Bodyguard 380 FT Fire Problems, Part V

[db4570]

Yes, Part 5

After returning it for repairs four times, S&W just sent me a new one. Good for them. This was for a series of problems, with a light-strike issue being the latest and most persistent. The light strikes were only happening with Winchester target ammo.

So the new one is a little different. The trigger is a little odd. After pulling it about 1/8", it clicks, and then goes through the rest of the travel to fire. A little odd, but I thought maybe they made some sort of change or improvement.

It also has a hard time with mags being inserted. I had read some complaints about this, but it wasn't an issue with my first one. The new one, however, hangs up when the mag is about 1/2 way in, and it takes either a really hard smack, or pushing the mag release button, to get it to go in. Again, I thought maybe they made some change to the mechanism to solve the FT-hold-the-slide-back-when-empty issue. Hoping it would wear in.

So I shot it today. Worked perfectly for the first 70 or so rounds of Remington target ammo, and then I switched to the Winchester. I thought maybe I got a bad batch before, or something, so I shot a mix of that box and a new box I had picked up.

Shot about 70 of the Win through it, and experienced about 1 out of 10 FT fires with it. Exact same problem as the original gun I returned. DAMMIT!

Thinking maybe it just hates Winchester, I figured I'd see how it handled my carry ammo, Federal Hydra-Shok. To my surprise, I had a FTFire with it, too.

So this is 2 BGs that have had light strikes and don't fire on occasion. I don't know what the heck to do now. The four times it was back to the factory I really missed it; I carried a compact 9 that felt like a brick, and couldn't wait to get my BG back. There is NOTHING else on the market that replaces it, with the characteristics I need.

It seems this is a picky and quirky gun, that is not consistent with other samples of the same model.

I am almost to the point where I am thinking about buying a second one, so I can always have one on hand while the other is off one of its inevitable trips to the factory. Yeah... just a little INSANE. I may combine this strategy with trying to fix it myself with Galloway springs and firing pin, and maybe some careful polishing. But it seems like I shouldn't have to do that with a new gun.

Thanks for letting me vent, and constructive suggestions are always appreciated.

David

 

[1hatchet]

Seems simply to me, just do not use Winchester Ammunition...

 

[CaptRon956]

Well david, I dont know what to say,

My M&P bodyguard functions just fine with WWB, Monarch, remington UMC, hydra shoks and even works great with my carry ammo, Hornady critical defense. I have fired over 800 rnds thru my BG. 380 with not one light strike. I did have a few ftf when it was new, in the first 100-150 rnds or so, which is not uncommon with a new semi auto pistol until broken in...That was over 600 problem free rnds ago. I carry my bodyguard with me daily on my morning walks, I trust it with my life.

dont know what to tell ya buddy...

 

[rz625-8]

Check the firing pin hole. Maybe to much lube or firing spring problem.

 

[PROnSHIELD]

I have read with interest the threads on multiple BG 380 issues...
and, read from those who have no issues.

But there is one stand out issue that I have read about that
affects multiple M&P platforms, and that is:

Winchester White Box seems to be unreliable; so much so that
I have not and will not ever try it

 

[Rickgus]

David - A while back I was wondering if you had ever got your BG back. Couple things to your new post 1) you cleaned it before using the replacement, right? 2) you have had a BG long enough to remember about the mag release needing to be pressed when inserting a mag on a new BG. That will work itself out with use. 3) You had troubles before with WWB and Remington UMC ammo, why are you frustrated it is happening again? I too, have had bad luck with UMC, try the PMC bronze ammo. 4) I always thought new picky pocket pistols were resistant to SD loads, that they needed a healthy diet of good FMJ ammo before introducing to SD loads?

Anyway, just a few thoughts. Don't throw in the towel just yet! I know you have spent many months trying to get to this point, but the process of a new BG has just begun again; give it some time. Good luck and happy shooting! - Rick

 

[hardluk1]

I you a friend that's a small handgun shooter you respect?? let that person have go with your BG using ammo of there choice . See if it works well . If the ammo your using now is all from the same lot number that can be your problem or winny ammo in general . I try to use the best fmj available at first and that could be speer lawman ammo . Then use what ammo fits your budget but use the speer as a fall back ammo if you have any kind of function issues .

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

If you are frustrated don't buy another. Find the carry ammo you like and that it shoots well and keep shooting it and see if it improves.
I had some problems with blazer brass but otherwise it has been a good pistol. It is double action with second strike capability for a reason

 

[rjm6120]

Rickgus is right about the magazine insertion issue---mine did the same thing and I had to either use a little more oomph to get the magazine fully inserted, or press in the magazine release button. That issue has smoothed itself out now and I don't have to do that anymore.

 

[db4570]

Thanks for the replies, support, and suggestions. Here are some additional thoughts:

1. I have no reason to use Winchester FMJ except as cheap target ammo. So it is tempting to just say the gun doesn't like it, and move on. BUT: My concern is that it not firing Win is that it is a symptom of general un-trustworthiness. As in:

2. I also had a FTFire with Fed Hydrashok, my choice of carry/defense ammo. So it isn't just Win that gives it trouble. The mark on the Federal primer was a tiny little pinpoint.

3. Since it is a brand new gun, for its first test I didn't want to fool with it any more than the S&W manual insists. They say a new gun should have the storage oil cleaned out of the barrel, chamber, ramp, and exterior. So that's what I did. They also show just four lube points on the frame slide area, and two on the barrel. The spots on the frame already had a teeny drop of oil on them, so I left them. I put a drop on both barrel points. I didn't want to get anywhere near the firing pin with either cleaner or oil.

4. In the grand scheme of things, I suppose worse things could happen than a FTFire in a defense situation. Like a bad jam. The second-strike capability is comforting, although once I did need three strikes.

5. I can't help but think this should be easy. Firing pins and primers have been used successfully for 150 years. It ain't rocket science. I really am tempted to get in there and completely disassemble it and try to clean it up or fix it myself. Sending it back and forth to S&W is getting really old.

David

 

[Rickgus]

David - Call Smith Monday morning and get their opinion. You are starting out with a replacement and if the pistol is still not to your satisfaction, begin the process all over again with them. You or I don't make them, they do, and it's their problem of getting it right or they need to give you your money back or something else that will work!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Have you ever had somebody else run your BG's for a session?

 

[Old cop]

I also vote for sending the BG back until they get it to your satisfaction. Mine was purchased in Feb. and it has been 100% w/FMJ & HP. 600 rounds thus far. I entered into this venture after trying the LCP and the Glock 42, both had multiple failures of every kind and I just gave up on the whole idea until a friend got the no-laser model. I've heard that Ruger has improved the LCP so that might be worth a look. Good luck and hang in there.

 

[ATF]

These little guns aren't meant to shoot hundreds of rounds at the range. Just buy the very best quality ammo and run it. Please note that the Bodyguard gets dirty very quickly so clean it and the mags more than you would do with a larger gun.

 

[jstanfield103]

If I was having this problem, and I am also a very big fan of the Bg380 because I too don't care for any of the other makes. I would go to Galloway Precision and buy a Increased rate hammer spring (Increased Rate Hammer Spring for Bodyguard 380 and M&P 380 pistols :: Bodyguard 380 Performance Parts :: Smith & Wesson® Performance :: Galloway Precision ) and a Tool Steel Firing pin ( Harden Tool Steel Firing Pin for Bodyguard 380 and M&P 380 Pistols :: Bodyguard 380 Performance Parts :: Smith & Wesson® Performance :: Galloway Precision )
Cost ya a little but I would think it is worth it. I plan on putting one in mine pretty soon even though I have not had any problems as of yet but I know the BG380 History so I will be doing this.

 

[Rickgus]

Jstan - Upgrading a pistol when you haven't had problems is one thing, upgrading it to fix something that S&W is responsible for fixing is another! It's bad enough the money David has sunk into ammo and range time trying to get one pistol to operate to his satisfaction, let alone the frustration he has gone thru! He needs to stay on Smith until they make it right! IMO, that's not asking too much!

 

[Old cop]

Personally I'm all thumbs (and dance w/two left feet) when it comes to stuff like this so I'd stay w/the S&W factory no matter how long it takes. It could be that a refund is in your future.

 

[jstanfield103]

Rick, I would agree that S&W should have fixed this long ago. But he stated that he was to the point of buying another gun just to have this one to send back and still have one to carry. I would rather order the parts fix the gun in 20 minutes and never have the problem again.
just trying to give him a better option instead of sending the gun back several times.

 

[Rickgus]

Rick, I would agree that S&W should have fixed this long ago. But he stated that he was to the point of buying another gun just to have this one to send back and still have one to carry. I would rather order the parts fix the gun in 20 minutes and never have the problem again.
just trying to give him a better option instead of sending the gun back several times.

Jstan - I hear that! David and many of the members on here have been talking with each other about his problem with the BG's. He has been very adamant in past posts about not putting any more money or effort towards fixing something that S&W should be fixing and I was just reaffirming those conversations. Of course you wouldn't have known that and you had all good intentions. I really doubt he would buy another as he does have other handguns he can use until the BG returns! He will get it right with Smith, he justs needs to stay on them about it!

 

[hardluk1]

Winchesters primers are one of the hardest primers out there and as was said before clean out the striker area. Winchester has also had more QC issues with there WWB ammo than any other brand so maybe it is an ammo issues . Last , some people can be very skilled with larger pistol but little ones just drive some nuts .

As ATF covered . Shot a smaller number of rounds in a session . Maybe 50 well shot rounds rather than 100 that get sloopy as some point . Specially if problems show later in a shooting session . Run it wet too.

To help with grip/ control problems stop by a bike shop and get a free used inner tube , 1.75" out of the trash pile and acut pieces to fit your grip aid control. Last you can go to a lowes and by a pair of cheap pair of NYTRILE gloves . They will aid on handgun control of any one with control related issues . This my not be the OP case at all but for braking in a new handgun those glove realy stick it to your hand . .