I just finished stripping, cleaning and reassembling my wife's new Bodyguard 380. We like it. But, I encountered something that I can't quite figure out. When I tried to reassemble the slide onto the frame, I found that the barrel would not protrude out the front and thus was blocking the insertion of the take down lever. I couldn't pull it out as suggested in the manual. I was using my left hand to shove the slide onto the frame, holding the frame in my right. I made several attempts. After examining the gun for awhile, I decided to use my left hand (as shown in the manual) to pull the slide back onto the frame. When I did this, the barrel did seem to "disengage" and protrude fully out the front, allowing me to insert the take down lever just fine, etc. What's going on here? For some reason, using my right hand to pull back the slide rather than my left hand to push back the slide causes everything to "click"! Anyone know what is happening? I confirmed this by stripping and reassembling the pistol again. I'm just curious what the "mechanics" are that explain this? Thanks for any thoughts on this. JP

Could be the angle at which you're holding the gun when you pull back the slide. Keeping the muzzle of the gun pointing at a downward angle seems to help (i.e., letting gravity assist).

This video helped me ALOT.....

YouTube - S&W Bodyguard 380 Field Stripping and Assembly

Received BodyGuard back from S&W. Field stripping nightmare.
I thought it was fixed. Seems not. Just spend an hour (again) trying to field strip and re assemble. Nope. Sore hands is all I got.
This little nightmare is going to the first guy who gives me a hundred dollars for it.
But HE or SHE is going to have to assemble it themselves. I have never owned a more annoying firearm and believe me, I have owned a LOT of them.
****!

I had to watch the you tube video at same time I reassembled mine. Should rename the gun PITA 380.

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Bob P.

I leave a empty mag in the pistol to reassemble ,lot easier for me

I guess I got one of the Custom Easy Reassembly models because mine is actually really easy to field strip and reassemble. I always rack it a couple times before putting the retention catch back in and that positions the barrel. Then simply slowly rotate the latch deosil until you feel it snap in place and then continue until it's level.


I have added a Hogue HandALL and added grip tape to the slide. The latter has made a big difference.

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Vintage must be older than me!

After my rash offer of yesterday I took ONE more shot (so to speak) at getting this $#(?$*$% thing back together. And I did it. For what it's worth you guys I wiggled the barrel/lug back and forth a bit and it just clicked into place.
I am terrified of trying it again but tonight, after a few Maker's Mark and soda I may try it again.
All along I have freely admitted I LIKE this little pistol. Not sure I like it as much as Ruger LCP II but it DOES have a manual safety, which I like (and a lot of you guys hate).
So now, go back and try again. And don't be sending me any more $100 bills. I will probably GIVE this to my little brother. I never like him much anyway.

The only hard part is getting the little lever to lock into place. A little pressure until you hear it snap into place.
Never a problem with the barrell? just let gravity work, see the hole line up, and insert the lever.

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

Putting the sucker back together hints.


Insert an empty mag.


Rack the slide.


Insert the retainer by starting above the spring and pushing the shaft down and in.


Relax and start slowly turning the crank clockwise with slight inward pressure. You will feel it snap in place though it might take one or two turns around the May Pole.


Return it still going clockwise to the start position.


Drop mag and do a few racks.


Have a drink.

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Vintage must be older than me!

Never had a problem with it. If you figure out how to do it the right way, it is very simple.

Okay fellas, thanks for the extra tips. I now have taken it apart and put back together TWO times. The one little thing I learned was to jiggle the barrel (lug) a bit until pin dropped in. But you guys have added some good tips too, especially inserting the empty magazine.
I am impressed by the slide tape and will try to track down a source.
Thanks men, I think I'll just start carrying a stone headed club for protection. Easy to use, assemble and build. But a tad heavy.