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01-06-2018, 06:09 PM
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BodyGuard 380
I picked up a very lightly used Bodyguard 380 yesterday from my favorite shop in Mass. It has the insight laser in it, the sales guy at the shop said he thinks Smith and Wesson is still replacing them under warranty with crimson trace units so I emailed customer service. We’ll see where that goes. Do those of you carrying these, what do you recommend for holsters? I was thinking appendix IWB and or pocket holsters. I like leather but I’m not opposed to kydex either. I am using a Bianchi that I bought for my Shield 9mm until I figure out what I want. Also what do you guys carry for “carry ammo”? I picked up a box of some Sig hollow point but the reviews on YouTube for this particular ammo show it getting easily clogged with denim in testing. So that’s no good.
I’m all ears!! Post pics, reviews, and likes/dislikes.
B28BD90A-2EF1-4B03-BB09-94BBCD37BD45.jpg
7FEBE71B-B6F5-4F32-8932-E49DC0D92BEA.jpg
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01-06-2018, 09:47 PM
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My wife's BG is for sale because she can't deal with the long stiff trigger pull. But it's a fine handgun. I pocket carry, and I like the DeSantis, leather pocket tuk holster. For self defense rounds I personally like Hornady Critical Defense. Congratulations on your new gun.
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01-06-2018, 09:52 PM
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round nose in all my 380s... including the BG.
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01-06-2018, 10:28 PM
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Never not Speer Gold Dot. Not because it's magic beans, but because it's a longstanding company with a lot of experience, and their bullets tend to expand reliably. Nothing magic, nothing outstanding, just reliable.
I also agree that the trigger is rather long and stiff. But I have a really hard time with over-long triggers, especially if there's not a long-enough backstrap-to-trigger distance. For instance, I can't shoot J-frames double-action if they've got those little Magnas on them. I really liked the sound of the Sig P250, until I tried dry-firing the damn thing. I don't mind my 59's double-action pull, even though it's quite heavy for even a 59, because it has a 2x4 for a grip. Mostly, I don't like the 59's DA pull because that wide, flat trigger pinches my finger against the frame in DA.
The BG380, I couldn't manage. Although I met one little lady that blew her CCW qualifier out of the water with one.
The RM380 isn't bad. Still long, but not unmanageable. Still, I prefer other things. A few of these little guns really need a little bit more material on the trigger face to prevent that "gotta squeeze too far" feeling.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GT80
I picked up a box of some Sig hollow point but the reviews on YouTube for this particular ammo show it getting easily clogged with denim in testing. So that’s no good.
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Problem with YouTube is that anybody can make one. It doesn't take gun know-how, it takes video production skills.
My problem with Sig's ammunition is that they just don't have the experience and reputation. They bought a facility, and staffed it themselves. There's just not a big body of data for how their products perform.
Do you like the Sig ammunition? Do you trust it? Then carry it.
If you don't--Speer's good. Lots of guys seem to like Hornady and Federal, and even Winchester's PDX1.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/sel...-tests/#380ACP
^^ LG did a not-bad test, I thought. I liked how they showed the results for each bullet, not just an average, along with the recovered bullets.
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01-08-2018, 09:43 AM
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Thanks for the input so far. I haven't fired the gun yet, but dry firing, the trigger does not seem to be an issue for me. Its long, but it's not as heavy as my SD9VE was when I got it, and it doesn't have the hinge like the M&P so to me, even though it's long, its very manageable. We'll see how I print on paper though.
I will try out the Sig ammo and see if it functions ok, and if it does, I will see if I can set up my own penetration/expansion tests. I wish I did this stuff for work as I do NOT have unlimited funds to try penetration etc with various materials, and ammo. I'm on a weekend warriors budget
I think I may go with a kydex IWB holster for now, as I am super comfortable carrying there, and the leather one I have been carrying it in has caused me to trip the mag release once just wearing it around the house as the holster is not the right size and must have pressed on the button. I would rather have one molded with a impression that the mag release sits in. The button is stiff too, so it's not like it was a malfunction... but it could just be cause I have it in the wrong holster too...
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01-09-2018, 12:42 PM
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I ordered an inexpensive Kydex IWB holster off Ebay, I will let you all know how it fits and feels once I get it. Was something like Kryptec or something like that - I think it's a chinese company, but not sure. Looks almost Identical to a Bladetech, which I love, but for $15.95, I figured it's worth a try...
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01-09-2018, 03:22 PM
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I got my no laser BG in February, 2014 and it ran great for about a year, then developed light strike problems. Lost confidence in the gun so I moved on but the only advise I’d offer is to shoot it often.
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01-09-2018, 04:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
I got my no laser BG in February, 2014 and it ran great for about a year, then developed light strike problems. Lost confidence in the gun so I moved on but the only advise I’d offer is to shoot it often.
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Thanks for the heads up. I plan to use it on a monthly or better basis at the range. Last year I barely made it to the range once a month.. gonna try to get better at that this year. I like to be relatively proficient shooting all my guns
Last edited by GT_80; 01-09-2018 at 04:16 PM.
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01-09-2018, 06:47 PM
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I sold a BG without firing it due to the abysmal trigger. I bought a Ruger Custom LCP. Great trigger and shoots well too.
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01-10-2018, 11:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSDeputy
I sold a BG without firing it due to the abysmal trigger. I bought a Ruger Custom LCP. Great trigger and shoots well too.
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I guess I have low standards, maybe from owning a couple Mosin Nagants lol
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01-11-2018, 10:20 PM
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I have two, and carry both, at the same time. One in a DeSantis Superfly pocket holster, and the other in a Bug Bite ankle holster.
I replaced the Insight laser last year with the CT.
Yesterday I was at the range, and I put 6 slow-fire rounds into the head of a silhouette target at 7 yards. Lots of dry-fire helps.
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01-11-2018, 11:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrclen
My wife's BG is for sale because she can't deal with the long stiff trigger pull. But it's a fine handgun. I pocket carry, and I like the DeSantis, leather pocket tuk holster. For self defense rounds I personally like Hornady Critical Defense. Congratulations on your new gun.
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What is the price on the BG?
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01-12-2018, 12:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmys04
What is the price on the BG?
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I decided to keep it. It's really a nice handgun other than the trigger. And while my wife has trouble with it, I can live with it.
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01-12-2018, 01:59 AM
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I carry mine several ways, depending on how I'm dressed: Desantis pocket holster, Simply Rugged OWB leather, or kydex IWB. Great little shooter.
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01-12-2018, 02:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmys04
What is the price on the BG?
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Same shop I got my BG380 from has another for $200
www.fsguns.com/used
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01-12-2018, 06:48 PM
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New? That seems to be a good price. Cabelas lists it now for $350. My wife paid $300 with a $50 in store credit.
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01-12-2018, 07:34 PM
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Not new . that model is the original bg380 before they changed lasers and made the M&P bodyguards. $200 is decent price, I paid 300 for mine brand new .
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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm
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01-16-2018, 11:43 AM
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I got the new holster in - did a review of it on my new youtube Gun channel
It's not bad, very minimalistic, a little loose when not in the wasteband, but great retention, easy draw, and comfortable enough for being plastic. The Blade tech is definitely better but I wanted to try a cheap one and see how it went- for $16. if I wear it a couple months and get rid of it, I could do worse...
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01-16-2018, 11:44 AM
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Oh, and S&W asked me to send my laser back, and they would warranty it- I shipped it last week, they got it friday (based on tracking info) so I will keep you all informed when I get a response or new laser.
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01-17-2018, 10:24 AM
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Can someone explain the difference between plastic & kydex.
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01-17-2018, 10:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fdw
round nose in all my 380s... including the BG.
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^^^This^^^
If I had a .380, I'd use FMJ rounds. It's all about penetration.
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01-17-2018, 10:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
Can someone explain the difference between plastic & kydex.
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I ain't sure. I go with injection molded.
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01-17-2018, 12:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
Can someone explain the difference between plastic & kydex.
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I think Kydex is a form of plastic- and it gets thermo molded (fake gun made of solid metal, heat up plastic, and vacuum mold it or something) versus injection molding with molten plastic in a mold.
Kydex is Acrylic-polyvinyl chloride and is one of many kinds of plastic such as polystyrene, polyester, polycarbonate, PVC (Poly-vinyl Chloride) etc...
I got all that of wikipedia
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01-17-2018, 04:10 PM
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Thanks GT 80.
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01-18-2018, 09:43 PM
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Got my BG back from the factory. But in the meantime I found a Ruger LCP II. The BG is going on the market very soon. The LCPII is a very nice, accurate and smooth little pistol. And it has never even burped in the time I've had to play with it while the BG was in the factory.
Sorry S&W, but this little pistol is simply more dependable and accurate.
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01-18-2018, 10:22 PM
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I've had the Bodyguard since it came out, carried with several different holsters: Blade Tech IWB, Tagua OWB, and a Galco pocket holsters.
Over time the laser went bad, and S&W replaced it with the Crimson Trace product. The long trigger reminds me of a DAO j-frame, and I have no issue with it. The gun has serve me well.
For ammo I use critical defense, federal hst micro, and speer gold dot. Enjoy your new gun!
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01-25-2018, 03:03 PM
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That plastic holster looks a little bulky? The beauty of the BG380 is that it is small concealable almost anywhere on the body.....I prefer a slim nylon holster like Uncle mikes, galco, or my Elite .
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01-25-2018, 04:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSDeputy
I sold a BG without firing it due to the abysmal trigger. I bought a Ruger Custom LCP. Great trigger and shoots well too.
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I have the same issue with the awful trigger. Mine is an early version, and I don't know if they have improved the more recent production models, or if they remain as lawyerproof as ever.
Is there a fix to the trigger issue that would not open you up to 'hair trigger' accusations if you ever had to use the thing?
Thanks for any info.
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01-25-2018, 05:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Salty Dog
Is there a fix to the trigger issue that would not open you up to 'hair trigger' accusations if you ever had to use the thing?
Thanks for any info.
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Galloway Precision makes a trigger kit for the bodyguard which reduces the travel but not the weight of the trigger pull on the BG380. That sounded great to me, until I read remarks from someone who had the kit installed and then experienced light strikes and failure to fire. I think I'll just live with the trigger. My wife though, couldn't handle it at all.
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01-29-2018, 11:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrclen
Galloway Precision makes a trigger kit for the bodyguard which reduces the travel but not the weight of the trigger pull on the BG380. That sounded great to me, until I read remarks from someone who had the kit installed and then experienced light strikes and failure to fire. I think I'll just live with the trigger. My wife though, couldn't handle it at all.
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I have no issues with the factory trigger. Put 100 rounds down range saturday, and I love this gun.
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01-29-2018, 11:28 AM
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01-29-2018, 10:55 PM
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I got my crimson trace laser in today!!! Not bad, only took like 17 calendar days to get to me, 10 business days to ship it (shipped on the 26th) and no charge.
Works like a charm now!!
IMG_7672.jpg
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IMG_7675.jpg
The design, fit and finish are much better with this over the insight laser too. I’m super happy I got a new one free on warranty!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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02-07-2018, 02:50 PM
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I've also had the BG380 since it was first released. I have MANY rounds through it and never a single malfunction. The original laser still works great too. I've carried this little pistol every day for the last 5 years. It's been sweat soaked countless times and looks no worse for the wear. I've always carried it with Hornady CD in a Desantis Nemesis in my front pocket. I feel confident that it will go bang if I need it to.
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02-07-2018, 05:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SA1911
^^^This^^^
If I had a .380, I'd use FMJ rounds. It's all about penetration.
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I use Fiocchi hollow points in mine. The size of the BG 380 is perfect as a backup pistol. I use it to go bicycle riding frequently. Mine has hundreds of rounds through it without any issues whatsoever. I like that dependability and one needs a small pistol sometimes.
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02-08-2018, 04:16 PM
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I think I may end up getting an ankle holster for this guy and my J frame mainly because it's the least obtrusive to me for a location on backup. My pockets are always full because I have my wallet in my left front pocket, and my phone in my right front. I can't really keep a gun in my back pocket, and if I am appendix carrying my primary, where else can I put one? I don't like carring in small of back, just makes me think someone could grab it from behind, and if my shirt lifts up it will be visible....
I like appendix carry mostly because it is really hidden there. It takes a lot to make it print, and even a medium shirt on me most times will conceal a J frame or small polymer like the 380.
I'm not 100% happy with the holster now that I have been wearing it a few weeks, I may try a blade tech or a small leather tuckable just to see if they're any better.
Last edited by GT_80; 05-11-2018 at 02:45 PM.
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02-08-2018, 04:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_80
I think I may end up getting an ankle holster for this guy and my J frame mainly because it's the least obtrusive to me for a location on backup. My pockets are always full because I have my wallet in my left front pocket, and my phone in my right front. I can't really keep a gun in my back pocket, and if I am appendix carrying my primary, where else can I put one? I don't like carring in ***, just makes me think someone could grab it from behind, and if my shirt lifts up it will be visible....
I like appendix carry mostly because it is really hidden there. It takes a lot to make it print, and even a medium shirt on me most times will conceal a J frame or small polymer like the 380.
I'm not 100% happy with the holster now that I have been wearing it a few weeks, I may try a blade tech or a small leather tuckable just to see if they're any better.
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If you have not already, check out Harry's Holster for appendix..he makes some good looking aiwb holsters with options for ride height, cant and a wing claw....gonna order one for my shield 45.
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05-11-2018, 02:47 PM
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I ended up getting a Quick snap holster for this guy, and it is way better. Rides at like 4:00, only issue is making sure it's not printing when I bend over. In the colder weather with a sweater it was pretty well hidden, and while I am out in my garage, I am fine wearing it. Just have to be cognizant of it when wearing t-shirs etc.
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05-11-2018, 03:58 PM
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There's nothing I dislike about my 3 year old BG M&P. Approx. 1000 rounds trouble free with Hornady American Gunner.
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05-13-2018, 02:02 AM
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I first purchased the BG380 with Laser. Heard all of the horror stories about malfunctions caused by the laser mounting screw backing out. Thread locked mine but then realized that used as a CC combat weapon what the heck do I need a Laser for. Swapped for the non-Laser version. Love it for CC. Pocket, boot, holstered, inside coat pocket. Fits any where. Personally, I carry in a Fobus holster. I like the restraint. Extra feeling of security. No one can walk up behind you in a line at the grocery store and pull it out from behind. I use Fobus for all of my CC firearms.
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05-14-2018, 01:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokendowncop
I first purchased the BG380 with Laser. Heard all of the horror stories about malfunctions caused by the laser mounting screw backing out. Thread locked mine but then realized that used as a CC combat weapon what the heck do I need a Laser for. Swapped for the non-Laser version. Love it for CC. Pocket, boot, holstered, inside coat pocket. Fits any where. Personally, I carry in a Fobus holster. I like the restraint. Extra feeling of security. No one can walk up behind you in a line at the grocery store and pull it out from behind. I use Fobus for all of my CC firearms.
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The Fobus was one I wanted to try as well... it's made for a 3 o clock position though isn't it? I really like appendix or 4 o clock position most- I think the Fobus is under $30 so I should just try it...
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