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  #1  
Old 10-30-2012, 07:17 AM
Col_Cotton_Hill Col_Cotton_Hill is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Default Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!

I just picked up a EBU serial number BG. It has a line/ridge going down the center of the chamber on the top side. It looks horrible IMO. My first BG did not have this, neither does my Son's EAS gun. The writing is also different,,but that's no biggie. Just tells me something has changed. This line makes me feel like this is a MIM part. But surely they wouldn't do that with a barrel,,,would they. It just looks so cheesy.

So do any of you guys have this line on the top side. If so, please list your serial number prefix. Or did I maybe get a part that got a finishing step missed. Thanks.



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Old 10-30-2012, 01:05 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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I think you need to give S&W a call and ask if they changed the design.
I don't think you need to worry about functionality, but it does look kinda weird on top. The side looks good though.
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Old 10-30-2012, 01:24 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Hey come on now somebody at Smith just figured out how to save 2 minutes and 53 cents in assembly process of each Bodyguard 380 by skipping the smooth and polish the top of the chamber step and you want to complain. What's up with that.
--- Chip King ---
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Old 10-30-2012, 01:30 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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I'd contact S&W on that. It doesn't look properly finished, to me. I agree, cheesy.

If any manufacturer were likely to make and use a MIM barrel, my money is on S&W.

Good luck! Regards 18DAI
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Old 10-30-2012, 03:10 PM
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To me it looks scratched, or - worst case scenario - cracked. I agree, contact S&W.
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Old 10-30-2012, 07:36 PM
Col_Cotton_Hill Col_Cotton_Hill is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Well I talked to Smith.

Let's just say I'm not too enthused. It is in fact a new barrel design that IS MIM. He said that's the way they are going to be from now on. I asked if I could get an old barrel, even if I had to pay for it. He said they used them all up. Heck, he wouldn't even give me a new lazer screw. Said they were out of those too.

So boo hoo for me. Now for a reality check. Is there anything wrong with a MIM barrel, other than looking cheezy. My first instinct is a reaction from what I've read on the net. MIM is bad. MIM is evil. Stay away. Would you guy's want a gun with a MIM barrel. I'm sure I can't, but should I try to send it back. I'm sure they'll tell me sorry Charlie. Or should I just quit crying and take it like a man.

Last edited by Col_Cotton_Hill; 10-31-2012 at 08:35 AM.
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Old 10-30-2012, 08:07 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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MIM is not bad. In fact in many ways it is superior to cast. MIM was used in the aerospace industry before being discovered by the shooting industry. One of the true benefits is that a part comes out of the process with the tolerances so close that a great deal of the intricate machining that would be needed if made from a block or the touchup work if it is cast are no longer needed. The part can be used as it drops and that saves the company money and time. Some of that comes back to you as a lower cost. SOME
PS If you think MIM is bad Don't ever Fly or buy a car

--- Chip King ---

Last edited by chipking; 10-30-2012 at 08:09 PM.
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Old 10-30-2012, 09:08 PM
Col_Cotton_Hill Col_Cotton_Hill is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chipking View Post
MIM is not bad. In fact in many ways it is superior to cast. MIM was used in the aerospace industry before being discovered by the shooting industry. One of the true benefits is that a part comes out of the process with the tolerances so close that a great deal of the intricate machining that would be needed if made from a block or the touchup work if it is cast are no longer needed. The part can be used as it drops and that saves the company money and time. Some of that comes back to you as a lower cost. SOME
PS If you think MIM is bad Don't ever Fly or buy a car

--- Chip King ---
So basically, what you're saying is I should quit crying about.

Seriously though. Like I said, all I know is what I read other's complain about MIM being a week part. Weather or not it's true is beyond my scope of expertize. I appreciate you explanation. That make me feel better.

Doesn't plane's and car's crash all the time from faulty part's. Just messin with ya.

I guess I'll just keep it and wait for the firing pin to brake that Smith just told me there wasn't a problem with those that they know of.
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Old 10-30-2012, 10:05 PM
bonjorno2 bonjorno2 is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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that looks horrible
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  #10  
Old 10-31-2012, 12:54 AM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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My 6 - 8 week old BG 380 has no such line/crack. I'd make a call to S&W.

Regards
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Old 10-31-2012, 01:45 AM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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It's a mold parting line. No big deal, IMHO. Not the prettiest thing, but hardly anything to get too excited about. It's not exactly a high end weapon you have there.
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Old 10-31-2012, 09:11 AM
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An MIM barrel?!













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Old 10-31-2012, 09:55 AM
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Well, Uzi bolts are made from sintered steel...

Yeah, it looks cheap. But I have an opinion on self-defense firearms.

Don't fall in love with them!

You are going to use them once, that is, to save your life or the lives of your family. Then the cops are going to take it. You might get it back, perhaps it's been disassembled and the parts tossed loosely into a box. And I've seen that happen to a LEO's 39 because in had a FTE on the last round during an exchange with a felon.

Do you care about the scratches on your snow shovel? Do you polish your electric can-opener? When was the last time you took your door-stop out for dinner?

While I do not have the casting mark like yours, I do think the fit and finish on mine is lacking. It feeds, fires and ejects with all three magazines. The factory replaced the laser. It (sort of) places all shots into center mass.

I care about it with the same pride of ownership I do a shoe horn. It functions, and that's enough.
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Old 10-31-2012, 10:23 AM
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I don't doubt that the OP was told by a S&W rep that the barrel is MIM. But I find it hard to believe that it is. Just when you think you have seen everything.

Who was asking how could S&W possibly further cheapen the construction of their guns?

Hard to believe any designer or engineer thought a MIM gun barrel is a good idea. Harder yet to believe that the lawyers who evidently run the current company calling itself S&W think its a good idea.

I wonder what the frag pattern from a failed MIM barrel is like? Does anyone know if a MIM gun barrel will bulge like a steel barrel does? Or does it just frag like cheap pot metal? How do they guarantee there are no voids in the MIM barrel? Do they limit the ammunition pressure or use of certain types of 380 rounds in those things?

The only ones who I'm sure think this is a good idea are the bean counters. That has to save them alot of money.

Now assuming the barrel is indeed MIM what kind of functioning are you getting with that raised ridge along the top? Regards 18DAI
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Old 10-31-2012, 10:54 AM
Col_Cotton_Hill Col_Cotton_Hill is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 18DAI View Post
I don't doubt that the OP was told by a S&W rep that the barrel is MIM. But I find it hard to believe that it is. Just when you think you have seen everything.

Who was asking how could S&W possibly further cheapen the construction of their guns?

Hard to believe any designer or engineer thought a MIM gun barrel is a good idea. Harder yet to believe that the lawyers who evidently run the current company calling itself S&W think its a good idea.

I wonder what the frag pattern from a failed MIM barrel is like? Does anyone know if a MIM gun barrel will bulge like a steel barrel does? Or does it just frag like cheap pot metal? How do they guarantee there are no voids in the MIM barrel? Do they limit the ammunition pressure or use of certain types of 380 rounds in those things?

The only ones who I'm sure think this is a good idea are the bean counters. That has to save them alot of money.

Now assuming the barrel is indeed MIM what kind of functioning are you getting with that raised ridge along the top? Regards 18DAI
I had 2 different reps tell me that all the new barrels are going to be MIM. The second guy did ask me to email him a picture and he would forward it to see if the ridge is supposed to be on there.

I posted this same topic on the other bodyguard forum. One guy replied that he has a gun built AFTER mine, and it has no such ridge.

So the first S&W rep basically said tough luck. The second rep is at least making me feel like he is really going to try and do something for me. He is supposed to give me a call back this after noon when he finds something out.

BTW. I have not fired the gun yet. But I was wondering if the ridge would rub on anything.

Last edited by Col_Cotton_Hill; 10-31-2012 at 11:00 AM.
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Old 10-31-2012, 12:34 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Is this a joke??

Or is S&W actually making MIM barrels??

Who is running this company now?
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Old 10-31-2012, 12:39 PM
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Threads like this reinforce my decision to never buy a gun sight unseen.
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Old 10-31-2012, 02:13 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Tourist View Post
Well, Uzi bolts are made from sintered steel...

Yeah, it looks cheap. But I have an opinion on self-defense firearms.

Don't fall in love with them!

You are going to use them once, that is, to save your life or the lives of your family. Then the cops are going to take it. You might get it back, perhaps it's been disassembled and the parts tossed loosely into a box. And I've seen that happen to a LEO's 39 because in had a FTE on the last round during an exchange with a felon.

Do you care about the scratches on your snow shovel? Do you polish your electric can-opener? When was the last time you took your door-stop out for dinner?

While I do not have the casting mark like yours, I do think the fit and finish on mine is lacking. It feeds, fires and ejects with all three magazines. The factory replaced the laser. It (sort of) places all shots into center mass.

I care about it with the same pride of ownership I do a shoe horn. It functions, and that's enough.


If you really feel that way, then good for you. I appreciate S&W's not just because of their functionality, but also for their form. Sure a 5" Model 27-2 makes a great multipurpose gun, but it's also beautiful work of craftsmanship that will never be made again.

Do you own any S&W's? Why? Couldn't the job be done just as well and cheaper by a Taurus or a Rossi? Why carry a Benchmade or an Emerson when a little dollar store pocket knife will do? Why ever eat steak when you could live off bread and water?

We pay more for things that are supposed to be higher quality, that are supposed to be made to a higher standard, so we can expect more out of them. I don't know what to expect from present-day S&W, but I didn't think we'd start seeing MIM barrels.

You may not care how your guns are made or what they look like (though I doubt you really don't), but I like to have some nice things...why I buy S&W's and not Taurii or Kel-Tecs. Function is #1, but form sure doesn't hurt.
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Old 10-31-2012, 02:44 PM
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Speaking first hand, the aerospace industry does use some cast parts, typically aluminum; however these parts are generally made thicker than their plate counterparts to account for the lower fatigue margins. Also in high tolerance interfaces the cast parts require subsequent machining operations.

I would be very curious to see if the wall thickness of your barrel was increased to account for the lower properties.
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Old 10-31-2012, 02:57 PM
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Quote:
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I would be very curious to see if the wall thickness of your barrel was increased to account for the lower properties.
If the wall thickness was increased wouldn't that mean that the slide would have to be redesigned? Thicker walls on the barrel would mean that the bushing where the barrel goes through the front of the slide would have be made larger, even if it's integral with the barrel. The slide would have to be made wider as well, I'd think.

Or am I all wet?
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Old 10-31-2012, 03:06 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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You're right the bushing would have to be made larger; unless the original barrel dimensions had high margins, in which case the lower margins of the MIM barrel could be made to the same dimensions and still be within the margin of safety for the designed loads.
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Old 10-31-2012, 06:31 PM
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We pay more for things that are supposed to be higher quality.
I agree. But 'function' is a part of that equation.

To carry through on your analogy, I think some of the earlier Strider ARs and GBs were butt-ugly. They didn't even try to polish off the scorch marks were the titanium liner lock was bent into position.

The knives are some of the strongest and most reliable of any folders before or since.

I did not buy a Bodyguard .380 to obtain the accuracy of an Olympic target pistol or the beauty of a California claro walnut stocked Weatherby. I bought it to save my hide.

Ever stomp a Harley down into first gear? It sounds like a wet brick hitting a ten-penny nail. Some things aren't beautiful but run beautifully.
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Old 10-31-2012, 06:56 PM
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I'm sorry but life is too short to carry ugly guns!!!
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Old 10-31-2012, 07:20 PM
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I'm sorry but life is too short to carry ugly guns!!!
I agree! Seeing finish work like that makes me want to run out and buy at least a half dozen....Not!
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Old 11-01-2012, 12:59 AM
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I'm sorry but life is too short to carry ugly guns!!!
LOL. You ought to see the horrid flannel shirt I'm wearing now. You get older, and "beauty and style" seem to take a back seat to practicality.

Granted, I do own beautiful firearms and knives. I had a Bren Ten four-inch 'Special Forces' model in hard chrome. Prettiest firearm I ever owned. I did make a decision for function on this Bodyguard .380 purchase.

I do know one thing, after the firearm lives at your house for a while, the scratches get noticed less often. However, FTF and FTE make you mad everyday.
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Old 11-01-2012, 01:25 AM
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This post made me take a long, hard look with a loupe at my BG and I found no such mark. This made me happy but worried because I expect more from Smith & Wesson than the same kind of bean-count slide into cheesiness that damn near killed the American auto industry (anybody remember the Olds Alero?). MIM technology can be quite strong, sintered metal bearings have been used for years in some high-stress products, but this is a firearm designed to protect one's life and any possible compromise of potential reliability in the name of saving a few cents per unit is treason to the trust that has made Smith & Wesson great. But we live in times that will leave a bad taste in the mouth of history, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'm just glad that my primary carry weapon has a proper forged barrel the way S&W should make them all!
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Old 11-01-2012, 07:24 PM
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Been follwing this post here and on bodyguard380 .com. I picked up my bg380 today. Serial EBT. It has the older barrel.
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Old 11-01-2012, 10:04 PM
Col_Cotton_Hill Col_Cotton_Hill is offline
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Been follwing this post here and on bodyguard380 .com. I picked up my bg380 today. Serial EBT. It has the older barrel.
Any chance you could post a pic of your engraving. Is it on the side or top of the chamber.
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Old 11-02-2012, 12:39 PM
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Any chance you could post a pic of your engraving. Is it on the side or top of the chamber.
Engraving is on top and side. Top-380 Auto. Side-BG 380. Hope this helps.
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  #30  
Old 11-02-2012, 01:27 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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I wouldn't buy that gun, period. It looks cheap. I don't have to settle for a gun that looks cheap.
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  #31  
Old 02-09-2013, 01:13 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Default just bought my first gun.

This is my first gun and so im not too worried about what it looks like and all..but my BG looks just like the one in the pics above. The gun was born Jan. 21st 2013 and I bought it from the LGS on Feb. 2nd 2013...KAF****

Anyways im very happy with this little gun for what I need it to do.
Dont worry, Be happy and Cheers!

edit: I mean mine does have the line on the top of the barrel.

Last edited by BG380KY; 02-09-2013 at 01:15 PM. Reason: adding info.
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  #32  
Old 02-09-2013, 07:43 PM
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Mine has that line, it is my second BG380 and I Love it. The MIM part is no big deal. I if it bothers me I will sand and polish that part of the barrel and make it really nice. I usually polish that part up anyway, even did my Sig P290. Lifetime warranty and S&W quality would not worry.
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  #33  
Old 02-10-2013, 03:43 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstanfield103 View Post
Mine has that line, it is my second BG380 and I Love it. The MIM part is no big deal. I if it bothers me I will sand and polish that part of the barrel and make it really nice. I usually polish that part up anyway, even did my Sig P290. Lifetime warranty and S&W quality would not worry.
I'm polishing my barrel as we speak now. Ill post pics with a new thread
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  #34  
Old 02-10-2013, 10:12 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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There it is. It's not a mirror finish but it's shiny

Attachment 101824

Last edited by BG380KY; 02-12-2013 at 04:53 PM.
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  #35  
Old 02-11-2013, 10:49 AM
DeJays Saleen DeJays Saleen is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Can someone explain to me what a MIM barrel is?
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  #36  
Old 02-11-2013, 01:15 PM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeJays Saleen View Post
Can someone explain to me what a MIM barrel is?
Metal Injection Molding.

Powdered metal and a binder are molded into parts, then the part is heated to remove the binder and fuse the metal together.
Process Overview
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  #37  
Old 02-11-2013, 01:28 PM
cddanjr cddanjr is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Default make it your own

How about pulling out the part, get some 600grit wet dry sandpaper, get rid of the seam, and start finishing it with higher grit polishing cloths, 1200,2000,4000, and higher to get a mirror finish.

Stewart Mac Donald website for instruments has the polishing cloths that i speak of. I use 4000 for polishing the feed ramps on my 1911's.

MAKE IT YOURS.
Chuck
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  #38  
Old 02-11-2013, 05:34 PM
DeJays Saleen DeJays Saleen is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Col_Cotton_Hill View Post
I just picked up a EBU serial number BG.

So do any of you guys have this line on the top side. If so, please list your serial number prefix. Or did I maybe get a part that got a finishing step missed. Thanks.
I just bought my BG380 a few days ago. My serial number is EBW and yes it has the line. I never noticed it until you pointed it out! thanks lol.
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  #39  
Old 02-11-2013, 07:17 PM
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Polished mine up also, stone to get all the defects out, 400 grit to smooth the stoning marks out and the 2000 grit to get it polished up. Like it !
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  #40  
Old 02-11-2013, 11:10 PM
DeJays Saleen DeJays Saleen is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstanfield103 View Post
Polished mine up also, stone to get all the defects out, 400 grit to smooth the stoning marks out and the 2000 grit to get it polished up. Like it !
Can you please post pics?
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  #41  
Old 02-12-2013, 01:38 AM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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MIM barrel!?!? Did they also MIM the rifling and bore and chamber dimensions or are they machined after the MIM barrel blank is made?
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  #42  
Old 02-12-2013, 01:49 AM
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[QUOTE=Robinett_11B;136778283]An MIM barrel?!
FYI the ball joints on the front end of your car along with the tierod ends are all MIM parts. The bad part it's the same for all autos.
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  #43  
Old 02-12-2013, 06:41 AM
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Dejays Saleen I will try this weekend for you, I work to many hours during the week and I am only on the web sites around 4:30 am when I read all my gun forums, around 8 diffrent.
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  #44  
Old 02-12-2013, 08:30 PM
DeJays Saleen DeJays Saleen is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstanfield103 View Post
Dejays Saleen I will try this weekend for you, I work to many hours during the week and I am only on the web sites around 4:30 am when I read all my gun forums, around 8 diffrent.
I just got mine all polished today, heres the link

Freshly polished Bodyguard 380. Turned out very nice!

Last edited by DeJays Saleen; 02-12-2013 at 09:09 PM.
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  #45  
Old 09-13-2014, 07:08 PM
gurn blanston gurn blanston is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Digging this old thread out. My Dad and I just both ordered a pistol each and the odd thing is we got two different looking barrels and they are both the KBJ prefix and about 4000 numbers apart. The early # is what looks like the " new design" but the later # looks like the older better looking ones.
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  #46  
Old 09-14-2014, 04:30 AM
skip4309 skip4309 is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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That barrel looks like ****!! Mine was made June 2014. My barrel, like others shown has the caliber logo (.380 Auto) on top and yours doesn't...and whats with that 'line' down the middle. The barrel appears unfinished to me.

Serial Number: KBW8***

Last edited by skip4309; 09-14-2014 at 04:34 AM. Reason: add serial number
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  #47  
Old 09-14-2014, 06:25 AM
ironhead7544 ironhead7544 is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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I am wondering if that MIM barrel has a liner. Is it possible, as someone else asked, to MIM the rifling and chamber? Also, what finish does the bodyguard have?

I wouldnt be too worried about the appearance. It is meant to be concealed. No one should see it until it is needed. I just worry about function.
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  #48  
Old 09-14-2014, 09:41 AM
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skip4309 View Post
That barrel looks like ****!! Mine was made June 2014. My barrel, like others shown has the caliber logo (.380 Auto) on top and yours doesn't...and whats with that 'line' down the middle. The barrel appears unfinished to me.

Serial Number: KBW8***
I totally concur with skip4309. An MIM barrel is basically a part made from metal powder and a binder and injected into a mold! Of course there are many steps involved to produce the end product,
but suffice it to say, QC must be consistant through every step and who's to say it really does!
I have a BG380 SN ECB2XXX and I love it! I have fired over 500rds and have had no issues!
mb

Last edited by martybee; 09-14-2014 at 09:43 AM.
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  #49  
Old 09-14-2014, 10:53 AM
JohnSW JohnSW is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Originally Posted by Road Rat View Post
I'm sorry but life is too short to carry ugly guns!!!
S&W is trying to increase market share by "outuglying" Glock.
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  #50  
Old 09-14-2014, 03:03 PM
Jaymo Jaymo is offline
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Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!! Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!  
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Make 'em for less and charge more for 'em.

I won't be getting a BG.

My Kel-Tec is as ugly as I'm willing to go.
It's an '04-'05 model.
Works perfectly.
Glad I got it when I did, instead of waiting for Ruger and S&W to make a rip-off of it.
Think I'll stick with S&Ws older autos, with the possible exception of a Shield 9.

ETA: I think I've changed my mind about getting a Shield 9.
I think I'll just keep looking for a 3rd Gen 39.
I've NEVER heard of a 3rd Gen gun going KABOOOOOOM!!!! with factory ammo.
Plus, I don't like the M&P trigger pull.
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Last edited by Jaymo; 09-30-2014 at 09:42 PM.
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