Bodyguard .380

[halfmoonclip]

Back after a long absence, and there are plenty of steel Smith autos and revos in the safe.

But I've reverted to carrying a little Smith; got a BodyGuard, as an alternative to an LCP.
Test hopped it, worked, put on a set of TruGlos. Much more pleasant to shoot than the LCP, and even liked the long trigger. Sooooooo, my usual drill is to pound a practice gun, and carry a low round count version.

The second gun has been a problem child since the first magazine. The slide will go closed on an empty chamber while firing (rounds in the magazine), a round will be trapped on the feedramp, the slide won't lock back
when empty, the slide seems difficult to rack.
This is with the same ammunition, same magazines, same shooter, that work to perfection in the first gun.

It's been back to the mothership twice; it's better, but still not perfect. Springfield maintains there's not a problem. It still won't lock the slide back/leaves a round on the feedramp, though not as often as previously.

Ammunition has been my reloads (915'sec/95PRN), Perfecta 95FMJ, Hornady90Jhp. All ran in gun 1, all act up in gun 2.
The problem is gradually getting better, to the point I can train with gun 2. But it doesn't inspire confidence.

My suspicion is short-stroking.
I've been promised a new recoil spring.

Suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Moon

 

[Eric300]

The problem might that you sent a S&W to Springfield for repairs.....

 

[Immadmacs]

The problem might that you sent a S&W to Springfield for repairs.....

Love it!

Sent from my ThinkPhone by motorola using Tapatalk

 

[Brian Parrish]

I will be watching if you will update us on what is the problem. I love gun people. I am a gun people, but we believe and say dumb things. It has been frustrating to research this gun on the internet. People seem to believe in magic when it comes to explaining the malfunctions. A mischievous Leprechaun has gotten into one of your guns but not the other. I will be surprised and pleased if the new spring is the solution. Let us know?

You know you are limp-wristing just the one but not the other, right?
Oh, and you had better try new magazines too!

Kind Regards!
BrianD

 

[ggibson511960]

Since you have two nominally identical pistols you could swap components to check fit and function. I would pull out the RSA then one at a time compare the cycling freedom. The slide may be short cycling due to loss of kinetic energy to friction caused by a bad fit, burrs, etc. If this kind of tinkering didn’t flush out the gremlin, then controlled firing sequences with swapped out components might.

 

[chief38]

If your frustrated and still not happy, sell it and buy a Ruger LCP Max (assuming you want to stick with a 380 - which I think is the best 380 in its class). After shooting 4 of my friends, the Ruger LCP Max has proven they are reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, 10+ 1 capacity and to me, just a better 380 acp carry gun. Just my opinion of course.

 

[halfmoonclip]

If your frustrated and still not happy, sell it and buy a Ruger LCP Max (assuming you want to stick with a 380 - which I think is the best 380 in its class). After shooting 4 of my friends, the Ruger LCP Max has proven they are reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, 10+ 1 capacity and to me, just a better 380 acp carry gun. Just my opinion of course.

I've been down the LCP road, with the first gen, the II, and the Max. I liked the more 'Glockish' trigger feel of the two II guns, but both will either pinch my finger, or slap it. The first II gave me a dead trigger, which Ruger fixed.
I've reverted to an original LCP, for it's small size and weight. Mine have always worked, but I dread practicing with it. It does beat up my (somewhat arthritic) hands, but doesn't abuse my trigger finger.
I do believe in practice with defensive arms especially.
The BodyGuard was an alternative to the Ruger.
So, appreciate that thought, but I've been there, done that, might even have the T-shirt.
Thanks,
Moon

 

[halfmoonclip]

Since you have two nominally identical pistols you could swap components to check fit and function. I would pull out the RSA then one at a time compare the cycling freedom. The slide may be short cycling due to loss of kinetic energy to friction caused by a bad fit, burrs, etc. If this kind of tinkering didn’t flush out the gremlin, then controlled firing sequences with swapped out components might.

Been considering the swapping idea. I have done a fluff n' buff on the offending gun, and handcycled the slide 500 times.
For now, I'm waiting on the replacement spring; once it's in hand, we'll see what happens.
Before swapping anything, I've been thinking about how to make sure things get back where they belong. Unhappily, the malfs don't happen every time, and there's a limit to how much time and ammunition to waste.
The problem gun is finally good enough for practice.
Thanks,
Moon

 

[halfmoonclip]

I will be watching if you will update us on what is the problem. I love gun people. I am a gun people, but we believe and say dumb things. It has been frustrating to research this gun on the internet. People seem to believe in magic when it comes to explaining the malfunctions. A mischievous Leprechaun has gotten into one of your guns but not the other. I will be surprised and pleased if the new spring is the solution. Let us know?

You know you are limp-wristing just the one but not the other, right?
Oh, and you had better try new magazines too!

Kind Regards!
BrianD

Brian, the BodyGuard seems something of a red headed stepchild for the cognoscenti and S&W. I've had a hard time getting much information on other forums.
Will keep yinz posted on the outcome; the maddening things being:
-The BG feels more substantial than the LCP
-The steel frame adds enough weight to tame recoil.
-It can be fitted with really good sights.
-There's a manual safety, if you choose to use it.
-I Have expectations of hitting something smaller than a breadbox at 21.
I've tried to be fairly specific in the descriptions of the malfs, but short stroking, for whatever reason, seems at the root of things.
If you want more specifics, I'll oblige.
Thanks,
Moon
ETA- loved the 'limp wristing' and 'new mags' comment. No one mentioned that the part that makes it work is broken...
M

 

[Brian Parrish]

Been considering the swapping idea. I have done a fluff n' buff on the offending gun, and handcycled the slide 500 times.
For now, I'm waiting on the replacement spring; once it's in hand, we'll see what happens.
Before swapping anything, I've been thinking about how to make sure things get back where they belong. Unhappily, the malfs don't happen every time, and there's a limit to how much time and ammunition to waste.
The problem gun is finally good enough for practice.
Thanks,
Moon

That's a good point. How much money should you spend on this thing??
I have a Colt Mustang. I am pretty good with it, if you will forgive me saying so myself. It makes me want to make it work. It is known down through the years as being unreliable for many many people. For the way I use it, it is perfectly reliable. I am sure that any of these too little 380's must have everything just so even the LCP and the Glock 42.

I learned that mine gets a crusty carbon ring right where the case mouth head spaces. The fired case will start sticking there after about 50 rounds depending on how dirty the round is, e.g. Win White Box FMC. Looking in there I can see that the lip that is supposed to stop the case mouth is too thin on one side. The case kind of pushes in there and gets a little stuck even when it is completely clean, but if a little carbon is in there it will not extract if the extractor slightly out of adjustment.

So, I clean that area with a paste bore cleaner until it is gleaming. I will "plunk test" those winchesters so that they will fall right out. At the range after this it never fails until I have dirtied it back up.

Anyway I am glad you got it working enough to do what you need it to do.

Kind Regards!
BrianD

 

[halfmoonclip]

Through the years, I've had pretty good luck with .380s. The very first was a PPK/s; a buddy bought one, then so did I. I tried to find a hollowpoint load that would run 100% (not knowing the gun was never designed for HPs).
I'd load 10, then 50, never did find a load that would run 100 straight.
But LCPs, P38Ts, G42s, and Kahrs have proven themselves reliable runners with about anything.
As noted, the first BodyGuard has been omnivorous, and will even feed sized cases.
The BodyGuard is a useful size, relatively pleasant to shoot, and accepts great sights.
It's hard to argue that guns only a little bigger can be had in 9mm, but the little bigger part makes a difference.
Moon
ETA-there are some nice single action .380s out there, but I'd rather not pocket a cocked and locked pistol.
M

 

[halfmoonclip]

Okay, dipped the offending gun's recoil spring in cold blue, so I can tell which is which. I'll try some swapping.
Moon

 

[halfmoonclip]

Last night I said the hell with it. For the third time, the damned thing gifted me with a bloody pinch wound on my left index finger, manipulating that stiff slide. I called it anything but a Christian, and it's a wonder it didn't get clamped in a machinist's vise, and beaten to scrap with a BFH.
Today, I swapped on another BodyGuard; in for a penny, in for a pound. If this one works, problem solved. If this one acts up, both go on the trading block, and I revert to the G42.
Unhappily, there's no good alternatives. Already addressed the LCP, had a Kahr. Mine ran reliably, but it only charged from slide lock. In a pinch, I'd never be able to clear a stoppage.
There just aren't any good alternatives that offer really small size, .380 caliber, good sights, and double action trigger.
Thanks, gang,
Moon

 

[Brian Parrish]

Last night I said the hell with it. For the third time, the damned thing gifted me with a bloody pinch wound on my left index finger, manipulating that stiff slide. I called it anything but a Christian, and it's a wonder it didn't get clamped in a machinist's vise, and beaten to scrap with a BFH.
Today, I swapped on another BodyGuard; in for a penny, in for a pound. If this one works, problem solved. If this one acts up, both go on the trading block, and I revert to the G42.
Unhappily, there's no good alternatives. Already addressed the LCP, had a Kahr. Mine ran reliably, but it only charged from slide lock. In a pinch, I'd never be able to clear a stoppage.
There just aren't any good alternatives that offer really small size, .380 caliber, good sights, and double action trigger.
Thanks, gang,
Moon

Disappointing!
I will still be wondering what caused the stiff slide. You never tried the new spring.
I will be interested in how this next one goes.

Kind Regards!
BrianD

 

[LVSteve]

Sig now make a 380 version of the P365, but it is a little spendy. On the used market you might find a Sig P290RS in 380 (same size as Bodyguard) or a P250 subcompact (a bit bigger with a 12-round mag). These guns have a fully DAO trigger like a DAO revolver and cannot be fired single action.

 

[Eric300]

I have a BG .380 that gives me no problems at all. But this is my favorite carry .380 hands down.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Okay, the new BG went along to camp, ran 4 magazines of mixed factory ball and my reloads. It ran fine, and the slide is noticeably easier to rack.
The shop knew the gun's history; I told them that S&W swore (on a Bible factory) that the thing worked, so there was no guilt in making my problem their problem.
I've ordered TruGlos, but won't install them until it runs more rounds.
Guys, appreciate the alternatives, and I have tried a little of everything over the years, including a Colt Vest Pocket on my daughter's wedding day.
The BG seems to have a lot going for it, but perhaps individual examples aren't as stone reliable as a Glock or a SIG.
Moon

 

[Brian Parrish]

Okay, the new BG went along to camp, ran 4 magazines of mixed factory ball and my reloads. It ran fine, and the slide is noticeably easier to rack.
The shop knew the gun's history; I told them that S&W swore (on a Bible factory) that the thing worked, so there was no guilt in making my problem their problem.
I've ordered TruGlos, but won't install them until it runs more rounds.
Guys, appreciate the alternatives, and I have tried a little of everything over the years, including a Colt Vest Pocket on my daughter's wedding day.
The BG seems to have a lot going for it, but perhaps individual examples aren't as stone reliable as a Glock or a SIG.
Moon

I have always had the impression that the BG would be an ideal ankle gun.
I have carried my Mustang on the ankle quite often through the decades since 1986. I can also fit sorta, a Model 38 J-frame in the holster and a Glock 42 which fits pretty good.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Brian, a buddy is a big fan of ankle carry. I've tried it, always made me feel like an unbalanced tire. I'm committed to pocket carry, gun is always in the same place, with the same manual of arms....draw gun, pull bang switch.

Hammered the snot out of BG #3 at our Sunday night shoot; magazine after magazine of everything in the ammo locker. My handloads, factory ball, Gold Dots with the huge HP, everything ran without drama. Beat the heck out of inside the 9 ring of a B29 half scale silhouette at 21'.
So, it appears the question is answered.
Now I can enjoy this forum for more traditional Smiths...but it's nice to be carrying an S&W again.

 

[Brian Parrish]

I can remember...sorta.

Brian, a buddy is a big fan of ankle carry. I've tried it, always made me feel like an unbalanced tire. I'm committed to pocket carry, gun is always in the same place, with the same manual of arms....draw gun, pull bang switch.

Hammered the snot out of BG #3 at our Sunday night shoot; magazine after magazine of everything in the ammo locker. My handloads, factory ball, Gold Dots with the huge HP, everything ran without drama. Beat the heck out of inside the 9 ring of a B29 half scale silhouette at 21'.
So, it appears the question is answered.
Now I can enjoy this forum for more traditional Smiths...but it's nice to be carrying an S&W again.

If I close my eyes and really relax my breathing, I can almost remember what it felt like when ankle carry was new. I remember the feeling of kicking it from time to time with my other foot. The wear marks on the gun are on the heel of the butt of the grip. The Glock 42 being larger sticks out even more and I kicked it more, so I demoted it from ankle carry.

It is probably NOT a new skill you need to develop, but for me having put in the hours and paid the tuition I will go with it. Definitely gotta have the right pants.

The only times I have been made were when the ankle holster showed because I crossed my legs or something. I saw a guy in a meeting, I was the preacher/singer, looking at my ankle and understanding what he saw. He saw me seeing him see. We both nodded and that was all there was to it.

Great for car carry. When trip driving it needs to be some variation of cross draw while behind the wheel. When you are out pumping and paying it needs to be on the hip., so yes I've got them both with me on the road.

Glad, so very pleased, that you were pleased and made the BG work so well. I will look forward to more of your contribution here.

Kind Regards!
BrianD