Bodygaurd 380 problem

[dennisvet]

Hello, I am new to this forum. It looks like a great place to be. Anyway, I have a question about my 380 Bodygaurd pistol. I have had it for a couple of months now, and have shot it a couple of time at the range. Probley around 100 rounds through it. Let me say that I think it is a great gun. Now for my question. For some reason I can not put a magazine in unless I press the magzine button first. I don't recall this happening the first time I shot at the range. After I shot about 50 rounds through it I cleaned the gun when I got home. And it seems that every since then I have to press the button to put the magazine in the gun. Is this normal? Did I just image that I did not have to do that when I first got the gun? Or is it possible I did something I should not have done when I put the gun back together after I cleaned it that could have caused this to happen? I went shooting last weekend and the gun still shoots great, but the magazine thing has me worried. I don't have this problem with my S&W sd40ve. I am worried that this problem could really cause trouble if I ever really needed to put a mag in for self defense. Any help will be greatly appreacted.

 

[rwsmith]

Welcome....

And you are in the right place. Someone will be along to give a more definitive answer, as I don't have Bodyguard.

But I can't imagine that having to push the release to load a magazine could be right. That could be very bad for an emergency reload.

 

[gdnagle]

Contact S&W they will probably want you to send it back.

And a warm welcome from "wild and wonderful " West Virginia at least that's what they tell us.

 

[Hodgin]

I've had my BG 380 since June and have about 700 rounds through it. No problem with magazine. I'd call S&W customer service.

 

[Rpg]

These things aren't very reliable.

Mediocre pistols trading on the name of a great revolver.

I'm not surprised at any malfunctions with them.

If yours doesn't work as intended, get rid of it and get a real bodyguard - fa model 38. They work.

 

[Ransom]

When my BG 380 was new (bought Sep. '12), the mag went in easier if I pushed in the mag release button. I could force it without touching the button, but it would tend to catch on it. Now that I've had several hundred rounds through it, the mag goes in nice and easy without touching the release. I expect yours will work fine after break in. It wouldn't hurt to call S&W customer service to see what they recommend, or take it to your LGS and let them look at it--maybe there's a simple cure.

Rpg has a point that these little pistols are not as reliable as the older all-metal revolvers. When mine was fairly new, the laser screw backed out and prevented my slide from cycling. A drop of Loctite Blue on the threads solved the problem. The little gun has been otherwise completely reliable. Others have reported various issues that I have not experienced (see link below).

I chose a BG 380 over a J-frame revolver because it is lighter and smaller than a revolver, carries 7 rounds, and it has the same manual of arms as my other CC gun, a S&W Shield. I also found that it is easier to shoot accurately at the range. It works for me (I'd love to have a Model 60 J-frame too).

Here is an excellent summary of issues commonly reported for the BG 380. http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/307805-bodyguard-380-love-list.html

 

[3dots]

These things aren't very reliable.

Mediocre pistols trading on the name of a great revolver.

I'm not surprised at any malfunctions with them.

If yours doesn't work as intended, get rid of it and get a real bodyguard - fa model 38. They work.

What kind of issues have you had with your Bodyguard 380?

 

[dennisvet]

Thanks for the comments

Thanks to you all for you input on this. I guess I will contact S&W on this and see what they say. Even with this problem, I still love this gun, it is a sweet shooting gun.

 

[Mcwsky09]

slide open or closed?

With the slide open the magazine is easier to get locked in that with the slide closed - especially if the mag is fully loaded - as you have to compress the spring to get it to lock.

But if the mag button makes the difference what you are more likely running into is the fact that the mag latch and the top of the mag are at right angles - meaning that if slap it in hard enough the leading edge of the mag will get past the mag lock/latch - but if you depress the mag release until the leading edge of the mag passes that point the it slides in much more easily.
Some guns/mags have a leading edge on the magazine or a flared portion of the mag that engages the locking tab and pushes it out until it drops into place to lock - so pressing the release during insertion makes no effective difference.
Depending on how you are gripping the gun during mag insertion - it is possible that you were partially depressing the mag release initially and so did not notice and then when using a grip that was more focussed on the mag change between shooting rather than getting familiar with the gun is the difference.

your milage may vary and all that - but I was looking at a gun at the LGS awhile back and when reinserting the mag it seemed to catch on the mag latch and the guy indicated that I should never insert a mag without pressing the release - especially on a collector item - as it can scratch up the mag during insertion.

 

[Old cop]

I really hate to rain on anyone's parade but I just gave up on these tiny guns, and I tried them all. The final straw (see my post) was when my otherwise reliable Keltec P32 had a firing pin failure at the range. It's now at the gunsmith and will be sold when repaired. IMHO you just cannot beat a J Frame for reliability.

 

[KKECK5]

I had a Bodyguard 380 last year, and it did not do that.....Thought it shot real nice, but the Massachusetts trigger pull drove me crazy. I'd call S&W and see what they say.....oh Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Mustang1]

Dennisvet, I am a new member as well. I have a Bodyguard 380 as well. I just got it back from S&W for a malfunctioning laser issue. They replaced the laser and sent it back. When I unpacked it and tried the mag insertion I had the same issue and I don't recall having it before sending the gun in. I was about to send it back until I decided to put a drop of Hoppes oil on the button. I began to work the mag in and out and gave it a few "good taps" with the palm of my hand. It began to go in smoother and smoother. It is working pretty good now.

 

[mikemc53]

I had that issue for a short time but after a few in and outs with the mag it goes with no problem now. I also have an aftermarket mag (can't recall the name) and it took a bit longer to "break-in" but it too now goes in without making the mag release.

Calling S & W will not hurt but I really think it will come around with a little use.

 

[Lakewood2013]

Bodyguard Magazine Release problem

I purchased a bodyguard two weeks ago. Seemed like the exact type of gun I was looking for. I have a serious issue with the gun though. I got a holster for the gun and carry it. I noticed last week the magazine was exposed about an 1/8". I pushed it back in and thought it odd but didn't think much of it. I took the holster off my side the day before yesterday and my magazine was GONE! Apparently the magazine release is a feather touch and the material on the holster was enough to set it off and allow it to drop out without noticing. This is ridiculous! Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a solution?

 

[jwalts27]

I purchased a bodyguard two weeks ago. Seemed like the exact type of gun I was looking for. I have a serious issue with the gun though. I got a holster for the gun and carry it. I noticed last week the magazine was exposed about an 1/8". I pushed it back in and thought it odd but didn't think much of it. I took the holster off my side the day before yesterday and my magazine was GONE! Apparently the magazine release is a feather touch and the material on the holster was enough to set it off and allow it to drop out without noticing. This is ridiculous! Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a solution?

I have heard of that before! I think the guy was using an Uncle Mikes. I could be wrong. Cant remember what forum i saw that on.

 

[3dots]

The pocket pistol craze is still alive and well and living on planet Earth. Ruger, Taurus, Kahr, Keltec, IO Inc., Sig and S&W are the main players. S&W was one of the last to hit this market with its BG offerings. S&W has produced more BG380 units, in a three year time frame, than any other model in the last several decades and are still pumping them out as fast as they can.

What happens in this production mode? Quality suffers. Control, assurance and customer service reps assigned to the product are consumed. There are many tens of thousands of these weapons out there running flawlessly, there are some with issues that need attention, no doubt.

 

[Mcwsky09]

Not locked in?

I purchased a bodyguard two weeks ago. Seemed like the exact type of gun I was looking for. I have a serious issue with the gun though. I got a holster for the gun and carry it. I noticed last week the magazine was exposed about an 1/8". I pushed it back in and thought it odd but didn't think much of it. I took the holster off my side the day before yesterday and my magazine was GONE! Apparently the magazine release is a feather touch and the material on the holster was enough to set it off and allow it to drop out without noticing. This is ridiculous! Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a solution?

Haven't had a problem with unintentional mag release in a folded leather IWB holster with mine.

 

[Ransom]

The pocket pistol craze is still alive and well and living on planet Earth.

In what sense is it a "craze"? Do you think it's a passing fad? Or do you think it's crazy/insane?

In either case I think you are mistaken. A small, light gun is very convenient to carry. Tiny guns have been made for a very long time. It's not a passing fad and it's not insane.

Quality issues can occur in any gun and especially in one that is mass produced. If the quality is bad enough, the product will lose in the market because someone else will come along with a better product at a reasonable price. Do your homework and spend your money to buy the best product and the lowest price you can.

I own, shoot, and carry a BG 380. So far, I have not been been convinced to get rid of it. Someday I might decide it's not reliable enough, but so far the problems reported here plus my own personal experience have confirmed it is a good choice for me as a backup or deep-concealment option to my main carry, an M&P Shield 9. And it holds two more shots than a J-frame.

 

[3dots]

Ransom,

I also own, shoot and carry this pistol, it's with me everywhere I go without fail and I wouldn't trade for it. What I'm saying is, and I'm not mistaken, in the last three years the number of concealed carry permits in the US has grown exponentially. The majority of these people are after small, easy to carry pistols and production is way up for all of these manufacturers. This is the "craze" I'm referring to. I've shot most of these guns and the Bodyguard feels and performs better than the rest, IMHO.

 

[Ransom]

Fair enough. I bet a lot of these little guns are sold to inexperienced people who either never shoot them or don't like it when they do. Cheers.