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08-02-2013, 08:50 AM
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bodyguard slide won't lock back
I got a new bodyguard 380 a couple weeks ago and have run into a problem. The slide won't lock back on the last shot. I have tried blazer, american eagle, and federal hydra shocks, none of them will reliable lock the slide back.
It got progressively worse from when it was first shot. At first it wouldn't lock back for my girlfriend, I just thought she wasn't holding the gun right. It would lock back for me, but as soon as the magazine was dropped the slide would slam forward (the slide catch was not fully engaged). Now, it won't lock back at all when empty.
I can press the slide catch up with my thumb and it will stay back, but if I pull the slide back with an empty magazine, it won't lock! The catch is pushed up slightly, but not enough for engage the slide.
It looks like the magazine spring isn't strong enough to work the slide stop, but I have tried it with 3 magazines, same result with all 3.
The date on the test case from the factory is June 2013.
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08-02-2013, 02:37 PM
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Check the laser retaining screw to make sure it has not backed out. If it is not screwed all the way in, take it out and put some Loctite Blue on the threads.
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08-02-2013, 03:26 PM
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I am not familiar with the bodyguard 380 but I had a similar problem with a new 4566TSW. In my case I found hat S&W had shipped some new magazines with the spring in backwards, which produced too little pressure on the follower to activate the slide stop.
Maybe, maybe not.
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08-03-2013, 04:12 PM
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I tried turned the spring around 180* and now the slide locks back when pulled by hand, and a loaded magazine is MUCH easier to put in the gun with the slide closed. Before it had to be hit hard before it would go all the way in.
Kind of weird that it was backwards in the magazine that came with the gun, as well as the 2 purchased afterwards.
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08-04-2013, 03:39 PM
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Went to the range today, still not locking back. Also, had several issues with the gun not feeding. Guess I will be calling smith and wesson when they open back up.
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11-25-2013, 10:48 AM
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I am having the same problem with slide not locking open on the last round on 3 magazines. ( put 1000 rounds thru it with 3 magazines )
1 magazine won't even hold the slide open when racking the slide on an empty mag.
Purchased 3 new magazines. Everything is working fine.
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11-25-2013, 05:12 PM
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Just come back from the range.
Everything is not working fine.
All 3 new magazine failed to hold the slide open on last round.
Tried 2 different brands of ammo, still failed to hold slide open.
Sending Bodyguard back top S&W.
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02-16-2014, 03:51 PM
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Hey guys, I just bought my bodyguard and overall I really like it. I seen that some people were having problems with the slide lock not working properly on the last shot. I too had the same problem, after reading the forms on larger model Smith and Wesson like the mp .40 for example guys were saying they had the same problem. Long story short a member posted that maybe the shooters thumb may have been touching the slide lock lever on the gun while shooting. At that point I placed one in the chamber with a empty magazine and low and behold that was indeed the problem. The thumb on my strong hand was lightly touching the lever... Didn't see where anyone else has posted this figured I'd throw it out there, maybe it will help someone
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07-09-2014, 02:00 PM
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S&W Bodyguard slide won't lock after the last round
The problem is the magazine follower. On the front of the follower is a shelf that engages the slide lock. In the instances where the slide lock won't engage the shelf goes past the tab on the slide lock. In other words the shelf isn't wide enough to engage the slide lock. This can be checked by removing the slide and inserting the magazines that are problematic and observing the contact between the shelf on the follower and the slide lock tab. This appears to be a design flaw as this can happen with a brand new magazine. I haven't seen a magazine for this gun with a metal follower which could be better than the plastic ones that I have. Also the slide lock tab could be made longer. Hope this is helpful.
Last edited by Operator68; 07-09-2014 at 02:23 PM.
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07-11-2014, 06:54 AM
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I have the same problem. Not an ammo problem or thumb problem. Thought it was and I spent hundreds of dollars in range fees and ammo that's very hard to get. I can recreate the problem by operating the slide several times with an empty magazine. You can see the mag follower is to the side instead of under it. In addition it's not a particular magazine problem as I bought an extra magazine and have the same problem with it. It may be a design flaw in the magazine follower and/or slide stop but getting a different magazine won't take care of the problem. I sent it in for this problem as well as feeding problems. They fixed the feeding but did nothing for the slide locking problem. My misfires have increased and I sent it back for the 2nd time.
It's sad S&W sells a "Self Defense" pistol that's has well documented reliability problems, misfires, fireing pin breakage & slide locking back.
I love that "need to run 300 rounds thru it to break it in." Many people never fire 300 rounds thru their self defense gun. Also 380 ammo is nearly impossible to find. If you can find it, the cheap stuff is $25 per 50 and with range fees that's over $300 added to the cost of your pistol for breaking it in. It should work coming out of the factory. I've shot other 380's and never had any problems and never had to break them in. I have over $400 extra in mine trying different ammo & magazines and it still doesn't work. Shouldn't have to do that.
Last edited by bg1111; 07-11-2014 at 09:23 AM.
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07-16-2014, 07:34 PM
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I just bought a used 380 bodyguard last week as I had major issues with the Ruger LCP. I shot the bodyguard for the first time today and the slide lock failed on the last shot 6 out of 8 tries. I read this post and Operator68 was right on when he said look at the follower. I looked at both magazines and noted a visible wear to the ledge on the left side of the follower. I switched only the follower out, using the same magazine/spring/floor plate. I inserted one round in the gun and fired. The slide locked back. Of five last shots, the slide lock worked, but engaged fully only two of five attempts. I wonder if I can just purchase followers rather than entire new magazines.
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08-17-2014, 07:07 PM
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My BG doesn't lock back either. Sucks, because that saved second racking the slide in a firefight is why I bought the thing. Bought it yesterday, along with plan B. Shot it today. It didn't lock back once. Both of my mags and piece are brand new. Pd me off royal. My mags also show damage on the cheap a plastic follower. The damage is not from use. It's from the follower somehow moving to the right and not actuating the catch-lever. Looking at the catch, it seems to me that the lever needs to be ever so slightly longer so that the follower doesn't have any room to weasel past. It works fine when I rack it by hand. But not when fired. Also, a metallic follower wouldn't hurt in a gun I intend to defend my wife and children with. Micrometers count in a situation measured by milliseconds. Other than that the weapon performed flawlessly. Good groups. Pain in the a to adjust the sights. Glad to be able to on a platform like this though. I like the lazer. Good for night time engagements. If ever. Good to have and not need and bla bla bla. Still have to count those rounds. :\ Shame. I was excited to have one less thing to keep track of. I'll send it in and see what heppens.
Last edited by ArmWavingTubeMan; 08-17-2014 at 07:21 PM.
Reason: screwed up...
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08-26-2014, 08:07 AM
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Slide not locking back...go to gallowayprecision.com and invest in MagGuts for the BG380...comes with a metal follower and increases mag capacity to 7 rds...watch the videos on performance and how to install it.
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08-26-2014, 08:38 AM
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I don't think I have had any trouble with mine locking open on the last shot or manually with 5 different magazines. Might have to look at the followers to see how much tolerance I have in there for potential future issue.
As for x hundred rounds to "break in" a gun I would think that it is more of a familiarizing yourself with the gun and identifying any potential issues that need to be addressed before depending on it for self defense.
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08-27-2014, 02:37 PM
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Installed the MagGuts high capacity spring/follower kit for my BG380 mags...went to range today...shot 9 mags worth of ammo (63 rds)...no malfunctions...slide locked back every time and I did not experience any jams...gonna test it some more...I'm re-thinking the reliability of my pistol......
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12-14-2014, 08:48 AM
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Had to send my Bodyguard 380 back to Smith & Wesson twice.
Don't know what they repaired.
Slide is holding open now. ( came back with same magazines )
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12-16-2014, 11:36 AM
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I looked at that pistol last week. I thought it was nice, with the laser and all, but when I found out it was DA only, I was done. I will take my PPK over it anytime. No laser though. I carry a CS45, and the PPK for backup sometimes.
Last edited by KSDeputy; 12-16-2014 at 11:37 AM.
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01-12-2016, 08:17 PM
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I had the same issue with my body guard. Broke down the gun and also noticed the "spring" in the magazine was not strong enough to engage the stop. I then disassembled the magazine to find that the spring had actually twisted and I just simply untwisted it and reassembled. And problem fixed.
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