M&P Bodyguard 380 & Self Defense Ammo

[reddog56]

I just bought a M&P BG380 and have run about 300 rounds through it. Just getting accustomed to the trigger pull and small factor. I currently own an M&P full sized 9mm also.

I have had no issues with the gun to this point. No feed problems or misfires. Shoots pretty well. However, I just bought my first box of self defense ammo. I'm a newbie, only shooting for about 8 months. I bought a box of Remington HTP jacketed hollow point, 88gr.

Here's the issue- I can easily get 6 rounds in the magazines just like all my other ammo, but I cannot get the magazine to fully insert & click. I can force it into place, but there is so much pressure on it that the magazine release button won't release. If I open the slide, it will then release just fine. If I put only 5 rounds in the mag, it seats just fine. I compare a full mag of the hollow points and a full mag of my round nosed ammo, and I see no difference in height or the slight depression of the rounds if I push down. They seem to fit normally, but won't seat the mag properly.

What kind of problem am I dealing with? Should I just go ahead and chamber 1 and leave five in the mag? i'm puzzled. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Bourget117]

I would take they mags apart and make sure everything looks ok and parts are in correct order.

 

[reddog56]

I did just that, and all looks fine. I have 4 mags, and it it the same situation with each one. 5 hollow point rounds load fine, 6 will not allow the mag to be inserted without extreme force. Regular round nosed FMJ rounds load just fine with 6 in each mag.

 

[SmithNWesson]

I have read about people having issues like this with new magazines (not just for the bodyguard). Could you possibly provide pictures comparing full magazines with HP and FMJ ammo? Can you try alternating ammo in the magazine 3 FMJ and 3 HP and see what happen?

Till the problem is sorted out, i would recommend carrying 1 in the chamber and 5 in the magazine. Last thing you wanna do is force anything.

 

[olywa]

I had that problem with one of my 4 mags. Took it apart and rotated the spring 180 degrees laterally. Problem resolved.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Vettecor]

I have a S&W Bodyguard 380 and always used Remington 380 JHP and never had a problem. I no longer use Remington JHP because they do very poor in gel test because they don't expand well

Regarding your problem where did you purchase the ammo ? Where did you purchase the extra mags ?

Do you field strip and clean your gun after target practice. I would go buy another brand of ammo and see if you have the same problem.

I like Federal HST and if you have the same problem with another box you know its definitely the gun and not the ammo.

Hate to ask this but the Remington box you purchased is for a 380, correct ?

 

[gqllc007]

This may not help at ll but Underwood Xtreme Penetration 90gr .380 penetrated to 17 1/2" 5 out of 5 times during my ballistic gel testing with heavy winter wear. That is what I carry in all my .380's. I carry Federal HST 124gr Standard pressure in all my 9mm's.

 

[reddog56]

A lot to digest at the moment. I need to take a bit and process some of the answers you've given and I will check back in. Thanks much.

 

[reddog56]

Well I'll be danged. I decided to start with the simplest first- check out the mags. I took olywa's suggestion and simply rotated the springs. The mags inserted just fine after that. To quote a friend of mine "What the what?".
They all (all 4) seem to insert normally now. Anyone have a suggested reason for that? Seems pretty crazy of a solution to me- but I'll take it.

 

[Joe7]

Very odd that all 4 would be backwards.
That said, although I have not got any myself, a lot of people give great reviews of the Magguts. May be worth looking into. Perhaps "better" springs plus an extra round. win/win

 

[reddog56]

I looked into Magguts and buying directly from them is almost the cost of a new magazine- somewhere around $22. It would be nice, but seems a little pricy. Are there other sources other than direct that might be cheaper?

Very odd that all 4 would be backwards.
That said, although I have not got any myself, a lot of people give great reviews of the Magguts. May be worth looking into. Perhaps "better" springs plus an extra round. win/win

 

[mrmike7189]

The springs are pretty weak to begin with. 1,000 rounds through mine and I'm considering buying new springs

 

[garddogg56]

Well I'll be danged. I decided to start with the simplest first- check out the mags. I took olywa's suggestion and simply rotated the springs. The mags inserted just fine after that. To quote a friend of mine "What the what?".
They all (all 4) seem to insert normally now. Anyone have a suggested reason for that? Seems pretty crazy of a solution to me- but I'll take it.

Very good, I'm glad you didn't freak-out like Ssoooooo many do on this forum.Cool heads prevailed you'll find out the BG380 WILL BE A GREAT CARRY FOR YOU..and I find when ya get use to the trigger and practice she'll get pretty accurate to 12 yds for you oh ya I ran Hornady critical Defence for the first year no problems ,a buddy of mine talked me into Federal hydra-shock so I shot up a box love them so Moms LCP and my BG have these in the ready..

 

[Sudsy]

Trigger Pull

Hello all;

Has anyone figured out how to make the trigger pull easier, quicker, more sensitive. I guess if I were in a situation it would do the job but to practice with it sure doesn't build confidence in the pistol.

Sudsy

 

[KSDeputy]

I bought one of those, and never fired it. Once I found that that the trigger pull was absymal, and that I had to push the magazine release to insert a magazine, I sold it. I bought a Ruger Custom LCP, and like it fine. It has a great trigger pull. It has now been replaced by an LCP II.

 

[mrmike7189]

hydrashocks tested better than the HST

Very good, I'm glad you didn't freak-out like Ssoooooo many do on this forum.Cool heads prevailed you'll find out the BG380 WILL BE A GREAT CARRY FOR YOU..and I find when ya get use to the trigger and practice she'll get pretty accurate to 12 yds for you oh ya I ran Hornady critical Defence for the first year no problems ,a buddy of mine talked me into Federal hydra-shock so I shot up a box love them so Moms LCP and my BG have these in the ready..

The original 90 grain hydrashocks tested better than the HST(more penetration).

 

[mrmike7189]

I bought one of those, and never fired it. Once I found that that the trigger pull was absymal, and that I had to push the magazine release to insert a magazine, I sold it. I bought a Ruger Custom LCP, and like it fine. It has a great trigger pull. It has now been replaced by an LCP II.

The trigger pull is heavy and long like a revolver. I think it should be a little lighter, but it is very safe the way it is especially for those who pocket carry them. I have gotten very used to the trigger and can shoot tight groups with this gun. It just takes practice. My full size guns are double action only as well so I am used to it . The magazine latch needing to be depressed to insert a new mag. will go away after a few uses. has not been a big issue. S&W should put in the owners manual to expect that during break in period. As for the LCPII.....i never want to put a single action pistol in my pocket!

 

[garddogg56]

Thanx for the hydrashock info Mikeand your right on about the pocket-carry and single action triggers

 

[Robtep]

S&W M&P Bodyguard Magazine will not go in

I see others have had trouble with magazine going in with 6 bullets. In some cases, reversing the spring in the magazine has cured the problem. I want to try this first, but how do you disassemble the mag? Thanks.

 

[federali]

Gun Design

Some handguns are designed to accept a fully loaded magazine under a closed slide while some are not. If the gun is advertised as a six-shot, it is just that. If it says 6 + 1, then you should be able to insert the magazine.

If considerable force must be used to insert a fully loaded magazine under a closes slide, then don't do it.

Here is useful information from a previous thread. However, it does not apply to your handgun:

Following is a quick sampling of whether or not pistols will accept full magazines under a closed slide with the guns available to me:
Browning HP: factory 13-rounder, Yes. Factory 10-rounder, No.
S&W 1911: Factory 8-rounder, No. GI 7-rounder, Yes. McCormack 10-rounder, Yes.
Glock 19: Factory 15-rounder, Yes. Factory 10-rounder, No.
Glock 34, Factory 10 and 17-rounders, Yes.
S&W M&P .45: Factory 10-rounder, No.

I think there is no hard-and-fast rule on this. It's best to experiment or test various magazines.