Bodyguard 380 trigger pull survey
- Thread starter jermcdow
- Start date
Thanks for the tip but I'm afraid the glue would mar the finish on the grip.
KKECK5
Member
My Bodyguard trigger was breaking all the way back as well. Traded it in for a Sig P238 .380.......
Mcwsky09
Member
Finally got to the range
Took my wife to the range the other day to test a number of things - my first reloads - brass catcher on the .223 - etc.
Tested the Bodyguard 380 with the Galloway Precision transfer bar - and it worked.
During install I found that it was not resetting consistently and ended up removing all the black coating (paint?) and polishing it so that it would move freely up between the fame and chassis into the slide.
Before the upgrade I struggled to get it to fire with a solid comfortable grip - and was uncomfortable shooting it with a modified finger tip on the trigger and the wife said after having fired it as stock that she never wanted to do it again.
After the upgrade - I was able to fire consistently and easily (easily is relative here - still DAO and longer and heavier than my other guns - but easier than stock) - and the wife said that it was much easier (not that she put a lot of rounds through it in either condition) - although with her eczema (or psoriasis or whatever it is) it as not the most comfortable for her to shoot.
Took my wife to the range the other day to test a number of things - my first reloads - brass catcher on the .223 - etc.
Tested the Bodyguard 380 with the Galloway Precision transfer bar - and it worked.
During install I found that it was not resetting consistently and ended up removing all the black coating (paint?) and polishing it so that it would move freely up between the fame and chassis into the slide.
Before the upgrade I struggled to get it to fire with a solid comfortable grip - and was uncomfortable shooting it with a modified finger tip on the trigger and the wife said after having fired it as stock that she never wanted to do it again.
After the upgrade - I was able to fire consistently and easily (easily is relative here - still DAO and longer and heavier than my other guns - but easier than stock) - and the wife said that it was much easier (not that she put a lot of rounds through it in either condition) - although with her eczema (or psoriasis or whatever it is) it as not the most comfortable for her to shoot.
Camo-Man
Member
Mine also breaks close to the back.
mrmike7189
Member
Mine has a decent trigger, much lighter than 442 revolver.
It is an ECD serial # july 2013. Did they change the triggers recently?
It is an ECD serial # july 2013. Did they change the triggers recently?
Hurricaneforcewinds
Member
Don't know why I like it better than my LCP
I have both the Ruger LCP and the SW Bodyguard. As of last range visit the LCP was more accurate because of the trigger and where it breaks. I have since installed the Galloway Short trigger bar and the SW BG now feels a LOT better! It still breaks near the rear of the trigger guard but the trigger is traveling about 30% less than it did before. It wasn't terrible before but the travel was so long that it gave too much time to come off target before it shot. I know that this is a training issue, but hey, I don't have hundreds of hours to train! I go to the range twice a year if I am lucky. I needed a shorter pull and I got it with the Galloway bar. I have only dry fired it so far but it is MUCH better IMHO. Installation is TRICKY!!! Do not trust the youtube videos completely because there is missing information you need! If you do it yourself, be VERY mindful of where the trigger return spring sits! It sits IN the trigger bar in a small groove made for it. It is possible to accidentally install it behind or in front of the bar! Don't do that. Also, there is the pivot point that installs into the trigger that attaches to the new trigger bar. If that is not tapped into the trigger far enough it will rub against the frame and stop the trigger from returning to the fully reset position. Learn from my mistakes! Good luck, Good shooting.
Here's an update: Galloway is saying the trigger return spring is installed wrong. I believe it is the trigger bar binding on the frame. Now I have to disassemble the gun and see what can be done. This does not bode well for the future....
I have both the Ruger LCP and the SW Bodyguard. As of last range visit the LCP was more accurate because of the trigger and where it breaks. I have since installed the Galloway Short trigger bar and the SW BG now feels a LOT better! It still breaks near the rear of the trigger guard but the trigger is traveling about 30% less than it did before. It wasn't terrible before but the travel was so long that it gave too much time to come off target before it shot. I know that this is a training issue, but hey, I don't have hundreds of hours to train! I go to the range twice a year if I am lucky. I needed a shorter pull and I got it with the Galloway bar. I have only dry fired it so far but it is MUCH better IMHO. Installation is TRICKY!!! Do not trust the youtube videos completely because there is missing information you need! If you do it yourself, be VERY mindful of where the trigger return spring sits! It sits IN the trigger bar in a small groove made for it. It is possible to accidentally install it behind or in front of the bar! Don't do that. Also, there is the pivot point that installs into the trigger that attaches to the new trigger bar. If that is not tapped into the trigger far enough it will rub against the frame and stop the trigger from returning to the fully reset position. Learn from my mistakes! Good luck, Good shooting.
Here's an update: Galloway is saying the trigger return spring is installed wrong. I believe it is the trigger bar binding on the frame. Now I have to disassemble the gun and see what can be done. This does not bode well for the future....
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Bushmaster1911
Member
Considering the forum I'm on, this may not be a popular post but of all the true pocket sized guns I've shot in 9mm, the Kahr PM/CM series has hands down the best trigger. It's right at 5 lbs from the box and butter...think tuned S&W revolver smooth. The only downside if you're used to poly striker guns is the reset is all the way out, like a revolver. I don't mind that at all and will gladly trade a horrible trigger for a longer reset any day. I have a CM9 as a constant companion in summer in a Galco Pocket Protector. I wouldn't trade it if you offered me a Beretta Nano, a Bodyguard and an LC9 (unless I could sell them all and get a CM9 with the proceeds). Some have reported issues with magazines and reliability with the Kahrs but I've now owned two and I have a family member with a third with zero issue of any kind to date.
Rodfac
Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 97
- Reaction score
- 271
Well, mine came with a smooth, but long trigger pull. My usual carry guns are a S&W J-frame M60, and a Sig P290, both with long trigger pulls, so the transition to the BG was not difficult. It has a smooth pull, a good break, and I have no trouble shooting 1"+ size 7-shot groups with it out to 8-10 yds, slow fire from a modified Weaver Stance.
I like the long pull on any defensive pocket gun for the usual safety reasons, and have learned to use it effectively at speed. My only complaint, if that's really what it is, is the caliber. A 9mm chambering in the same gun would have been perfect. Just a bit more velocity, and bullet weight, eh? But maybe Smith tried that approach and found that it just wasn't possible to get it into a truly pocket sized gun.
I bought the Sig P290 as a pocket gun but quickly found that it's weight and slightly bigger size, made a holster of some sort mandatory. The Bodyguard fills both design features to a tee...size and weight.
Best regards, Rod
I like the long pull on any defensive pocket gun for the usual safety reasons, and have learned to use it effectively at speed. My only complaint, if that's really what it is, is the caliber. A 9mm chambering in the same gun would have been perfect. Just a bit more velocity, and bullet weight, eh? But maybe Smith tried that approach and found that it just wasn't possible to get it into a truly pocket sized gun.
I bought the Sig P290 as a pocket gun but quickly found that it's weight and slightly bigger size, made a holster of some sort mandatory. The Bodyguard fills both design features to a tee...size and weight.
Best regards, Rod
It finally arrived! My Galloway trigger bar! Well installed with new springs and yuk pull was harder and as rough as coarse grit sandpaper with a tiny bit shorter. Back with the stock hammer spring, hmm it was better as it lessened pull weight but resetting was hit or miss and still super rough, followed adjustment procedure found on the web as no installation instructions are provided. Stripped 3rd time and polish everything, rear roll pin hole had metal drill flash around hole that new bar rubbing on. Removed flashing (metal shavings still attached) and polish 800 grit at every place possible movement then lube. Trigger is a marked improvement in both smoothness and pull weight it also breaks where the old one staged. I admit that the Galloway parts make this gun a better shooter as I am older and long hard trigger pulls makes my hand shake (sucks to get old). Well, new parts and no more shake, .5" groups at 15'. This I can live with but I feel this is what the gun should have started with not spend another $100 and then polish and fine tune to achieve. There is enough info on youtube for disassembling and installing the trigger bar. A dummy 380 round is necessary for repeatably working the trigger not to damage firing pin and patients, but the work does leave you with more confidence in the weapon so its a win. I just have to remember this gun is not a precision match weapon its a pocket pistol for defense at 20' or less and now I'm satisfied with it, now I just need to find more ammo!
KnightTime
Member
I detailed my new BG380 trigger range experience in another thread ... But to summarize just the trigger portion of my post.
I was not happy with my trigger or the firing pin strikes during the first few hundred rounds. Now after over 1000 rounds, the trigger pulled has reduced, the break point is 75% back as opposed to near full travel before break in. Still heavy pull, but very predictable and smooth. I EDC chambered with safety off, and like that I won't be shooting myself in the gluts or thigh during a wallet holster draw. Great CCW choice IMHO, break it in with several hundred rounds before making your final decision. If I made my EDC decision prior to 500 rounds ... I would be carrying my LCP.
I was not happy with my trigger or the firing pin strikes during the first few hundred rounds. Now after over 1000 rounds, the trigger pulled has reduced, the break point is 75% back as opposed to near full travel before break in. Still heavy pull, but very predictable and smooth. I EDC chambered with safety off, and like that I won't be shooting myself in the gluts or thigh during a wallet holster draw. Great CCW choice IMHO, break it in with several hundred rounds before making your final decision. If I made my EDC decision prior to 500 rounds ... I would be carrying my LCP.
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