BG380 laser stopped working (UPDATE, pg.3, got it back)

[TazTJ]

My laser works nicely, but with the iron sights and the way the gun fits the hand, I didn't really need to use the laser. Plus, on an outdoor range in bright daylight, it wasn't really stand out visible; I had to look for the dot. Nice for darker areas to be sure, but this piece is pretty accurate for such a small gun with the irons!

 

[ccbricker]

Same problem. Bought the BG380 and had to wait for a couple of weeks before I could get in the range time with it. Laser worked fine before I shot it. Went to the range and after 35 rounds the laser just quit working. I took it home and pulled it out to see if the batteries had worked loose. . Laser is dead as a doornail. Sent an email to S&W to return it and pulled the Kahr PM9 back out of the safe for now. I will follow up with SW's response.

Laser aside, for the few rounds I ran through it I like the gun. Recoil was easy to manage and it was accurate for me.

Finally received a response from customer service at S&W from Wayne. He is telling me (with a short sentence) to call Insight to get this resolved. That may end up being the best way to go but for some reason it annoys me. I did not buy anything from Insight, I bought it from S&W. If you buy a new car and it gets four flat tires when you pull out of the parking lot you wouldn't call Goodyear. I expected better out of Smith.

 

[ccbricker]

Before you send your BG380 back, is it possible for you to post pictures comparing the size of the Kahr PM9 and your BG380 ???

Sure. As soon as I get the camera out I will take a pic and post it.

 

[Loco Weed]

Last I heard, Insight is referring everyone to S&W for warranty and service work. ???

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Finally received a response from customer service at S&W from Wayne. He is telling me (with a short sentence) to call Insight to get this resolved. That may end up being the best way to go but for some reason it annoys me. I did not buy anything from Insight, I bought it from S&W. If you buy a new car and it gets four flat tires when you pull out of the parking lot you wouldn't call Goodyear. I expected better out of Smith.

Refer to my posts, #1 & #4. Insight says its a misprint in the manual for us to contact them. The guy that usually answers the phone at S&W when I call sounds pissed at the world or something but has always taken care of me. They will take care of it for you. If he tries to give you the runaround I'd ask for a supervisor then see what happens.

 

[ccbricker]

Before you send your BG380 back, is it possible for you to post pictures comparing the size of the Kahr PM9 and your BG380 ???

Here are some pics of the Kahr PM9 and BG 380 along with a Kimber CDP Ultra for comparison.

 

[VBVAGUY]

Here are some pics of the Kahr PM9 and BG 380 along with a Kimber CDP Ultra for comparison.

Thanks I appreciate it. I have always liked the Kahr PM9 and you can see that the BG380 is a bit thinner, but I know that feeling it and the lighter weight of the BG380 makes a difference in the pocket.

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Got it back today, a little over 2 weeks turnaround. The paperwork did not state anything about the work, just the header and contact information with the body left blank.

Laser works but its extremely hard to turn on/off with both buttons. I thought they didn't fix it at first till I pressed hard enough and it finally came on. Seems to work fine otherwise and I can live with it knowing there's no chance it will come on by accident at least.

When I sent it back I mentioned in the accompanying letter that I'd like to get an extra mag. I figured they would charge me if any were available which I'd gladly pay for. To my surprise when I opened the box after signing off with the FEDEX dude there were not one, not two, but THREE extra mags (two had the pinky rest, one had the flat base) including the original I sent back with it. I now have four mags....SWEET!

 

[Copnomore]

Temp button fix

I have an idea. I don't have my BG 380 yet. Anyone interested in trying a button fix? Use some good black vinyl electrical tape and cut a dime or penny size circle with a razor. Try placing that over the buttons and see if that helps. If you try let us know how it works.

 

[mag318]

My Bodyguards' laser activates easily from either button. It takes a distinct push but the more I practise activating it upon drawing, the easier it gets. I carry mine in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster and it has never turned on in my pocket. I would think that if a user has any problem with the laser that S&W would just replace the whole module.

 

[TXM&P]

Got my BG380 today and only the left side laser button works with little pressure,the right side requires pressing really hard. Even then it may or may not come on. gun has not been fired yet. should I contact S&W? Extra mags would be nice too

 

[Sonny Crocket]

I fixed my button issue. Pop the grey buttons off and straighten up the post and reinsert. Problem fixed.

 

[Loco Weed]

What Sonny is talking about is there is a little nubbin inside the rubber cover that gets off center. Use the tip of a very small screwdriver to recenter the nub and then reinstall.

 

[mrsig]

Mine stopped working as well. Plus one of the little activators fell out and was lost. Smith shipped me a pair of activators and instructed me to take the gun down and completely clean the laser contacts with a qtip and rubbing alcohol as well as inside of frame around them. Activators arrived in 3 days. I cleaned contacts as instructed and all is well again. I think the cleaning process may be ongoing though.

 

[firehawk1]

I held one of the bg380's yesterday. The guy at the shop said they couldn't sell the one they had because everyone didn't like how HARD it was to activate the laser. When I held it, I could not activate the laser with my index/trigger finger at all. It took all the pressure from my other hand thumb to get it to turn on. Possibly a switch issue?

Where you at Plainfield Shooting Supplies? if so, I was looking at the same one. Told Bob I'd take one, but NOT that one. He brought another one from the back.

Of all the problems I've had with my BG380, the laser has worked perfectly. Fairly easy to turn on with just my index finger.

 

[pi3yeargrad]

Mine stopped working as well. Plus one of the little activators fell out and was lost. Smith shipped me a pair of activators and instructed me to take the gun down and completely clean the laser contacts with a qtip and rubbing alcohol as well as inside of frame around them. Activators arrived in 3 days. I cleaned contacts as instructed and all is well again. I think the cleaning process may be ongoing though.

Mine stopped working today. Second time shooting it. As of now it has had 150 rounds through it. The laser worked at the beginning and half way through I tried activating and nothing... Since I got activation has been easy w the index finger... now its just dead...

 

[montoya32]

I am about to send my current laser back to S&W. This will be the second time they replace the laser. My problem is that it will randomly shut off while shooting. I thought it might be the batteries falling down and out of contact, not making a connection, so I doubled up some electrical tape, cut it to size and laid it between the batteries and the frame of the gun(little recess in the gun). I am very frustrated since this is now the secodn time I am having to ship it back and the prices have been dropped by $100 since I purchased my gun. I am going to ask for something to make up for my loss. Maybe a holster and a few mags.