Bodyguard 2.0 Back Plate Removal

scruffy

scruffy

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I have read that the bodyguard 2.0 back plate can not be removed to clean out the striker channel without having to remove the rear sight. I verified this with a call to S&W CS. I typically like to clean the striker channel out and inspect the striker assembly every 500 rounds on a carry pistol. Has anyone tried to remove the rear sight yet? I'm curious if this is difficult to do without having to forcefully drift it out with a punch and or if there is a set screw helping to keep it in position making and making it easier to remove once loosened. This design of making the plate not removable without taking the rear sigh off the slide could be a deal breaker for me. Shame as I was thinking of getting one to fit into my J-frame carry rotation.
 
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That seems very odd, and all CS folks aren't all that conversant with the product. Especially very grimy details. What you might try is to get the LGS people to show you how to do it:)

If you haven't done the full size ones, at least the 1.0s go like this: with the slide off and sitting upside down on a flat surface, you'll need a small screwdriver or two. You need to pry the plastic tube of the striker assembly forward to take pressure off the end cap to be able to remove it. It's been awhile, you may need to depress the striker block plunger and move the striker forward, then release the SB plunger to lock it in place to lower the pressure in the striker assembly first.

2nd paragraph is a bad information, see post # 5.
 
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Look at the plate on the pistol from the rear. It appears you can only get it out by pushing it upwards, but the rear sight blocks that. The C/S rep had me on hold while he talked to a tech who confirmed the rear sight needed to be removed before you could get the plate off.

WR Moore said:
That seems very odd, and all CS folks aren't all that conversant with the product. Especially very grimy details. What you might try is to get the LGS people to show you how to do it:)

If you haven't done the full size ones, at least the 1.0s go like this: with the slide off and sitting upside down on a flat surface, you'll need a small screwdriver or two. You need to pry the plastic tube of the striker assembly forward to take pressure off the end cap to be able to remove it. It's been awhile, you may need to depress the striker block plunger and move the striker forward, then release the SB plunger to lock it in place to lower the pressure in the striker assembly first.
Click to expand...
 
I also read that somewhere, i really need instructions on removing back plate and striker.
 
Don't have one and after cleaning my 1.0 I have to admit what I posted in #2 is way off base. Memory isn't what it used to be.

If you look at the removed 1.0 slide, look very carefully at the striker, just ahead of the "foot" that rests on the sear you'll see the edge of the nylon striker sleeve. If you move that slightly toward the muzzle, you'll unload the end cap/back plate and be able to remove it.
 
WR Moore said:
Don't have one and after cleaning my 1.0 I have to admit what I posted in #2 is way off base. Memory isn't what it used to be.

If you look at the removed 1.0 slide, look very carefully at the striker, just ahead of the "foot" that rests on the sear you'll see the edge of the nylon striker sleeve. If you move that slightly toward the muzzle, you'll unload the end cap/back plate and be able to remove it.
Click to expand...

Right, except on the Bodyguard 2.0. the plate goes up in the direction of the rear sight (which blocks it) not down. Look at pics of the the back of the slide and you'll understand.
 
OK, looked at the pics on the factory website. The rear sight dovetail may be generous enough that you don't need to drive the rear sight (left to right viewed from the rear) to remove once the set screw is loosened/removed. If that's the case, just be careful not to lose the parts for the striker safety plunger while removing. Also, mark the sight's original position so you get it back where it belongs.

If that's not the case, my personal opinion is that it's a serious design flaw and you need to find another personal defense tool. The micro handguns are generally considered "carry often/shot seldom" so they may consider cleaning the striker channel not/rarely needed.

Also, IMHO (which you didn't ask for-sorry), the .380 is a marginal defensive caliber out of a 4 in barrel. The Bodyguard doesn't have that. There's a thread in the Concealed Carry area on .380 v .38 Spl. You might want to read through it. While shot placement is the most important factor, the bullet does have to reach vital areas to be effective.
 
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WR Moore said:
"The micro handguns are generally considered "carry often/shot seldom" so they may consider cleaning the striker channel not/rarely needed."

Those were the exact words of my LGS who was holding one when he spoke to me on the phone. Sorry, but I practice with what I carry a minimum of once a month. The BG 2.0 would be in addition to, but definitely not replace my 642 PC and 637 PC .38 snubbies which I shoot well enough for their intended purpose. .38 Special, especially +P defensive rounds are superior ti .380 ACP no question.
Click to expand...
 
Took a look at the rear of the BG 2.0, and it appears that S&W might have run out of room to engineer a plate that could move downwards. Either that or they just screwed up.

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May be a case of "we want a gun this size, make it work". Focus groups at work?
 
WR Moore said:
OK, looked at the pics on the factory website. The rear sight dovetail may be generous enough that you don't need to drive the rear sight (left to right viewed from the rear) to remove once the set screw is loosened/removed. If that's the case, just be careful not to lose the parts for the striker safety plunger while removing. Also, mark the sight's original position so you get it back where it belongs.

If that's not the case, my personal opinion is that it's a serious design flaw and you need to find another personal defense tool. The micro handguns are generally considered "carry often/shot seldom" so they may consider cleaning the striker channel not/rarely needed.

Also, IMHO (which you didn't ask for-sorry), the .380 is a marginal defensive caliber out of a 4 in barrel. The Bodyguard doesn't have that. There's a thread in the Concealed Carry area on .380 v .38 Spl. You might want to read through it. While shot placement is the most important factor, the bullet does have to reach vital areas to be effective.
Click to expand...

Not sure which pistol you're looking at but the Bodyguard 2.0 doesn't have a set screw on the rear sight. The only way to get the backplate off is to completely remove the rear sight.
 
OK, just 1 more reason to get that XS sight so I can clean the striker channel and blocker assembly!!!

Sure appreciate the info that keeps coming from this forum.
 
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