M29 - I agree with your comment "might be a combination of faults with gun and ammo!" Hopefully the consumer, you and me, will be able to sort thru it all and find out what works and what doesn't. I fired both the new BG (my wife's) and my new LCP the same range trip and walked away with a smile for the LCP that had no issues and disappointment and reservations about the BG. I still like the BG and what it has to offer. I'm still hoping it continues firing well with the PMC rounds. I still have a long way to go before I move on to the SD rounds.

I see you are from Indiana. Does your state allow you to order ammo online and have it shipped to your door? I am in Florida and I have had good results ordering from Gander Mountain and Cabelas. They are only a few of many, but your state has to allow it.

Anyway, good luck with the BG. Keep us posted! - Rick

Indiana is reasonable about guns and ammunition, much like Florida. If you mind your own business and don't do stupid things you shouldn't have any trouble. I always prefer to buy from the shops I visit, rather than on-line, if there is any way possible. The PMC .380s were $17/box of 50, which was reasonable enough for "experimenting." I just needed to remember to buy them before leaving.

It sounds like that the problem is with the ammo and not the gun. The mechanism on the gun is machined and is consistent. If the gun failed to fire with one type of ammo and fired flawlessly with another manufactures brand, I would feel safe to say it was hard primers. Shooting paper with cheap ammo is one thing, but if the gun fits you and fires your choice of defense ammo, whats wrong with the gun?
I shoot PMC Bronze for target practice and carry 2 magazines of Fiocchi 90gr.XTP JHP for defense.

I bought my BG w/laser last month (sept. '15) after owning the Shield 9mm with NO problems. Right away the BG exhibited light strike FTF's with Win,CCI, Aquila, Rem, etc. any type of ammo while my Ruger LCP ate all of it including the light strikes and never missed a beat. I took the BG back to the gun shop where I bought it and they sent it to S&W . Judging by the posts over the past 4 years I'm not optimistic. But , hope springs eternal. Does anyone know of a kit or aftermarket "fix" as I really like the size, grip, feel f the gun especially when it fire. If not it will have to go. I'll try for a refund or credit. BTW, I have a collection of Glock, Sig, Walther, Ruger, Beretta, CZ and others in different calibers and not one of them was as unreliable as this little CCW. What's going on Smith ? Love the Shield.

I have worked on and discussed this problem extensively, and think S&W may have finally found a solution, described on the forum next door, here:

Bodyguard 380: Finally Reliable!

Good luck with yours. I am waiting to receive another BG back from S&W repair to see if it was repaired in the same way.

David

After purchasing a new Bodyguard 380 I took it to the range for a test drive. Its trigger fail to reset after the first 8 shots rendering my investment useless. I took the gun to the store expecting a quick replacement. The owner said the gun had to be sent back to S&W and that judging from past experiences it may take a couple months to get the problem solved. What a disappointment. I had the impression S&W was a reliable gun manufacturer. If you buy a gun to carry with you it is because you need it right away. It must work fine straight out of the box. I'm not sure if I will be able to trust this gun after I get it back. I own a 15yr HK USP compact, it has over 5000 rounds without a hiccup. Reading from other people having similar problems with their new Bodyguards I'm starting to believe I made a very bad choice. Not happy with S&W quality control.

For the price (half of a new 686) I would expect better quality out of the box. I have been shifting revolvers and on the fence about this model. It looks cool. More reason to delay.

Has anyone had this problem? I just put 50 rounds through my BG 380 and it was flawless. I get home clean it and put it back together, no problem. Slide goes about halfway forward and stops. I pull it back and retake it apart. Put it back together and the same thing happens except this time a small piece of metal falls out. It looks like its from the slide holder. Kind of just lost all confidence in this pistol!

Did you leave the hammer in the cocked position?For a new pistol you sure gave up quickgive it time learn your gun

Bought pistol 5 years ago. Never fired it, took it to shooting range. It jammed two different times within 50 rounds. Last 10 shots, the breakdown pin fell off. I will be contacting S&W on Monday.