By now it has been established that the introduction of the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 in .380 acp has been fraught with some issues. Some of these remain difficult to deal with while others have a solution. Hopefully, in this thread, I will be able to clarify some of the problems and present some potential solutions.
1. Sights (Part 1)
It has been well-established, here in this Forum as well as numerous videos uploaded to YouTube, that the BG 2.0 has a penchant for shooting to the left. While this issue is not universal, it has been reported widely necessitating some intervention.
Out of the box, my BG 2.0 definitely shot to the left, and I had several range-friends shoot several magazines each and they had the same result. As I said previously in another post, I took the gun to a qualified gunsmith who confirmed that the sights were indeed off and to the left, and he quickly centered both the front and rear sights for me. That is solution # 1.
Solution 2 (Part 2) is a bit more complicated. There are several talented shooters at my range and I consulted with both as to the accuracy of the BG 2.0 after the sights were drifted. The told me there was still a tendency for the gun to be somewhat inaccurate, as the rear notch is so wide that the shooter must be cognizant of where the front is exactly when shooting at a bullseye target or a silhouette. To be sure, after putting 200 more rounds through the BG 2.0 the sights were right on when the front sight was positioned exactly in the middle of the wide rear sight. My conclusion is that the current rear sight is clearly too wide to render the sight picture easily found. In other words, Solution 2 here is that the rear sight must be exchanged with a different one with a more narrow channel through which there is, like every other M&P pistol, an easier sight picture gained.
Not that I have proof that S&W was attempting to copy the Ruger LCP Max, but the wide, U-shaped rear sight currently on the BG 2.0 mimics the one used on the LCP Max. As I now own both, I note that the front sight on the LCP Max is wider and takes full advantage of its U-shaped rear companion. In other words, they are of equal size and literally are made to go together, while in my opinion, the current sights on the BG 2.0 are not.
When they are commercially available, and I wish they were right now, I will be replacing that rear sight with a more appropriate one as per the above.
2. Recoil Spring
There have also been numerous complaints on this Forum and, again, in videos on YouTube, about the lack of "play" in the recoil spring and subsequent issues with the guide rod. I, too, experienced significant difficulties with the recoil spring, until I took a very close look at it and found that on the muzzle end, where the spring ends, there is sometimes a tendency for that end piece of spring to "ride up" and place itself on the guide rod cap. If this is the case, by observation, there is a rather simple solution, even though the question remains as to why we must deal with this issue and not Smith & Wesson itself. Nevertheless, the Solution here is simple. If you find that your recoil spring will not easily fit back into the notch in the barrel, check where the front of the spring is and, if it needs to be moved back under the cap, take a small tool and do it. The recoil spring will respond as it should and you will easily be able to re-install the recoil spring as it should be within the barrel and slide.
Perhaps I am repeating what some of you have already figured out, and this post is dedicated to the frustrated who have, perhaps, turned sour on this interesting, accurate, and cool little firearm whose size may be of added benefit to us as concealed carriers.
3. Magazine Springs
The magazine springs are indeed extremely hard to load after about the 7th round. I routinely hear that the 10th or 12th round is almost impossible. I have kept each 10 round magazine I own full for the 5 days between range trips but I am convinced that my using the Uplula Magazine loader I own is easier on my aging thumbs than the strength required to load 10 rounds into the magazine. As an aside, both magazines lock back after the last round.
Lastly, I have no comment on parts such as ejectors that fall out. That hasn't happened to me and I hope it never will. By the way, my BG 2.0 has already had 400 rounds through it without a single failure-to-feed, stovepipe, or any other hiccup. It eats any kind of ammo I feed it (round-nose, flat-nose, hollow-points, etc.) with ease and I will follow the manufacturers directions and not use +P ammo in it.
Of course, YMMV.
Comments appreciated. Hope this was of help or interest.
Best to all -
Rich
1. Sights (Part 1)
It has been well-established, here in this Forum as well as numerous videos uploaded to YouTube, that the BG 2.0 has a penchant for shooting to the left. While this issue is not universal, it has been reported widely necessitating some intervention.
Out of the box, my BG 2.0 definitely shot to the left, and I had several range-friends shoot several magazines each and they had the same result. As I said previously in another post, I took the gun to a qualified gunsmith who confirmed that the sights were indeed off and to the left, and he quickly centered both the front and rear sights for me. That is solution # 1.
Solution 2 (Part 2) is a bit more complicated. There are several talented shooters at my range and I consulted with both as to the accuracy of the BG 2.0 after the sights were drifted. The told me there was still a tendency for the gun to be somewhat inaccurate, as the rear notch is so wide that the shooter must be cognizant of where the front is exactly when shooting at a bullseye target or a silhouette. To be sure, after putting 200 more rounds through the BG 2.0 the sights were right on when the front sight was positioned exactly in the middle of the wide rear sight. My conclusion is that the current rear sight is clearly too wide to render the sight picture easily found. In other words, Solution 2 here is that the rear sight must be exchanged with a different one with a more narrow channel through which there is, like every other M&P pistol, an easier sight picture gained.
Not that I have proof that S&W was attempting to copy the Ruger LCP Max, but the wide, U-shaped rear sight currently on the BG 2.0 mimics the one used on the LCP Max. As I now own both, I note that the front sight on the LCP Max is wider and takes full advantage of its U-shaped rear companion. In other words, they are of equal size and literally are made to go together, while in my opinion, the current sights on the BG 2.0 are not.
When they are commercially available, and I wish they were right now, I will be replacing that rear sight with a more appropriate one as per the above.
2. Recoil Spring
There have also been numerous complaints on this Forum and, again, in videos on YouTube, about the lack of "play" in the recoil spring and subsequent issues with the guide rod. I, too, experienced significant difficulties with the recoil spring, until I took a very close look at it and found that on the muzzle end, where the spring ends, there is sometimes a tendency for that end piece of spring to "ride up" and place itself on the guide rod cap. If this is the case, by observation, there is a rather simple solution, even though the question remains as to why we must deal with this issue and not Smith & Wesson itself. Nevertheless, the Solution here is simple. If you find that your recoil spring will not easily fit back into the notch in the barrel, check where the front of the spring is and, if it needs to be moved back under the cap, take a small tool and do it. The recoil spring will respond as it should and you will easily be able to re-install the recoil spring as it should be within the barrel and slide.
Perhaps I am repeating what some of you have already figured out, and this post is dedicated to the frustrated who have, perhaps, turned sour on this interesting, accurate, and cool little firearm whose size may be of added benefit to us as concealed carriers.
3. Magazine Springs
The magazine springs are indeed extremely hard to load after about the 7th round. I routinely hear that the 10th or 12th round is almost impossible. I have kept each 10 round magazine I own full for the 5 days between range trips but I am convinced that my using the Uplula Magazine loader I own is easier on my aging thumbs than the strength required to load 10 rounds into the magazine. As an aside, both magazines lock back after the last round.
Lastly, I have no comment on parts such as ejectors that fall out. That hasn't happened to me and I hope it never will. By the way, my BG 2.0 has already had 400 rounds through it without a single failure-to-feed, stovepipe, or any other hiccup. It eats any kind of ammo I feed it (round-nose, flat-nose, hollow-points, etc.) with ease and I will follow the manufacturers directions and not use +P ammo in it.
Of course, YMMV.
Comments appreciated. Hope this was of help or interest.
Best to all -
Rich
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