Bodyguard 380 - On to the next big problem

[Dragon88]

I wonder how many people are walking around right now with a defective BG380 in their pocket or purse as their self-defense pistol. The vast majority of owners have no idea these problems exist, and all you hear from the gun shops is "Oh yeah great pistol! Can't keep 'em in stock". Imagine if you bought your wife or daughter or mother a BG380 and one day she actually had to use it, but it came apart in her hand on the first shot and left her defenseless.

There is one thing S&W can do to notify all owners and fix all the guns. It's called a RECALL. Is S&W a reputable enough company to go through with that? We'll see.

 

[n4zov]

I wonder how many people are walking around right now with a defective BG380 in their pocket or purse as their self-defense pistol. The vast majority of owners have no idea these problems exist, and all you hear from the gun shops is "Oh yeah great pistol! Can't keep 'em in stock". Imagine if you bought your wife or daughter or mother a BG380 and one day she actually had to use it, but it came apart in her hand on the first shot and left her defenseless.

There is one thing S&W can do to notify all owners and fix all the guns. It's called a RECALL. Is S&W a reputable enough company to go through with that? We'll see.

BINGO! We are all gun enthusiasts on this forum and having to return a gun to the factory for repair is irksome, but we will all get the gun eventually fixed or traded. Not true for somebody who buys a BG380 for personal protection and doesn't know a lot about handguns. They just want something reliable for self protection and they need a gun that is reliable out of the box. We all know to run a couple of hundred rounds through a new auto just to be sure the gun and ammo function OK, but most buyers do not realize they need to do that. This is the second unreliable .380 that S&W has introduced as a personal protection handgun and that is unacceptable IMHO. Sure S&W will eventually work out all the bugs, but I think they should stop selling the BG380 until it is fixed!

 

[18DAI]

I recall many folks on this board mocking Ruger's LCP when it was recalled.

At least Ruger notified owners, recalled it and made it right. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for S&W to do the same. Regards 18DAI.

 

[hardd1]

think I will wait to buy mine...

 

[worahm]

Visited 3 gun dealers in my area (North Central Florida) to get a feel for the S&W BG380 and the Taurus TCP. All three dealers did not have a BG 380 in stock, did not intend to stock the BG380 and would not order a BG380 for me. They all felt the gun had too many issues.

Two dealers said the Taurus TCP had misfire issues unrelated to ammo type and did not suggest buying until the issues were cleared up. Bill

 

[TXM&P]

What I don't get is that we all know there's a problem (my BG380 is currently with S&W for repairs), but S&W downplays the whole thing and won't admit that there is. Why hasn't anyone put together a complaint list with names ,email address, and phone numbers of everyone. This way we get a feel for how many guns are defective and S&W will have proof of this mess. I still am willing to give them a chance to fix this, I love the BG380. They have a winner with the design, look, and feel of this pistol. By the way it flys off the shelves it looks to be a favorite with alot of people. But selling a gun with a reputation for falling apart is dangerous and could get someone hurt or killed. Anyway, put me on that list when someone makes it. S&W needs to know about this.

 

[Dragon88]

I'm fairly certain that S&W is aware of the problems but doesn't really care. Just like they are aware of the problems with the 15-22 but don't care enough to issue a recall. It may take someone being hurt or let down by one of these guns in a critical situation and suing S&W. That should get their attention.

Personally I won't be happy until I see S&W RECALL notices all over gun stores and the internet. I want S&W to receive bad PR from this, I want them scrutinized and I want them to lose money. That should be enough to wake them up.

 

[skeeter7]

I'm fairly certain that S&W is aware of the problems but doesn't really care. Just like they are aware of the problems with the 15-22 but don't care enough to issue a recall. It may take someone being hurt or let down by one of these guns in a critical situation and suing S&W. That should get their attention.

Personally I won't be happy until I see S&W RECALL notices all over gun stores and the internet. I want S&W to receive bad PR from this, I want them scrutinized and I want them to lose money. That should be enough to wake them up.

Well, my BG380 hasn't failed yet but I hate the feeling every time I take it to the range or carry it thinking, "will it be the next shot?" If someone out there has a defective pistol, and really wants to get something started, I recommend that they call their District Attorney or Attorney General's office (depending on the state) and speak with someone in their Consumer Protection Unit. Tell them about the problems that people are having with firearms of all things and that you believe there are enough incidents of a recall being needed due to safety of their customers and everyone else around when this thing is shot. They will investigate the issue and possibly pressure S&W to do something more drastic than just "fix" each problem gun.

 

[jbrecken]

It is irresponsible of Smith and Wesson to sell a pistol that one would have no chance of shooting accurately, even at close range, without shooting hundreds of rounds. The ordinary housewife trying to defend herself with this would not have a chance.

 

[hiflyer_seattle]

two defects in my Bodyguard 380

I returned my 380 to the manufacturer several months ago, and in the accompanying instructions, I told them to please fix the slide pin issue (the subject of this thread) and the laser sight. They fixed one and not the other, and yesterday, the laser sight went from marginally usable to totally unusable. They never gave me a straight answer until today as to whether they even honored my initial request and looked at the laser sight the first time around. It turns out now that they didn't.

I am extremely disappointed with S&W -- last time they promised minimum turnaround, and after they had my gun for 10 days without a response, I finally contacted them and got a bit of run-around. Today when I called, I got more runaround, and I am going to lose use of my gun again for several weeks because of it.

Time to sell the bodyguard and deal instead with a company that is responsive to its customers.

 

[Dannlee]

Amen! After having my BG 380 for a year and shooting over a thousand rounds thru it with no problems it flew apart at the range last month. I packed it up and sent it to S&W. They have had it for 5 weeks now. I just e-mailed them to find out whats up with it. I have shot many, many guns this is the only one I had fly into pieces. S&W should be ashamed ! When I get it back its gone. I will never buy another S&W!

 

[pineappleshooter]

I love my Smiths (and Colts). I have:

Model 36 No dash
442
649
3913 Ladysmith
K22 Masterpiece
1964 Cobra
1974 Detective Special

That being said, if I carry a 380 it is my P3AT. It is ugly, rusts easily, is painful to shoot, and has gone bang every time I pull the trigger (over 500 rounds so far). I know people bash Kel Tec but I have never had a problem with my P3AT.

With alll the trouble S&W has had with the Bodyguard 380, why bother? There are so many reliable alternatives on the market that have all the kinks worked out.

Just my 2 cents worth.