Shot my new Bodyguard .380

[waynesigmeister]

I went to the range this weekend and shot my new Bodyguard .380. The gun fired everytime I pulled the trigger. The trigger was very smooth but also very long pull. At ten yards, I hit the bullseye on a NRA small pistol target on the very first shot. I had no problems with feeding, firing or ejecting the rounds.

My complaints about the gun are related to arthritis issues in my hands. I could not fire more than 25 rounds of Magtech .95 gr FMJ ammo before my hands started to hurt. The trigger pull is so long and the arthritis in my trigger finger makes is hard to pull the trigger long enough to make it fire. I am going to look for an after market trigger system that can reduce the trigger pull length.

 

[M&Pmeister]

Is the ability to fire more than 25 rds consecutively that important for a micro 380 pocket pistol? Would you ever carry that many rds? These things are meant for "bad breath" range so being able to tack drive at 10yds or shoot long practice sessions aren't on my list of requirements.

When I take the M&P Bodyguard to the range, I seldom shoot more than a box of 50. I just verify that I am able to do rapid presentation and fast follow up shot, and have all my rounds hit center mass on B27 at 7 yd. That's good enough for me... long trigger pull and all. I might practice single hand, both strong and weak side, but this is far from a range gun .

 

[martybee]

Quote from : Waynesigmeister;
"I went to the range this weekend and shot my new Bodyguard .380. The gun fired every time I pulled the trigger. The trigger was very smooth but also very long pull. At ten yards, I hit the bulls eye on a NRA small pistol target on the very first shot. I had no problems with feeding, firing or ejecting the rounds.

My complaints about the gun are related to arthritis issues in my hands. I could not fire more than 25 rounds of Magtech .95 gr FMJ ammo before my hands started to hurt. The trigger pull is so long and the arthritis in my trigger finger makes is hard to pull the trigger long enough to make it fire."

Ditto on the arthritis of the finger problem!
I am 83 and have the same difficulty. I also shoot Magtech 95 FMJ ammo. (Great target ammo)
I wrap a plastic Band-Aid around my trigger finger's first joint before I shoot my BG380. It helps immensely!
mb

 

[erj_pilot]

Thanks for posting comments and review of your new Bodyguard 380. I am seriously looking into buying one for additional conceal/carry. I currently carry the M&P Compact 40 and LOVE it! Also carry the H&K P2000 SK...love it just as much. The M&P platform works for me (as does the H&K) and money is burning a hole in my pocket right now, so I guess I have to get one.

I've looked at and shot the Sig P238 (very nice gun) and I've looked at the Kahr 380; both are out of my budget. Nice guns, but I think S&W puts out a product that is just as good for less.

I installed the APEX Duty/Carry trigger kit on my Compact 40 and it made a SUBSTANTIAL difference both in pull weight and smoothness. I hope APEX comes up with something for the Bodyguard as well.

Thanks again for the post.....keep it safe!!

 

[gdnagle]

Happy with my BG380 also. No problems with it either. Not sure which version you have, they have three now, but you can try here for a short stroke trigger.

Galloway Precision :: Smith & Wesson® Performance :: Bodyguard 380 Performance Parts

 

[M&Pmeister]

FWIW, my other pocket pistol is a P938, which I carry Condition One, as one should with a 1911 style hammer-fired SA trigger. Yes it is safe with the manual safety, But I am not exactly enamored with the exposed hammer cocked in my pocket.

For pocket pistols, I much prefer a striker-fired long/heavy DAO trigger pull... like the Bodyguard.

 

[hokiefyd]

For pocket pistols, I much prefer a striker-fired long/heavy DAO trigger pull... like the Bodyguard.

The Bodyguard is a hammer-fired gun, not a striker-fired gun. This is true of both the original Bodyguard 380 and the new M&P Bodyguard.

 

[M&Pmeister]

The Bodyguard is a hammer-fired gun, not a striker-fired gun. This is true of both the original Bodyguard 380 and the new M&P Bodyguard.

Oops. Brain fart. Yes youre right. I was thinking internal hammer.

Strikers usually dont have a heavy trigger pull.

 

[richwagner]

I just picked up my new Bodyguard today. Local shop had a deal on them for $299 and I was looking for a small pocket carry pistol. I haven't shot it yet but apon examining it more I find I must push the magazine eject button in to put a new mag in or it stops at the mag release. Is that normal and if so , is there a way around it? Thanks

 

[poru_desu]

Happy with my BG380 also. No problems with it either. Not sure which version you have, they have three now, but you can try here for a short stroke trigger.

Galloway Precision :: Smith & Wesson® Performance :: Bodyguard 380 Performance Parts

Ditto on this, I've got the kit installed on my BG380 and it's awesome! Fully adjustable trigger - gets rid of that loooonnng creep on the trigger pull.
I've yet to install the hardened firing pin, firing pin spring, and blocker spring - but the trigger and hammer itself is already a huge difference over stock.
Added the talon grip kit and a pachmayr sleeve (so that the sleeve won't slide off easily) - made the recoil tolerable for me

 

[poru_desu]

I just picked up my new Bodyguard today. Local shop had a deal on them for $299 and I was looking for a small pocket carry pistol. I haven't shot it yet but apon examining it more I find I must push the magazine eject button in to put a new mag in or it stops at the mag release. Is that normal and if so , is there a way around it? Thanks

I've read that even old versions have the same mag release issues.
I guess it's just normal and there's no way around it.
Heck even hickok45 on YouTube just ignored it. It's ok I guess