My new Bodyguard BG38 snubbie locked up on me yesterday. This is after only one month and one box of ammo since new. At least it failed during a practice session and not when I needed it for protection.

The trigger is locked to the back, the cylinder is locked up, and it will not release and swing out of the gun. I've got a warranty return request in with S&W... We'll see how they take care of business. I've never needed their service with any of my other revolvers so this is new for me.

I've owned S&W revolvers since the mid 1980s and currently have three others besides the Bodyguard. All of them are "lock-less" actions and have generally been used as hunting and hiking guns. They include a 4" Model 629 Mountain Gun, a 6" Model 686, and my first a Model 60 38 Special (non +P) snubbie. The Bodyguard beat this Model 60 in four of the five pocket pistol categories I look for: 1) light weight; 2) accuracy; 3) caliber; 4) snag free design; 5) reliability. Unfortunately, the category it lost is the most important... RELIABILITY !!

With one of my Glocks at my side I'll keep you posted on how S&W handles this recalcitrant little revolver.

Edmo

S&W will take care of you. I've had mine since they first released them and it's been troublefree through over 1K rounds.

like anything mechanical...things happen...yes..to those wonderful plastic glocks as well...three police agencies in this area have discontinued those glocks...why?to many mechanical failures!before you sound so oppressed about sending your s&w in for repair...why not give them a chance?

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I had a problem with my 40 cal. and sent it to the service center in texas. They repaired it at NO CHARGE. They will take care of the issue.

recalcitrant |riˈkalsətrənt|
adjective
having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline: a class of recalcitrant fifteen-year-olds.

I DO learn something new everyday on these forums.

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God Bless Our Troops.

Not "oppressed", just disappointed... Very disappointed.

I was carrying this revolver only hours prior and when I function check it after cleaning, the action grinds to a halt. This isn't a malfunction I could fix and get back into action if needed. This malfunction turned the gun into an aluminum and plastic paper weight (albeit a light one).

I will likely keep this revolver out of the carry lineup for quite a while. Maybe after many successful rounds I'll have faith in it again... Maybe, but I doubt it. It went from "smooth as butter" to STOP with no build up or warning. I guess it goes to show the "always reliable" revolver isn't quite 100% these days.

Yes I'll give S&W a chance to make this right and I'm sure they will get the repaired gun back to me in short order. At least that is the bare minimum I expect at this point. In reality, I expected a better product from S&W in the first place. Hopefully their customer service and repair shop works better than this revolver.

Not to make this a S&W/Glock, revolver/auto, apples/oranges debate, but since it was brought up I'll retort. Reference the Glock, yes anything can fail and there will always be antidotal stories discussing malfunctions of any make/model of firearm you can name. I'm not the Glock soapbox guy, but since it was brought up I'll give my experiences.

I've owned Gen2, Gen3, and Gen4 Glocks starting in the mid 1990s through today with thousands of rounds fired down range and I have never had one glitch. None...

I guess some would say my S&W revolvers have only had one more malfunction than that experienced by my Glocks. Numerically that is true, but depending on the circumstances that one malfunction could be extremely significant with dire consequences.

Edmo

I predict the bodyguard will be discontinued. It seems to be nothing but problems.

re·cal·ci·trant [ri-kal-si-truhnt]

adjective
1. resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.

2. hard to deal with, manage, or operate.

I went with the second definition in this context...



Edmo

Exactly WHICH police agencies would you be talking about?

Inquiring minds...............................

The problem with Gen 4 Glocks is quite well documented. I'm sure they will overcome it, but so far the Gen 2's are head and shoulders above the following generations, particularly Gen 4's.

As big a fan I am of the M&P polymer autofeeders, hear way too many stories like this from BG 38 and BG 380 owners. I don't know if AllGLock's prediction will come true but certainly won't be entertaining the thought of owning one in this lifetime.
I suppose as long as there are people willing to buy them, they will be available ...

Send it in S&W may make it right eventually.

I don't know if it's more common to not run a revolver through a workout before carrying it or not. But I personally would not trust any gun enough to carry it, pistol OR revolver, before putting several hundred rounds through it! Certainly way more then a box of 50...20? Your post illustrates why!

You are dead on, 400 rounds is minimum.

I guess more is better, but the next guy might say shoot at least 500 or even 1,000 rounds before it has proven itself... What if it fails at "several hundred rounds" + 1? I guess everyone has their break-in rules and rituals to make them feel comfy.

I've always associated the break-in period with handguns being a pistol thing, not a revolver issue. Some semi-auto pistols have parts which might need to wear into each other for the gun to function properly.

Are we now saying S&W quality is such that their revolvers require several hundred (on edit read: 400) rounds to make sure the parts work together?

Edmo

We're saying anything mechanical can fail and that anything that you may need to save your life should be extensively tested before you trust it.

Semi's need broken in, revolvers do not, unless you are talking about the trigger smoothing out. I'm not suggesting revolvers need broken in, but rather do the prudent thing and verify it works as it should by doing a large enough number of events to verify it's dependable, nothing mechanical is 100% certain.

I had the same thing happen in 1980 with a new Colt Cobra. Tested the gun with a couple hundred rounds, cleaned and lubed it. Kept it loaded for PD. I was showing the gun to a friend and it locked up tight. Even some of the best revolvers fail. Didn't turn me against revolvers though.

I sure hope S&W makes it right for you.
And I hope you are happy with it when you get it back.
(Because I don't need anymore competition from other buyers horning in on my used S&W no-lock revolvers )

Thanks willy!

We'll see... I'm sure they'll make it right. I'm still waiting on the email/shipping label from S&W.

I don't think I'm in the market for another wheel gun anytime soon. They apparently require too many rounds to get it good and broken-in (sorry, couldn't help myself!).

However, if I find a used USAF model 15 just like I carried back in the day I'd have to get that one.

Edmo

from what you say...probably best to simply sell it..LOL,what do you do if your car breaks a belt and leaves you stranded? sell it?

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

My BG38 had problems in the first 100 rounds. I sent it to the factory and they told me it was unrepairable. I bet they tell you the same thing. Since their is a "trust" issue with a PD firearm, I replaced it with a 642CT. I frankly like it a lot better than the BG. The laser on the CT grips is automatic or you can tun it off, you don't have to reach over with your thumb if you want it. The cylinder release is in the same spot as every other revolver, not up on top. You can buy aftermarket grips for every other J frame, I couldn't find anybody who makes aftermarket grips that fit the BG.
Best of luck whatever you do.

Maybe... The answer to that question is based on how they handle the issue with their faulty product.

I'm not brand myopic and therefore the ball is in their court. They have the opportunity to sell me future firearms based on how they fix their mistake. I've already met my obligation and paid hard earned money in trade for a reliable handgun. They failed to deliver on their side of the deal and gave me one that totally failed.

If they don't treat me appropriately, I will never show up at their door again!

Edmo

Of the light snubbies, the selling points for me with this handgun were the top cylinder release and the top mounted laser. As a lefty, the standard cylinder release is not located in a good spot and the grip lasers are blocked by my grip.

We'll see what they do... I'm still waiting on their shipping label. If they want to replace it with a different model I may just ask for my money back and go elsewhere.

Edmo

I am sorry you have to send it in. I am sure S&W will make it right. Not that this helps but I had to send a brand new Ruger SR9C back to the factory after many FTL problems from the 1st day. My M&P .45 has never had 1 problem. My only point is that all mechanical devices can fail. But when it happens to you it is very frustrating.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

i dont think anything will work

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Yup, I've tried everything with this BG38, and it still doesn't work...

Edmo

Since you are a southpaw, the BG has definite advantages. I hope they can get you one that works. You for sure want to run a couple hundred rounds through it before you trust it.
Good Luck!

I got rid of my BG38 after only a short time as there is a problem with the revolver that I found. It is repeatable and others have noticed, although it has been minimized in the gun magazine articles and on this forum.

The problem is apparently inherent to the design and repeatable. When you close the cylinder, you can close it in such a way that the first pull of the trigger will NOT advance the cylinder to the next charge hole. This is readily discoverable through observation and is only noticeable during shooting if you load a single round in the cylinder so that when it advances it is the first round fired. Open and close the cylinder and carefully watch for the cylinder to advance - don't just assume it is. Eventually, you will hit the "sweet spot" and your cylinder will not roll when you pull the trigger.

I know all sorts of people will jump on here and act like it has not happened to them, but it was possible to repeat it with every one of these revolvers I have tried.

The standard J Frame is less expensive and has not exhibited this problem in the 40 years I have been shooting the J Frames. I went back to those models as I lost all trust in the new BG38.

It's pretty easy to do a lot of that breaking in with snap caps. I've gotten off as many as 200 shots in my 442, single handed, without reloading. (Hollywood has nothing on me.) It's coming up on a year old, and while it's had hundreds of live rounds through it, I'm sure there have been a thousand or two dry fire cycles. And it's getting awfully smooth.

I'll be curious if you hear what went wrong internally in yours. Although as others have said, even if they fix it I think it would take an awfully long time before I trusted it again.

Wrangler, although this revolver has only 50-60 live rounds through it, I do the same and fire my handguns often with snap caps. It has easily over 150 snap cap shots (more like 300) and I routinely work on my trigger pull and the smoothing up the gun while watching TV. I do this with my semi autos as well. Snap caps are also great at the range to induce a failure to fire requiring a "Tap-Rack-Bang" clearing drill.

I'll let you know what they find. I submitted my return label request this past Friday, so I expect something from S&W early this next week. Hopefully they have a more detailed repair description than some I've heard of in the past... "repaired gun - function check good."

Shawn Mc, my BG38 would do the same rotation thing you found on your revolver. None of my other revolvers (S&W or Ruger) have this trait. Back when this paper-weight worked it would always aligns a hole with the barrel before it snapped the firing pin... However, the hole may not be the next one in the logical rotation.

Edmo

hmm sounds like the 686 that needed an M modification all over again, 10 to 1 once its back and working your going to get rid of it like my father did with that 686 in 83'

as after something like that happens with it you never trust that gun ever again.

so it'd probably be best to request a new gun from smith and wesson to replace it saying I dont feel I could ever trust that particular gun again and that I hope it was just a one off lemon.



that's a simple mechancial failure that can easily be remedied on a car of a 1000 parts that works properly if used all of the time and its not abused


a revolver is a much smaller device with alot less parts thats prided on being more reliabile and trustworthy than a semi auto regardless of the ammo choice and it shouldnt have a break in period, period.

atleast not like that!

it is a revolver, not a semi auto after all, if you cant trust a revolver what can you trust?

Nobody has said a thing about a break in period, you guys need to learn to read. The statements have been shoot it enough to fully test it, like anything mechanical your life depends on.

I do however, agree that from a mental standpoint I would trade it, so I never had doubt in the back of my mind. A 642 is a better gun IMO. The BG's have a much higher rate of issues.

yeah that too and it was only through dumb luck that my father found out the good way that that 686 needed that modificiation when he took it to the range after he bought it and it locked up on the first 6 shots of factory ammo

although it seems odd to have it lock up like that after one box and not immediately like with that 686. Athough typically on a range session I go through two boxes with my guns not just one, all the more reason I should keep that practice I guess.

This is my opinion also
I have three gen 2 Glock 19's,have had for years. One FTF in 18 years with no further problems. I'm trying to shuck a late production gen. 3 right now that has the infamous dipped extractor. I think the gen. 2 G19's are the best pistol glock ever made,despite experts touting the Gen. 3's

Does your Gen3 G19 have black or green plastic?

Edmo

my thought would be...using your rather lofty standards...don't trust any of them...they are mechanical and sometimes things happen...i know you have no grasp of that but....

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Not having handled a BG38 I have no opinion on the issues reported here, but I do have a question on the "no advance" problem. On every hand ejector I shoot, my last motion in closing the cylinder involves using my left thumb to roll the cylinder counter-clockwise until the cylinder stop drops and locks the cylinder in position. Is that not possible with the BG38? If it is possible, does that not do away with this particular issue?

Maybe I'm a little OCD about this, but I can't imagine just closing a cylinder and not making sure the revolver is left in its proper at-rest condition.

I'm half interested in the BG38 as a piece of engineering, but I knew when they first came out that I would wait a couple of years for any performance issues to be identified and addressed. Sounds like the design isn't yet quite ripe.

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David Wilson

I'm a Glock fan, but they're really messed up with their 4th gen guns, especially the G19...

j.w.yep...i know what you are saying...sometimes there are design flaws...to expect something mechanical however to NEVER have an issue is to me a bit much...could that prove costly to the owner?yes...of course it can...if the brakes fail on your car thats probably also costly...but it happens....

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Years ago, my preference for revolvers was supported by the notion that semi auto pistols were a little more likely to have feeding and/or ejection problems.

Lately, and by that I mean in the past 25 years or so, I have come to realize that semi autos are a lot more dependable than they once were. Also during the past 60 years of shooting revolvers, I have had more than a few failures of various kinds that would have..in a gun fight..rendered it useless.

They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but as far as this old dog is concerned, about the only advantage that the revolver has..now-a-days..is that you don't have to search around in the grass looking for the brass.

I am currently carrying a EAA Witness in .40 S&W caliber for CC. I can buy brass cheap enough that I don't worry much about losing it.

I am somewhat concerned with magazines being loaded for months at a time, but I have been told that that is no problem either....I am currently doing research to see if that is true.

DC, yes the "no advance" problem I saw with my BG38 (back when it actually worked) could be eliminated by doing exactly like you mention... Rolling the cylinder until it locks into place stopped mine from having the problem. However, it didn't give the same reassuring feel and click a standard S&W revolver does when it locks into place.

I also do the cylinder roll to ensure it is locked into place and because of this I never had an issue. I just wish I could still roll my cylinder!

Now Monday just before noon. Still no words from the good boys and girls at S&W.

Edmo

Edmo

Aside from the guy's understandable anger on his gun's failure, there is a overwhelming side point I see reading many of the responses here.

Common sense, verified by experience says carry MORE THAN ONE GUN. No one should ever walk out of the house depending on one gun, much less a snub. I get this guy was at the range, but many of you are debating which is reliable, the revolver or the Semi, the answer is neither is reliable enough to carry just one. Then there are the added issues of time to reload may not be there, access if pinned to a wall/ground etc. I have know of two people who's lives were decided by carrying a BUG and practicing with it. One had a felon on top of him beating his head into pavement, his strong hand was pinned, however he got to a BUG and shot the BG, getting him off him. The other guy carried a BUG, but apparently was not comfortable with it, he was killed at close range because he failed to realize he had time to pull gun #2, but not to reload gun #1.

Carry at least 2 guns, three is better. My usual carry is a N frame mag, a 642 and a 9mm semi, usually either a CW9 or a P228. I carry reloads for all and a knife. A knife in a closed area is invaluable in creating space to use your firearm.

Some of you may say overkill, the odds are blah blah. I have two thoughts for that.
1. How many of you expect to need a gun today? Answer 0, we all carry based on possibility not probability.
2. If you've never been in shot at or shot at someone else, be wise enough to take advice from people who have.

Based on my dealings with S&W, call them, prepare for a 20-30 minute hold since you are not LEO, but it will get handled. Voice to voice works best with them. hope it's a smooth fix for you.

So why not four? Five? Do they make bandoliers on which to holster all these pistols?

In twenty years of shooting, I can count the number of misfires/jams I have had which would have incapacitated my gun on one hand, and still pick my nose. These are the guns I also carry.

If the average citizen feels they need to carry three guns to feel safe, I think they need to either a) re-evaluate their choice of weapons, or b) their choice of locations frequented.

Really, in most of the SD situations ever encountered, if something happens to one's primary weapon the encounter will be over (for better or worse) before they get to a BUG and get it into play.

Are there exceptions? Sure. One could play that game forever. I bet I could find cases where people were armed and killed despite carrying, or where they were killed with their own gun...one cane use exceptions to make any point they want. But it's far more likely that additional guns will add nothing but weight than it is that they will be useful in an encounter...certainly if the purpose is to make up for a malfunctioning primary weapon.

I would suggest going to KeepandBearArms.com, there are numerous reports on multiple assailants, more than 2 shot occurrences, or not. It's your decisions you live with.

Whatever you do, no sarcasm here, I hope you have a safe and routine day from now on, no sane person ever wants to get into a bad situation. If I knew I were going to get into one tomorrow, I would take the day off, stay home and watch ESPN instead.

Citing a situation where a) the average person will need to defend themself, AND b) their primary weapon malfunctions, AND they have time to make use of a second gun, certainly puts any such example in the realm of being an exception. Especially when you escalate the risk of failure to the point that you recommend carrying at least 3 guns.

well the thing is that stuff is usually based on who drove the car and how. Like if he drove it like a race car the brakes and tires will be well worn and the suspension will need repair or if the car took a hit on a specific side a few years earlier a part that was damaged on that side that wasn't replaced will eventually deterorate and brake.

plus the basic age of the car and if its been sitting long enough for the water thats used for the cooling system to damage and break anything in the downtime the cars had since you last drove it.

of course if something is **** from the getgo its going to perform like ****, car or gunwise. But hey that's why I like smith and wessons from the pre 1980 period as your almost always guaranteed to get a good revolver or pistol that will always work from that time period. Hell even its been abused it'll typically work.

its the 1980 - 85 and 94 to now period that has that kind of trouble though.

My BG38 failed to rotate once. It was in the middle of firing a cylinder full. BANG,BANG, Click- I thought I had a misfire but when I opened the cylinder, the second fired shell was under the hammer and I had three unfired shells left.
It only happened once but it was during the only 100 rounds I put through that gun. That and 2 misfires caused me to return it and say soyonara.

refer back to my prior statement...don't trust any of them...i have S&W's from 1882 to present...and they all work...no need here to divide and seperate by year

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Nah I've had a K22 lemon from the post 1990 time period that was sent back to the factory twice when it couldnt shoot all 6 in normal order and that was after it was sent to a gunsmith for that same problem (never did work right at all even after those trips to the factory and the gunsmith) and my father had that lemon 686.

and by abdiding by that rule I havent had a lemon since then, although I'm starting to find out that the 85 - 94 guns are as good as the early ones before 1980 and thus I'm changing that rule up abit.

As with anything mechanical, it can fail. It is has moving parts, it can fail.
Glock fans only need to see some of the Glocks after a KaBoom or see some of the hands after the KaBoom. Each time I have to fire one of my Glocks, I think about getting a KaBoom.

As to the lockup, I cannot say what caused it in this case. I can say I have never had one but I follow the instructions (sometimes).

A friend had a lockup on his new S&W gun. It actually cracked. The fault was not in the gun but in his using hot handloads in a gun not designed for a steady diet of such. It happened on about his 20th shot.

Reading the instructions from any gunmaker says "Do not use reload ammo" Do not overheat a new firearm and many more things. People fail to read what comes with a new firearm and I am as guilty as anyone. If one asks those in gun repair shops what caused their problems, it will generally be user error.