Bodyguard 380...Love it or List it?

[TheMystro]

My last 380acp was a Berretta 380 18 years ago. I have cases of everything from 22lr to 10mm but its killing me to buy a caliber I dont own at least a good supply of ammo on hand. I am scrambling and pulling some strings just to get ANY plinking ammo. God, I miss the days of walking into Walmart and buying 3 100round boxes of Winchester WB. The only bright side of junk ammo is its good training having to double strike and staying on target.

If you feed this pistol European garbage, you're going to have issues. 99.9% of these pistols have zero mechanical problems and will eat any mainstream, American made ammo you put through it. I've shot over 700 rnds of American Eagle, CCI Independence, WWB, Hornady and HPR without one single failure. There are some **** guns out there, no doubt, and they should be repaired and or replaced.

 

[RV4driver]

Update:
I checked my wife's LCP for chamber length. It was actually LONGER than my BG380, the BG was right at .680, and the LCP was .683! Yet the LCP fires everything. So much for the chamber length theory.

I chambered a couple of brands...PMC gold and Fiocchi, and checked the gap between the back of the case and the slide face.

The LCP showed a easy fit for the .010 and a tight fit for the .012 guages with PMC, but the .010 was a no go for even the Fiocchi.

The BG380 was the same results exactly, so I'm thinking it's firing pin protrusion or strength of the hit.

I'll be transferring a new BG380 to a student shortly, so I'll see if her's is any better. I'd check it myself, but it's her first gun, and she should be the first to fire it!

 

[RV4driver]

UPDATE:
My BG380 is not the issue this time, I took one that I'm about to transfer to a student out to the range today to see if her gun has the same issue as mine. It kinda does, by that I mean it has light strikes and FTF's with the same ammo mine does. But, I tried to just rapid fire it, and it set everything off. Back to a slooow trigger pull, and it had FTF's again. So, it appears that the rapidity with which you pull the trigger affects the strike, weird. I would think spring tension and sear break would be independent of that. Then, I'm not a gunsmith. I brought the gun home for a good cleaning. But, I couldn't get the slide off. Then I noticed, that there seemed to be an odd angle to the takedown lever. After trying to get to go in straight, I gave up and decided to pull it out and remove the slide. Now I know why it didn't work properly, half the lever came out and half stayed in. I now realize why people say MIM is an abbreviation for ****. The break was very "granular" in nature. So, I took the lever out of mine, and put it in hers, so she doesn't have to wait for her gun. Now, mine has to go back to Smith unless I can get them to just send one to me. Not much hope for that, although I'm willing to pay for the part and skip the warranty bit, just to have my gun working AGAIN. I have to say, I'm a little concerned about this part breaking. The barrel lug works against this part as the action cycles.

 

[VonFatman]

My sister just got her BG....she HATEs the trigger...measured 12lbs- I've not tried it (and she apparently did not either before she bought).....had I tried one with a freaking 12lb trigger it would have NEVER come home with me. Nope I'll just "suffer" with my trusty KelTec P3AT that's worn and has a trigger you can practice with. 5 out of 6 eight-inch plates drop at 15 yards with regularity at my range....I've bought ($230) and sold LNIB Ruger LCPs and kept the 'ol KelTec.

The LCP triggers are fine for social work, but I don't see a need to keep one just because they have a slide-stop and fresh finish.

I like being able to have a trigger you can pull.

But the BG does look nice!

Just my .02
Bob

 

[jstanfield103]

I Love my BG380, all though I have had no problems as of yet. I am waiting for Galloway to put out the improved firing pin and a stronger spring for these guns. I will up grade just to be safe.

 

[fdw]

Thanks for the review Don. Having just purchased the Desert Eagle Micro I just want to say that like you with the Bodyguard, I am truly amazed at the accuracy of this "little gun"..

 

[3dots]

Hi fdw,

Now THAT is a short barrel! I've never handled or shot the Micro but have read about Magnum Research's quality. Do you have a range report posted anywhere?

Don

 

[ocinsomniac]

I currently own six S&W's - an MP9FS, Mp9c, Shield 40, MP-15, MP15-22 and a Body Guard 380, Serial # EBBXXXX which I purchased in 3/12. I must say they all have been great, love them all with the exception of the BG which in IMHO, is the worst *** S&W has put on the market.

Was fine for about the first 300-400 rounds then the wheels fell off shortly thereafter. Sent it back to S&W the first time for numerous FTF's and FTE's. Upon return, the FTF's and FTE's were even more numerous (at least one per mag), so I sent it back a second time and S&W replaced the barrel and extractor. Seemed better with the new parts, then one day about a month ago, the laser screw backed out and jammed the slide, even though I checked it after each range session and used the Locktite Blue. Just got it back from S&W today, but haven't tested it yet.

I've given it all the TLC I give all my weapons - meticulous cleaning after each range session and fed it the recommended range ammo and SD rounds.......all to no avail!

I purchased this BG as a carry gun for my spouse, and with all its problems, she doesn't even want to shoot it at the range. At this point, I have lost all confidence in its intended purpose and am reluctant to carry it even as a backup to my Shield. How can one when its reliability has been a big zero!

I told S&W CS as I requested my shipping label for repair for my most recent and third return for repair, that if it breaks down again I want either a refund or comparable replacement.

I envy those who report no problems with theirs, since mine has been a total nightmare........

 

[FloridaFeMan]

"I told S&W CS as I requested my shipping label for repair for my most recent and third return for repair, that if it breaks down again I want either a refund or comparable replacement."

And S&W said..............?

 

[3dots]

For those out there with hard to press laser buttons, as I originally posted, there is a revision from S&W. Pictured below are three new style and one old style, the difference is obvious. S&W will send you these free for the asking.

Although they are much better, I would still recommend cutting a thin slice of Q-Tip ring and inserting it over the nub.

 

[UncleD]

List it.

I don't like mine very much. The trigger action is just off for me, even after maybe firing 150 rounds. It's kind of embarrassing, I'll have my targets very close at the range, and my groups are not close at all. I don't know if others have noticed this, but for a smaller round, the 380 recoil focused on a smaller area of the end of the BG's grip seems to focus the impact so that where as I could target shoot with other pistols for 100 rounds, my hand would start to hurt at 40 with the BG.
Too bad, it's a great looking little gun, just not for me.

 

[cptbryan]

Just my two cents, I had to get over that trigger pull like a bad relationship ending. Once I finally did, I love the piece.

 

[Hodgin]

My BG 380 is a keeper. It's not a target gun and I don't worry about my groupings at 15 yds or anything like that. Mostly I shot at an 8.5 x 11 inch target at 3, 5, and 7 yds. Just point and shoot, don't use the front sight and if I'm in the black at anything less than 15 yards I'm fine with it.

Never had any problems but do have some concerns over some the problems mentioned. I would like a little lighter trigger pull but not much. It's not a problem with me and I like being confident that the gun won't go off in my pocket with the safety off. I'd want a different manual safety if I used it on this gun.

 

[noammo]

I don't like mine very much. The trigger action is just off for me, even after maybe firing 150 rounds. It's kind of embarrassing, I'll have my targets very close at the range, and my groups are not close at all. I don't know if others have noticed this, but for a smaller round, the 380 recoil focused on a smaller area of the end of the BG's grip seems to focus the impact so that where as I could target shoot with other pistols for 100 rounds, my hand would start to hurt at 40 with the BG.
Too bad, it's a great looking little gun, just not for me.

How much do you want for it?

 

[3dots]

How much do you want for it?

+1

For all the listers here, although this is not a FS/W thread, what's your S/N and how much would you sell for? Just curious what would satisfy you? Obviously, you purchased for form, factor and features and I know that you want a reliable little machine. S&W will make right, but I agree that only one trip back to the maker should bring you a flawless CCW that will cycle thousands of rounds with no issue...Hell's bells, this is 2013!

 

[Nuke0955]

I just ordered a BG380 for my wife as she wasn't happy with carrying her revolver. I'll feel just SOOOOOOO bad if she doesn't like the trigger pull or has issues racking, in which case I'll just have to take it off her hands. Drat the thought. LOL!

 

[3dots]

I just ordered a BG380 for my wife as she wasn't happy with carrying her revolver. I'll feel just SOOOOOOO bad if she doesn't like the trigger pull or has issues racking, in which case I'll just have to take it off her hands. Drat the thought. LOL!

You shoulda just ordered two !

 

[bigah@67]

380 bodyguard barrel problems

Has any one had problems with barrel and slide not moving forward when reassembling after cleaning? Also after firing over 400 rounds frame pins worked loose.Thank you.

 

[nick7542]

What are the newest serial numbers for the bodyguard 380? Looking to buy a used one and wanted to make sure i was getting a newer model.

 

[3dots]

Has any one had problems with barrel and slide not moving forward when reassembling after cleaning? Also after firing over 400 rounds frame pins worked loose.Thank you.

Bigah, welcome to the forum! If you'll put an empty mag in the gun when you reassemble, the barrel will stay forward. Has far as the roll pins, I'd just coat it with blue Loctite and tap it back in .