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  #1  
Old 09-11-2010, 07:19 PM
Sawdust25 Sawdust25 is offline
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Default Body Guard 380 locking pin

Has anyone had problems with the new Body Guard 380? I maybe the only one but there seems to be a problem with the slide locking pin. I cleaned mine before taking it to the range for the first time. Shot 46rounds without a hitch. On the 47th, the slide lock pin fell out and the slide, with a live round in the barrel, fell onto the shooting table. Cleaned it again and reset the locking pin as per manual. Tried it again. Pin fell out with the slide on the 7th shot. My dealer tried it and had the same problem on his 3 shot. Sent it back for repair. When returned, same problem. Locking pin keeps falling out. It's back in S&W shop for further repair.

It seems to happen more often with rapid fire. I don't think that the retaining spring is stiff enough, nor is the spring indent in the locking pin deep enough, to hold the pin in the lock position as the slide moves back and forth.

Any comments from other Body Guard 380 users?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 09-11-2010, 07:34 PM
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Everybody!

380 Bodyguard take down lever
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Old 09-11-2010, 08:32 PM
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Maybe not 'everbody' but some people
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Old 09-11-2010, 08:41 PM
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I assure you that there are far more folks with this problem than the S&W customer service folks will tell you. If you ask them they seem to be telling people that this isn't a problem. On one of the posts here, it sounds like the CSR per said that there was only 1 other gun in for repair for this problem. Either the CSR's don't talk to each other or they are flat out being told to cover-up or down play this problem so it won't hurt their sales. Do they not think or realize that the forum community is talking about it? I would have so much more respect for them if they would just come clean and be up-front about this problem.

My BG380 is back at S&W currently for the same issue. With these reports of guns coming back "not fixed", I am almost 100% convinced that I am just going to get rid of it when it returns. Why waste the ammo to test only to find out on round number ### (take your pick of a number...maybe 50 or 100 or 250) the pin comes out again. Anyway, I know some of you aren't ready to give up on this gun. It certainly has some nice features, but unless I see a visible difference in some of the parts or get some sort of credible information from customer service that gives me a solid feeling that they truly fixed it, then it will be gone within a week of me getting it back.

Last edited by xzhync; 09-11-2010 at 08:47 PM.
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Old 09-11-2010, 08:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xzhync View Post
I assure you that there are far more folks with this problem than the S&W customer service folks will tell you....... unless I see a visible difference in some of the parts or get some sort of credible information from customer service that gives me a solid feeling that they truly fixed it, then it will be gone within a week of me getting it back.
You won't be selling it to me I wouldn't touch one of those. Not now.
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Old 09-11-2010, 09:40 PM
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Any company worth their salt has someone monitoring forums. I'm convinced Smith is reading our posts and posts on other gun sites. I think they're waiting and watching to see if they want to recall all of them. They shouldn't wait too long. Word's getting out that can really put the screws to their Body Guard sales. It's not that hard a problem to fix.

My dealer offered to return my money towards another gun. The Bersa CC and the Walther PPK are great but too heavy and bulky for a pocket gun. The Body Guard fills the space between too light and too heavy. I'll give them one more chance to repair mine. My 15 year old Smith 9 mm has never skipped a beat.
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Old 09-11-2010, 09:49 PM
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Unfortunately, the same thing happened to me today. I just purchased the bodyguard 380 on Thursday and took it to the range today. I was amazed on how accurate the gun is, hitting close in clusters around the target easily, but on round 35, it failed to fire. After checking it out, I noticed that the takedown lever was missing and the round was jammed and wouldn't eject. I had to field dissassemble to remove the round which was a PIA. My son and I searched for about 30 minutes and never was able to find the takedown lever in the graveled area. I really didn't want to leave without it, but it just wasn't in the cards to find it. I guess I will calling S&W customer service on Monday morning. Bummer! I really hoped mine wouldn't be one of those with issues.
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Old 09-14-2010, 08:39 PM
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My BG is too on the way back to the "Mother Land" for the 2nd issue of a flying takedown lever problem. I can tell that many of you folks are rightly pissed about the failures of a product from a company like Smith.

Do yourself a favor and check your emotions, Smith will fix or replace your firearms, and will make it right. THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES!....The BG 380 will turn out to be a classic!

P.S.....Can you tell I really like this gun?... ;-)
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Old 09-14-2010, 09:01 PM
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I have about 400 rounds from my BG380 without a problem. I'm a little concerned though from all the problems I see posted. But I've grown too fond of this little gun that I know if I do have a problem with it down the road, I'll stick with it untill S&W makes it right again!
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Old 09-16-2010, 06:52 PM
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Default New BG on the way......

Just got the call from S+W that BG 380 EAA 38XX is going to be replaced with a new gun sent to my original dealer...... I purchased that gun from the Firingline in Westland MI. , good folks, no charges on the FFL transfer........... Stay Tuned.
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Old 09-16-2010, 08:12 PM
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I am so glad you posted this. Sorry for your problems (but it SEEMS a new gun will fix them) however, this post has saved me a possible headache.

I had the hots for one of these, but none of my local FFLs have gotten one in to fondle and I really don't care to go to gun shows with the silly prices some still try to charge. Not really a fan of beef jerky or Native American jewelry, either.

I likely would have bought the first one I actually saw.

Not now, maybe later after the recall or the - or after I'm assured it's working without falling apart.

Bob
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Old 09-16-2010, 09:37 PM
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Default Update....

I happened to be at a convention in New Hampshire yesterday where Smith & Wesson had a dealer table with a wide assortment of rifles and handguns to include their new Bodyguard .380.

I asked the rep what they were doing about the problem of the takedown lever coming out when firing and he acknowledged they are aware of the problem and it has been diagnosed.

He went on to say the takedown lever is held in by a small, straight wire spring much like the Ruger LCP and they have determined that two problems exist.

#1 - the spring needs to be stiffer as the flex in the current one is not remaining seated in the groove of the takedown lever allowing it to crawl out.

#2 - the groove in the takedown lever is not cut deep enough and allows the flexible spring to let go under fire.

He was not sure if this will result in a re-call or repairs will be made as the come in. Initial repairs before they discovered this problem, was to merely replace the spring and takedown lever with the same thing, not fixing the problem.
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Old 09-16-2010, 09:48 PM
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I figured the problem would be something like this. The takedown pin in the Kel Tec PF-9 is of a similar design and has or had similar problems. Not sure what other models use this, I just own a PF-9. Hopefully S&W gets a 100% reliable fix worked out, and future pistols from all manufacturers use something a little more robust than a flimsy wire in a plastic groove!

Now onto the trigger reset problem........
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Old 09-16-2010, 10:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2K7 View Post
I happened to be at a convention in New Hampshire yesterday where Smith & Wesson had a dealer table with a wide assortment of rifles and handguns to include their new Bodyguard .380.

I asked the rep what they were doing about the problem of the takedown lever coming out when firing and he acknowledged they are aware of the problem and it has been diagnosed.

He went on to say the takedown lever is held in by a small, straight wire spring much like the Ruger LCP and they have determined that two problems exist.

#1 - the spring needs to be stiffer as the flex in the current one is not remaining seated in the groove of the takedown lever allowing it to crawl out.

#2 - the groove in the takedown lever is not cut deep enough and allows the flexible spring to let go under fire.

He was not sure if this will result in a re-call or repairs will be made as the come in. Initial repairs before they discovered this problem, was to merely replace the spring and takedown lever with the same thing, not fixing the problem.
This is so good to know. I should be getting mine sent out tomorrow and it is supposed to be of current production. I had told them that my take down lever seemed to be very loose in comparison to the Ruger LCP. No force was needed and it would turn 270 degrees on take down with very little resistance. Thanks for the info.
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Old 09-17-2010, 12:00 AM
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That's good news. I sent mine back on Tuesday and S&W received it today for the takedown lever issue. Fingers crossed. Jerry
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Old 09-17-2010, 08:07 AM
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Based on the design, if the spring's in place and the pin's inserted correctly it can't fall out. If the spring's not in place or the pin's not fully inserted it will fall out. This is a common problem with Kel-tec PF-9's which use a similar assembly pin. Unfortunately, it's easy to push the pin down and against the spring (rather than over it). This pushes the spring out of place so nothing's retaining the pin. The first indication of trouble would be the slide falling off.

My plan it to check the spring position every time I take the gun down...then be sure I push the pin in over the spring when I reinsert it. Once it's together I'll check to be sure the pin is flush against the frame and press down (slightly) on the lever a few times to be sure there's spring resistance pushing it back up. If there is, I'll know the spring's in place and the pin should stay in. Nothing's for certain of course...

Milspec
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Old 10-09-2010, 04:36 PM
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Well, I received my "new" BG380 today, EAB36XX. I broke it down to look for any obvious design changes on the takedown lever/crosspin, but the only thing I noted was that maybe the slot for the spring in the lever head was deeper than the original?.... I did note that an outer extruded ring has been added around the laser buttons, for why I don't know.... A range report will be later this week.
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  #18  
Old 10-09-2010, 10:47 PM
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Mine has been at S&W for 3 1/2 weeks. A week and half ago they told me that they would be replacing my BG380 with a new one, but last week they told me that Engineering was testing a new fix to the problem and that mine should be fixed within 10 days. What gives???? I told them that I understood that the new EABxxxxx series fixed the problem and why didn't they just send me one of those. I didn't get an answer, except for that Engineering was working on it and mine would be fixed as soon as possible. I guess I will call them again next week to see what progress is being made.
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Old 10-09-2010, 10:50 PM
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They are probably working on a way to fix existing frames instead of replacing frames. Replacing frames is a much bigger ordeal because it changes your serial number and essentially you are getting a new gun transferred to you when you get it back.
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Old 10-11-2010, 06:20 PM
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THEY FIXED IT!!!!!!!! I just returned from the range after pounding over 300 rounds (handloads=Berry 100gr. over 2.7grs. of Bullseye) through my new BG 380 EAB 36XX in 1/2 hour. The takedown lever stayed put. The gun was hot and gritty, but ran without a failure of any kind.

After good cleaning and inspection, she's going into service as my daily pocket gun.
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Old 10-11-2010, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Walsh View Post
THEY FIXED IT!!!!!!!! I just returned from the range after pounding over 300 rounds (handloads=Berry 100gr. over 2.7grs. of Bullseye) through my new BG 380 EAB 36XX in 1/2 hour. The takedown lever stayed put. The gun was hot and gritty, but ran without a failure of any kind.

After good cleaning and inspection, she's going into service as my daily pocket gun.
Glad to hear some GOOD news about one for a change! Is that the original frame that was repaired or did they give you a new one?
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Old 10-11-2010, 08:13 PM
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Smith sent me a new gun. The original purchase was an EAA series, the takedown level flew out constantly.

I just finished cleaning the gun and after close inspection all looks good, ready for carry.
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  #23  
Old 10-13-2010, 01:11 AM
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Quote:
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Smith sent me a new gun. The original purchase was an EAA series, the takedown level flew out constantly.

I just finished cleaning the gun and after close inspection all looks good, ready for carry.
How many times did you need to send it in before they replaced it?

I called Monday about mine. Got no where. E-mail a guy I had talked to about the problems. Found out they are just repairing it. I did get 2 mags sent to me though. lot of good those do..

I was hoping they were going to replace the gun with a newer updated one.
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Old 10-13-2010, 09:17 AM
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This has been a constant posting as a problem for several months now. I sold the one I had and I love S&W products.
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Old 10-13-2010, 02:12 PM
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I called Monday about mine. Got no where. E-mail a guy I had talked to about the problems. Found out they are just repairing it. I was hoping they were going to replace the gun with a newer updated one.
Don't give up yet on a replacement. After being there for two weeks, two weeks ago they told me that my BG380 was being replaced. Then last week they told me that Engineering was testing a new fix and that mine would be repaired instead of replaced. Yesterday, they told me that according to the "morning meeting", that those presently in for the takedown lever issue would be replaced instead of repaired. Should be shipped to my FFL by the end of the week. I have my fingers crossed that this will be what happens and that it happens soon since my gun has been there for a month.
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Old 10-14-2010, 02:34 AM
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Don't give up yet on a replacement. After being there for two weeks, two weeks ago they told me that my BG380 was being replaced. Then last week they told me that Engineering was testing a new fix and that mine would be repaired instead of replaced. Yesterday, they told me that according to the "morning meeting", that those presently in for the takedown lever issue would be replaced instead of repaired. Should be shipped to my FFL by the end of the week. I have my fingers crossed that this will be what happens and that it happens soon since my gun has been there for a month.

wow. I was told the same things about Engineering working on a repair. I have just been waiting to see if Paul, the guy i have been in contact with E-mails me back with any updated info. Maybe I will E-mail or call him tomorrow and see if anything has changed with mine.

thanks for the news/update. I really want it back lol
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Old 10-15-2010, 12:50 AM
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I spoke to Paul about mine and he told me they are sending a new pistol, which was good news.
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Old 10-15-2010, 07:40 PM
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Default Lock down pin

Mt BG 380 has been in the mail or at Smith's repair shop for over 2 months. Only had it in my hand for 24 hours since I bought it. Lock down lever pin doesn't like to stay in place. Smith politely agreed to replace it 3 weeks ago, after 2 returns to their shop, but told me it wouldn't ship for another 3 weeks due to their backlog. In short, Smith will make good on the warranty, no question about it. It's only a matter of how long it takes to make the decision and get it shipped. My serial number was EAA 6xxx. May want to be cautious when buying one if the prefix is EAA.
Stay tuned for a range report when it comes.
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Old 11-08-2010, 01:10 PM
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So does that mean the one that I purchased yesterday that has a EAB40XX serial number has the new fix already incorporated in the frame?
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Old 11-08-2010, 01:20 PM
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I wasn't aware of this issue prior to purchase. I wasn't planning on getting one so soon, but when the wife agrees with any gun purchase while at a gun show you just don't pass that one up! One of the features I liked about the BG380 is the takedown lever. The LCP is about impossible to remove without risk of scarring the frame. When I took my BG apart last night the lever was a real pain to operate. So much so that I thought they had it way too tight. Now I understand why. It did become easier after a few times of disassemble & reassemble. I look forward to seeing how it performs at the range.
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Old 11-08-2010, 02:49 PM
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Default Got mine back today.

Letter with package from S&W said:

Re: Replacement frame with new serial number. Original frame destroyed.

My new serial number is EAE2**, my old serial number was EAA.

Initial thoughts, much heavier spring and new slide pin is extremely hard to remove. At least it shouldn't come out. I did notice that I don't have the "ring" around the laser button. I thought that was the new frame that people are receiving after sending in a pistol with the problem. I'll get it to the range to see how it performs. I can tell right now that the laser is way off.
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Old 11-08-2010, 09:16 PM
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Quote:
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So does that mean the one that I purchased yesterday that has a EAB40XX serial number has the new fix already incorporated in the frame?
I haven't heard of any of the EAB frames having the same issues as the EAA frames. I would say that you are in good shape.
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Old 11-19-2010, 05:13 PM
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Sorry to say that after 2 trips to the factory with the EAA frame the replacement EAB gun flew apart too. At the second range session @ around 250 rounds the take-down pin hit the ground as it did so many times before.... I said "we're done here" to myself. I bought a Ruger LCP a while back and it's been flawless...The BG has been sold at a loss. Smith's quality is a shame, more worried about putting a red flashlight in a gun than make it go bang......
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Old 11-19-2010, 05:21 PM
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Sorry to hear Mike. I haven't had problems with mine since I have got it back from S&W with a different frame. But still the thought of it coming apart in the moment of a life or death situation lingers in the back of my mind. Add to that I shot a Sig P238 earlier this week, what a sweet gun and great trigger for roughly the same amount I paid for the Bodyguard. I'll hold on to the Bodyguard for now and see what happens down the road. Could be a Sig or Kahr inside my waist band before to long.
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Old 11-19-2010, 10:15 PM
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Quote:
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I did notice that I don't have the "ring" around the laser button. I thought that was the new frame that people are receiving after sending in a pistol with the problem. I'll get it to the range to see how it performs. I can tell right now that the laser is way off.

the polymer isn't the frame. It's the cover.
I asked the same thing and I was told. The frame is the part with the serial number which was replaced. The frame sits in the polymer by roll pins
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Old 11-21-2010, 10:06 AM
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Wife n I took it to the range last week, put about 85 rounds thru it & it performed flawlessly. So I'd say at least this EAB frame isn't showing any problems initially. It handled nicely & shot good groups. She likes it and thats most impt.
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  #37  
Old 11-21-2010, 10:42 AM
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I'm encouraged that at least S&W has admitted there is a problem and they are repairing/replacing defective BK380's for their customers. After all, it took six years of constant complaining for them to even admit their was a problem with the PPK/S. What is it about producing a simple blow back operated dinky little .380 that causes so many problems for U.S. manufacturers? S&W, Ruger, Grendel and others seem to have all kinds of problems with these little guns whereas they have been in production in Europe for decades.
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Old 11-21-2010, 09:24 PM
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Hello everyone, new guy here. We've owned an earlier BG 380 (EAA6XXX) for about a month now (my wife's gun, but I really like it), and have nearly 250 rounds through it. Absolutely no takedown lever issues while firing, although it is very easy to rotate past the straight down position, and very easy to extract. Having read most of the threads on this topic, I'm concerned, but I feel kind of silly writing to S&W and telling them the gun works great so far but I'm afraid it might break. Anybody else send theirs in for repair/replacement without experiencing any failures? I've gotta think that if the issue caused S&W to change the design, and I've got an early production model, that I'm living on borrowed time.

Another topic--this is an odd one, but when I reassemble from a field strip and try to lock the slide back to insert the takedown lever, the barrel often retracts with the slide, preventing insertion of the lever. I've been experimenting a little bit while typing this, and it seems that if I hold the gun perfectly vertical while locking the slide, the barrel stays in place like it's supposed to, but if I tilt the gun while locking the slide, the barrel often travels back with the slide. Anybody else have any idea what I'm talking about?
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  #39  
Old 11-21-2010, 11:49 PM
tnharley tnharley is offline
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Same thing happens to mine also. Just got to ensure that the barrel is fully extended before inserting the pin.
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  #40  
Old 12-09-2010, 03:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sawdust25 View Post
Has anyone had problems with the new Body Guard 380? I maybe the only one but there seems to be a problem with the slide locking pin. I cleaned mine before taking it to the range for the first time. Shot 46rounds without a hitch. On the 47th, the slide lock pin fell out and the slide, with a live round in the barrel, fell onto the shooting table. Cleaned it again and reset the locking pin as per manual. Tried it again. Pin fell out with the slide on the 7th shot. My dealer tried it and had the same problem on his 3 shot. Sent it back for repair. When returned, same problem. Locking pin keeps falling out. It's back in S&W shop for further repair.

It seems to happen more often with rapid fire. I don't think that the retaining spring is stiff enough, nor is the spring indent in the locking pin deep enough, to hold the pin in the lock position as the slide moves back and forth.

Any comments from other Body Guard 380 users?

Thanks in advance.
I have had my Bodyguard 380 for about two months now. The first time I fired it, it was great! After I broke the gun down and cleaned it my troubles began. I could not get the slide to lock out, it just wouldn't go back far enough. Then the take down lever or slide release kept popping out. This has been happing under rapid and slow fire. The same thing happened to me, I was using rapid fire and the lever popped out ,the whole slide with live round went flying down range. I felt like a complete *** asking them to shut down the firing line so I could gather the slide spring and guide rod. Taking mine back for repair. Have to wait and see.
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  #41  
Old 12-09-2010, 05:59 PM
tnharley tnharley is offline
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From what you described it appears that you had inserted the locking pin without the barrel being fully extended. It will fit but the slide won't be able to be locked out. You have to make sure the barrel is fully extended before putting in the lever. With it in the wrong position would explain why it is coming out.
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  #42  
Old 03-13-2016, 05:39 PM
XxAM4ND4xX XxAM4ND4xX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sawdust25 View Post
Has anyone had problems with the new Body Guard 380? I maybe the only one but there seems to be a problem with the slide locking pin. I cleaned mine before taking it to the range for the first time. Shot 46rounds without a hitch. On the 47th, the slide lock pin fell out and the slide, with a live round in the barrel, fell onto the shooting table. Cleaned it again and reset the locking pin as per manual. Tried it again. Pin fell out with the slide on the 7th shot. My dealer tried it and had the same problem on his 3 shot. Sent it back for repair. When returned, same problem. Locking pin keeps falling out. It's back in S&W shop for further repair.

It seems to happen more often with rapid fire. I don't think that the retaining spring is stiff enough, nor is the spring indent in the locking pin deep enough, to hold the pin in the lock position as the slide moves back and forth.

Any comments from other Body Guard 380 users?

Thanks in advance.
i know this post is old, but i just bought a s&w 380 bodygaurd yesterday, 3-12-16 didnt play with it much, went straight to the firing range put a clip in it and shot 2 rounds , the slide with barrel flew off with bullet still in it, spring went flying, lock pin everything just kind of blew to ****. the back end of the slide bent inward and cracked so now it wont even go on the gun. maybe i should have broke it down and put it back together before i shot it? maybe my fault some how, i dont know im kinda new at this shooting stuff but it was quite shocking ill send it in to get fix but im kind of scared to shoot it now even after it gets fixed!
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  #43  
Old 03-13-2016, 06:52 PM
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My no-laser BG .380, purchased last February, has over 700 trouble free rounds down range so maybe I just got lucky. I have to admit that reading these posts concerns me to the point of putting this little gun away in favor of my J frame. We'll see what happens . . . .
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  #44  
Old 03-13-2016, 08:15 PM
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This thread concerns me too but on my new at Christmas time BG.380 with over 500 rounds thru her not one single problem

Last edited by garddogg56; 03-14-2016 at 11:50 AM.
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  #45  
Old 02-03-2019, 01:41 AM
Earthandrubble1 Earthandrubble1 is offline
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The locking pin on my body guard 380 flies out cussing the slide to drop out with barrel when pistol is fired. Very unsafe!! The has happened more than once. I’m calling Smith and Wesson
Tomorrow. Ive seen others have same problem and this is not uncommon. The laser also stoped working shortly after purchase too. I think the pistol is a piece of junk and I’m very sorry I purchased it.
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  #46  
Old 02-14-2019, 11:38 AM
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I've owned the M&P BG380 no laser since 2014. Before that I had the original with the insight laser. I had a few light strikes with that one. (Double strike capability solved that. )
I've put over 1500 rounds through this new gun . (I have not had one issue. )
Hoping S&W has solved all the problems....and now I hear about the slide stop issue...(which I did not know about. )
I will be watching this thread for more .
Hope for the best
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