BG2.0 Misaligned Slide Rails

[RussellJ]

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.

Tried your suggestions, seemed to work. Got another RMA number. The guy issuing the RMA said it is flagged to go directly to a supervisor.

First time it went to Springfield MA, this time it’s going to Maryville TN. Hopefully they can get this sorted out.

To others who say it could be the shooter and not the gun… I have no doubt the shooting inaccuracies could be operator induced. Just because I have thousands of rounds through my LCP does not mean I can shoot a BG2.0 effectively. For example, I can shoot my p80 G17 clone perfectly fine but hand me a real G17 and I’ll shoot left of center all day long with it.

But I feel like the problems of my BG2.0, being difficult to rack without a barrel and recoil spring installed and the front of the slide dragging on the right side of the frame, need to be addressed. Once those issues are fixed if I’m still struggling to get lead on paper I sure don’t mind seeking out professional instruction/assistance. There is an excellent indoor training facility less than an hour away from my home.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Welcome S&W Beta Tester and Quality Assurance Inspector!

I see you were told "your issue is being sent to a supervisor" from the customer service teleprompter. Many on this forum have received that promise of extra special treatment. Rest assured that your firearm will never pass within 50 feet of either a supervisor or an inspector. It will go to an "technician" who was probably hired last week and can barely find the restroom. After he fusses with it, it will go to shipping, without the slightest bit of testing or examination by competent hands or eyes. Best of luck with the "repair".

As me how I know. My S&W revolver purchase from 2023 only took 4 trips back to the factory and finally a call to an executive there I know to get it replaced. The one I purchased the year before that, 6 months. Last years purchase, I gave up and repaired it myself. All new in box guns, of designs that have been around for 100+ years.

Seriously, I hope it works out. In hindsight, an LCP Max would have probably given you less headaches. Just sayin'.

 

[LVSteve]

The vertical difference in the fore and aft rails I have seen on other pistols. The apparent twist of the front rails compared to the rear one looks distinctly odd. I could be misreading the perspective, but it looks like the left rail is pinched inwards. Perhaps a picture looking straight down on the action would confirm my observation.

 

[GnarlsR2]

To others who say it could be the shooter and not the gun… I have no doubt the shooting inaccuracies could be operator induced. Just because I have thousands of rounds through my LCP does not mean I can shoot a BG2.0 effectively. For example, I can shoot my p80 G17 clone perfectly fine but hand me a real G17 and I’ll shoot left of center all day long with it.

.

I'm not new to firearms... I've owned multiple guns since 1977, which doesn't mean didley.

I am VERY confident at my ability to be very accurate hitting a paper target between 4 and 25 yards, standing in a lane at my indoor range with one of my firearms... I've done it about once a month for the past 4 years with 12 range buddies.

However, I have shot over 30 different firearms at two different ranges with my range buddies' firearm. It's interesting that I can pick up a pistol I've never touched and shoot it very accurately. I can pick up a different pistol I've never touched and can't hit my POA to save my butt. And... I've witnessed my range buddies, who are REALLY good shooters, do the exact same thing. Why?

I have spent several hours very carefully sighting in a red dot. I feel from a couple hundred rounds that I've got it sighted in very accurately. During the next range day, I asked one of range buddies (who has picked up one of my pistols that he's never shot before and shoot 10 rounds more accurately than I ever did!) to try my new red dot to get their opinion. They shoot a couple mags and then tell me "I think it's shooting a little low." I can show them the target I just put 2 mags through at the same distance 15 minutes before. How does that happen?

Is this a real phenomenon or is it just a Twilight Zone event?

 

[hardluk1]

I talked my wife out of buying a BG 2.0 after reading of the problems folks have with the pistol and she is pleased with her .
After some research and she bought the ruger max 380 and I did some minor polished to the trigger group . Trigger pull is just under 5lbs and has been problem free !


She also has had a sig P250sc in 380 but also with a 9mm upper kit . Weight is heavier compared to todays pocket pistol at just under 20oz and with a 3.6" barrel with 12 and 15round mags its a very good option back in the day and for belt carry iwb owb or aiwb but rare to find today. .

 

[agksimon]

I'm not new to firearms... I've owned multiple guns since 1977, which doesn't mean didley.

I am VERY confident at my ability to be very accurate hitting a paper target between 4 and 25 yards, standing in a lane at my indoor range with one of my firearms... I've done it about once a month for the past 4 years with 12 range buddies.

However, I have shot over 30 different firearms at two different ranges with my range buddies' firearm. It's interesting that I can pick up a pistol I've never touched and shoot it very accurately. I can pick up a different pistol I've never touched and can't hit my POA to save my butt. And... I've witnessed my range buddies, who are REALLY good shooters, do the exact same thing. Why?

I have spent several hours very carefully sighing in a red dot. I feel from a couple hundred rounds that I've got it sighted in very accurately. During the next range day, I asked one of range buddies (who has picked up one of my pistols that he's never shot before and shoot 10 rounds more accurately than I ever did!) to try my new red dot to get their opinion. They shoot a couple mags and then tell me "I think it's shooting a little low." I can show them the target I just put 2 mags through at the same distance 15 minutes before. How does that happen?

Is this a real phenomenon or is it just a Twilight Zone event?

A red dot, unlike iron sights, is supposed to be sighted so everyone can use them the same, but I've found that if you have astigmatism, it can do funny things to the dot and throw off your point of aim. They can look like grapes, flares or even phony dots, just off of the real one.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Well, everyone's vision, perspective and trigger pull can differ...

Cheers!

P.S. To those who remark a red dot's shooting "a little low" I would just say "Aim a bit higher."

 

[RussellJ]

The vertical difference in the fore and aft rails I have seen on other pistols. The apparent twist of the front rails compared to the rear one looks distinctly odd. I could be misreading the perspective, but it looks like the left rail is pinched inwards. Perhaps a picture looking straight down on the action would confirm my observation.

Your observation of “it looks like the left rail is pinched inwards” is correct and one of the first things that caught my eye when I initially removed the slide. Glad that came through in the pics. Hopefully the repair tech will see that too.

 

[MikeNV]

Here’s my opinion, worth about two cents.

When zeroing an optic, any other sight, or verifying POA to POI, especially with a pistol, the gun needs to be fixed or supported as much as possible. There are too many human variables - mainly hand and trigger control - that can be introduced.

Some use bags but my device of choice is an adjustable height shooting tripod with a V yoke holder. Properly positioned and held, the barrel won’t move as you squeeze a shot. The main variable becomes the ammo which should all be from the same box. The average gun will produce tight groups.

My favorite range has two lanes with adjustable height bench shelves. I pull up a chair and use my tripod. All of my guns produce pretty tight groups and it doesn’t take hundreds of rounds to zero - shoot a group, adjust, repeat.

 

[Llance]

You show in your pictures a step in the rails of the frame. Now tell me if there is a step in the rails of the slide? Once installed on the frame (spring(s) and guide installed) is the slide loose? The pistol is not designed to function without these parts installed. Does it wiggle and wobble excessively? A little rattle is not indicative of a bad fit. How is the barrel to slide fit? These are all questions I would be asking myself (and getting answers for) before I ever sent it back to the mothership.

Tell us about your grip on the pistol. Is it the same as on your LCR or different? And if different, tell us how it's different. There are so many variables in this equation without the pistol in my hands I can't really evaluate the condition.

I have fired Colt 1911-A1's that rattled so bad I wondered what was holding them together, still I was able to qualify with them. I'm not an armorer but I have worked with enough firearms to know not all problems are the fault of the firearm, or the person behind it.

These guns are not target pistols, they are not 25 yard pistols, nor even 15 foot pistols, they are belly guns, bad breath guns. Expecting them to be accurate at any distance is a bit like dropping a WWII bomb from 40,000 feet and wanting to hit a 10 foot circle on the ground. Not going to happen in my lifetime. Yes, they should do better than 5 feet, but I don't expect my bb guns to be target pistols.

 

[agksimon]

These guns are not target pistols, they are not 25 yard pistols, nor even 15 foot pistols, they are belly guns, bad breath guns. Expecting them to be accurate at any distance is a bit like dropping a WWII bomb from 40,000 feet and wanting to hit a 10 foot circle on the ground. Not going to happen in my lifetime. Yes, they should do better than 5 feet, but I don't expect my bb guns to be target pistols.

They may not be target pistols and I am a bullseye shooter, but I have no problem hitting 8" diameter plates at 15 yards and even some at 20-25 yards. I am shocked at how accurate this little BG2.0 is.

 

[LVSteve]

I'm not new to firearms... I've owned multiple guns since 1977, which doesn't mean didley.

I am VERY confident at my ability to be very accurate hitting a paper target between 4 and 25 yards, standing in a lane at my indoor range with one of my firearms... I've done it about once a month for the past 4 years with 12 range buddies.

However, I have shot over 30 different firearms at two different ranges with my range buddies' firearm. It's interesting that I can pick up a pistol I've never touched and shoot it very accurately. I can pick up a different pistol I've never touched and can't hit my POA to save my butt. And... I've witnessed my range buddies, who are REALLY good shooters, do the exact same thing. Why?

I have spent several hours very carefully sighing in a red dot. I feel from a couple hundred rounds that I've got it sighted in very accurately. During the next range day, I asked one of range buddies (who has picked up one of my pistols that he's never shot before and shoot 10 rounds more accurately than I ever did!) to try my new red dot to get their opinion. They shoot a couple mags and then tell me "I think it's shooting a little low." I can show them the target I just put 2 mags through at the same distance 15 minutes before. How does that happen?

Is this a real phenomenon or is it just a Twilight Zone event?

It's a real thing. Buddy fitted a set of XS sights to his Glock 23 and was complaining he was having major Can't Hit ..Stuff (CHS) problems. He was a way more experienced shooter than me at the time. I went with him to the range and he demonstrated with a shotgun like group. Then he said, "You have a go". I promptly put five rounds into a 1.5" group at seven yards without much trouble. "Damn, that means it's me," he said gloomily.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I just ordered one of these:

https://a.co/d/d6cyuTk

 

[GnarlsR2]

I just received my Huntpal Rapid Shooting Rest. It is absolutely perfect for my next range visit. I will be testing my BG2 and confirming what I saw when my POA was hitting left and low.

The 3 feet have an adjustable diameter and it has a 7.5" to 15" height adjustment.

I'm sure it will be one of my very best hole-punching toys!

I'm kicking my butt for why I've waited so long to buy one!

 

[Bonds101]

I talked my wife out of buying a BG 2.0 after reading of the problems folks have with the pistol and she is pleased with her .
After some research and she bought the ruger max 380 and I did some minor polished to the trigger group . Trigger pull is just under 5lbs and has been problem free !


She also has had an sig P250sc in 380 but also with a 9mm upper kit . Weight is heavier compared to todays pocket pistol at just under 20oz and with a 3.6" barrel with 12 and 15round mags its a very good option back in the day and for belt carry iwb owb or aiwb but rare to find today. .

My LCP max is back in the carry rotation .. the LCP design has been around since 2008 and I have had zero issues with mine

 

[RussellJ]

Got a notice today that S&W has created a shipping label so the warranty work must be complete. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll find out if it’s being shipped to my home or the lgs. I hope it’s going to the lgs, that would mean it’s a new one. If it’s addressed to my house then maybe they tried to straighten the rails? Hopefully it’s not like last time when they added a few drops of oil to the slide and shipped it back.

 

[ImDrRich]

My BG 2.0 is now at S&W for warranty service. Frankly, I don't know what I'm going to get back but it will have to prove itself very worthy before it goes back into the EDC rotation.

Tell me, RussellJ, how long was it at S&W for this particular service? Thanks.

 

[RussellJ]

I shipped it out on jan 6 and got the notification email from fedex today. Got another email from fedex this evening saying they have picked it up and it should be delivered to my house on Wednesday.

Man, I really hope they worked on those slide rails this time.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Update on rail alignment:

I’m about 100 rounds through my BG2.

I just measured with a straight edge the angle and parallel of the 4 front rail contacts and the two rear rail contacts. They are now nearly parallel.

The two rear rails are still about 0.015” higher than the 4 front contacts. There is visible shiny wear nearly equal on the 4 front contacts.

The shiny wear area on the two rear contacts indicates the back of the slide is hitting at the front of rails. I can also see wear areas on the sides of rails.

The shiny wear areas are increasing so it appears there is some “breaking in” going on.

The photo doesn’t quite show the shiny surfaces of the contacts surfaces.

So far, it is shooting great with zero failures. I need to drift the front sight a tad more to the left to get the POA and POI closer.

 

[RussellJ]

How did it go with the Huntpal Rapid Shooting Rest?