Report: Problems with new S&W Bodyguard 380

I sure wish S&W would produce the BG380 without the laser. Great gun, but too many worries with the laser screw. Finally sold mine and got a Sig P238. Wow, expensive, but if'n you like the small 380's, it is well worth the cost.
 
I have had my S&W BodyGuard for several weeks now. I Love the gun. With me it is a home run. It fits my hand well, it fits my pocket very well, heck I even forget it's there. I have fired approx. 25 to 30 rounds through it is all, but they were all dead on. I did not like the laser buttons being so hard to push, but that was easily fixed with the Bic pen ink tube. Works well now. If I could buy one with out the laser I would but I also like the laser on this one. Mine was made 11-09-2010 and I did buy it used. I don't know the history of it, so I don't know if it has been sent back for any repairs. I just know I have not had any problem with it and it will stay by my side.
Just my 2 cents worth
 
I have only had a problem with a striped laser battery screw allen hole but Customer service sent a new screw and wrench immediately. I have followed the advice of another and put a drop of "shoe goo" on the screw head to keep it from moving.

EBPxxxx dated 05-07-12
 
I pulled my EAN serial numbered 380 out of the safe yesterday to find that the laser was not working. Weird I thought. First thing today I put new batteries in it. Still nothing.

I started looking around the web today and see that this is not that uncommon. I'll be calling S&W tomorrow.

As far as the rest of the gun goes, I couldn't be happier. I have somewhere near 750-1000 rounds through it. It has eaten everything I have fed it. Never a malfunction.
 
slowjonn, let us know what they tell you and keep us up to date on it. I am currious on how they will handle this.
 
Just what patbelly said...I talked to Mike (nice guy by the way). Told him what was up. No hesitation, no further questions, he just told me to mail the laser to them and they would send me a new one asap.

I'll let everyone know when I get the new one/ what the turn around time was.
 
Pretty sure my turnaround time was about 8 days give or take a couple.
 
daveybronx said:
After nearly 150-200 rds the gun failed to lock open when unloaded. the range master would have field stripped but cannot pull slide back far enough to lock slide and thefore field strip this firearm. Customer service is closed Saturday but i see a return for repair in my near future. Upsetting because I really love this gun. The fact that I have a glock that has never failed and I have only owned the bodyguard one week makes me wonder if this will be a gun i can trust the safety of my family to or i will go back to Glock 19 as my CCW.
Click to expand...

The set screw that holds the laser has backed out a little. Field strip it, and put a dab of lok-tight on it and screwit down tight. That set screw has backewd out far enough to prevent the slide from going all the way back. Me and others have had the same problem. Happy shooting! (Afterwards)
 
From the sounds of things I got lucky. Have had no problems with my 380 bodyguard. My only complaint is the laser on it...it is bulky for my preferance and would not have purchased the hand gun myself. But it was a gift and more then I could afford at the time, so I will continue to "pack" it.
 
I've shot about 350 rounds of Winchester white box and another 60-80 rounds of Winchester PDX ammo in my Bodyguard. The laser is useless in the daylight... in the shadows or very cloudy day I can see it at the 7-yard target. I do better with the fixed sights.

Today the laser didn't work, I thought it was the battery. Took it apart this evening, the laser screw was sheared off. I used a small needle-nose to get it out. The head of the screw is gone, I guess it had been loose for awhile and the spring/recoil rubbed the head off.

Laser still works fine, it just was loose. Glad nothing else jammed up in there. I'll inspect the rest of the internals after I clean it up.

I'll call S&W on Friday to see if they will send me a replacement screw.
If I get a part number I'll post it here.

ETA: recoil spring and other internal parts look fine. Attached some pictures:
John

ar_black-albums-bg380-laser-screw-picture7996-bg1.jpg


ar_black-albums-bg380-laser-screw-picture7997-bg2.jpg


--

ETA: 10/30/12 received e-mail from S&W saying they would send me a new screw (s). 1-day response to my e-mail (not including weekend).

ETA: 11/3/12 received three new screws from S&W on Friday 11/2. Fast turnaround.

I never actually talked to anyone, I just sent an e-mail to [email protected] explaining the problem and the Serial Number. 1-week turnaround.
 
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I'd like a few, unbiased comments. I'm wanting one of these guns, but I'd be about as happy with an LCP, plus save a few bucks too. Is one of these guns REALLY more reliable than the other? I hear very few comments on unreliable LCP's, but I've seen enough on Bodyguards to give me some concern. Thinking about buying one or the other from my local pusher tomorrow, so any and all comments would be welcome.
 
zbird said:
Mabe it was my particular gun but the magazine release button was a little to touchy for my comfort.
Click to expand...

As you know, I have my dislikes on this pistol, but I was "dropping" magazines because of my initial hold. The tip of my right trigger finger was touching the magazine release button on recoil.

But ya' know, everyone always points out that we don't shoot 'weak hand' enough at the range. I'm wondering if I start to carry my Bodyguard as a dedicated left side firearm if that might make it more useable for me.

There's nothing mechanically wrong with mine, it's just me. I do have enough strong side guns, so maybe...
 
Mark,

I can't speak for others but my BG380 has been a great gun. I bought a case of mixed ammo at an auction and it eats anything I put in it. I carried it a lot in a sweaty pocket, left in in a blazing hot car, got it wet, full of dirt, and it just keeps going. My laser has been dead on since I got it, and just for show while plinking I called the eyeball of a pheasant target at 25 feet and then took out the eyeball in one shot (using the laser of course).

Mine is a truck gun for the most part now as I don't have a dedicated use for it. My 642 is a better pocket gun.

I'll never sell my BG380.
 
Bought BG 380 with Eyes Wide Open/ Solution for Laser Screw

Spent hours reading posts of problems but bought one anyway. Problems reported:
Take Down pin wiggles out
Firing Pin breaks in some guns whether it's dry fired or NOT (1 gun broke 3 before S&W replaced gun)
Laser drifts initially but adjusts in by turning all the way one way then working it back
Laser/battery screw loosens & slide malfunctions/won't open all the way (must be sent back to S&W)
Laser on-switch quits working working, needs switch replacement
Magazine jams/won't go all the way in unless fiddled with
Sometimes triggers will get stuck all the way back

Fixes:
Switch mod: Improve switch function with a tiny slice off the end of a ball point pin tube / improves tactile touch
Use blue locktight on the laser screw. Not too much because it needs to come out to change the battery, Get extra screws, check tightness when cleaned
Get new model (SN: FAZ or later) to avoid the take down problem

MY SN IS KAF6xxx. I figured out how to field strip the BG when the laser screw gets loose (without sending it back to S&W): Step 1: Pound a nail into the top edge of your work bench leaving about 1" exposed, wrap a piece of tape around the exposed 1". Next, while holding the handle with your left hand, push on the nail with the muzzle end of the slide until it moves back about 1/8". The nail should be between the barrel and the guide pin pushing against the slide and the bottom of the barrel. The take down pin should be even with the notch under the letter "U". With your right hand begin turning/working the take down pin while you SLIGHTLY rock the gun-slide back and forth. At the same time apply a constant pressure clockwise on the take down pin. Keep working it and the pin keeps moving the slide until it rotates clear of the keeper spring and VIOLA!!! Out it comes. Keeping it positioned is HARD; the hammer spring keeps changing tension which is the reason for the nail. Next get some blue locktight for the screw.


Hopefully this will work on previous EAJxxxx and forward versons.

PS: I took mine all apart and found the tip of the laser screw & threaded female insert had an orange rubbery compound, which probably has the same function as loctight. Also I was thinking if you're on the range and the screw comes loose it might be possible to hold the gun vertical and gently tap on the edge of a table while trying to rack it. You'd tap the area below the laser with the idea of trying to randomly wiggle the screw down low enough to let the slide go over the top. It might also help to pull up on the front of the slide at the same time. The extra slop between the lower and slide might be enough to get it over the head of the screw. An empty mag will help it lock open if it breaks free.


Ironically I don't have ammo yet so haven't even fired it.
 
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S&W-Fan said:
Spent hours reading posts of problems but bought one anyway. Problems reported:
Take Down pin wiggles out
Firing Pin breaks in some guns whether it's dry fired or NOT (1 gun broke 3 before S&W replaced gun)
Laser drifts initially but adjusts in by turning all the way one way then working it back
Laser/battery screw loosens & slide malfunctions/won't open all the way (must be sent back to S&W)
Laser on-switch quits working working, needs switch replacement
Magazine jams/won't go all the way in unless fiddled with
Sometimes triggers will get stuck all the way back

Fixes:
Switch mod: Improve switch function with a tiny slice off the end of a ball point pin tube / improves tactile touch
Use blue locktight on the laser screw. Not too much because it needs to come out to change the battery, Get extra screws, check tightness when cleaned
Get new model (SN: FAZ or later) to avoid the take down problem

MY SN IS KAF6xxx. I figured out how to field strip the BG when the laser screw gets loose (without sending it back to S&W): Step 1: Pound a nail into the top edge of your work bench leaving about 1" exposed, wrap a piece of tape around the exposed 1". Next, while holding the handle with your left hand, push on the nail with the muzzle end of the slide until it moves back about 1/8". The nail should be between the barrel and the guide pin pushing against the slide and the bottom of the barrel. The take down pin should be even with the notch under the letter "U". With your right hand begin turning/working the take down pin while you SLIGHTLY rock the gun-slide back and forth. At the same time apply a constant pressure clockwise on the take down pin. Keep working it and the pin keeps moving the slide until it rotates clear of the keeper spring and VIOLA!!! Out it comes. Keeping it positioned is HARD; the hammer spring keeps changing tension which is the reason for the nail. Next get some blue locktight for the screw.


Hopefully this will work on previous EAJxxxx and forward versons.

PS: I took mine all apart and found the tip of the laser screw & threaded female insert had an orange rubbery compound, which probably has the same function as loctight. Also I was thinking if you're on the range and the screw comes loose it might be possible to hold the gun vertical and gently tap on the edge of a table while trying to rack it. You'd tap the area below the laser with the idea of trying to randomly wiggle the screw down low enough to let the slide go over the top. It might also help to pull up on the front of the slide at the same time. The extra slop between the lower and slide might be enough to get it over the head of the screw. An empty mag will help it lock open if it breaks free.


Ironically I don't have ammo yet so haven't even fired it.
Click to expand...


I'm confused on the the serial numbers you use in your post. I bought mine in mid Feb. 2013 and is it has a test fire date of late Jan.2013. The serial on mine is an EBX----. I don't understand how they could have gotten to KAF---- already? What did they change at the FAZ---- S/N?
 
J.A.P said:
I'm confused on the the serial numbers you use in your post. I bought mine in mid Feb. 2013 and is it has a test fire date of late Jan.2013. The serial on mine is an EBX----. I don't understand how they could have gotten to KAF---- already? What did they change at the FAZ---- S/N?
Click to expand...

I bought mine Mar 15, 2013. The store had received several recently and, rather than use the demo, I had them demo the one I planned to buy (new out of the box). When I saw the SN was KAF that was definitely the ONE for me. The guy behind the counter had a heck of a time field stripping it. When he put it all back together and handed me the box it had a FA? SN. So we looked through boxes and got the KAF back to me. The FA? I believe was from the same shipment.

The gun and the test shell are both KAF6xxx so I know the SN is accurate. The test shell date is 2/21/2013.

I've been dry firing it and lubed it up pretty good. The trigger pull seems easier now.
 
I bought my BG in Jan. I have a few hundred rounds through it and it has performed flawlessly. I put some lock tight on the laser screw to take care of the backing out problem. It's pretty accurate at 20 feet and I love the gun. It shoots anything I have put through it. No problems with the field take down. I am starting to have this problem. The slide sometimes does not lock back after the last shot and when I slap the mag in with the slide back it closes without hitting the release. Any suggestions before I send it in?
 
Picked up the BG 380 for my wife yesterday. Took it and her to the range today. Couple notes:
Nice little gun. Long trigger pull (additional safety for the wife I suppose), I noticed I was consistently about 3" below aiming point, both with and without laser - maybe from pulling trigger seemingly forever?
After about 60-70 rounds the laser for some reason stopped shining. Tried pushing each button, taking mag in and out, racking slide, all to no avail. However, after an additional 4-5 shots the laser magically kicked back in. Has this happened to anyone else???

All in all, I like the gun and is a nice change up from my M&P 40!
 
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