Bodyguard 380. Is this a new barrel design. Looks bad!!
- Thread starter Col_Cotton_Hill
- Start date
just for fun
Member
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2007
- Messages
- 105
- Reaction score
- 33
An MIM barrel?!
FYI the ball joints on the front end of your car along with the tierod ends are all MIM parts. The bad part it's the same for all autos.
jstanfield103
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 698
- Reaction score
- 323
Dejays Saleen I will try this weekend for you, I work to many hours during the week and I am only on the web sites around 4:30 am when I read all my gun forums, around 8 diffrent.
DeJays Saleen
Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2012
- Messages
- 51
- Reaction score
- 6
I just got mine all polished today, heres the link
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...d-380-turned-out-very-nice.html#post137012874
Last edited:
gurn blanston
Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2014
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 10
Digging this old thread out. My Dad and I just both ordered a pistol each and the odd thing is we got two different looking barrels and they are both the KBJ prefix and about 4000 numbers apart. The early # is what looks like the " new design" but the later # looks like the older better looking ones.
skip4309
Member
That barrel looks like ****!! Mine was made June 2014. My barrel, like others shown has the caliber logo (.380 Auto) on top and yours doesn't...and whats with that 'line' down the middle. The barrel appears unfinished to me.
Serial Number: KBW8***
Serial Number: KBW8***
Last edited:
ironhead7544
Member
I am wondering if that MIM barrel has a liner. Is it possible, as someone else asked, to MIM the rifling and chamber? Also, what finish does the bodyguard have?
I wouldnt be too worried about the appearance. It is meant to be concealed. No one should see it until it is needed. I just worry about function.
I wouldnt be too worried about the appearance. It is meant to be concealed. No one should see it until it is needed. I just worry about function.
martybee
Member
I totally concur with skip4309. An MIM barrel is basically a part made from metal powder and a binder and injected into a mold! Of course there are many steps involved to produce the end product,
but suffice it to say, QC must be consistant through every step and who's to say it really does!
I have a BG380 SN ECB2XXX and I love it! I have fired over 500rds and have had no issues!
mb
Last edited:
Make 'em for less and charge more for 'em.
I won't be getting a BG.
My Kel-Tec is as ugly as I'm willing to go.
It's an '04-'05 model.
Works perfectly.
Glad I got it when I did, instead of waiting for Ruger and S&W to make a rip-off of it.
Think I'll stick with S&Ws older autos, with the possible exception of a Shield 9.
ETA: I think I've changed my mind about getting a Shield 9.
I think I'll just keep looking for a 3rd Gen 39.
I've NEVER heard of a 3rd Gen gun going KABOOOOOOM!!!! with factory ammo.
Plus, I don't like the M&P trigger pull.
I won't be getting a BG.
My Kel-Tec is as ugly as I'm willing to go.
It's an '04-'05 model.
Works perfectly.
Glad I got it when I did, instead of waiting for Ruger and S&W to make a rip-off of it.
Think I'll stick with S&Ws older autos, with the possible exception of a Shield 9.
ETA: I think I've changed my mind about getting a Shield 9.
I think I'll just keep looking for a 3rd Gen 39.
I've NEVER heard of a 3rd Gen gun going KABOOOOOOM!!!! with factory ammo.
Plus, I don't like the M&P trigger pull.
Last edited:
Arik
Member
For me it's simple. Put several thousand rounds through it in a weekend. If it hold up its good, if not then its a adult word and should be traded or tossed
k80clay
Member
2 things regarding IMI parts in the aerospace industry -- "Life Limited" and "Inspection".
"Before" and "after" serial numbers mean nothing. Your barrels are dumped into a bin and pulled out one at a time for assembly. Your BG could have been assembled yesterday with a barrel that was made 6 months ago.
It may look bad, and BG barrels my one day indeed become a "life limited" part, but I wouldn't worry about it in the next few years or so.
It's just another plastic fantastic - it's not a Krieghoff.
"Before" and "after" serial numbers mean nothing. Your barrels are dumped into a bin and pulled out one at a time for assembly. Your BG could have been assembled yesterday with a barrel that was made 6 months ago.
It may look bad, and BG barrels my one day indeed become a "life limited" part, but I wouldn't worry about it in the next few years or so.
It's just another plastic fantastic - it's not a Krieghoff.
martybee
Member
Any updates on the MIM barrels? Has anyone else received a BG380 with the MIM barrel?
I just checked one at my LGS and it did have the ridge on the barrel hood. I asked if they had other new in stock BG380's . They did, and ALL had the MIM barrels! I have to assume all new BG380's have the same.
mb
I just checked one at my LGS and it did have the ridge on the barrel hood. I asked if they had other new in stock BG380's . They did, and ALL had the MIM barrels! I have to assume all new BG380's have the same.
mb
Last edited:
Nakanokalronin
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2010
- Messages
- 1,071
- Reaction score
- 369
MIM is okay if it's done right. I've had more than a few MIM parts not take bluing touch up at all. Weather MIM is good, it's still a money saving process on the manufactures end. I'd personally rather spend a little more and get bar stock or forged steel.
That being said, if it works then it's not too big of a deal. It's a pocket gun meant to save your life, but I know how gun OCD can be.
The thing people forget when talking about MIM in the automotive industry or something similar that makes larger parts is that there's more room for error. A small imperfection in a 3" diameter arm is different if the same sized imperfection is in a tiny hammer, trigger or internal part. I know any new gun I buy from now on will have MIM or cast parts unless it's something like my DW Valor, but that's why I've only been looking at the used cases.
That being said, if it works then it's not too big of a deal. It's a pocket gun meant to save your life, but I know how gun OCD can be.
The thing people forget when talking about MIM in the automotive industry or something similar that makes larger parts is that there's more room for error. A small imperfection in a 3" diameter arm is different if the same sized imperfection is in a tiny hammer, trigger or internal part. I know any new gun I buy from now on will have MIM or cast parts unless it's something like my DW Valor, but that's why I've only been looking at the used cases.
Last edited:
i was weighing the .380 bodyguard vs. the glock 42. i have nothing against MIM, however that finishing job on the barrel of the bodyguard is just sloppy and to me shows a we could care less if you dont like it dont buy it attitude by smith and wesson. well , they impressed me, i bought the glock 42 instead. you dont have to beat me over the head that you dont want my business.
Last edited:
