Bodyguard 2.0 Polishing

[MikeNV]

After a couple of failure to feed issues, especially with Hornady Critical Defense hollow points, I was a bit disappointed with my Bodyguard 2.0.

I called S&W about my recoil spring assy and asked if there was a known fix for FTF issues. They said no, and that I would have to return the gun to them for that. I mentioned how the lower feed ramp looked and asked if polishing it would void my warranty? I was surprised when they said no, just polishing it would be OK.

So, after reading threads where others had polished the lower feed ramp, I decided to give it a try. I concentrated on the lower feed ramp but also did the upper (barrel). The lip on the lower ramp polished out pretty easily. Pics below show before and after results. I can now manually rack a full magazine of Critical Defense hollow points through it without a FTF and it's as smooth as butter. I'll be heading back to the range later this week to give it a real test.

 

[agksimon]

After a couple of failure to feed issues, especially with Hornady Critical Defense hollow points, I was a bit disappointed with my Bodyguard 2.0.

I called S&W about my recoil spring assy and asked if there was a known fix for FTF issues. They said no, and that I would have to return the gun to them for that. I mentioned how the lower feed ramp looked and asked if polishing it would void my warranty? I was surprised when they said no, just polishing it would be OK.

So, after reading threads where others had polished the lower feed ramp, I decided to give it a try. I concentrated on the lower feed ramp but also did the upper (barrel). The lip on the lower ramp polished out pretty easily. Pics below show before and after results. I can now manually rack a full magazine of Critical Defense hollow points through it without a FTF and it's as smooth as butter. I'll be heading back to the range later this week to give it a real test.

I polish the feed ramp and chamber on every gun I own, before even shooting it.

 

[ImDrRich]

Odd, I did that yesterday because I like to see my ramp as opposed to seeing a dark one. I use a metal polish, "Blue Magic" that removes material and any dark color. Of course, the smoothing of the ramp is also a goal.

You did a nice job. How did you do it?

 

[MikeNV]

Odd, I did that yesterday because I like to see my ramp as opposed to seeing a dark one. I use a metal polish, "Blue Magic" that removes material and any dark color. Of course, the smoothing of the ramp is also a goal.

You did a nice job. How did you do it?

I used an old Black & Decker rotary tool with a flex extension head, multiple sizes of compressed wool felt polishing pads (mostly 4mm and 6mm cylindrical & conical), and brown Tripoli polishing compound. The gun frame was clamped (gently) in a vice with rubber jaws.

Ran the tool at low speed (~1000 rpm) for short intervals to keep the heat down. Used small conical pads to keep within the contour of the ramp. It took multiple passes and pads to remove the lip - about 30 minutes taking my time.

 

[scott53]

I had the same feeding problem yesterday with Hornady Critical Defense. Two of 25 rounds failed to feed. Obviously I won't carry ammo with an 8% failure rate. Federal HST fed with 100% reliability. The ogive of the Critical Defense is very different from the HST. From some ballistic gelatin test I have watched the Critical Defense seems to be a better self defense round. I think I will do what you did to get rid of that ridge. Thank you for posting your problem and solution.

 

[Rider1300]

I mentioned this in an earlier thread: a buddy of mine bought a new mod 2 and I checked out his gun and there were no ridges on his ramps. Mine was a very early model and there were a couple differences in mine. I had the ridges and there is no inscription made in tenessee on the frame.
I have since smoothed out the ridges and so far no feed problems.

 

[agksimon]

Mine was made in June and had the ridge, which I removed. A friend bought one made in September and it came without a ridge.

 

[BLLefkay]

Mine was made in June and had the ridge, which I removed. A friend bought one made in September and it came without a ridge.

Mine had the lip which I removed. Looked at a Bodyguard 2.0 in LGS 2 days ago and it had no lip - both sights were off center though.

 

[MikeNV]

As a point of reference, my BG 2.0 date of manufacture is 06/19/24 (on the box), and it had the ridge.

It sounds like S&W has made a rolling change in the manufacturing process without owning up to a problem - they told me there was no fix for the FTF issue, but I could send my gun in for them to look at it. Again, I was surprised they said it was OK to polish the lower feed ramp. Makes you wonder what they really know?

 

[scott53]

Mine is dated 07/03/24 (on the box) and has the ridge. I began wortking on removing the ridge last night using a cylindrical fine India stone.

 

[MikeNV]

As a follow-up to my original post, I made it to the range yesterday. I put about 150 rounds through my BG 2.0 - a mixture of ball nose (Fiocchi), flat nose (Winchester) and hollow-point (Hornady CD) - and no FTF issues.

So I'm satisfied that polishing the upper and lower feed ramps solved my problem.

 

[NH GUY]

I purchased one yesterday and the ramp is shiny and smooth. have not fired it yet

 

[scott53]

As a follow-up to my original post, I made it to the range yesterday. I put about 150 rounds through my BG 2.0 - a mixture of ball nose (Fiocchi), flat nose (Winchester) and hollow-point (Hornady CD) - and no FTF issues.

So I'm satisfied that polishing the upper and lower feed ramps solved my problem.

Thank you for that report. I'm nearly finsihed with removing the ridge and polishing mine. I hope to have time to go to the range next week to test it. I hope my results are the same as yours.

As an aside, I was at my LGS today and isnpected the feed ramp on two BG 2.0's they had in the display case. Neither had the feed ramp ridge.

 

[nam6869usmc]

A week ago I decide to try one out, so I found one at my LGS.
I only pocket carry and my G42 and has been a great little gun but this High capacity tiny little thing is in a league of its own. Cleaned, lubed and Polished both feed ramps(had no ridge). I’ve ran 100 WWB 95gr Flat Nose, 100 Precision One +P 90gr XTP’s and ran them all like a champ. Loaded 12 rd mag + 1 twice just the way I’ll carry and not a hiccup. This gun is tiny and extremely reliable so far.
Absolutely a perfect little package to pocket carry.

 

[BLLefkay]

A week ago I decide to try one out, so I found one at my LGS.
I only pocket carry and my G42 and has been a great little gun but this High capacity tiny little thing is in a league of its own. Cleaned, lubed and Polished both feed ramps(had no ridge). I’ve ran 100 WWB 95gr Flat Nose, 100 Precision One +P 90gr XTP’s and ran them all like a champ. Loaded 12 rd mag + 1 twice just the way I’ll carry and not a hiccup. This gun is tiny and extremely reliable so far.
Absolutely a perfect little package to pocket carry.

Yep, loving mine, very capable gun!

 

[10Mad]

So it sounds like it was better to wait for a while before jumping in.
I was thinking of getting one this week

 

[scott53]

There is a six digit number on the label of the factory box that provides a date. I don't of it's manufactured date or ready for ship date. Mine is 070324 and has the ridge. I looked at two late this week in my LGS that has a fast inventory turn over. Neither had the ridge. Current production seems to be okay. If you buy one, check for the ridge before purchase is my advice. Mine fed Federal HST with no problem, but had malfunctions with Hornady Critical Defense.

 

[nam6869usmc]

I just checked my date and it’s (091724) so it’s pretty current with no ridge. This thing eats up WWB 95 flat nose and the Hornady 90 XTP, I feel confident it will run most anything I put in it. Great advice about checking for that ridge before purchasing.

 

[Rider1300]

Mine was 7-12-24 and had the ridge

 

[snuf]

Mine is 7-19-24 and still has the ridge (unpolished) but so far it hasn't choked on anything including WWB 95, Hornady Critical Defense and Underwood Xtreme 68 .