About fed up with BG 380

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pistolpal

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Okay. I have cleaned it and cuddled it and shot the hell out of it and while it WILL get into a 5" circle at 15 feet it will stove pipe, it will not lock open as it should and I am one step from dumping it at an upcoming gun show. I really don't want to get into a long term exchange with S&W about it-sending it back and forth. I really DO like this little pistol, but what isn't right here?:(
 
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It took me a few range trips to get the hang of shooting mine. Nasty long trigger pull, but it is predictable, so slow to medium firing I can get good groups out to about 10 yds. Past that and it's not so pretty.
I pretty much keep it hanging around to grab when I run to the store or other short errands when I'm in shorts. Besides that, it has no other use.


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I have 5 mags for my BG...2 factory mags that came with it, 2 S&W branded ones I bought and 1 promag. The flat plate factory mag only locks open 50% of the time, the factory pinky plate mag works 100%, 1 S&W bought mag works 100% and the other works 0% and the promag is a hunk of junk that not only wont lock open but wont even feed proper causing it to jam the gun. As far as the stove pipe goes it could be ammo related or possibly a bad ejector or just a good old limp wrist.
 
I've got 3 .380s....a Sig 230 (Sig's improvement on a PP and great pocket carry); Sig 250 in .380 which is smooooth DAO, easy to rack slide and not a blowback; and a Walter PK380 (also not a blowback) which has some online knocks against it but I've had no problems.

Send the BG off, sell it, buy a Sig 230 or 232.
 
If I were you I would have someone else shoot it too see if they have the same problem. If they have a problem I would send it back to get it repaired. My wife has one and we both think it is a great little gun.
It always goes bang, it's a DA, it doesn't stay cocked after firing a round and flatter than a revolver. What's not to like?
The Ruger LCP is not DA so comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. Larry
 
Mine is back at the factory for the second time. The symptoms were failing to lock the slide back on the last round and magazines that won't drop when the mag release is pushed. After a lot of searching, I was finally able to understand my problem.

Instead of landing square on the little follower notch, the slide stop tab would wedge itself against the vertical edge of the follower. That would keep the stop from engaging and also put lateral pressure against the magazine so it needs to be yanked out instead of dropping freely.

The first time the gun went "home" they indicated the slide stop was replaced and then functioned ok. I ran a couple magazines through it and there was no improvement.

Not sure what they'll do with it on this second trip.
 
Sell it. If you have had nothing but misery from the pistol,you will never trust it. If you seek an inexpensive alternative,look no further than the KelTec P3AT. Have had 2 for many many years and they are keepers.Gobble up all kinds of ammo,easy parts availability (I've never needed any) and accurate for self defense. If you want to spend a bit more..buy a Glock 42.It's a bit big for pocket carry,but that really depends on what you are wearing.Mine has never caused me any grief and I carry it a lot,shoot it often. Fussy guns are not worth having around. Just like people..:)
 
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Okay you guys! I get it! And I agree you just can't hang onto something that is untrustworthy. There are others out there but the sad fact is I really like this little pistol but not enough to keep on farting around with it. I have used all brands/loads through it, cleaned it until my fingers are sore etc. etc. so enough is enough.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
 
Never liked the Bodyguard. Bought one...had problems with it...got rid of it...no regrets.
Bought 6 KelTec P3AT's... absolutely the worst garbage... shouldn't be on the market. All failed! They'll get you killed for sure! Dumped them quick.
Bought 4 Ruger LCP's. All worked but had to squish mags in to lock in; too long trigger pull; and no slide lock. Got rid of them, too.
Always hated Taurus anything but bought 4 TCP's for $140 each... BEST FRIGGIN 380's I could have ever dreamed of! Great triggers; eat all ammo; totally reliable; have slide lock that works 100%; and BONUS...can shoot the eyes out of a gnat at 15 yards! Really, super accurate shooters! Can't say enough good things about the TCP 380.
Try one if you can find one... Like all good things, they got discontinued last fall.
 
pistolpal said:
Okay you guys! I get it! And I agree you just can't hang onto something that is untrustworthy.
Click to expand...
This is the right statement. If your purpose is self-defense, you can't keep this.


There is another factor that hasn't been mentioned yet; caliber. Believe it or not, some people just have trouble shooting the smaller calibers. The .380Auto is an anemic version of a 9mm. Because it's so weak, it's easy for the operator to retard the action of the slide. Since I haven't seen you shoot, I don't know if this is part of your issue or not.

In general, the guns with the most complaints are .380Auto guns. I see it a lot in my classes. They're just not as reliable as their larger brothers. People buy them because they're small and easy to conceal, but they have a lot of trouble.

The Shield 9mm is a much better gun.
 
Nonuthin said:
Never liked the Bodyguard. Bought one...had problems with it...got rid of it...no regrets.
Bought 6 KelTec P3AT's... absolutely the worst garbage... shouldn't be on the market. All failed! They'll get you killed for sure! Dumped them quick.
Bought 4 Ruger LCP's. All worked but had to squish mags in to lock in; too long trigger pull; and no slide lock. Got rid of them, too.
Always hated Taurus anything but bought 4 TCP's for $140 each... BEST FRIGGIN 380's I could have ever dreamed of! Great triggers; eat all ammo; totally reliable; have slide lock that works 100%; and BONUS...can shoot the eyes out of a gnat at 15 yards! Really, super accurate shooters! Can't say enough good things about the TCP 380.
Try one if you can find one... Like all good things, they got discontinued last fall.
Click to expand...

Jerry Miculek has no problems hitting a street sign at 400 yards with the BG. My BG 380 has a perfect record after several hundred rounds. If you can't shoot good or read the manual then you will have problems like you have experienced.
 
I had a Bodyguard for over a year - and dumped it at an LGS for an M&P Compact .22 (lost almost $100). Waited a long time for a stainless LCP - it was worth the wait. I'm late to this party but I have to echo almost every comment I've seen: you cannot go wrong with an LCP. Mine is a newer one with a trigger that's at least an order of magnitude better than my old clunker BG .380.
 
Sorry for your troubles. I've had intermittent problems with my BG. It always stems from the ammo I've fed it. It works for me and my lifestyle.

I also recommend sending it back to Smith and Wesson...then sell it. Regardless whether it's the gun, ammo or your shooting habits, you shouldn't trust it.

I hope you find something you love. Good luck!!
 
Well gents, I AM going to send the BG back to S&W and in the meantime, like maybe tomorrow, pick up a new LCP II. I am also interested in the little Colt .380 but don't know much about it yet.
Contrary to what people say I LIKE my original Ruger LC9 and NO....I don't want a better trigger-the nice looooonnnng trigger I have precludes some idiot (not me ) shooting it by accident. If fires every time, as accurate as a little toy gun can be,fits in my pocket fine and it's a 9r.
Love the PPK etc. but good grief I'm an old man and can't be dragging all that weight behind me. Hell, I might as well pull a wheeled canon tied to my belt.
Okay, I will keep you posted. If I can find this thread each time.
 
pistolpal said:
Well gents, I AM going to send the BG back to S&W and in the meantime, like maybe tomorrow, pick up a new LCP II. I am also interested in the little Colt .380 but don't know much about it yet.
Click to expand...

If you are interested in the Colt .380, you might want to check out the SIG P238. It is also a .380 and is about the same size and weight (16 - 17 oz.) as the Colt, and has 7+1 capacity. I've shot 100 rounds through a P238 rental at my range, and I was very impressed. It's very easy to rack, has a nice single action only trigger, and is very accurate for such a small pistol. According to folks on the SIG Talk forum, it's reliable as well. However, it is somewhat expensive (in the $500-550 range), and you'll have to not mind carrying a SAO pistol cocked and locked.
 
pistolpal said:
Well gents, I AM going to send the BG back to S&W and in the meantime, like maybe tomorrow, pick up a new LCP II. I am also interested in the little Colt .380 but don't know much about it yet.
Contrary to what people say I LIKE my original Ruger LC9 and NO....I don't want a better trigger-the nice looooonnnng trigger I have precludes some idiot (not me ) shooting it by accident. If fires every time, as accurate as a little toy gun can be,fits in my pocket fine and it's a 9r.
Love the PPK etc. but good grief I'm an old man and can't be dragging all that weight behind me. Hell, I might as well pull a wheeled canon tied to my belt.
Okay, I will keep you posted. If I can find this thread each time.
Click to expand...
I think you will like the LCP II if you give it a try. I have an original LCP & it is OK, 100% reliable. I have over 500 rounds theough my new LCP II it is also 100% reliable, it is the pocket pistol I have looked for.
 
I have carried my son's BG 380, didn't care for it. My son didn't care for it. I believe it just sits in his safe now.
 
I have been a S&W guy for more years than many of you have been alive. However, I could never warm up to the Body Guard. I have carried a Kahr P380 for several years with complete satisfaction. Of all the offerings at the time, it had the best trigger and features of the pocket pistols. For a reliable and easily concealed pistol, the Kahr has been a good choice for me.
 

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Dope Cops here issued BGs as BUGs. Had 3 on the range over a period of time. 1 ran like **** through a goose, the other 2....NOT.
Agency eventually took them all up.
That is my personal experience with BGs.
 
vortex360 said:
Jerry Miculek has no problems hitting a street sign at 400 yards with the BG. My BG 380 has a perfect record after several hundred rounds. If you can't shoot good or read the manual then you will have problems like you have experienced.
Click to expand...
Not sure what you are trying to say and imply...
Maybe you flunked basic grammar in elementary school?
I read all my operator manuals; I'm a former record-holding competitive shooter and firearms instructor; have owned more guns of all types than you could imagine; and, I'm not Jerry Miculek nor do you have to be to recognize a crappy gun design. A crappy gun is still a crappy gun no matter whose hands it's in. Just because a few Bodyguards may function properly doesn't mean it's everybody's cup of tea. Keep drinking the S&W Kool Aid and posting insulting assumptions about other forum members... Good Job!
Have a nice day.
 
After the huge success of the redesign of the LCP to the LCP II I see either a complete redesign of the S&W BG or they are just giving up the 380 market to Ruger.
 
Just bought one because I shot my wife's and was pleased. I'll be curious to see how it compares to my LCP custom after a few hundred rounds...:D

If it's close, I'll be happy.
 
I've always liked my Bodyguard. It's got usable sights, and falls right in between the original LCP and Sig P238 in weight and bulk, and I can shoot it all day with no fatigue or pain (unlike the LCP).
I did have a problem with recurring light strikes even after sending it back to the factory, but, a heavier hammer spring installed by my local gunsmith seems to have fixed this problem.
 
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