Bodyguard 2.0 Extraction/Ejection

[scruffy]

I currently have 565 rounds and have not had any FTF, FTRTB or FTEs. However, ejection is weak to me compared with other my semi-autos (P355 and SA 1911). Pattern varys form 2-6 o'clock, even with the same box of ammo. I've had a few shells land next to my right foot and hit me in the shoulder or just over the top of my head. Two or three of the brass I've picked up have a slightly dented mouth, but no extractor bite marks on the rim. My slide does get some typical brass kisses on the rear upper corner of the ejection port. My extractor is very tight. I keep it clean, but when I do a shake test on it the round (with 90 gr bullet) will not come out. It will move up and down slightly, but will not drop out of the slide regardless of how hard I shake it including smacking it in my hand. If I try to physically press the extractor outward from the slide with a plastic tool, it takes a lot of pressure and barely moves. To me it's a FTE waiting to happen. Anyone else notice similar?

 

[David_Z]

I also have an extractor issue. Picked up my Bodyguard 2.0 on Friday Oct 4th. Gave it a good cleaning then headed to the range with three different brands of ammo. Wanted to do a 10+1 and 12+1 test so I loaded both magazines to capacity and set them aside. Pulled the slide back and engaged the slide lock. Dropped a round into the chamber and released the slide. The slide would not completely close. Tried the different brands with the same results. Removed the round from the chamber and inserted a full magazine. Released the slide, the round chambered and the slide returned to battery. I fired both magazines without any issues. I will say the spent cases were going everywhere. Straight up, behind me, in front of me and straight to the right. With the slide locked back I dropped the empty magazine and dropped a single round in the chamber. When I released the slide and again it would not go to in battery. Went home and disassembled the handgun and inspected it. I noticed the extractor was not completely flush with the side of the slide. The front was sticking out ever so slightly while the back was slightly recessed. I took a plastic dowel and tried to move the extractor. There is no movement at all. I'm calling S&W Customer Service first thing tomorrow.

 

[CommunismDelendaEst]

To second poster: you should put maybe a hundred rounds through the gun before you do anything else.

 

[ladder13]

Other than throwing my brass sideways into the next county not much of an issue.

 

[Eric300]

I also have an extractor issue. Picked up my Bodyguard 2.0 on Friday Oct 4th. Gave it a good cleaning then headed to the range with three different brands of ammo. Wanted to do a 10+1 and 12+1 test so I loaded both magazines to capacity and set them aside. Pulled the slide back and engaged the slide lock. Dropped a round into the chamber and released the slide. The slide would not completely close. Tried the different brands with the same results. Removed the round from the chamber and inserted a full magazine. Released the slide, the round chambered and the slide returned to battery. I fired both magazines without any issues. I will say the spent cases were going everywhere. Straight up, behind me, in front of me and straight to the right. With the slide locked back I dropped the empty magazine and dropped a single round in the chamber. When I released the slide and again it would not go to in battery. Went home and disassembled the handgun and inspected it. I noticed the extractor was not completely flush with the side of the slide. The front was sticking out ever so slightly while the back was slightly recessed. I took a plastic dowel and tried to move the extractor. There is no movement at all. I'm calling S&W Customer Service first thing tomorrow.

Just friendly advice......Don't ever do that! That is not the proper way to chamber a round in a semi-auto firearm. Bad juju for the extractor.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

With that many rounds through the gun and no failures, I wouldn't overthink it. I find that the BG 2.0 throws brass in different directions and, in many cases, up and over my shoulder or even hitting my shoulder. One good way to lessen concerns is to load the gun with some full strength carry ammo and do some shooting with a weak grip and with the hand in various places up and down the grip, including with the strong hand and supporting hand only. See what it takes to induce a malfunction, or if it is even possible. I usually do that before carrying a gun. I've been meaning to do that with my BG 2.0, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[BLLefkay]

My gun will jam if you limp wrist it, requires a firm hold if shooting one handed.

 

[David_Z]

Eric, Thanks for the info!!! I never knew there was a difference between having the slide pull one off the magazine or just dropping one in the chamber.

 

[David_Z]

I did talk to S&W Customer Service. When I explained the slide would not close when a round was manually dropped in the chamber the rep asked me if it functioned when feeding from the magazine. I told her yes and she then explained the Bodyguard 2.0 has very tight tolerances. She suggested firing 400-500 rounds through it to loosen it up. If after that it still had a problem call back and they would issue an RMA.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

My gun will jam if you limp wrist it, requires a firm hold if shooting one handed.

Your post gave me some concern, so today I tested my BG 2.0 with some 95 grain JRN Blazer Brass and some 95 grain FMJ American Eagle. I probably have more than 300 rounds through the gun. I loaded 4 magazines with 5 rounds each (so the gun would be lighter than if it were full), two with the Blazer and two with the American Eagle. I shot strong hand only and weak hand only for an equal number of shots with each hand. I held the gun with as weak a grip as I could so that the gun would not fall out of my hand in recoil, and I also held it farther down on the grip than with a normal firing grip. I did not get any malfunctions, and the slide locked open on all 4 magazines. This was not an exhaustive test, but it was enough for me, at least with the ammo I used.

 

[BLLefkay]

Great to hear! I’ve got 2500 rounds through mine shooting 200 round sessions at 15 yards and I get bored quickly. Last outing shooting, I was goofy off shooting comfortably one handed when I noticed malfunction, no biggie. When I shoot 2 handed, my grip is relaxed, accuracy suffers a bit BUT when grip is firm, I’m accurate and good to go for high stress situations.

 

[LVSteve]

The OP never said what ammo he was using. Some US branded FMJ ammo is loaded weak. I stick with Fiocchi, good cycling and ejection from multiple 380 pistols.

 

[Rudy_]

As of last night mine isn't extracting at all.
Went to unload it when i got home and the slide wouldn't budge. It's been a bit stiff like that unloading it before  though I've never had any issues with it cycling while firing so I wasnt too concerned. I just put it down to a bit of break-in hiccups.

So I dropped the mag and put some real elbow grease into it, the slide gave way, chamber opened but, the round didn't extract and I heard a little "tink" as the extractor hit the floor.

So it looks like mine is going back to S&W. Anyone out there having extraction trouble may want to keep an eye on their bodyguard. Luckily it happened to me in a safe environment but, any issues may be catastrophic failure in the making

 

[GnarlsR2]

As of last night mine isn't extracting at all. ...

This is disturbing to read.

 

[geeollie]

Rudy, can you please post a picture of the part that went "tink"?
I totally believe you are saying to as it happened.....but how?
Was it the entire extractor? Or did it split and a piece come out?

The ever trusty and beloved Sig P365 had a string of extractors that broke had to be replaced due to some mix up at the makers. So it does happen

 

[Rudy_]

Like I think I said the slide just didn't want to budge so I dropped the mag and gave the side a good tug and she dropped straight out of the magwell

 

[geeollie]

Ugg my professional opinion is that your gun is broke.
If that is the ejector, someone else posted a pic of theirs when it came out!

 

[Rudy_]

Yeah it's the main part of it, you're professional opinion is pretty bang on.
I've already penciled in a couple hours this week to be on hold with S&W customer service to get this sucker sent back.
Funny thing is I'm usually a revolver guy but, I've been looking around for something light and small I can carry while wearing something really light like basketball shorts in the hot weather. So I've bought two tiny pistols that.. and here's the funny part, we're both Guns & Ammo's handgun of the year and both have had to be sent back for manufacturing defects. This one and my Taurus gx4, guess I better stop reading guns & ammo for suggestions

 

[GnarlsR2]

... guess I better stop reading guns & ammo for suggestions

60+% of all firearm purchases by the civilian population are for protection and self-defense.

Firearm manufacturing should be at a very high level of quality.

MotorTrend Car of the Year award is evaluated by six key criteria – Advancement in Design, Efficiency, Safety, Value, Engineering Excellence, and Performance of Intended Function.

If Guns & Ammo used any of MotorTrend’s 6 criteria, my BG2 would not have been awarded “Handgun of the Year”.

The 2024 Guns & Ammo of the Year Awards - Guns and Ammo

Read how G&A evaluated the BG2.

 

[Jim Watson]

I did talk to S&W Customer Service. When I explained the slide would not close when a round was manually dropped in the chamber the rep asked me if it functioned when feeding from the magazine. I told her yes and she then explained the Bodyguard 2.0 has very tight tolerances. She suggested firing 400-500 rounds through it to loosen it up. If after that it still had a problem call back and they would issue an RMA.

This business of shooting hundreds of rounds before you have an expectation of reliable operation is a blight on the industry.


She also does not know the difference between "tolerance" and "clearance". The gun has inadequate clearances for free function. If it had close tolerances, it would not get out in such poor shape.


It is interesting that the most adverse reports are here on the S&W board. Posts on general or other marque gunboards are nearly all favorable.

You have cost S&W a sale and a recommendation.
I would not buy a BG2 without extensive testfiring* or a store guarantee.
What do I mean by "store guarantee?" Means the dealer would have to agree to handle any return for rectification. I am not willing to take a tag and drive to the common carrier to send a dud back.

*I shot the one at the rental range and it did fine. I would consider that individual gun when they next turn over their rental assortment. I have done it before.