Current M&P Bodyguard .380 info

[bikergeo]

Are people still having light strikes and problems with the slide not locking back on the last shot on recently acquired Bodyguard .380s? I bought one of the first ones without a laser a couple of years ago and had to send it back to S&W twice for these problems. The second time I sent it back they said that they couldn't fix it and they sent me a new Model 642 instead because no Bodyguards were available at that time. I like the 642 but the Bodyguard was a little nicer for pocket carry and I'd like to try another one if the bugs have been worked out. So, if anyone has bought one recently and has put a few hundred rounds through it let me know how it is working out for you.

 

[Ballistic147]

My wife bought a non laser BG early this year. So far it has run real close to 300 rounds of various brands of ammo including my handloads and has yet to have an issue with any of it.

 

[Old cop]

My no laser BG was purchased Feb. 2015 and had no problems in over 800 rounds until recently. No jamming or failure to lock back but did have three light strikes in the last 100 rounds at the range. I was using Winchester White Box FMJ and some said the problem might be ammo related. No problems w/ hollow point carry ammo. I also found it to be a bit heavy (close to an air weight J) for what you get when compared to the Ruger LCP.

 

[coachray]

My BG380 without laser or manual safety was purchased 3 mos. ago. I have 630 rounds of different brand ammo without any failures of any kind. It's great for pocket carry.

 

[KSDeputy]

I bought a BG .380 w/o the laser. The trigger was abysmal. I traded it in without firing it and bought the Ruger Custom LCP. It has a much better trigger, I use it for pocket carry around the farm.

 

[kbm6893]

I bought mine about 4 months ago. Only 150 rounds of Winchester white box but no malfunctions at all. Yeah, trigger is long. So what? It's a close up defense pistol. At 10 yards a paper plate is toast. I like rugers, but no safety, no slide lock when empty, and worse sights than the BG ruled it out.

I plan to eventually reload for it. But I don't shoot it very often. It's not s range gun. I shoot a box every 3 or 4 months and call it good.

 

[bikergeo]

Yeah I know the trigger on the Bodyguard is kinda long and heavy but I carried and qualified with J Frames for off duty use for almost three decades so that's not an issue for me. I have a second generation LCP and the trigger is pretty good but I like having the option of the manual safety on the Bodyguard for pocket carry.

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

Interesting thread, I'll be watching it. I own an older BG with insight laser that is my EDC in hot weather. I trust it so much that I'm considering buying a new one in Fla. to keep locked away in our snowbird home for carry during the months we are there. I'm also planning on adding a 9mm into that picture. I've had only a couple of light strikes that went off on the second pull. It only happened with one brand of ammo out of the same box of 50, so I doubt it's the BG. I've put enough through mine to trust it.

 

[garddogg56]

NONE WHAT SO EVER

 

[oldiegoldie]

fiocchi is the only ammo I've had problems with. for range time PMC is my goto ammo. the trigger pull is much better than any j frame I own. it is my favorite carry gun.

 

[sacosta66]

Have a buddy that just bought a Bodyguard and we were out shooting it for the first time this morning. He bought some Monarch ammo and after about 20 rounds was having repeatedly ejection issues on the last round fired. Slide would lock back, but casing would still be in the chamber.
I know it's probably the cheap ammo and hopefully not a bigger issue.

 

[leeanders]

Are people still having light strikes and problems with the slide not locking back on the last shot on recently acquired Bodyguard .380s? I bought one of the first ones without a laser a couple of years ago and had to send it back to S&W twice for these problems. The second time I sent it back they said that they couldn't fix it and they sent me a new Model 642 instead because no Bodyguards were available at that time. I like the 642 but the Bodyguard was a little nicer for pocket carry and I'd like to try another one if the bugs have been worked out. So, if anyone has bought one recently and has put a few hundred rounds through it let me know how it is working out for you.

I bought the 380 a couple of months ago - without laser - and have had it in use at an indoor range a couple of times putting a few hundred rounds through it. To date not a problem with light strikes or anything else. I'm impressed with this little pocket gun! Additionally, since last Wednesday, I'm now a bit cautious of second hand placement - as I wasn't paying attention and had a thumb sticking up a little too high when I fired a round. The slide brought blood and I had to go looking for a band aid. It's now Sunday and the cut is about healed but the thumb is still swollen and bruised.

 

[martybee]

I'm impressed with this little pocket gun! Additionally, since last Wednesday, I'm now a bit cautious of second hand placement - as I wasn't paying attention and had a thumb sticking up a little too high when I fired a round. The slide brought blood and I had to go looking for a band aid. It's now Sunday and the cut is about healed but the thumb is still swollen and bruised.

Been There, Done That!
And you quickly learn thumb placement after a bite from the BG380! LOL.

mb

 

[Magload]

I have now developed scar tissue between my thumb and index finger on my right hand. i tend to shoot with as high a grip as I can get with all my guns but the Bodyguard will bite you.

 

[JGVent]

fiocchi is the only ammo I've had problems with. for range time PMC is my goto ammo. the trigger pull is much better than any j frame I own. it is my favorite carry gun.

I bought a case of 1k Fiocchi and shot 350ish rounds through my newer green laser BG without a single issue...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[oldiegoldie]

I bought a case of 1k Fiocchi and shot 350ish rounds through my newer green laser BG without a single issue...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I may have gotten a batch with hard primers, as they were unreliable in 2 different Bodyguards. May have to try them again.
I do like Fiocchi ammo in 9mm.

 

[Naphtali]

In 1969 I bought an S&W Model 60 because of its resistance to "Southeast Asia." It was poorly manufactured and assembled. Smith wanted to refund the purchase price, but I insisted on an acceptable revolver. I believed the gun would be more desirable than money where I was going. To make a long story less long, Smith acquiesced. I did not fill out any forms or go through a dealer. They just shipped it to me Next Day Air.

That was 1969.

On the Forum, anecdotes of problems sometimes finish with the pistol being replaced. M&P Bodyguard 380s seem to be replaced more often than "J" frame revolvers. Nowadays, when Smith replaces your defective pistol, are you required to "do the dance" with with your LGS from which you pick up your new Bodyguard? Or can Smith just send it to you as though it is still 1969?

 

[OLDSTER]

Month old BG. over 400 rounds Hornady American Gunner 90Gr. Not a single hiccup of any kind. GREAT pocket .380. However, just like my previous .380s ( KahrP380, Kel-TecP3AT, and RugerLCP), I ran several brands of ammo through on my first range trip. BG did not like Fiocchi,Tula, and Bear hardball; several light strikes--had same issues with the other pistols. But when I switched to Winchester and Hornady semi JHP and JHP, the problems disappeared.