Everyone:

I have a BG for everyday carry, but almost-never use.

For those who have owned and shot them to high round counts, what parts should I keep on hand? What have you seen break and need replacing/repair?

I’d plan on firing a few hundred rounds a year at most. I don’t feel like I need to have enough parts on hand to rebuild the entire pistol in the event that it is the end of the world and no more parts are available until society is rebuilt, but I also want to keep some easily replaced parts on hand so that I don’t need to send to SW in the event of a minor breakage.

My gun is probably about 4 years old.

I feel like four magazines is enough to have on hand.

I know my pistol has a plastic magazine release, so I will replace it with steel.

Do I need to have recoil springs on hand for replacing every 5,000 rounds (or some other interval), or do they last “forever”? Any other springs to have on hand for regular replacement? Any small parts prone to breakage, or that are recommended to be replaced after a certain number of rounds?

Or should I just replace the magazine release and expect to shoot it until something breaks?

Thanks.

I’d say just use it and hope for the best. I can’t see buying a bunch of parts. My (very unfavorable) experience with this gun is nothing to write much about here but if your gun is working OK now, maybe an extra recoil spring and that’s about all. I would test it thoroughly before using it (the gun, not the spring). I doubt seriously this gun is going to make it to 5000 rounds. And yes, four magazines should be enough. Good luck.

Thanks. I know some like them, many hate them. Mine has been functional. I wouldn’t buy it again as I don’t really love it, but it has been fine these past few years.

I shoot mine a few times a year. Maybe more often in the summer when it's more likely to be my EDC. I don't expect it to ever wear out but if something breaks I figure S&W will stand behind it. They have stood by several other guns when I needed them. I like mine. It's got two things I want in a pocket carry semi auto: a long stout trigger pull and a manual safety.

Okay thanks. I was wondering if there was some preventative maintenance I should practice. It seems not—I guess most don’t shoot it enough to wear anything out or replace anything on any kind of set schedule.

I can't imagine firing enough rounds to wear anything out. I still can't get over how hard the trigger pull is.

Mines a 2015 with laser .I shoot it often maybe over 2k rounds.In febuary I found out the sear block was cracked other than that she's been great.

Yes, not my favorite. It is what it is, and it’s worked fine whenever I’ve used it at the range. It’s what I have though.

Thanks for the data point.

Sorry, but at the risk of sounding flippant, think I would keep a nice Ruger LCP II in my spare parts drawer. My BG .380 was one of the least usable handguns I’ve ever owned. That said, it was 100% reliable and better built than, at least, the older LCP’s.

Well I agree in that I don’t love it. It’s my only pocket size pistol though. I think the last distance at which I shot it was at least 15 yards if I recall correctly. Not a fun time but it was okay.

My thought is, I own it now, so (even if I end up replacing it) I might as well get whatever parts could extend its useful life the most for the least amount of dollars. Even if I replace it no use in not having a usable pistol if possible.

Further to my last post though, maybe it’s not worth throwing more good $$ into it. The plastic magazine catch still works, and I only have two magazines (and two more in the shopping cart). Maybe it’s really not worth buying a minimum of $60-75 worth of magazines, backup parts, and springs. Maybe just use it until/if it breaks.

might call Smith & Wesson to see if they would send you the new metal mag release at no cost. easy to install.