I recently bought a new Bodyguard .380 at my LGS to take the place of my LCP for EDC. Took it immediately to the range, with three boxes of Sig Sauer 110gr FMJ (which was on sale at Gander Mountain). About every other mag, or every third, I got failure to feed on the sixth and final round. Switched to the second magazine, and got the same results. The Sig Sauer rounds had a slightly flattened nose, so I thought maybe the gun just didn't like them. I went through two boxes of those rounds. Tried one magazine worth of Hornady critical defense, and the 6th round was failure to feed. It was always the last round, just getting jammed before it could chamber.

I called S&W, and the guy in tech support said, "I think I know what your problem is." He sent me two new magazine springs and followers. Took about a week to get them, and I noticed the springs had one more "zig zag" (coil?) than the originals. I installed the new springs and followers. Definitely more tension on the follower with the magazine empty. Went to the range yesterday with the last box of Sig Sauer, plus a box of Blazer Brass 95gr FMJ, a box of Federal 95gr FMJ, and a box of Hornady Custom 90gr XTP. Problem solved. I went through just short of 100 rounds, and zero failures to feed or extract. I had one light strike on the second mag full, which fired on the second pull of the trigger. (Like that capability.)

For being basically the same size as my LCP, the Bodyguard just fits my large hand a little better. And I like the safety for pocket or boot carry, even using a holster. I know most don't like the safety, but that's really the main reason I bought the Bodyguard, since the track record for reliability of my LCP has been 100%.

Happy with the service from S&W, as usual, and with the purchase, and just thought I'd share.

I've only had one experience w/S&W customer service and it was very positive. My M&P .380 was purchased new last Feb. and 800 rounds of FMJ & HP have gone down range w/o a single problem. Needless to say I'm a happy camper. As an aside Gander Mt. Is advertising the LCP at $199.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Yes, initially I was going to trade the LCP, but I took it to three LGS's and each showed me they buy them new for $175 now, and were selling them every day for $219. The one closest to me said he's selling a ton of the LCP's at that price. It's a good gun. But since they could offer me so little in trade, I'm keeping it. I think I paid just over $300 for it a few years ago.

Hyena,It's good to know you were treated well and everything came out alright as I've enjoyed my BG380.As for the LCP I got my wife a gen 2 and it has been flawless, two things I like better about the LCP is the metal mag release and no safety.Both shoot the same The sights and the trigger are a great improvement in the gen 2 vs the gen 1

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up ta camp 071.jpg (116.8 KB, 91 views)

Hyena, good to know!!
I experience FTF with my BG but usually midway thru the mag. Also, this is with several brands of target.
When looking for SD rounds, I tried several (Critical Defense, Hornady XTP, and HydraShok). ALL three performed flawlessly with TWO HANDS.
ONLY the HydraShok was flawless with ONE HAND.
So, that is my SD round. When you get a chance, could you please post a pic of your new mag spring?? Have always thought mine was too ez and needed more tension.
Thanks!!!!

I always thought the mag springs were weak.......I want new mag springs too!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I didn't compare the new followers to the original, so I don't know if or how they differed. As I replaced the first mag spring, I laid the new one next to the original, and the new one had one extra zig zag, so it was just slightly longer (uncompressed). When I returned from the range, I threw out the original springs and followers. I was going to keep them, but figured "why on earth keep something that didn't work".

I just took one mag apart to photograph the new spring for you.

I went through just short of 100 rounds, and zero failures to feed or extract. I had one light strike on the second mag full, which fired on the second pull of the trigger. (Like that capability.)

For being basically the same size as my LCP, the Bodyguard just fits my large hand a little better. And I like the safety for pocket or boot carry, even using a holster. I know most don't like the safety, but that's really the main reason I bought the Bodyguard, since the track record for reliability of my LCP has been 100%.

Happy with the service from S&W, as usual, and with the purchase, and just thought I'd share.[/QUOTE]

Glad you are fixed! & you just answered a question I had. I have a gen2 LCP I really like but want the BG because of the safety & I hear better sights. I also like the feel of it.
Guess I will get one!

Thanks hyena!!! Wondering if that would help with my sporadic FTF's.

hyena, here is a pic of the spring from one of my mags....looks identical to the one you posted. Did you post the OLD or the NEW one that SW sent you?? About when did you purchase your BG?
Date on my box is 020316
Wondering if they upgraded the springs at some point.

Attached Images

MagSpring.jpg (44.2 KB, 20 views)

The photo shows the new spring. I threw the two originals away, so can't photo or measure them. I just bought the gun the last week of June. The date on the box is 053116.

Cool! Thanks!! So, I have the 'new' springs.