Bodyguard .380 report

[Copnomore]

Janster,
When you go to the 800 round course, wrap a strip of adhesive tape around the tip of your thumbs. It protects the skin where it will contact the top of the magazine. That is where the damage is done on the high intesnity days. If you don't use the tape, you'll be using a band aid at the end of the course. I went through 2000 rounds of .40 cal in four days without a wimper, I could hear lots of whining else where in the bus to and from the range on the third day. There is also a "trick" to loading mags, especially the larger mags with strong springs. Turn the next bullet to be loaded 90 degrees to the mag, push down the last bullet in the mag with the next bullet using the other thumb to assist on the downward pressure while spinning the new round in to line up.

 

[Niz]

Laser activation issues

For anyone having laser activation issues, before sending it back to S&W, follow Copnomore and Col Cotton Hill's suggestions. My right button was impossible to operate one handed. I simply removed the laser unit, pushed out the offending button, rolled it around to reset the little "pin" and fiddled around with rotating the button in the slot until it worked with light firm pressure. Now it works just how I had hoped it would.

 

[WilliamG]

For anyone having laser activation issues, before sending it back to S&W, follow Copnomore and Col Cotton Hill's suggestions. My right button was impossible to operate one handed. I simply removed the laser unit, pushed out the offending button, rolled it around to reset the little "pin" and fiddled around with rotating the button in the slot until it worked with light firm pressure. Now it works just how I had hoped it would.

I just called S&W about my EAE buttons, and they sent me a new set of buttons that work great, and actually feel like they "click" when I push on them. Much better. No need to send the whole gun back in, that's for sure.

Also, you don't need to remove the laser unit to get to the button. Just use a finger nail to get the rubber button out!

 

[SF180A]

Janster,

Here is a company that makes night sights for the S&W 380 BG.

XS 24/7 BIG DOT S&W BODYGRD 380 SET

Good luck and enjoy your CCW class.


SF180A/Brent

Remember the first fast accurate shot goes home, and that needs to be you

I have a 'newbie' type question for you guys and I didn't want to start another thread...
Just got a bodyguard380 about a month ago. Only shot about 100 rounds out of it so far (time & weather prevent more time with it).

My husband and I will eventually sign up for some defensive handgun & conceal carry classes -both of these classes recommend 800 rounds of ammo for the 2 day course.

My first concern...Will my wrists & fingers be able to handle 2 days/800 rounds of shooting with this gun?
Assuming the gun is mechanically capable of handling it.......??

The Defensive handgun class - I could probably learn with the M&P9C and not have as much trouble with the wrists. But with the conceal carry course, I need to use the BG.

Thoughts?
**anyone have any links to some (white dot) night sites for this gun, shoot me a link!! Thanks!

 

[pri9908]

Take Down Lever Issue

Has the take down lever issue been resolved definitively?

 

[WilliamG]

Has the take down lever issue been resolved definitively?

For quite a while now, apparently.

 

[pri9908]

Thanks WilliamG. I think I will go ahead and make my purchase.

 

[WilliamG]

I think you'll like it.

If you find the laser buttons are quite stiff to press, give S&W a call and they'll send you out some new ones. They sent me out 4 actually, and it fixed my issue immediately. That's the only problem I've had with the BG380.

 

[PittShooter]

Thanks all. I am using a Remora reinforced top holster. I just picked up a Galco and will try it and report back. No spare mag yet, as you know it only ships with one, and no store near me has any spares in stock. (Also a reason it is not my carry gun yet)

I use an Uncle Mike's #1 pocket holster - no issue with mag release interference.

I ordered my extra mags from S&W online. Had them in a week.

Let us know if switching to the Galco makes any difference for you.

 

[johnnybrandy]

I have a tarus tcp 380 and my buddy has a S&W 380 BG His gun makes mine look like a little cheap chinese toy next to a big block of finly crafted steel!

His gun IS VERY well made and seems like it will last.
My taurs has never gave me any issues (almost 500 rounds) but the clip doesnt fit very well and makes the whole gun seem cheap.

The BG380 is perfect all around excpet for the laser activation. And trigger pull

 

[Lost Lake]

Thanks WilliamG. I think I will go ahead and make my purchase.

Don't know what you guys are finding for prices, but Police Express is selling the BodyGuard 380 for $289.99. I have mine on order.

 

[PittShooter]

Don't know what you guys are finding for prices, but Police Express is selling the BodyGuard 380 for $289.99. I have mine on order.

Holy freakin' A!

You should order 2 for that price!

 

[Lost Lake]

Yeah, well I'd have it by now but I dawdled around and looked for an even better price and when I came back to PE it was backordered....

I like to shop around....

 

[reosta]

Don't know what you guys are finding for prices, but Police Express is selling the BodyGuard 380 for $289.99. I have mine on order.

Maybe they stopped producing them. Ever think why a gun would go from over $500 to $290 in less than a year. Maybe because it spends more time traveling between S&W and you then being in your hand.

 

[hammer56]

Thumbs Up

Bought two a month or so one for me and one for the wife ,I have fired several hundred rounds throught both ,with ball and HP rounds not the first problem. Good work Smith and Wesson, thumbs up to an AMERICAN made product!!!!!!!!

 

[Lost Lake]

Maybe they stopped producing them. Ever think why a gun would go from over $500 to $290 in less than a year. Maybe because it spends more time traveling between S&W and you then being in your hand.

Yep, they had some problems with serial numbers EAA and EAB. S&W will fix them at no cost and include a new magazine for your trouble.

After that, the gun is one of the hottest and most sought after weapons on any dealer's shelf. As for dropping the price to $290, well my local Cabelas is still selling them for close to $450 and they can't keep them in stock. Even GunBroker sells them all day for $380 - $400.

I'm just giving you guys a wholesale buyer's tip on where to score a deal, not saying the BG380 isn't worth $450, but why pay it? (By the way, PE has the M&P for $398.....)

 

[bobkarno]

I wanted a BG380 from the first day I saw it. I enjoy my 40VE, I love my M&P45, and my 22A is always a blast to shoot. All have been flawless guns for me since the day I bought them. However, when I was ready to purchase my BG380 I did just a bit more research to assure myself it was the gun for me. It was at this time that I began to read about some of the "issues" associated with the pistol. I would have to imagine that the primary reason people purchase this weapon is as a cc piece. In that regard, we want a weapon that is reliable above all else. I know S&W has sold a ton of these little guns, and I might even argue that of the entire lot, the ones with problems probably represent a small percentage. But, when push comes to shove, we need to know that our weapon will perform flawlessly. I will always be a S&W fan, and the next gun on my list is the M&P15-22. However, for my own protection I have chosen a Ruger LCP for my ccw (now we just need to pass a cc law in Wisconsin). I still believe that the BG380 is the superior weapon, and I may still consider one in the future. But for right now, and only in the case of the BG380, S&W needs to earn back my trust.

 

[Pokerstar]

Yep, they had some problems with serial numbers EAA and EAB. S&W will fix them at no cost and include a new magazine for your trouble.

After that, the gun is one of the hottest and most sought after weapons on any dealer's shelf. As for dropping the price to $290, well my local Cabelas is still selling them for close to $450 and they can't keep them in stock. Even GunBroker sells them all day for $380 - $400.

I'm just giving you guys a wholesale buyer's tip on where to score a deal, not saying the BG380 isn't worth $450, but why pay it? (By the way, PE has the M&P for $398.....)

Thanks for the info - can mere mortals (civilians like myself) buy from PE (through an FFL?)

 

[Pokerstar]

I wanted a BG380 from the first day I saw it. I enjoy my 40VE, I love my M&P45, and my 22A is always a blast to shoot. All have been flawless guns for me since the day I bought them. However, when I was ready to purchase my BG380 I did just a bit more research to assure myself it was the gun for me. It was at this time that I began to read about some of the "issues" associated with the pistol. I would have to imagine that the primary reason people purchase this weapon is as a cc piece. In that regard, we want a weapon that is reliable above all else. I know S&W has sold a ton of these little guns, and I might even argue that of the entire lot, the ones with problems probably represent a small percentage. But, when push comes to shove, we need to know that our weapon will perform flawlessly. I will always be a S&W fan, and the next gun on my list is the M&P15-22. However, for my own protection I have chosen a Ruger LCP for my ccw (now we just need to pass a cc law in Wisconsin). I still believe that the BG380 is the superior weapon, and I may still consider one in the future. But for right now, and only in the case of the BG380, S&W needs to earn back my trust.

I purchased a BG380 (series EAE s/n) and it has performed FLAWLESSLY on the range with 300 rounds through it. I finally found an extra magazine in stock at a local store, but have not had the opportunity to test it yet. The only issue I have had that prevents me from carrying the BG380 is that somehow with my holster, using it as a pocket holster, the magazine has been released on 3 or 4 occasions. This has not happened when I use the holster as an IWB. I purchased a different IWB holster as a test, and no issues at all.

Once I get another 200 rounds through the pistol, I will be confident enough to carry.

Just my opinion.

 

[WilliamG]

Don't know what you guys are finding for prices, but Police Express is selling the BodyGuard 380 for $289.99. I have mine on order.

This isn't anything new. Don't forget this is only for LEOs etc. The public can't buy it at this price.

"First Responder price" it says. So when they get it in stock and verify this information, they'll cancel the order unless you provide proof. So great deal for LEOs etc, but not for the rest of us.