Bodyguard 380 question

[yardman4]

Has there been any issues with light primer strikes with these guns? I had one failure to fire with CCI Blazer, and one failure with one of my reloads. I use Winchester primers. I load a lot of calibers, and I never have any failure to fire issues due to primers. On the spent casings, the dent looks light on all of them. I am really surprised that any of the ammo goes bang with how light the strikes seem to be. I didn't know if there have been any issues about this or not.
I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

 

[Goffman]

Has there been any issues with light primer strikes with these guns? I had one failure to fire with CCI Blazer, and one failure with one of my reloads. I use Winchester primers. I load a lot of calibers, and I never have any failure to fire issues due to primers. On the spent casings, the dent looks light on all of them. I am really surprised that any of the ammo goes bang with how light the strikes seem to be. I didn't know if there have been any issues about this or not.
I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

I've been following feedback on the BG380 from the beginning because I was an "early adopter" (i.e., "beta tester"). Light primer strikes seem to be reported only rarely. The main problems were with the takedown lever and the laser activation, and a few of us had broken firing pin strikers. I can report first-hand that S&W warranty work really is top notch, and you shouldn't hestitate to give them a call and have your pistol shipped back for repair. I am about to call them myself (third time) because my laser has developed a "halo", which I assume means that the lens cover was not sealed properly.

 

[yardman4]

BG 380

I went to the range again, and had 2 failures to fire-the primer strikes looked light. Even on the rounds that went off, the strikes were shallow. I called Smith, and the rep said not many complaints like mine. Then he started in on blaming the ammo.
My view is this--I bought this gun to carry and rely on. I can not rely on it if the firing pin barely dents the primer.
There is a call tag on the way, and I am sending it to them with instructions to deepen the strike. I don't want to carry a gun that I have doubts about firing.

 

[Dragon88]

I had light primer strike issues with another carry piece of mine. I fixed the issue, but never could get it out of my mind. The thought of a click no bang when I really needed a round to fire. I got rid of that piece.

A carry gun, first and foremost, has to go bang every time.

 

[bodyguard32411]

I took mine to the range and had 4 failure to fires with WWB ammo. At the end of my range time i put them back in and they fired the 2nd time i'm wondering if Winchester is having primer issues. My buddy the same day i shot my BG had a Failure to fire in his glock 30 with WWB.

 

[phixer]

Has there been any issues with light primer strikes with these guns? I had one failure to fire with CCI Blazer, and one failure with one of my reloads. I use Winchester primers. I load a lot of calibers, and I never have any failure to fire issues due to primers. On the spent casings, the dent looks light on all of them. I am really surprised that any of the ammo goes bang with how light the strikes seem to be. I didn't know if there have been any issues about this or not.
I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

I had the same issue with some Prvi PPU ammunition, very light strikes which barely dented the primer. I tried some UMC ammo and it was better but I got some odd "gouged" firing pin strikes. I pulled the firing pin and found some burs left from the machining process. Took a fine grinding stone to these and so far it looks better. I would be very interested to find out what they do to resolve this issue on your BG 380.

 

[C_Heath]

Ive had one failure to fire in 100 rounds so far. I dont like this but hey, its just one so far. I dont like the idea that I have to eject a round out that has already a dent in the primer and could go off as it comes out of the slide. I did try to refire the round and it would not so I ejected it.

 

[Chas9]

"Has there been any issues with light primer strikes with these guns" Seems like I read something about making sure the trigger is allowed to fully reset, was mentioned on another pocket 380? It may not mean anything, just throwing that out there in case we start seeing a trend. I have fired Remington and American Eagle in my BG380 with no problems of any kind. I will be watching this thread to see what is found!! Good luck!! Chas9

 

[island18]

450 rounds out of mine, no problems. This little thing eats everything I feed him. Loved this gun, my other guns don't leave my night stand

 

[seaswol]

Another 100

Shot another 100 of WWB and Fiocchi - no problems. The dealer took back my remaining 450 rounds of Prvi. Out of a box of 50, there were 12 rounds that did not fire and 6 of those did not fire on the 3rd and 4th trigger pull. Same problems with my Kel Tec P3AT and Colt Pony. Unfortunately all they had in .380 was PRVI so they refunded the cost of the remaining 450 rounds.
Chris

 

[wolverine]

Has there been any issues with light primer strikes with these guns? I had one failure to fire with CCI Blazer, and one failure with one of my reloads. I use Winchester primers. I load a lot of calibers, and I never have any failure to fire issues due to primers. On the spent casings, the dent looks light on all of them. I am really surprised that any of the ammo goes bang with how light the strikes seem to be. I didn't know if there have been any issues about this or not.
I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

Afternoon yardman

There does seem to be a few ramblings on some of the other BB’s about FTF on the BG-380. Those little devils have a pretty strong hammer spring so shouldn’t have issues in that department.

My personal BG-380 (s/n EABxxxx) has had a few FTF issues since I got it. When brand new I would get an occasional FTF (maybe one per 4-5 mags), it happened with both factory ammo and my handloads. I used CLP and compressed air to clean and blow the firing pin channel out as well as lubricate it. That seemed to cure the FTF at least for a while.
Sometime later I was again getting an occasional FTF with somewhat light primer indentataions, I really couldn’t understand why and it really didn’t bother me too bad as they would always go off on 2nd strike.
I never got a real handle on why the FTF on a few first strikes but decided to change my gun lubrication from light motor oil to only CLP. Since the change to CLP only as a lubricant I have had 0 FTF’s and it seems totally reliable.

I can’t say for certain that the lube was the reason as I never tried the motor oil again. Maybe it is just because of the many hammer/trigger cycling’s as I shoot the gun more more.

I at one time had a thought to send it back to S&W but really didn’t want a heavier hammer spring therefore an even stiffer trigger pull.

 

[yardman4]

BG 380

My BG 380 is at the S&W factory right now. I am hoping they will fix the firing pin so it puts a deeper and bigger dent in the primers. I feel unsure of the gun in it's present condition. I also had problems with the prvi ammo. The CCI blaser had a few failures, and over the years, I have never had CCI ammo to fail. I think S&W is putting a marginal hitting firing pin in these guns.

 

[ezrider]

I just took my BG 380 to the range on Sat. and had approx. 10 out of 50 FTF's. It is MFS ammo, and yes it's cheap, but I can put any brand in my 5904 9mm and have never had an issue. Calling S&W today.

 

[MyNewM&P9]

Just wanted to add to this thread. Just got back form the range and found that my new BG380 has light primer strikes. I fired roughly 200 rounds, 150 were S&B and the other 50 were Hornady Critical Defense. Interestingly the 150 S&B went through without a hickup, than with the Hornady CD I had a light primer strike every other round. The gun is overall very accurate for it's size. It'll go back to S&W next week to take care of the light primer strikes.

 

[jdizzel1209]

I got my wife one a few weeks back and got her some PMC Bronze ammo just to let her get use to the gun and had no prob with 100 rounds she loves hers and it is even better with the Hornaday 90gr XTP ammo no prob with hers hope you find out what it is good luck

 

[josmoke21]

bodygaurd 380

sent mine in twice,first time put in a new firing pin,no change.this last time new slide and barrel.it might be better,to early to tell,but still has some ftfs.
I'm alittle older,i remember when sears and wards sold junk like ted Williams and jc Higgins.never a misfire,ever.ive got a baby browning,thousands of rounds through it.little 25 acp,never ever a misfire.
people are too easy on these gun makers today for putting out this junk!