Bodyguard 380 Experiences
- Thread starter Coaltminer
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iPac
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I at least wouldn't be trusting your glock.
Each gun needs assessed on its own merits. If there are issues, then don't rely on it. The make or model means nothing when it comes to quality, as each gun is an individual.
garddogg56
Member
So Marty that is quite a statement........does this go for a Shield also,or maybe my SIG 238 or for any firearm? when should we start trusting a pistol?Anything mechanical can fail.Thats the nature of the beast.All one can do is gain faith in a pistol clean and maintain them and gain trust be it a Kimber,Ruger,Colt or even a HiPOINT.So I want to know when can I can trust a weapon for defending myself and Loveones??
Thanks Bob G.
smoothshooter
Member
The Bodyguard is the gun I carry every day. So thin and light I carry it in my right front pants pocket forget it's there most of the time. It's there as I type this.
Carry it in a pocket holster made for whatever Ruger's .380 pocket gun is called, and it fits like it was made for it.
Has the safety, which I never use. Long trigger pull is not an issue for me.
Has excellent sights and accuracy is very good.
Started getting light strikes on some steel-cased Russian ammo that I have after about 800 rounds ( bought 4 cases of HP and FMJ for $5.85 a box just before the Obamus Ammo Panic ) that may have some of the primers seated a little on the deep side, so I am using some Winchester FMJ Flat Points until I get a stronger hammer spring or a longer firing pin. I think Apex sells something like that.
Carry it in a pocket holster made for whatever Ruger's .380 pocket gun is called, and it fits like it was made for it.
Has the safety, which I never use. Long trigger pull is not an issue for me.
Has excellent sights and accuracy is very good.
Started getting light strikes on some steel-cased Russian ammo that I have after about 800 rounds ( bought 4 cases of HP and FMJ for $5.85 a box just before the Obamus Ammo Panic ) that may have some of the primers seated a little on the deep side, so I am using some Winchester FMJ Flat Points until I get a stronger hammer spring or a longer firing pin. I think Apex sells something like that.
martybee
Member
NO, Bob, What I'm saying is it's a judgement call. If you have had a good feeling with the gun you carry and no issues, fine! I'm merely pointing out the fact that if there is any doubt about the weapon, don't just pass it off as a freak occurrence. Try to figure out why it happens. Watch for re-occurrence of same issue and then decide whether it is the gun you want to trust to carry
.
smoothshooter
Member
I thought Apex had replacement longer firing pins and stronger springs for the .380 Bodyguard, but just now checked their website and found nothing.
Does someone else sell the parts?
Does someone else sell the parts?
Galloway Precision has increased rate hammer springs along with a number of other accessories for the BG380. I don't see firing pins however. OEM replacement firing pins are on eBay.
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To date I've tried almost all the little .380 pistols and have had an issue w/all of them. Some were minor and some not. Currently I have a Gen Two LCP (not the LCPII) and it will choke after about 80 rounds, but runs fine through everything up to that point. My EDC will always be a J frame b/c I trust that platform. The LCP stays in the safe until I need deep concealment, but w/my 340PD the LCP is not needed much.
garddogg56
Member
My wife has a Gen 2 she loves it,around 1k down the tube almost every brand "No steel" first box one fte flawless ever sence.I bought her a factory 7+1 mag really helps.
Model 15-4ever
Member
That would be akin to jumping out of the pot and into the fire. Have had several P238s since they were introduced, and the Bodyguards have been more reliable. Sold the P238s.
Have sent my current BG380 back for repair of the laser - the one of the buttons on supposedly better quality Crimson Trace made stopped working. Fixed by S&W. I've used it with at least 10 different types of .380 ammo - factory and handloaded - including primers from the the Big Four (Federal, Winchester, CCI/Speer and Remington). I used to have an occasional light strike with Fiocchi brand JHP, which always went off on the second hit. I don't use it anymore, and surprise no more light strikes.
Despite the trigger pull, the pistol will group under 4" at 25 yards... just takes more work and is slower to do that at distance than with a bigger pistol with a lighter trigger. Practical accuracy is about the same as my Glock 42 .380. Find myself carrying the BG380 more than anything else lately in summer clothes.
If only someone would make a reasonably priced and reliable +1 baseplate....
Last edited:
OLDSTER
Member
BG 380
After trying a Kahr, and a Sig in .380, I settled on my BG .380. All three are typically fussy on the .380 ammo they like ( light strikes, FTF, FTE ), but were great when the correct ammo found. I dumped the Kahr because the trigger guard would beat up my trigger finger, and traded off the Sig because I decided I didn't want to pocket a single action. The BG is equal in fit, finish, and quality as the others, and just works for me. So after settling into Hornady American Gunner, I've enjoyed over 600 rounds 100% reliably. This a great pistol
After trying a Kahr, and a Sig in .380, I settled on my BG .380. All three are typically fussy on the .380 ammo they like ( light strikes, FTF, FTE ), but were great when the correct ammo found. I dumped the Kahr because the trigger guard would beat up my trigger finger, and traded off the Sig because I decided I didn't want to pocket a single action. The BG is equal in fit, finish, and quality as the others, and just works for me. So after settling into Hornady American Gunner, I've enjoyed over 600 rounds 100% reliably. This a great pistol
kbm6893
Member
It will take me several years to fire 1500 rounds of .380
Through my Bodyguard. Then 400 I have fired in the nearly two years I have had it have been flawless, including the 50 or so of my reloads. I'll probably shoot it more
Now that I reload for it. It's a featherlight pocket gun designed for close up work. In the event of a light strike during the extremely unlikely event of a self defense shooting, I'm
Gonna be yanking that trigger anyway so the round will go off on the second strike.
Life is a risk. The BG has qualities not found in any other semi auto pocket gun. I've carried a J frame. I have a Model 60 no dash. I had a 642 once. Good guns. I shoot the BG380 better and I like a safety on a semi auto.
Through my Bodyguard. Then 400 I have fired in the nearly two years I have had it have been flawless, including the 50 or so of my reloads. I'll probably shoot it more
Now that I reload for it. It's a featherlight pocket gun designed for close up work. In the event of a light strike during the extremely unlikely event of a self defense shooting, I'm
Gonna be yanking that trigger anyway so the round will go off on the second strike.
Life is a risk. The BG has qualities not found in any other semi auto pocket gun. I've carried a J frame. I have a Model 60 no dash. I had a 642 once. Good guns. I shoot the BG380 better and I like a safety on a semi auto.
Last edited:
RedPointGS
Member
Coaltminer ... my experience with the BG 380
... I realize that every single gun off the line is different from the one before and the one after however, I have had my BG 380 for over a year now and I have never had a problem with either FTF or FTE as long as I use the S&W magazines.
I have had both FTEs and FTFs with an aftermarket 10 round mag my wife bought me from Sportsmans Guide. That magazine requires a re-rack for every shot and is basically a piece of Chinese junk. It was never intended for anything other than to save on time while at the range but, if you value keeping your hair rather than pulling it out at the root, don't buy that 10 round mag from Sportsmans Guide!
On the other hand, if you're looking for a very good deep concealment gun for summer time carrying, look no further than a faithful BG 380. If you have trouble with it, box it up and send it back to S&W for the right fix and keep sending it back until it's right.
I don't leave the house without that gun in it's DeSantis pop up IWB holster. Speaking of that DeSantis holster, here's the link on Amazon: Amazon.com: Desantis Pop-Up Holster fits S&W Bodyguard 380, Right Hand, Tan: Sports & Outdoors
I have tried a number of holster options;
a pocket holster, I don't recall what brand it was, a Blackhawk IWB and a Versa-Carry IWB, but none of them worked well for me and then I found the DeSantis. It's simply perfect. Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I simply like a leather holster.
Of course, as they say, "Your mileage may vary!"
Oh, just another note, I read a very scientific study of .380 ammo and the only ammo that hit the FBI sweet spot for penetration and expansion was the Precision Ammunition 90 grain HP/XTP and that's the only round I carry in the gun. Sure I will practice with just about anything but when I want to be certain that when I fire a round in self-defense the Precision Ammunition 90 grain HP/XTP is the only round that will exit my barrel. *Just my opinions.
*None of the opinions expressed by RedPointGS represent those of Smith-Wesson Forum.com employees or other Smith-Wesson Forum.com users. As always, your mileage may vary. LOL!
Safe shooting to you all~
Kia
... I realize that every single gun off the line is different from the one before and the one after however, I have had my BG 380 for over a year now and I have never had a problem with either FTF or FTE as long as I use the S&W magazines.
I have had both FTEs and FTFs with an aftermarket 10 round mag my wife bought me from Sportsmans Guide. That magazine requires a re-rack for every shot and is basically a piece of Chinese junk. It was never intended for anything other than to save on time while at the range but, if you value keeping your hair rather than pulling it out at the root, don't buy that 10 round mag from Sportsmans Guide!
On the other hand, if you're looking for a very good deep concealment gun for summer time carrying, look no further than a faithful BG 380. If you have trouble with it, box it up and send it back to S&W for the right fix and keep sending it back until it's right.
I don't leave the house without that gun in it's DeSantis pop up IWB holster. Speaking of that DeSantis holster, here's the link on Amazon: Amazon.com: Desantis Pop-Up Holster fits S&W Bodyguard 380, Right Hand, Tan: Sports & Outdoors
I have tried a number of holster options;
a pocket holster, I don't recall what brand it was, a Blackhawk IWB and a Versa-Carry IWB, but none of them worked well for me and then I found the DeSantis. It's simply perfect. Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I simply like a leather holster.
Of course, as they say, "Your mileage may vary!"
Oh, just another note, I read a very scientific study of .380 ammo and the only ammo that hit the FBI sweet spot for penetration and expansion was the Precision Ammunition 90 grain HP/XTP and that's the only round I carry in the gun. Sure I will practice with just about anything but when I want to be certain that when I fire a round in self-defense the Precision Ammunition 90 grain HP/XTP is the only round that will exit my barrel. *Just my opinions.
*None of the opinions expressed by RedPointGS represent those of Smith-Wesson Forum.com employees or other Smith-Wesson Forum.com users. As always, your mileage may vary. LOL!
Safe shooting to you all~
Kia
Coaltminer;/ said:
comiskeybum
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A proper pocket holster.
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