M&P .380 Bodyguard thread?

[dogngun]

I just got a brand new M&P .380 bodyguard in a trade for several other unused pistols that I wanted to pass along...I have the non-red dot model with the safety, exactly as I wanted, brand new, and I really like the design. I have a lot of use for a small pistol in a pocket holster and I can see this will get a LOT of carry time.

I read several complaints on the "long trigger", the .380 punkiness,the sights, etc, but this is a very small pistol and you will get limitations with that. IMO the long trigger is a safety feature and it has to cock the hammer, and that has to come from somewhere.
And, really the .380 is not as bad as many make it out to be...biggest problem I see is finding ammo, and I have several boxes of .380, ball AND JHP already, so no problems with me. I also read the little pistol is reliable and accurate, again for what it is. It has a good, solid FEEL to it that many small pistols do not, too.FWIW, I don't pay much attention to NEW guns, and this was an accidental find when I was looking at a used Beretta Tomcat.

I'm asking for real experience with one of these...I did not find a real thread in searching, just a few threads of "problems"...

Any one have experience with the M&P .380? Thanks.

 

[Loosegroup]

Well, I have one and it has been disqualified as a carry gun. I have tried all sorts of different ammo and it continues to have light hammer strikes. PMC bronze seems to have the fewest, but still has occasional light hammer strikes. I wish it was different but that's my experience. My cheap kel-tec P3AT runs flawless.

 

[macski222]

Mine has been 100% reliable with all brands of fmj and hp. Surprisingly accurate as well. Once you get used to the trigger you're all set. I actually enjoy taking it to the range.

 

[Old TexMex]

I have one and it has worked very well from day one. Close to 500 rounds of various ammo, but mostly fiocci hardball and Harnady crit def. I have had no issues with mag drop, failure to lock back and I sank it in saltwater, shook it out, ran three mags through it. Submerged it in distilled water, stripped and sprayed it down with clp, put another three boxes through.
Mine's good. I'm a revolver guy too, so the DA pull is no problem. (Not as nice as my Heavy Dutys, but about same as m37)

 

[alde]

I'm not a big fan of the 380 but I bought mine for when a tiny gun is what I need. I have put about 400 rounds of various ammo including JHPs through it with zero problems. It sure beats not having a gun when you need it.

 

[Old cop]

Bought my no laser model last Feb. and have run over 600 trouble free rounds of FMJ and HP through it. I even staggered FMJ and HP in the same mag and it ran fine. In fact I had it at the range yesterday and it continues to run like a top. I have complete confidence in this gun and it has replaced my J frame as an EDC. From what I can gather these little guns can be hit or miss, but the new M&P seems to have a solid reputation for reliability. FWIW I tried the LCP and Glock .380 and they were both a complete failure as self defense guns.

 

[fdw]

I was really enjoying mine till my wife stole it....

Now it goes everywhere with her. Real world? not one hiccup.

 

[Ballistic147]

My wife bought one a few months ago. So far it's had about 200 rounds of various brands through it without a single issue. It's also very accurate for what it is. The trigger pull is long but that doesn't bother me at all. My problem is the trigger is too heavy. Either way, my wife absolutely loves it and that's what matters.

 

[fw1965]

I just picked up mine a few weeks ago. So far I have only shot 200 rounds through it with no problems at all using Aguila .380 Auto 95 grain FMJ ammo. I actually like the trigger on this gun . To me the trigger is very similar to a "J" frame revolver.

 

[garddogg56]

I picked up mine a little over a week ago. So far I have only shot 200 rounds with no problems at all using Aguila 95 grain FMJ ammo. I actually like the trigger on this gun . To me the trigger is very similar to a "J" frame revolver.

I CONCUR...Had mine since Christmas over 500 round of various rounds three differant mags not one hiccup..

 

[jimmib]

I have carried my BG380 many miles and gone to the range numerous times with no problems....it is not my only carry weapon but I carry around home and in our local community....I have a Shield 40 and an M&P 9C that I carry when I go into the big city or areas that I feel need more fire power....I hope you enjoy yours....go to the range and get comfortable with it

 

[Flyordie]

Well, I have one and it has been disqualified as a carry gun. I have tried all sorts of different ammo and it continues to have light hammer strikes. PMC bronze seems to have the fewest, but still has occasional light hammer strikes. I wish it was different but that's my experience. My cheap kel-tec P3AT runs flawless.

Send it in. Its a firing pin issue. Mine has NEVER had a light strike. On 3 different brands of ammo. Even when using trimmed 9mm cases. lol Reason I know?

My box of Winchester .380ACP has the EXACT same measurements as a 9mm only 2mm shorter. Rim is even the same.

I wanted to test it though.. so I trimmed 8 9mm cases down and reloaded with a 95gr FMJ. Fed and fired ALL with no failures. Was told it wouldn't work but I guess the BG380 has the tolerances to do it?

 

[dogngun]

Thanks. Mine has N prefix KCW, and I bought it new in the box...the seller says they don't last long in the display...and one of the pistols I traded for it was my Keltec P32...

I took the .380 down and it seems to me to be a great, simple design...

And I am a long time revolver shooter - since the 1970's - and the trigger is a decent one to me. I guess it's all what you are used to.

FWIW, I see ProMag makes replacement mags for the M&P BG...I have nothing but bad experiences with Pro Mag and I would use ONLY Smith & Wesson mags.

 

[W.E.G.]

Both of mine work.

Buy your ammo online for best bargain on price.

Your gun may not like some imported ball ammo.

Test it with the ammo you plan to carry for self defense.

 

[rja214]

I just got a brand new M&P .380 bodyguard in a trade for several other unused pistols that I wanted to pass along...I have the non-red dot model with the safety, exactly as I wanted, brand new, and I really like the design. I have a lot of use for a small pistol in a pocket holster and I can see this will get a LOT of carry time.

I read several complaints on the "long trigger", the .380 punkiness,the sights, etc, but this is a very small pistol and you will get limitations with that. IMO the long trigger is a safety feature and it has to cock the hammer, and that has to come from somewhere.
And, really the .380 is not as bad as many make it out to be...biggest problem I see is finding ammo, and I have several boxes of .380, ball AND JHP already, so no problems with me. I also read the little pistol is reliable and accurate, again for what it is. It has a good, solid FEEL to it that many small pistols do not, too.FWIW, I don't pay much attention to NEW guns, and this was an accidental find when I was looking at a used Beretta Tomcat.

I'm asking for real experience with one of these...I did not find a real thread in searching, just a few threads of "problems"...

Any one have experience with the M&P .380? Thanks.

I just traded a Taurus TCP for a Bodyguard. I have 230 rounds through it. FMJ and hollow points. No malfunctions. I enjoy shooting it. The trigger pull is nothing compared with my 442 revolver. Very easy to pocket carry. I forget I have it in my pocket.

 

[larbike]

I purchased the M&P bodyguard without the laser last year. I had been happily putting hundreds of rounds through it without any major problems. I had only a couple of light strikes in over 500 rounds.

Yesterday, I took the gun out of the safe and as I was doing so I heard something drop on the floor. I picked up the object and discovered that it was a small, semi- cylindrical piece of metal. Looking at the gun carefully, I found that rear end of the firing pin was missing. That's where the metal piece came from! The damned firing pin broke in half! I will be contacting S&W tomorrow to get it repaired under their warranty. I am willing to give it one more chance, but if this happens again, the gun will be gone. The round count was 750 factory loads.

 

[dos10987]

I first bought a 380, threw about 300 rounds through it and absolutely love it. I have a DeSantis pocket carry holster so I just throw it in my back pocket in my jeans and I'm good to go.

I do however carry my 9mm Shield as my primary weapon Inside the waste holster. It is convienant to have the 380 as my secondary handgun and for summer time when shorts and a tshirt is all I wear.

 

[KSDeputy]

I have a new one in the box, never been fired. It is my first DAO pistol. I dry fired it once. It will be for sale as soon as my Custom Ruger LCP arrives. I have never encountered such a pitiful long trigger pull in my life.

 

[Flyordie]

I have a new one in the box, never been fired. It is my first DAO pistol. I dry fired it once. It will be for sale as soon as my Custom Ruger LCP arrives. I have never encountered such a pitiful long trigger pull in my life.

My friend Charles and I are working on a trigger replacement for my BG380 now. We will be working on reducing the takeup and maybe moving the pivot point if we can to allow for less of a pull but retaining the standard trigger. Not like the galloway kit where you KNOW by looking at it that it has an aftermarket trigger.

We are doing this on an older BG380 frame though. Just an old beater we bought at a pawn shop for $100. lol. (Not kidding)

but I don't know.. I've only ever done welding jobs for my friend when he gets parts kits in for other guns. So this will be my first "major" attempt at pistol modifications. The only reason I think this can be done though is the BG380 has an actual metal frame slid into the polymer.

but idk.. I haven't done any measurements just rough thinking on it. We shall see if it will work as I am dreaming it. lol

 

[oldiegoldie]

old problem revisited

I purchased the M&P bodyguard without the laser last year. I had been happily putting hundreds of rounds through it without any major problems. I had only a couple of light strikes in over 500 rounds.

Yesterday, I took the gun out of the safe and as I was doing so I heard something drop on the floor. I picked up the object and discovered that it was a small, semi- cylindrical piece of metal. Looking at the gun carefully, I found that rear end of the firing pin was missing. That's where the metal piece came from! The damned firing pin broke in half! I will be contacting S&W tomorrow to get it repaired under their warranty. I am willing to give it one more chance, but if this happens again, the gun will be gone. The round count was 750 factory loads.

The first Bodyguards had a problem with firing pin breakage. The firing pins were [maybe they still are] MIM. I never did like that concept for firing pins or barrels. I thought the firing pin problem had been resolved. I installed Galloway Precision fp's in 5 bodyguards. Galloways are machined steel fp's. Apparently Galloway has discontinued these fp's.
These are a wonderful little pistol for concealed carry but the long trigger pull takes some getting used to. I have found the trigger pull to be very smooth...no stacking at end of pull. Good luck and safe shooting.