and it probably worked OK for them... ?

I have had it to the range twice since then. It has misfired both times, but it is not quite as bad as it was. So far I have tested with RWS, Winchester, Remington, and Magtech ammo. Only Remington has not had a fail-to-fire. (This was the same before I sent it to S&W for repair.)

I hate to say it but I think I am done with this one. I have had two, both with the same problem. It is a nice design and I do like the little gun, but I think this is a two-strikes-and-it's-out deal. I am not springing for a third one and I don't think sending it back to S&W is going to accomplish much.

I can't recall having a single fail-to-fire with the previous mini-.380s I owned, a Kel-tec and a Ruger, shooting the same ammo. Those were both trigger-finger pinchers, but they did go bang every time. Since I don't want to go back to either of those two, I guess my only alternative to bailing on the BG is to continue testing with Remington, and maybe look around for some Federal ammunition. Will do that before making a decision.

M29 - Sounds like you had better luck with Remington than I did. We had several FTFeeds with Remington UMC FMJ. I was rather disappointed with our first range trip with the Bodyguard. My LCP shot them with no issues. We have since moved on to the PMC Bronze and have had no issues. I have also heard the American Eagle has faired well in the Bodyguards! Good luck in finding the right ammo. - Rick

Thanks for that. I saw PMC Bronze .380 FMJs Sunday and then neglected to buy a box before I departed.

I do not handload .380s and cannot find any factory ammunition except my old stash of Hydra-shoks that might have Federal primers. I consider those too expensive to experiment with at this point. I have my eyes open for American Eagles. Surely some will come along soon.

For now, the Remingtons have been the best I've tried. They came in the proverbial 250-round "value pack" container (Green and white, IIRC). Nickel cases. Fairly recent production - maybe within the last year or two.

I can stand a failure to lock the slide after the last round, and the slide flying forward when the mag is inserted. I don't have these problems but I know others talk about them. "Light strikes" are just intolerable.

S&W has forgotten more about making defensive handguns than most of us have ever learned. Why they have this problem with so many guns (not just the BG380) amazes me. I'd gladly put up with with a couple more pounds of trigger-pull weight, if that is what it takes, to make the gun fire every time. It makes me wonder if they are working to specifications that do not take into account the variation of the ammunition being used... or if it is a combination of faults with both gun AND ammunition? Likely both, I suppose.

The Winchester FMJ-FN ammunition I mentioned earlier in this thread says "Made in USA" on the box, so I guess it is domestic production - unless someone is being cute and meaning they assemble the cartridges here with components made elsewhere...