Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!

[skjos]

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.

 

[The Tourist]

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.

 

[Road Rat]

I'm sorry but life is too short to carry ugly guns!!!

 

[Smokin' Iron]

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!

 

[The Tourist]

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.

 

[OldEagleEars]

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!

 

[Beretty]

Been follwing this post here and on bodyguard380 .com. I picked up my bg380 today. Serial EBT. It has the older barrel.

 

[Col_Cotton_Hill]

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.

 

[Beretty]

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.

 

[Lost Lake]

I wouldn't buy that gun, period. It looks cheap. I don't have to settle for a gun that looks cheap.

 

[BG380KY]

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.

 

[jstanfield103]

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.

 

[BG380KY]

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

 

[BG380KY]

There it is. It's not a mirror finish but it's shiny

View attachment 101824

 

[DeJays Saleen]

Can someone explain to me what a MIM barrel is?

 

[Lost Lake]

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

 

[cddanjr]

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

 

[DeJays Saleen]

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.

 

[jstanfield103]

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 !

 

[DeJays Saleen]

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?