Bodyguard 380 FT Fire Problems, Part V

[db4570]

Thanks for the replies.

I wanted to see what made the firing pin tick, so I took it apart. The hardest part was getting the rear sight off, but I finally figured it out using a vise and brass pin.

The firing pin is really smooth and slides free and smooth in its channel. I still cleaned out the channel thoroughly.

I didn't take the bottom end and trigger apart (yet). I am still perplexed by that little notch/click I get in the when first pulling the trigger back, about 15% into its stroke. It feels like it's setting on half-cock or something. I don't remember the previous one doing that. Have any of you guys noticed this with your BG380s? I should figure out how to post a video of it.

I am leaning toward installing the Galloway firing pin and trigger spring. The pin is a hair longer, and the spring stronger, both which should help with light strikes.

The reason I didn't do this with the first pistol wasn't out of stubbornness; I just felt that S&W was better equipped to engineer or repair this gun than me or a third-party supplier. If the Galloway solution makes so much sense, why doesn't S&W simply adopt it? Is there a reliability or safety reason?

Keep the suggestions coming.

David

 

[kbm6893]

I'm tempted to get a BodyGuard 380. It's a perfect pocket gun. I like the safety on it, too.

But .380 practice ammo is expensive enough. .380 carry ammo has gotta be much more. How many here shoot premium carry ammo in any of their guns at the range? i might do one or two mags a year, but that's it. Should a person buy 500 rounds of premium self defense ammo to make sure the gun is reliable? That would cost more than the gun.

It's a new gun and it should run on ANY factory manufactured ammo, period. If winchester has such hard primers, then S&W should install a heavier spring like the galloway kit is supposed to come with.

So i might just go back to a J frame for pocket carry. I had one years ago and should never have sold it.

 

[ocinsomniac]

Thanks for the replies.


I am leaning toward installing the Galloway firing pin and trigger spring. The pin is a hair longer, and the spring stronger, both which should help with light strikes.

The reason I didn't do this with the first pistol wasn't out of stubbornness; I just felt that S&W was better equipped to engineer or repair this gun than me or a third-party supplier. If the Galloway solution makes so much sense, why doesn't S&W simply adopt it? Is there a reliability or safety reason?

Keep the suggestions coming.

David

David - I was in virtually the same postion you were with my BG experience - had a defective one replaced by S&W customer service -

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/379706-defective-bg-380-s-w-cs-rescue.html

.....Then had the MP replacement develop the the light strike syndrome. At that point I made up my mind without any hesistation what to do - when my BG came back from S&W, I immediately sold it to a gun/pawn shop and picked up a Ruger LCP Custom on Grabagun.com for a difference of $40. How could I possibly trust a BG for SD purposes when I've had not one, but two that have spent as much total time at S&W customer service as they have in my possession?!! Not my defintion of a reliable SD weapon. Was so disappointed with this whole BG experience, as I really wanted to love this little gun, and I already own five other MP's that I'm very pleased with, all having had stellar reliability histories.

The LCP has been everything I wanted the BG to be, with a better factory trigger, even though it lacks a couple of features the BG has - thumb safety, slide open on last round (when it works, sometimes ). Those I could live without. But at least there is a bang and a round headed down range whenever you pull the trigger. Did not have that confidence with either BG I owned. After several hundred rounds, the LCP has consumed any and all 380 ammo I've fed it without a hiccup.

IMHO, I would not spend another minute or dime on modifiying and testing a weapon that has been problematic from the get-go........especially when there are other reliable and affordable ones out there. BOL, I know what you're going through.....

 

[kbm6893]

David - I was in virtually the same postion you were with my BG experience - had a defective one replaced by S&W customer service -

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/379706-defective-bg-380-s-w-cs-rescue.html

.....Then had the MP replacement develop the the light strike syndrome. At that point I made up my mind without any hesistation what to do - when my BG came back from S&W, I immediately sold it to a gun/pawn shop and picked up a Ruger LCP Custom on Grabagun.com for a difference of $40. How could I possibly trust a BG for SD purposes when I've had not one, but two that have spent as much total time at S&W customer service as they have in my possession?!! Not my defintion of a reliable SD weapon. Was so disappointed with this whole BG experience, as I really wanted to love this little gun, and I already own five other MP's that I'm very pleased with, all having had stellar reliability histories.

The LCP has been everything I wanted the BG to be, with a better factory trigger, even though it lacks a couple of features the BG has - thumb safety, slide open on last round (when it works, sometimes ). Those I could live without. But at least there is a bang and a round headed down range whenever you pull the trigger. Did not have that confidence with either BG I owned. After several hundred rounds, the LCP has consumed any and all 380 ammo I've fed it without a hiccup.

IMHO, I would not spend another minute or dime on modifiying and testing a weapon that has been problematic from the get-go........especially when there are other reliable and affordable ones out there. BOL, I know what you're going through.....

I like Rugers. My carry gun is an LC9-S and my home gun is an SR9. They share the same features. Manual safety and mag disconnect. But the LC9-S is a bit big for pocket carry, and while I was driving with the LC9-S inside my waistband, it started to bug me. Got a bit uncomfortable.

I wish the LCP had the safety and mag disconnect. I can deal with the no slide lock open, but the sights on the LCP suck too.

I think a lightweight J frame like the 442 is the way to go. I already have 38 ammo since I reload it and no worries about reliability.

 

[db4570]

Well, I ordered the Galloway hammer spring and firing pin. I am not unhappy with the factory trigger, so I am leaving that alone. We'll see how the extra hammer spring weight affects it.

Galloway also sells a lighter firing pin return spring and blocker spring, intended to increase the power of the firing pin. I didn't like the idea that these could affect factory-level safety, so I didn't order them.

I also got in there and gave the gun's innards a deep clean.

So we'll see if this helps!

David

 

[Rickgus]

Well, I ordered the Galloway hammer spring and firing pin. I am not unhappy with the factory trigger, so I am leaving that alone. We'll see how the extra hammer spring weight affects it.

Galloway also sells a lighter firing pin return spring and blocker spring, intended to increase the power of the firing pin. I didn't like the idea that these could affect factory-level safety, so I didn't order them.

I also got in there and gave the gun's innards a deep clean.

So we'll see if this helps!

David

It's a shame you have to go thru all of this, but I guess you have to do what you have to do! Good luck and I hope all this makes things better for you and your BG! I am anxious for your results, so let us know! - Rick

 

[RichLucky]

One More Distractor

My mags were difficult to insert too on the BG.
thanks, Rikgus for the technique of the release until my BG breaks in--I'll try that next time.
Till then, wouldn't want to wrestle with trying to put another mag in during a high-stress, time-compressed scenario. That would suck as rounds come a flyin' at you!
Rich