I just sent my brand new M&P Bodyguard 38 back to the factory due to the mags dropping almost every other round. This never happened with any other small .380 I've owned (which has been many) including my original BG380.

I adjusted my grip so much at one point I only gripped it with one finger, had nothing even close to the base plate of the magazine, barely had the tip of my finger pulling the trigger and stared at the mag release when firing instead of the target. I also used 5 different magazines. I did everything to avoid the possibility of hitting the mag release with my hand. This has the metal mag catch so I'm not sure what the problem is. Has there been bad batches of grips or mag catches recently? I really like having my favorite pocket .380 back and it shot just fine, but the mag dropping out constantly has soured the relationship so far.

I hope this customer service experience is different. My past experience with S&W customer service involves not getting the problem fixed unless it's sent back 3 or 4 times (M&P FS9) and/or it'll take months before I see it again (S&W 500).

Had a similar problem with a pair of TripleK mags for my .32 Astra Constable. The problem was that the mag catch was not engaging properly in the cutout on the magazine. A small tweak to that op of the cutout with a pair of needle nose pliers and problem was fixed.

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View from down under

The Bodyguards have an issue with the mag catch. It’s pretty common. When you went to insert a magazine, did it get hung up and you slammed it in? The magazine is getting hung up on the mag catch and slamming it in causes it to wear which leads to it dropping magazines. Mine is not a range gun and I e just gotten used to depressing the mag release button as I insert the mag. This retracts the mag catch and it allows to mag to slide in without resistance. Don’t know if S&W resolved the issue since mine is a few years old but mine has also been totally reliable and pretty much all I shoot are my reloads.

I thought that was a problem with the polymer mag catches, not the current steel type.I remember having to depress the mag release on my original BG380 a little until it broke in and then I no longer needed to do so. It never wore out and mags never dropped out during firing. This one didn't need to be depressed at all when inserting the magazine. Maybe they need to redesign the catch.

If it was a no longer produced firearm that was a range gun using questionable magazines then I'd do just that. However, that would be a band-aid fix for a brand new modern firearm using brand new factory magazines. If it's a common problem like kbm6893 is saying then it's a design flaw S&W should strongly consider fixing. Last thing I need is my gun that is designed for self-defense to turn into a single shot because the mag dropped out.

I have a BG and came with the steel mag catch. I had a problem with 1 of 3 mags dropping. Marked the out of spec mag with a sharpie marker. They are only 13 bucks each and have a few more on order.

Also had an occasional problem with light strikes with ammo other than Federal. Never had a problem with Federal, but since have installed the Galloway trigger kit and their mag catch. No more light strikes with any ammo, and no more mags dropping. The only problem with the mag catch is, you now have to push the button to get a mag in, but they are super secure now. The button sticks out a little more than stock, which makes it easier to push. Just have to get used to it.

your experience with Federal ammo is same as mine. Federal has the reputation of "softest" primers. and i changed out the mag release in an older Body Guard...made a big difference. still have a trigger kit to install when [if] i get inspired.

I did the same as Robert B ,Love the little BG

If S&W can't fix the mag catch I'll try the one from Galloway Precision. I did look at it, but their description made it seem to be identical to the factory steel catch except that it sticks out a little bit more and has a smooth face.

I've had no problem with any ammo or other function from the BG380. Doesn't the GP trigger kit make the pull heavier?

I feel the trigger pull weight is about the same. The difference is, it feels smoother, and the stroke is shorter.

If you get the new mag catch, just be for-warned that you have to push the button to insert the mag. Since the button is a little more proud, and your thumb sits right there, it becomes kind of natural anyway. But, the mags are very secure with the new catch.

I usually front pocket carry with one mag with one in the pipe, so having to switch mags is moot anyway.

I bought my bodyguard 380 2 months ago it was already sent back for repairs the body grip had to be replaced because the slide wouldn't stay locked back after the last round was fired got it back and now the magazines fall out after every round. I've had three other people fire it just to make sure it wasn't me and they fell out on all of us. I'm going to contact them and send it back again for repair then in getting rid of it. I think S&W need to look at there quality control I've lost all confidence in there products

Got it back from S&W where they swapped the mag catch, supposedly test fired it, sent it back and the mag dropped out on the second round for me at the range. After the third magazine I just stopped wasting ammo.

Looks like I'll have to go with the Galloway Precision mag catch and see if that works. I wrote them to see if they can confirm it will indeed fix the mag drop issues associated with these guns. If not it's going to keep going back to S&W until they replace the grip or the entire gun.

I sent mine in same issue last week. Anyone know their turn around time this is annoying gun is brand new


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My M&P .380 lost most of the catch since a piece of plastic is not going to fare well against a steel magazine.

I called S&W and they are supposed to be sending me a replacement catch. I haven't seen it yet. In the mean time I ordered a Galloway part, received it and have put it in. The mag is staying put so far.

The Galloway part is aluminum, I'd pay a bit more for steel.

It has been 10 days since I contacted S&W, one would think they could have delivered their replacement part by now.

I'm not very impressed by S&W's response to their defective engineering.

Szumi

Just wanted to report they replaced my magazine catch with a steal one proved by using a magnet to test. Issue seems resolved by smith and Wesson


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I got rid of mine. It didn't drop mags and didn't malfunction, but I had to pull the trigger with the very end of my finger and had to reposition my hand. Didn't like that, but I liked everything about it but that. Trigger pull wasn't excessive (strong, but not excessive) and it stacked just before the hammer dropped and if I got too much finger in it, the hammer wouldn't drop at all. So I couldn't put my finger in it the way I like to use a semi. Maybe it's just me. I've got a problem with semis; I shoot to the left, which means I got too much finger in it. After adjusting the sights way to the right, I can hit pretty well with my Shield and my previously owned Glocks.

The reason I’m keeping it is there is times where I need something small. I have a shield performance center 40 for my main


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Just bought the 380 for ease of concealment, Steel mag button from factory...impressive fit and finish, yet to test fire it.

Well First time out mag dropped out on 5th rd.... shot like 40 rds...ball all went fine sans the mag drop. Got home and dry fired the pistol and the mag dropped again...then I noted my hand Position.... ON THE RELEasE Button. Ordered a mag finger rest and it has solved the issue.... Ive got big hands.

Picking mine up today. Fingers crossed.

Are you able to put all the galloway trigger parts in yourself?

Are you able to put all the galloway trigger parts in yourself?
Nope...and im a Retired Heavy Jet Tech ATP and RN the past 10 years...beyond my skill set, rather do a Fan Blade Lube of a CFM 56 then that kit.

Picked it up today. Dry as a bone. Last sig I bought, it was dripping with oil, in a plastic bag, filled with oil.
Cleaned and lubed. Seems to be a metal mag catch. Mag seems secure while shaking/wiggling. Trigger is rough. Would rather not spend a ton for the gallaway parts then have to pay to get them in.
Mine is the no safety/no laser model.
Hoping to get a few hundred rounds through it. If it groups decent out to 7 and the mag doesn't drop, I think I'll be happy for what it is. Paid 238. shipped for it.

Got mine back and they put in the steal mag release


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Mine has a plastic mag catch as far as I can tell. (I bought it in 2015 )

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I just got a new one today for $274.99. (No thumb safety/laser)
The prices have gone down about $100 from the last one I bought in 2015. New one has the metal magazine release, (my last one was plastic) and the grip texture seems nicer, (my last one was too smooth), and the trigger feels smoother?(though still heavy)Seems like a great price for a new gun

Attached Images

Screenshot 2019-10-29 at 1.30.47 PM.jpg (24.7 KB, 19 views)

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

The following is my observation and formed opinions after much range use of the M&P BG380. I am not a gunsmith but I am a determined engineer with decades of experience. These are my conclusions and recommendations - YMMV.

I have used the Galloway Precision magazine catch in my BG380 and it does prevent magazine from falling out during firing. I have also installed a new metal mag catch (free) from S&W and achieved the same result. Galloway is aluminum and S&W is steel. I have discovered that the shelf on the Galloway part is about 0.010" deeper than the S&W. I took 0.015" metal off the inside-top-right of my S&W to get the shelf depth from 0.020 to 0.035" (my Galloway was about 0.030) and the problem is definitely gone. With a steel mag catch I am confident that I can slap in magazines without worry.
There is a good video on disassembly on Galloway website (but only need to raise the rail inside grip and raise the mag-catch spring). You do not need to completely remove the rail from the grip frame to swap out the mag catch.

***Take note that my stock S&W STEEL mag catch dropped magazines until I made the shelf deeper as described above.

That said, there is still too much movement between the extended finger magazine and the heel of the pistol grip and it is my opinion that the magazine still "feels" like it wants to drop. The magazine is being torqued from the bottom while hanging on the mag catch.

I have experimented with a few ways to reduce this gap (in temporary ways that allowed me to return the gun back to factory normal condition). Here is my final permanent* fix to eliminate the slop and "hopefully" not need to replace the magazine catch. This assumes you have a metal mag catch - if not then call S&W and they will send you the metal one.

I added a dab of 5-minute epoxy to the inside heel of the grip to take up approximately 80% of the slop between magazine floor plate and heel of grip. The epoxy was dabbed from bottom and up to just barely inside the grip where the polymer is keyed in front of the hammer spring (the indentation helps to lock it in). I inserted a magazine covered with kitchen plastic wrap (to form the epoxy) and let it cure for several hours.

Went to the range the following day and problems are gone.
Now have over another 1000 various rounds with no more magazine drops and slop is gone and gun shoots great.

*I have discovered that you can remove 5 minute epoxy from this slippery polymer by prying with a little bit of effort and return the gun to factory condition.

Good news . Glad S&W changed that part.
I found it insane that the Bodyguards had a plastic mag catch for so many years, and only recently did S&W figure out the problem with dropped mags.

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm