My mother-in-law was advised by a retired detective to get herself the bodyguard .380. She currently has a ruger sp 101 which she used to qualify for her CCW but is not happy with it. As she does not have internet she asked me to do some research for her. I doing so I see there are issues with trigger pull and how the trigger breaks. I also saw that a number of users had problems with the set screw coming loose and interfering with the slide. Quite a few people seemed to also have issues with light strikes. I knew a pistol should be shot 400+ times to work out kinks (that's why I carry a 642) but I'm curious if S&W addressed any of these issues with the release of the M&P version of the bodyguard. Any and all input would be much appreciated.

I had a m&p bodyguard.No issues at all.

I would find out why she is not happy with the sp101 before I let her buy some gun just because a retired detective told her to. If it is a .357 let her try shooting .38's out of it. If she qualified with it for CCW she obviously can handle it. Dig deeper into the problem my son, even if it means talking with your MIL, for it is only then that the truth will announce its' own self.
FWIW when my MIL was alive she was mean enough without a gun-I could not imagine her armed!

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Forum consigliere

I believe the weight of the Ruger is an issue along with the heavy hammer when she wants to fire SA. She qualified using .38 wadcutters not .357 ammo. Initially thw SP 101 was going to be a nightstand weapon but now has decided she wants to carry when she goes out on our local walking/bike trail. The village police shief is also encouraging her to get a slimmer, more manageable firearm. She's a spunky 76 year old.

For some, these tiny guns are hard to shoot and due to the small size and light weight the perceived recoil can seem much worse than a larger gun in a larger caliber. Personally I don't find this to be a problem but I'm not recoil sensitive. My wife is still working on shooting her BG but is having problems due to the small size. She feels like it's going to come out of her hand. I would highly recommend she borrow one or rent one at a local range and try it out before she makes the purchase. She might love it or she could be scared of it.

My wife's BG has had no issues whatsoever. I don't particularly like the trigger since I find it long and heavy. I can deal with one or the other but not both at the same time. I can still shoot it accurately even with the trigger.

I got the no-laser M&P .380 Feb. 2015 and have run over 700 rounds of FMJ and HP w/o a single hiccup. The only additions/changes were a Hogue rubber slip on grip and white paint on the front sight. FWIW I was a revolver guy, J frame, for well over 40 yrs. and this little M&P is now my EDC. I picked up a couple of extra mags (4 total) and keep one in my wife's car and one in my truck. If this lady is accustomed to the trigger on the SP 101 she will have no problem with the S&W .380. Very accurate and easy to shoot. From what I've read most of the problems seem to be with the laser models of this weapon.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I got an inch and a half extension that goes on my Mag. It helps.

I have the original BG380 and the wife doesn't like it. She prefers the Glock 42 and even the Sig P238 (I think that's the model).

I was not happy with the trigger pull or break and bought an upgrade and then had light strikes so updated springs as well though that could be partly reloads.

I haven't yet had any trouble with the screw.

I have noticed that if I snap the trigger rather than do a nice slow pull I have fewer light strikes but my accuracy goes out the window.

It is currently the first gun I would sell though likely the one I would lose the most on thanks to paying full retail and the upgrades.

My BG380 with no laser was plagued with light strikes and issues with the slide not locking back on the last shot irregardless of what ammo I was using. Sent it back to S&W twice. After the second time they called me to tell me that they were unable to correct the problem and that they would send a new one to me. I waited for a couple weeks and when it didn't arrive I called S&W and they told me that they had no BG380s available at this time and they offered to send another model in its place. I opted for a Model 642-1 (no lock). It arrived today. All I had to pay was a FFL transfer fee but Smith said they would reimburse me if I sent them a copy of the receipt. Kudos to S&W for their great customer service.

Over 600 rounds no ftf,fte or lite strites.Eats every style bullet .With that said I finally had a problem with the set screw on the Crimson trace I called CT and there sending two screws right out to me.