Bodyguard 380 trigger pull

[WilliamG]

As an addendum, I'll say the Sig P238 is a great gun when it works. Which mine is failing to do within 4 days. But that's another story for another thread. The Bodyguard .380 is considerably more reliable, and hasn't needed 3 magazine designs to mostly work...

 

[Snoguy]

I owned the Ruger LCP and really liked the gun and dare say even enjoyed shooting it. It was very accurate which is improbable considering its iron sights are practically non-existent.

So why did you get rid of your LCP?

 

[turbo38gn]

Got my new BG380 last week, very nice. Didn't get to shoot too many rounds as the Range officer up at S&W was having a Napoleon complex day.. so I just left. But it felt good, very comfortable in my hand for such a small gun in my meat hooks.. Everything was tight, the trigger is a strong pull but, somewhat smooth and very easy to find the take up spot and then squeeze it off. I broke it down last night, slide wasn't bad at all to remove, contrary to a few I read about not being able to turn the TDL.. it's tight, supposed to be.. Overall, I look forward to getting another 100 rounds or so through it and call it good to go for CCW. I'm not looking for a 500-1000 round gig as it's not what it was made to do.. It's a little bitty pocket gun, designed to protect us with a little bitty bullet. If I want to target practice or really defend myself I'll play or carry one of my larger caliber guns.. Love my MP40c

 

[glocki]

So why did you get rid of your LCP?

It was a principles thing. Long story short someone took it and by the time I got it back it was all scratched up and I just didn't like someone else handling it. It was homeland security lol. Anyway, I'm in the market for a new one

 

[alme111]

Bodyguard .380 Trigger Pull

Hi all:
This is my very first post so I hope I'm doing it right. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
I have the same issue with my Bodyguard .380. There is a slight area at the beginning with no tension, then a long trigger pull. I'm going to call Smith & Wesson and see if they have any fix for this and if not, perhaps a gunsmith can make it better.

 

[mag318]

I just bought my 2'nd Bodyguard 380, my dealer got several in and I looked at each one. I noticed a couple of improvement as they tweaked the design. First the trigger pulls were much smoother and lighter than earlier BGs and 2'nd the lasers were much easier to activate. This batch had EAR and EAS serial numbers. So I surmise that S&W has been making subtle improvements over time just like they did with the M&P series. I like my EAA (now EAB) Bodyguard but the new EAR one has definately been upgraded and improved.
Perhaps the forum members who always say never buy the first run of any new handgun have a point.

 

[BuckeyeChuck]

I rented an LCP and the BG to shoot side-by-side before I made my decision.

I have an EAR series BG. I've had no troubles with the trigger, which is smooth (and heavy) and predictable.

The laser, however, has not been my best friend. The left side button is virtually useless (though the right side button works pretty well). Worse, the laser worked intermittently while shooting at the range last week. I practiced using the sights, which is never a bad idea since there are plenty of scenarios in which I'll only have the sights.

I took it apart and removed the laser. (The takedown lever was nearly impossible!) The contact switches on the laser body worked with a light touch, so the problem is obviously the rubber contact pads. I'm thinking about calling S&W and asking for another pad to see if that helps. Also, I can't troubleshoot the intermittent operation because the laser now works all the time. Go figure.

I put 100 rounds through it. My hand hurt by the end of that. I started by practicing slow and steady shots. This gun is not easy to shoot, but what makes it difficult to shoot is what makes it a great carry gun for me. By the end, I was putting double and triple taps into the target. I found that aiming at the silhouette's chin gave me shots in the neck and torso, which is great. It's hard to rapidly pull the trigger on this gun and keep the sights perfecly aligned, but it is easy, easy, EASY to put back on target after the muzzle flips.

It's true that you can buy a lot of guns that are easier to shoot. For a CC gun, I consider that to be so much stuff and nonsense. When scared out of your mind, you'll not be concerned with fine motor skills because you won't have any. You'll rely only on practice and repetition to hit the bad guy, and that will be true regardless of the gun in your hand.

You know, we could have this debate (and probably have) about the M&P line. I also own an M&P9 full size, and compared to my father-in-laws STI GP6C, it's difficult to shoot because the trigger is lousy. For a while I thought "I should have bought a better gun" but I eventually rejected that mentality. My job is to get good shooting whatever is in my hand, regardless of how cooperative the weapon is. And if I only practice with an easy gun, I think I'm not expanding the limits of my skill. I'm now as good with the M&P as I am with the GP6C, even though I find one much easier to shoot than the other.

 

[greybeard43]

My neighbor just bought one. I own one. We took them to the range today, him for the first time. 0 problems. Trigger pull long DA as it's supposed to be in a pocket gun. He and I both went through a hundred rounds quickly. The pistol works as it is designed. It has decent sights and if you want to gripe about a trigger pull, get an AMT backup. That one (if I remember correctly) is about 18 lbs. If you want a target pistol, the backup ain't it. If you want a reliable, safe pocket carry pistol, look no further. Take some time to check out other products before you buy. My LGS allows testing the trigger and things like that on all of their guns for sale. Buying one, not liking it and immediatley jumping on the internet to nitpick it to death is IMHO counterproductive.

 

[Bob & Wife]

Absolutely, send it in for service. Mine has a long pull as well, but it kicks over reliably. I must admit that I wish the trigger pull was a little shorter and smoother. I was hoping it would be more like my Kahr PM9, but instead, it is more like my Ruger LCP...maybe even a bit longer than the LCP. In general I like the pistol, but my complaints would be the trigger pull and the laser. I have been practicing with dry firing with laser turned on. By focusing the laser on a target while I pull the trigger I am trying to improve my ability to keep the laser steady and without wobble. I wonder if there are any "gunsmithing" adjustments that could be done to improve the trigger. Not saying I would attempt it, but maybe a trained gunsmith would know how to smooth it out.

There is a fix, saw it on a homemade video. I think I was looking for a complete stripping of the S&W bodyguard. It was a bad quality video but he really did a complete stripping and the spring you are referring to he cut in half and than stretched it out to the original size, making it less of a HARD pull. I'm betting in another year or so we will have a few of those videos around the net to do our own repairs. That trigger does suck, but there is something about that 380 that everyone seems to really love. I'm buying another for the wife, but waiting for the price to come down a little. Bought mine for $414 and have one on order for $289 (internet price).

 

[QuadCam]

Bought mine for $414 and have one on order for $289 (internet price).

Would you mind sating where I can buy a BG380 for $289. That's an amazing deal. The best I have seen, including shipping, is around $340.

 

[snowman123]

I bought a BG380 at Academy Sports for about $345. Like the others I've been reading about the trigger pull is about as long as it could possibly be and still fire. It took me about 45 minutes to get the breakdown pin to move to 6 o'clock and another 10 to get it out. After cleaning, reassembly attempts failed until I held the trigger back after releasing the hammer and slid the rail on. Something clicked and the slide went to its proper position.
I've requested a return label to get it adjusted. I do like the built in laser and found it to be dead on at 40 feet. Hopefully they will make the trigger pull more realistic and find out if the same individual test fired all the BG380s that are having problems.

 

[gork]

I guess after reading this my BG380 will be going back to S&W. I figured the super, super long trigger pull was just something to live with - I just had it on the range with a couple of family members and they were all shocked at how long the pull was.

After a bad P22 and M&P (both with trigger issues) I'm starting to think I'm running out of luck with S&W autos.

 

[turbo38gn]

I guess after reading this my BG380 will be going back to S&W. I figured the super, super long trigger pull was just something to live with - I just had it on the range with a couple of family members and they were all shocked at how long the pull was.

After a bad P22 and M&P (both with trigger issues) I'm starting to think I'm running out of luck with S&W autos.

Nothing wrong with it, keep shooting, it's just tight and you are learning a new gun

 

[mantracker]

Body Guard 380

Mine has a really long trigger pull. Will call Smith about this.

 

[patbelly]

The BG380 has a long trigger pull. Very long. Normal for this gun.

 

[Helderberg]

This is the best part of the trigger in my opinion. I bought this over the Sig mini 1911 for this reason. If you were to find the threat was not equal to the use of a gun you have a margin of error, decision, call it what you wish but you can change your mind and not fire. With a light short trigger if you stumble or flinch your finger could contact the trigger and it could be a disaster. Just my take on it and you need to make a decision for yourself what is comfortable for you.
Be safe, Frank.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Maybe it's just my imagination, but I think my newer BG has a better trigger than the early one I had. It's still long, but it seems to be lighter. I don't have a problem with the long trigger pull.

 

[turbo38gn]

Maybe it's just my imagination, but I think my newer BG has a better trigger than the early one I had. It's still long, but it seems to be lighter. I don't have a problem with the long trigger pull.

Yep, it's a pocket CCW gun, nothing else. I think some guys are thinking they bought a $1,000 1911 target gun...

 

[Rick Johns]

Long Trigger Pull

I just got a new Bodyguard 380 and find the trigger to have way to long of a pull. The gun has a safety and doesn't need this. But what I think I'm hearing is that it is designed in and there will be nothing I can do about it but sell it and buy an LCP.

 

[Lost Lake]

I just got a new Bodyguard 380 and find the trigger to have way to long of a pull. The gun has a safety and doesn't need this. But what I think I'm hearing is that it is designed in and there will be nothing I can do about it but sell it and buy an LCP.

Did the pull change between the gun shop and your home?

It has a DAO trigger that is long and hard. I like it that way (as does my wife.... I'll leave that easy one for you pervs to jump on.... )
It's a safety thing by itself. I have never used the lousy manual safety they installed on the BG380 so the DAO is my main safety. It takes a deliberate pull to make a loud noise.