I have an original BG380 from S7W. I have had nothing but trouble with this gun ranging from Lasers to failure to fire. The gun has a 4% failure do to light hits over its lifetime. I am affraid that since it is my EDC that it wont go bang when it's needed. I hear alot of other people have had the same issue and that S&W blames every but thier gun. I.E. dirty ammo, Dirty firing pin chamber (cant be cleaned without removing rear site and totally sriping the slide.), worn out spring for improper storing, etc. Is anyone else having this same issue ? Has Smith helped or are you in the same boat as I am ?

I have had this same problem; in fact, my BG is back at S&W for the 3rd time for this and a couple lesser issues.

BUT: S&W has always been REALLY cooperative and concerned and helpful, and have never blamed me or ammo or anything else.

They did want to know what ammo I was using. I use the cheapest thing I can find (for the range) that's not Russian or steel case. Win WB, Rem WB are as low as I've gone. I think if you're using off-brand or odd steel case ammo it may be reasonable to suspect the ammo.

Call them about it and they'll do their best to fix it.

David

Had one for a few weeks, traded it for a Ruger LCP 9, lost a few $$$ on the deal, best money I ever lost on a gun trade...

I have a bodyguard380 that has been nothing but trouble. The gun has been down more than it has been in my holster. I have been advised to deal with Miguel, Paul and Kate at S&W. So far I have been treated terrible and they have failed to take ownership of the problem. Its so bad that Kate said she will return the gun unrepaired and I must deal with thier legal department. Has anyone else had this much trouble getting a problem resolved.

What is/are the issue(s)?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

My experience with CS has been very good. They worked with me to get it right on two pistols.

I've dealt with S&W CS numerous times and have always gotten the problem resolved others have had the same experiences.

I don't want to make accusations but how have you gone about handling the problem?

UPDATE: Just got a call from Theresa in the legal department. I explained my displeasure with the service, and she said that they have a lawyer there that specializes in these things. He, of course, is out of the office until next week and nothing could be done until then. I told her to just return MY gun to me and she stated she cannot do that. Along time ago, I had to send a Glock back to the factory for a slide spring and was treated like gold. I was told earlier that the person above customer service was in limbo right now. Things are changing at S&W and not for the better in my opinion.

In order for any of us to be helpful, we need to know more about what the specific problem actually IS.....

Having dealt with S&W Customer Service more than once in MY life, I can report that my experience has been outstanding in ALL regards.

Much of it centers around how you talk to the reps first, asking for their help, not demanding it.

There may be a very legitimate reason it is not being returned yet.....( I know of a handgun that was sent in for repair that was stolen)

S&W would NOT return it to the person that sent it in, but would do so to the Sheriff's Office that had the stolen report on file. They in turn contacted the listed owner and it was returned.

To ME something doesn't sound right......

Randy

PS. MY experience with Kate is that she has bent over backwards to help me....way above and beyond the call of duty.

bodygaurd380 started a second thread about his/her pistol which reflects that it has experienced just about every malfunction possible except exploding into pieces in the holster. The only thing I can contribute at the moment is to note the proper spelling of bodyguard, and think to myself "Self, maybe he was mad when he signed up here to complain . . . "

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Actually guys, my email is spelled that way because in the past I have always been smitten over S&W. The proper spelling was already taken. My collection of the S&W and M&Ps is impressive. Up until recently I have experienced good service with Smith, however, lately things have changed. The gun is legit, I have owned it since new. It seems that other people, on my other thread, have experienced the same problem with failure to fire. In my opinion,which may not be yours, the bodyguard 380 is not up to the standards of Smith and Wesson. In my original calls to them, I was very cordial, however, thier service went from bad to worse quickly. Will I ever buy another S&W; absolutly not. Will I sell myS&Ws; as soon as possible. Ask yourself one question.... If your life was ever threatened, would you feel confident having to defend it with a bodyguard 380? I no longer do. It doesnt mean you dont. I have simply lost faith in the company.

I'm guessing you sent your gun in because it doesn't work right?

I don't blame S&W for not returning your gun to you if it's defective. They could be held liable for damages if you tried to use the gun and injured yourself.

Watchdog, I think you have hit it on the head, as the saying goes. It sounds to me like they dont know what to do. It does fail to fire, and I dont think they have a fix for those guns. Replacing it would possibly only have the same problem. I wonder how many other people out there have FTF's with thier bodyguard 380s. Maybe they should recall the gun.

If you had done your homework prior to buying the gun, you would have seen it was problematic. Reviews are marginal at best.

I've never had a problem dealing with S&W CS, but if you get nasty with any company they will cease attempts to resolve the issue. That honey vs vinegar thing.

SMSgt.... Unfortunatly, I bought this gun over 4 years ago before the bad reviews were out. Knowing then what I know now, I never would have bought it. My problems started day one with the insight laser, and it has been one problem after another. I did treat them with honey, as the saying goes, I just think they finally got frustrated. I have a long standing message in for Kate. We will see if she calls tomorrow with a solution. You all can bet that I will keep you up to date.
Thanks for caring and sharing

I've had nothing but great customer service from S&W throughout the years, but have sent them nothing recently. However, I think the 380 is a horrible choice for self-defense in any brand gun, not because of the cartridge's capabilities but because of it's reliability in many small handguns. The short, stubby round seems to have difficulty in making it up feed ramps and/or out of magazines in many firearms. IMHO the 32 ACP round, despite being less powerful than the 380 is a better choice in a small semi-autos simply because it tends to work more consistently. For example, over the years I've owned a dozen or more Walter PP series handguns in 380 and in 32 ACP. All except one of the 380s was consistently unreliable whereas all the 32ACP PP series guns were 100%. I've over the years also talked with dozens of 380 users who have had the same experiences with their 380s in a variety of brands, so I don't think my problems with 380 unreliability is an anomaly.

Regarding other companies, when all else fails I send a calm, concise, informative letter to a company's CEO.

Investors - Directors and Officers - Smith & Wesson

I have found that letters to a CEO usually get special handling.

(Besides, I suspect that companies don't like a paper trail about an unresolved complaint.)

Got any pre war N frames?

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Sure you did

Hey! Sorry to hear that you are discouraged.

Admittedly, .380 ACP semi-automatics have not been a great product for S&W. They are not alone in experiencing challenges with that platform.

Based on some of the posts here on the forum, their plastic revolvers may also be a poor design.

Otherwise, there are some great S&W products, especially their traditional revolvers.

Here's hoping you regain your good humor soon. It would be unfortunate if you you denied yourself the opportunity to enjoy the good stuff from S&W because of this one P.O.S.

This old guy believes that life is too short to spend much of it being angry.

Best of luck, sir!

The county Drug Enforcement Unit issues these to their UCs. I have seen 4 here at the Battery Oaks Range. 50-50 work and didn't work. 2 doing what your is. 2 ran like **** through a goose. Not quite as good a ratio as the old man across the field from me who sells rabbit sausage. I asked him what he mixed the rabbit with for filler and he said mule meat. I asked what ratio and he said 50-50. One rabbit one mule. No endorsement for S&W 380s but the old mans sausage ain't bad.

Wait, have I stumbled into annoyed at thread drift????

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~ From the Land of Lobstah ~

Well, I don't know about that, but if I were you, this is what I'd do:

If they can't/won't repair your pistol, or if they can't/won't return it due to potential product liabilities, why not see if they'll strike a deal? Ask them what they'll send you in a fair exchange. Maybe they'll send you a revolver snubby or something, who knows? Or ask for a refund. If none of that works, I think I'd just take a loss and forget the whole thing. You'd probably never trust another Bodyguard anyway, even if they replaced your gun.

If you're dead set on a .380, get a Glock 42. Or step up with a Sig.

It is amazing to me how many have had to deal with customer service in the first place. I am done buying current S&W products due to poor quality, but people keep buying them.