Bodyguard .380 with Laser - What's the Story?

[leadfoot]

Hi All,

I've not been able to get this question answered; hopefully someone here will be able to.

I just bought a Bodyguard .380 with the CT laser built-in. Just took possession of it Tuesday afternoon in fact, so I haven't fired it yet.

My question is this: everything I read about the first Bodyguards mentions the laser being made by Insight, but now it's made by Crimson Trace. What happened? Did CT buy Insight, did Insight go belly-up, or what?

I did read just a couple of days ago that the reason S&W stopped making Bodyguards with the laser for a while was because in some places LEOs weren't allowed to carry a gun with a laser on it. Then S&W started producing them again with the laser, and I assume that's when the CT laser appeared, but I can't find the whole story anywhere. I'm just curious; it's not a huge issue, except it bugs me that I can't find out!

And did the CT laser coincide with the M&P Bodyguard's appearance?

Can't wait to shoot the darn thing! I hope to make it my daily carry pistol ...

Thanks!

 

[tim c]

Don't know answer but i have an early one with insight laser great pocket carry but i sure hope they made the DAO trigger better in the newer ones mine is horrible, but it has never had a hiccup with any ammo i have run through it

 

[moose1953us]

the insight laser used in the bodyguard was the source of most of the complaints about the BG380. the design of the on-off switches was poor, gun cleaning solvent ate them away leaving you with a inoperative laser. S&W then went with Crimson Trace which made a much better unit solving the issue. I have an early model bg380 and S&W switched my insight laser out for a crimson trace. The no laser model came out afterward due to customer requests for a model without the laser. some police depts dont allow them, and some people just dislike them. Insight is still in business, they just parted ways with smith ...

 

[leadfoot]

Good Info!

Thanks to both of you - that's good info.

I've also read a lot about the triggers on the BG .380 being lousy. As I said, I haven't fired mine yet, but dry-firing it a couple of times when I first got it didn't tell me much, except it seems to have the long trigger pull so common to these pistols that people either love or hate.

I also wonder how much it'll smooth out as it's fired; guess I'll find out!

Does anyone make after-market triggers for these?

 

[Old cop]

I've read a lot about the lousy trigger too but my no laser M&P .380 is the same as my 442 and better than my Model 38. This gun, like my J frame, is pocket carried so I appreciate a long, smooth pull, especially w/the barrel pointed toward my femoral artery.

 

[Elliot45]

I own a BG with one of the Insight lasers and on my first cleaning I accidentally got cleaning solvent in the shell of the gun and it leaked into the battery area and shorted out the laser. So I've been very careful since then when cleaning. However, the laser works fine and is integrated into the body of the gun so it looks like it belongs there. I think Crimson Trace is a bigger name in the gun laser business and has name recognition so it makes sense for S&W to partner with them. As far as the trigger is concerned, that's another story. If you're use to a long pull which is the same for many of the pocket guns, then you shouldn't have a problem with the BG. However, don't expect it to smooth out much and it's not a lot of fun to take to the range and shoot. I much prefer my Shield and 9mm Pro for that. But the sights on the BG are better than some of the others and the laser is an added bonus. Also, the slide locks back after the last round and you can double strike the bullet in the case of a misfire without racking the slide so that is an added plus. So there are a lot of good reasons to own the gun and I've read that there are trigger kits for them if you want to go to the expense. Regards, Elliot45

 

[Johnmuratore]

Galloway makes some aftermarket parts for the BG.

 

[martybee]

I too have the BG380 with the Insight laser. Close to 600 rds. shot.
Never any problems. I shoot at the LGS&R. It's a little rough on the web and palm of my hand but it is still great to shoot. The iron sights are very good. The trigger on mine has smoothed out some, but still a long pull. Never have to use the thumb safety.
I had to change the button cell battery about a month ago. Laser did not want to come on every time I tried to activate it.

mb

 

[tobimaru]

From what I know the CT laser equipped BG380's are the newer model, so it shouldn't have the same problems you are reading about.

I've got the M&P without laser and outfitted it with nearly everything Galloway offers. Trigger bar, traction grips, RTK trigger, increased rate hammer spring, reduced power blocker spring, steel firing pin, and reduced power firing pin return spring. I believe that's it. My BG380's been 100% reliable, it's always gone bang and cycled fine.

The RTK trigger is amazing, in my opinion. I would not love my BG380 quite as much as I currently do without this slick little trigger.

 

[martybee]

Insight Laser Unit Replacement.

I own a BG with one of the Insight lasers and on my first cleaning I accidentally got cleaning solvent in the shell of the gun and it leaked into the battery area and shorted out the laser. So I've been very careful since then when cleaning. However, the laser works fine and is integrated into the body of the gun so it looks like it belongs there. I think Crimson Trace is a bigger name in the gun laser business and has name recognition so it makes sense for S&W to partner with them. As far as the trigger is concerned, that's another story. If you're use to a long pull which is the same for many of the pocket guns, then you shouldn't have a problem with the BG. However, don't expect it to smooth out much and it's not a lot of fun to take to the range and shoot. I much prefer my Shield and 9mm Pro for that. But the sights on the BG are better than some of the others and the laser is an added bonus. Also, the slide locks back after the last round and you can double strike the bullet in the case of a misfire without racking the slide so that is an added plus. So there are a lot of good reasons to own the gun and I've read that there are trigger kits for them if you want to go to the expense. Regards, Elliot45

I just sent off my BG380 Insight Laser unit to the people at S&W for a replacement unit. This one is defective (won't stay lit)!
I am hoping They replace it with the Crimson Trace Unit.
Anyone who was replaced theirs, may be able to tell me if the CRL is a perfect fit in the older BG380 frame, or does the dust cover on the frame need to be modified to make it fit?
Thanks,

mb

 

[moose1953us]

it depends on the age of your 380... the ct laser was designed to be a drop in replacement for the insight laser, and will be for the majority of them. mine, the socket area the laser sits in was shaped differently. S&W replaced my whole frame with the newer style so everything fits now, and i didn't have to modify anything.

 

[MixMasterEs]

I just sent off my BG380 Insight Laser unit to the people at S&W for a replacement unit. This one is defective (won't stay lit)!

I am hoping They replace it with the Crimson Trace Unit.

Anyone who was replaced theirs, may be able to tell me if the CRL is a perfect fit in the older BG380 frame, or does the dust cover on the frame need to be modified to make it fit?

Thanks,



mb

If it makes you feel better, I've gotten mine replaced, and they WILL send you a newer CTC laser. The insights are discontinued. The kit will include new laser, new red buttons and new batteries. I LOVE S&W for their warranty.

 

[bob42]

I mailed my inop laser to S&W last week. What in the normal turnaround time to get the new one?
Thanks
Bob

 

[martybee]

Two-Three Weeks Turnaround.

I mailed my inop laser to S&W last week. What in the normal turnaround time to get the new one?
Thanks
Bob

Bob: I sent mine in for replacement on; 04/22/2016 and received the replacement unit on; 05/10/2016. I am quite pleased with the service from S&W!
My BG380 was never out of service while waiting for the replacement. I put plastic Hole plugs in the openings left after removing the unit to send in. The sizes are: 5/16" & 3/16".
I will probably leave the plugs in for the time being as I do not use the laser unit for shooting. I am satisfied with the iron sights on the slide. I painted the top of the front sight for easy pick-up. My BG380 now has over 950 rds. through it! NO Issues!

mb

 

[Protected One]

it depends on the age of your 380... the ct laser was designed to be a drop in replacement for the insight laser, and will be for the majority of them. mine, the socket area the laser sits in was shaped differently. S&W replaced my whole frame with the newer style so everything fits now, and i didn't have to modify anything.

I just sent mine in today due to laser failure. They told me to only send the laser - no batteries or frame. It will be replaced with the Crimson Trace Laser because they had too many problems with the Insight model.

Presuming you also only sent your laser, and they replaced it AND the frame....did you get to keep the original frame?

 

[MCorps0311]

I got the BG 380 with out the laser.

 

[moose1953us]

I just sent mine in today due to laser failure. They told me to only send the laser - no batteries or frame. It will be replaced with the Crimson Trace Laser because they had too many problems with the Insight model.

Presuming you also only sent your laser, and they replaced it AND the frame....did you get to keep the original frame?

i sent the insight laser back, and they returned the ct laser kit to replace it. the laser socket on my gun was shaped differently and would not accept the ct laser. CS said the kit was made to be a direct replacement, and had not encountered my situation previously. they had me send the whole gun back with the ct kit. when i got it back, the plastic frame had been replaced and the ct laser was installed. i did not get the old frame back, but i don't care as i had no use for it anyway. i can only surmise that some early bg's were different than the later ones the ct laser was built to replace. in all likelyhood you won't have the issue i had with fit. incidentally, the replacement frame said insight laser just like the old one lol.

 

[kramden]

I bought a BG for my wife. Finally had to change the trigger to a Galloway trigger. 100% improvement. But then on the second box of ammo it jammed and she couldn't clear it. So I tried and couldn't get the slide to go all the way back. Long story short , the screw that holds the Crimson Tracer in place backed out and got hit by the slide! Had to send it back in as they wouldn't just send me the screw. Can't say that I'd buy another. Bought a Shield which is a terrific piece. So good in fact I also ordered a PC Shield.

 

[Indynick]

I painted a thin red stripe across the laser screw and the frame, to tell if the screw had moved. This is the same thing mechanic’s do on aircraft bolts, which are too small for safety wire.