Bodyguard 2.0 issues and some potential solutions -

[Model 15-4ever]

I fired close to 100 rounds of Fiocchi FMJ the other day out of my S&W Bodyguard 1.0, Ruger LCP Max and Glock 42. Functioned 100%.

Yup, it's the ammo. Always the ammo. And limp-wristing.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'm sticking with my original Body Guard-the one without laser and is double action only, NOT striker fired.
If they can make THAT gun with a little bit wider grip holding a 10 round magazine (like I asked for originally) I'd buy one is a heartbeat. Quite frankly, given the size of the new BG 2.0 and the fact it is striker fired, I see absolutely no reason to buy it over a shield. If you are shooting at a target 25 yards away with this gun you are inviting indictment.

 

[agksimon]

If you are shooting at a target 25 yards away with this gun you are inviting indictment.

We've been using our BG2.0, shooting at 8" plates at 25 yards (slow fire) and getting hits over 80 percent of the time.

 

[ladder13]

I think he meant self defense distance.

 

[TwinV10]

I fired close to 100 rounds of Fiocchi FMJ the other day out of my S&W Bodyguard 1.0, Ruger LCP Max and Glock 42. Functioned 100%.

Yup, it's the ammo. Always the ammo. And limp-wristing.

Wrong. No limp wristing been shooting handguns since 1980. But thanks for the input champ.

 

[Patirish]

I love my Bodyguard 2 with one exception, the slide tension. I find it very difficult to rack the slide. Is there a way to safely reduce the spring tension?

 

[agksimon]

Get a Handi Racker. The green one fits perfectly.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I found the amount of force to rack the slide crazy. My grip is not what it was years ago, but I do wear a size large glove.

I really like my BG2 for a pocket carry, but I need to get another 250 to 500 rounds through it with zero issues before I will carry it. I had 1 failure to feed to battery with the 12-round mag full and sling-shotting the slide. Now I only load the mags to 9 on the 10-round and 11 on the 12-round mag.

I’m a long way from an armorer or gunsmith, but I assume the spring pressure is required to compensate for the lighter mass of the slide and perhaps the 2-stage design of the ramp to the chamber is a design consideration.

At around 100 rounds from new, it would not pass the plunk test with 6 different ammo. After about 500 rounds it did pass the plunk test. My armorer said “the plunk test is meaningless”? He also said he would NOT modify the spring assembly and guide rod. I’m curious if the guide rod spring(s) could be safely modified by reducing a few coils.

 

[TwinV10]

My slide has loosened up a bit after about 200 rounds but still wayyyy harder than my Ruger LCP Max, not even comparable. That and the occasional ftf have really been disappointing but I'm hoping they both improve over time with more rounds through it. I love the size and trigger.

 

[oldbloodhound]

Considering return of new BG 2.0

My wife bought the BG 2.0 on my recommendation, however having not done any handling of the gun. I based my choice on S&W reputation, but the slide on this gun is impossible to rack.
Extremely disappointed and now considering trading the new, unfired gun for a Ruger. She couldn't even take the gun to the range because the RO would have kicked her off the line for the antics she had to go through to rack it.
But I saw the comment about Handi Racker so she's going to give that a try. The gun is really compact and light for her to carry in her special purse. We'll see. S&W should never have let this out of the factory.

 

[geeollie]

Many reviews have spoken about the strong springs in the BG 2.0
Most of them reveal that they will loosen up.
For much of my life I have owned .380s from MANY companies.
They simply did not work reliably. The S&W seems to work well and ease up somewhere around 200 rounds. Then work for a long time following.

If you keep at it, you can consider part of your daily exercise program.
And hopefully gain a reliable .380 also.

 

[GnarlsR2]

The size, weight, and grip of the BG2 is very well suited for a female.

Unfortunately, the amount of grip and force required to rack the slide will preclude many typical female hands from effectively manipulating this pistol. The spring friction against the guide rod will lessen somewhat after a few 100 rounds. I keep the guide rod and springs well lubed.

I’ve been able to reduce the force to rack the slide by cutting off about 3/8” off the both ends of the main spring. This was done with the spring removed from the guide rod, and done to allow the defective end of the spring to seat flat up against the front and rear guide rod caps.

It appears that later releases from S&W has corrected this defect in the spring assembly.

 

[rcllkl]

BG 2.0

Has anyone else had problems with the 12 round magazine not going into full battery? I've had no problem with the 10 round mag, but with the 12 round about every third round will not go into full battery. A quick hit to the slide puts it in full battery. Doesn't matter what ammo I use. Could it be the spring in the 12 round is too weak?

 

[agksimon]

Has anyone else had problems with the 12 round magazine not going into full battery? I've had no problem with the 10 round mag, but with the 12 round about every third round will not go into full battery. A quick hit to the slide puts it in full battery. Doesn't matter what ammo I use. Could it be the spring in the 12 round is too weak?

Check the chamber for tool marks. Mine was fine but a friend had the same problem as you and we found tool marks in the chamber. Buffed them out and it now runs fine.

 

[6Sally5]

With respect, that gun should never have left the LGS without your wife trying it first. It’s become common knowledge now that the BG2 springs are very stiff. It likewise is common knowledge that they loosen up with use. I have one and can attest this is true.

 

[6Sally5]

The size, weight, and grip of the BG2 is very well suited for a female.

Unfortunately, the amount of grip and force required to rack the slide will preclude many typical female hands from effectively manipulating this pistol. The spring friction against the guide rod will lessen somewhat after a few 100 rounds. I keep the guide rod and springs well lubed.

I’ve been able to reduce the force to rack the slide by cutting off about 3/8” off the both ends of the main spring. This was done with the spring removed from the guide rod, and done to allow the defective end of the spring to seat flat up against the front and rear guide rod caps.

It appears that later releases from S&W has corrected this defect in the spring assembly.

3/4” overall removed from the spring? Wow…that’s a lot! I’d think that much removed would have a deleterious effect on function.

 

[GnarlsR2]

3/4” overall removed from the spring? Wow…that’s a lot! I’d think that much removed would have a deleterious effect on function.

Jan 4, with my BG2, myself and 4 range buddies, shot Magtech FMJ, PCM Bronze FMJ, Sig V-Crown JHP, Hornady Critical Defense FTX, Hornady Custom XTP, Federal HST Personal Defense JHP, and Winchester PDX1 JHP, with ZERO failures.

I have not tried my Winchester 95 gr FMJ Flat Nose.

 

[Harper]

3/4” overall removed from the spring? Wow…that’s a lot! I’d think that much removed would have a deleterious effect on function.

i think 3/4" off the entire length of spring wrap would only amount to one turn or so.

 

[rcllkl]

Check the chamber for tool marks. Mine was fine but a friend had the same problem as you and we found tool marks in the chamber. Buffed them out and it now runs fine.

Thx, I'll check that, but wouldn't that affect the 10 round mag as well?

 

[oldbloodhound]

true but none available

With respect, that gun should never have left the LGS without your wife trying it first. It’s become common knowledge now that the BG2 springs are very stiff. It likewise is common knowledge that they loosen up with use. I have one and can attest this is true.

You are so right but none of the local shops had any BG in stock so based on the S&W reputation she ordered one through Gun Broker. The local shop only handled the transfer.
I ordered the Handi Racker adn it came today and seems it may solve the problem. Time will tell.