BG2.0 Misaligned Slide Rails

[RussellJ]

Howdy, first post. I bought my first ever S&W, a bodyguard 2.0. I’ve been carrying a Ruger LCP ever since they first came out and it was time to retire that one. The BG2.0 looked like a perfect replacement for it. Picked one up at the local gun shop. When I tried to shoot it I couldn’t hit the target at 7 yards. Stepped up to 5 yds then to 3 yds and finally down to about 5 feet before I could get it to hit a sheet of paper. Hitting way left and a foot low. And it couldn’t make it through a single mag without a malfunction. So I took it apart to see what was going on. Turns out the front slide rails don’t line up with the rear ones. When I sat a straight edge on the top of the back rails it hovered over the front rails. When I put the straight edge against the left side of the back left rail it makes it plain to see the front rails point off to the right. Place it against the left front rail it it points off the left side of the frame at the back. It’s crooked enough that the lower part of the slide that holds the recoil spring is actually dragging inside the frame on the right side. I left the barrel and recoil spring out and tried working the slide. It was very draggy, grabbing and chattering when trying to move it back and forth. It goes on the front rails real nice but it has to be lifted and cocked to the side a bit to make it onto the rear slide rails.
I sent it back to S&W for repair. They retuned it to me with a note saying it was fine, they found nothing wrong.
The gun is not usable the way it is. S&W says it’s fine so I guess I bought a $400 paperweight? Not a great first experience with S&W. On a positive note, it is a pretty paperweight, way prettier than my old LCP.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Unfortunately you have experienced what way too many others have experienced. Some have experienced worse.

I really wanted this handgun to be my pocket carry. I had so many issues with it out of box, I was shocked that it says Smith & Wesson on it. It is the first S&W I've ever purchased and it will be the last one.

 

[Yendor357]

Take it back. Get your money back and get a SIG P365.

 

[BLLefkay]

Post pics, mine is a solid shooter, outstanding EDC! Looking forward to Gen 3, I’m a buyer!

 

[RussellJ]

I'm not great at taking pics but this kinda shows what I've got.

 

[Nomadmax]

That ain't right. And there's no excuse for it.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I measured the same areas you did. My grip module is the same.

I've attached a photo showing where on the rear slide rail the slide contacts the front of the rails. Because the rear rail is angled upward about .020" off the front rails, probably a degree or two, the slide contacts the front of the rails and is wearing the top of the rails.

With the guide rod and barrel off, I can feel the slide making contact with the rear rails with enough force to stop the slide from moving onto the front of the rails.

Pressing the slide against the grip module and moving it rearward towards the rear rails it will stop right at the front edge of the rails.

The tolerances in the slide will allow the rear to move over the rear rails, but obviously from the wear spots, the slide is contacting the front of the rails with some friction and resistance. That contact area should be perfectly normal, right?

I'm a long ways from a gunsmith or an armorer, but I have a good understanding of mechanical engineering and the laws of physics. Why would this design create such a "condition" every time the slide is racked or moved during a round being fired?

Just for gits and shiggles I measured the same areas on my P365 Micro and the angles are all parallel. The two areas in the front and rear of the grip module, where the slide makes contact, show perfectly even wear.

I am very curious what an S&W engineer would say.

 

[hyena]

To the OP: I'm just curious. Why was it "time to retire" your LCP?

 

[WR Moore]

It's hard to tell without a significant number of examples, but it looks a lot like the molded grip frame is defective. This is a return to the factory situation. Or at least it is unless they tell you it's "in spec".

 

[ImDrRich]

If I were you, I'd be furious about this - and the customer service treatment - and write a strong but courteous letter to the CEO of S&W. There is nothing worse than someone saying you're crazy when you know you're not. Send it back to S&W and tell them to fix it right this time!

I had to work on mine, but it's reliable and great for EDC. Sorry you're having so much trouble - but, really, you're not alone. This nice little gun had a shameful introduction to us.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

Not being able to hit a sheet of paper until you bring it in to 5 feet does not sound like a gun problem. The issue of malfunctions depends on a lot of variables that may or may not be entirely the fault of the gun, or some blend of factors.

 

[youngolddude]

Type a note describing the issues you have and include pictures. Pictures of targets noting the distance and brand used. Include a copy of the note you received from S&W. You could highlight what the tech said if you choose. If you call CS before sending it back, take notes of what they say and who said it recording date/time. That sounds over the top, but apparently someone shouldn't have a job in the service department. I would think S&W would want to know about manufacturing defects, but I could be wrong.

 

[cracker57]

So how many good guns are there out of a 100 guns, I don't think I would throw down good money for a gamble of getting a good one!

 

[OLEJM]

I checked mine also and is out of alignment like the Op's. But with that being said, the frame to slide fit is perfect, the slide without the barrel & RSA moves back & forth butter smooth, no evidence of the spring making contact with the frame and it hits where I'm aiming (after a slight front sight alignment). So, go figure.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Recent experience with Smith customer service has been less than sterling; a 986 back twice, once for not carrying up, and then for not having any clearance between the forcing cone and cylinder face. It was made right after the second trip. A BG1.0 went back, twice, for feeding issues. I finally ate that one.
Now, that said, my BG2.0s, plural, have run just fine. A straight edge does show some divergence between the front and rear rails.
Look, take the gun back to your dealer, show him what you're telling us. If possible, get someone else to shoot it. Share all your results with Smith.
Let's hope for a beneficial outcome.
Moon

 

[pedropcola]

I pulled out one of my BG2.0's and put a ruler to it. It looks exactly like yours does. The flat edge is clearly over the front rails. My gun(s) shoot perfectly though. No malfunctions and other than the sights on every one of them needs to be drifted to correct POI they shoot exactly as designed.

Almost all of the above is pure blather. "I'm an engineer, there is no way this should work". Oh brother.

All of you guys who are having issues I have a basic suggestion. Find somebody you know is a solid shooter and hand them the gun with quality (whatever that means to you, I know what it means to me) ammo and see if they can hit the paper at 5 feet.

I would bet you lunch if you put that gun in somebody else's hands your problems will disappear. Not saying any manufacturer can't make a lemon but you guys think that picture of the rails is indicative of a massive problem is nutbag crazy.

Let someone else shoot it. Bag rest it and shoot it. Use a quality factory ammo. Remove all the variables and try again. It probably is you, hard truth.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

"'Cause we're only as strong as, yes,we're only as strong
As the weakest link in the Chain..."

Unfortunately this is true in many instances when human intervention or performance is present: just a fact of life?

Cheers!

 

[GnarlsR2]

I pulled out one of my BG2.0's and put a ruler to it. It looks exactly like yours does. The flat edge is clearly over the front rails. My gun(s) shoot perfectly though. No malfunctions and other than the sights on every one of them needs to be drifted to correct POI they shoot exactly as designed.

Almost all of the above is pure blather. "I'm an engineer, there is no way this should work". Oh brother.

All of you guys who are having issues I have a basic suggestion. Find somebody you know is a solid shooter and hand them the gun with quality (whatever that means to you, I know what it means to me) ammo and see if they can hit the paper at 5 feet.

I would bet you lunch if you put that gun in somebody else's hands your problems will disappear. Not saying any manufacturer can't make a lemon but you guys think that picture of the rails is indicative of a massive problem is nutbag crazy.

Let someone else shoot it. Bag rest it and shoot it. Use a quality factory ammo. Remove all the variables and try again. It probably is you, hard truth.

You may be going downhill a little too fast and over your skis.

I’m a light eater for lunches.

12 of my close friends and range buddies will be at our range this Saturday. They are all retired military or active high level security, and VERY experienced gun owners and EDCs. Several have already shot my BG2.

I will have each one shoot my BG2 and provide you a report.

 

[nam6869usmc]

Just checked my BG 2.0 with a straight edge and it is exactly like the picture above. It shows light under both front rails and mine runs everything I've put through it, zero malfunctions.

 

[pedropcola]

So I’m over my ski’s? Except you confirm what I posted. You have shot it and it isn’t “working”. Yea, please let your 12 buddies shoot it and report back. When at least one on them stacks rounds then I guess you can buy me lunch.

Somebody posts a poor picture. They can’t get a group at 5 FEET. They “discover” the rails aren’t parallel. Turns out nobodies rails are parallel. Sends it back to factory. They find no fault. Everybody now dogpiles on this, “I would be furious”, “S&W has fallen to new depths”, “These guns are awful and unparallel”.

Except nobody but the OP has shot the gun and corroborated. Wild jumps of logic concerning the engineering. And yet, I am the one over my skis.

I have had good and bad CS from S&W over the years. I would practically GUARANTEE that they didn’t send a gun back as “fine” that couldn’t get on paper except at 5 feet. That is BULL****.