bg380, faulty mag release?

[shane_huskey]

I have the same magazine issue. I can even pull the magazine out without touching the magazine release just by wiggling the magazine a little bit. Serial# ECD****. I, like Mollyo, have noticed that the magazine catch inside the magazine well is not sufficient to hold the magazine. It's too bad, because it's a nice carry option in a Remora holster when I'm wearing shorts with a drawstring, but if they wear out after only a few hundred rounds, I might have to find another option.

 

[JDP530]

I have shot several hundred rds thru my BG using five different OEM mags and I have not experienced any mag issues. I do take them apart and clean them after every other range trip.

 

[Ed911]

Sounds like your thumb is hitting the button while firing. Adjust your grip so the thumb is not pressing on the mag release. I think it's a fine pistol too. Good shooting.

It definitely doesn't take much pressure to release the mag on a BG...on mine anyway. If I had my druthers, I'd strengthen the spring for sure.

And, I think that the problem is exacerbated by the fact that you don't have to depress the mag release very far in order to release the mag...a problem which could be fixed by making the holding lug a bit longer...and metal.

 

[Mcwsky09]

I had my mag pop out unexpectedly while in a folded leather holster - with 6 rounds in the mag there is quite a bit of spring tension applied downward on the magazine - with 5 or less rounds there is not nearly as much - so a less than full press of the release might not cause the mag to jump out - at least as readily.

 

[Frank DeBello]

Bodyguard 380 magazine button

Yes, some of the 380s seem to have a real easy mag release. This problem can be taken care of without a major issue, if you can take the pistol apart. Once you remove the two pins and remove the trigger/ lower frame asembly, you can look into the magazine well and see the metal spring that tensions the release button. Just remove the spring and bend it out to apply more pressure on the release button. You can install and check the tension, if not enough, just bend it out a bit more and install. I have done this to quite a few 380s, never broke a spring, and this gives you chance to clean and lube the trigger, hammer, and trigger bar, plus lets you see how the pistol is designed and works. I am a gunsmith, take my word, it is a easy job, you might want to view "you tube" , there are some videos showing the correct way to remove the lower parts. These are great pistols, dont be afraid to jump in and get it tuned the way you want!!

 

[SolidOrange]

Bought new one Friday, fired it today for first time. I had the same problem. When trying to insert magazine, I had to press magazine release button to fully insert it. Guess I'll be calling Customer Service tomorrow.

How did you get it to stop mines doing that to

 

[SolidOrange]

My issue with mag release is it seems to protrude in the mag wel causing the mag to not smoothly insert. If you just touch it softly while inserting mag it's fine. Afraid if I keep forcing it in without pressing mag release when inserting a mag it will wear out the piece and cause it to do like you say and just fall out. Anyone else notice this? If so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated


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How did you fix this

 

[jayp1978]

Over time simply slightly pressing release when putting in mag and it wears down after about 300 rds. No prob now with it just don't jam it in



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[Tmlee2014]

I just purchased a new bodyguard 380, I like everything about this gun except the magazine release button. The magazine release button seems to sensitive, if you barely touch the mag release button the magazine pops out. I don't like it, seems like it should have a stronger spring on the mag release button. Any one else notice this on theirs?

I purchased two Bodyguards and I came to the same conclusion. The magazine release spring pressure is to weak. When I teach ladies how to shoot them they tend to accidentally push in the release button dropping the magazine and causing the gun to misfire. Smith&Wesson needs to offer a stronger spring to remedy this problem.

 

[checkmyswag]

I dont know how S&W got so much right with the Shield and so much wrong with the Bodyguard 380.

 

[Ptarnuzzer]

I have the same issue. I find way to often that the magazine is released and just sitting loose in the grip well. This is while carrying in an IWB holster. If it weren't for my shirt being over the weapon, I probably would have already lost the magazine!

 

[TXBG380]

Sent my BG380 back to S&W because the mag release is so sensitive. The mag pops out sometimes just by gripping the pistol to aim. I hope they fix it and return it soon. So far no word

 

[wmorrispilot]

Edge is broken off

Well mine has done this same thing... Looked inside the magazine well and you can see the edge of the mag release is worn/broken off.... been waiting on a call tag for over a month..... not very happy right now..... any one else looked in the mag well and noticed the edge of the release is broken or worn off?

 

[Arkansas]

mag botton

I bought a MP380 and would have to press the mag release button to get the mag to insert in the handle. You couldn't even force it in. After about 200 rounds fired and the mag started falling out when shooting. Sent it back to s and w and explained that mag would fall out and ask them to make sure the mag would insert without pressing the mag release button when they fixed it. Got the gun back and the mag button still has to be pressed in to insert the mag. Is it supposed be like this? Never seen a semi automatic like this. If you are in a desperate situation and need to load a second mag, that could cost you your life if you don't remember to press the button.

 

[fiddler63]

mags fall out

I have the same magazine issue. I can even pull the magazine out without touching the magazine release just by wiggling the magazine a little bit. Serial# ECD****. I, like Mollyo, have noticed that the magazine catch inside the magazine well is not sufficient to hold the magazine. It's too bad, because it's a nice carry option in a Remora holster when I'm wearing shorts with a drawstring, but if they wear out after only a few hundred rounds, I might have to find another option.

My friend just bought a BG380 and right out of the box had the problem of the magazine falling out.Just touching the bottom of the magazine caused it to fall out.Finger was not touching the release button.We have always been S&W fans but we are very disappointed .Did not even get one shot off with a brand new gun.Design flaw or lack of quality control?

 

[martybee]

My BG380 SN#ECB28xx does not have this issue. and it has almost 600
rds. through it! I have to give the release button a pretty good push in order for the mag to drop.

The only thing I have against the pistol is the snappy recoil! The gun is so thin that it hurts the web of my hand when I fire it!

mb

 

[Barewoolf]

I hate this issue with mine! It started popping out in my pocket and I thought maybe the release got pushed. Now it will pop out by itself when I insert e mag. I saw the suggested fix by the gunsmith on here and I'm not sure if I want to tackle that. Might just contact S&W. Hate this!

 

[Redfluke]

Yes, some of the 380s seem to have a real easy mag release. This problem can be taken care of without a major issue, if you can take the pistol apart. Once you remove the two pins and remove the trigger/ lower frame asembly, you can look into the magazine well and see the metal spring that tensions the release button. Just remove the spring and bend it out to apply more pressure on the release button. You can install and check the tension, if not enough, just bend it out a bit more and install. I have done this to quite a few 380s, never broke a spring, and this gives you chance to clean and lube the trigger, hammer, and trigger bar, plus lets you see how the pistol is designed and works. I am a gunsmith, take my word, it is a easy job, you might want to view "you tube" , there are some videos showing the correct way to remove the lower parts. These are great pistols, dont be afraid to jump in and get it tuned the way you want!!

The original problem with the mag occasionally falling out was being caused by my trigger finger actually touching the mag release when pulling it all the way back to the fire position. My son experienced the same issue,, we both have long fingers. We noticed we could wrap our finger around through the trigger guard and easily touch the release. The release button was also very easy to push. By adjusting the spring pressure as you have described here seems to have fixed the issue. I went one step farther and filed down the release button while I had it out, thus eliminating the serrations. I then added a clean, simple, shallow drill dimple in the center of the button for feel and it's been flawless shooting ever since. Thanks for the spring adjustment info. It really was a simple fix and works custom to my liking now. I really like this firearm and for folks with longer fingers, this is a good adjustment.

 

[grizz88]

I have the same issue, I just got the gun and I have already opened a case with S & W, I'm trying to decide if sending it off to them will actually help or if I should just try and sell it. Has anyone that has sent one off seen any major improvements?