Bodyguard BG-380 (unofficial) Bible First Draft

[GeorgiaShooter]

Inspired by 1911's P22 bible it gave me the confidence to go through my Bodyguard 380. And let me tell you the panic feeling the first time I pulled it apart and all the parts fell out and the takedown retainer spring shot across the garage taking me an hour to find. I thought how embarrassing it would be to pay a gunsmith to put it back together but in 10-15 minutes it all made sense and actually a much easier gun to manage than my Walther P22 with perhaps even more elegant simple design and better build quality.

There is not much to do on one of these but mine is not even the same gun it was new. The spongy trigger is smooth and snappy and it feeds perfectly, shoots better than it should be able to. I didn't really modify the gun but I took photos as I cleaned and ressembled finding every place that could be smoothed, polished or lubed. Didn't touch some of the critical components or contact points that would change the gun or how it fires but you can tell a huge difference holding the second one I own that's barely been fired.

Mostly I captured how you can take it completely apart and how all parts are oriented and put back together. That alone may be helpful. I saved it to PDF file and anyone that needs it just let me know.

UPDATE: Here's the link for the PDF version and I also made a youtube video version I think is even easier to follow

PDF FILE DOWNLOAD
http://tinyurl.com/BG380BIBLE

YOUTUBE VIDEO VERSION
Body Guard 380 Tube Up Bible - YouTube

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

I was able to find a web space to store it on. If it helps you just in assembly alone it might be helpful. Any valuable feedback welcome. Welcome to share freely. http://tinyurl.com/BG380BIBLE

 

[Revolver King]

Thanks

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Erich]

Cooler than a fan, GeorgiaShooter - many thanks.

 

[offduty]

Thanks for sharing. I printed and will keep for future reference. Nice work!!!

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

Hey just an update. I posted a video version too. The PDF link and video link have also been added to my original post. Glad this might be helpful.

Body Guard 380 Tube Up Bible - YouTube

 

[Bassman]

THANKS!

THANKS!
It looks like some very good information.

 

[patbelly]

Thanks GS.

 

[sps282]

GeorgiaShooter

Thanks for the PDF and link to YouTube. Great presentation very impressed! Thanks again!

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

Glad this might come in handy, thanks!

 

[GeorgeP]

GeorgiaShooter, I haven't been on the forum for a long time and was pleasantly surprised to see your contribution. Thank you very much. I still have some work I want to do to my Bodyguard and that will be VERY helpful. All I had before was a well intended very shaky youtube.

 

[l_____l]

That is some of the best detailed info on any gun breakdown I've seen. Most are blurry youtube vids or low res pics on web sites. Your pdf and vid are clear and concise!

 

[p239concealed]

Another thanks here for the info. My brothers and I all own Bodyguard 380's and I plan to pass this along to them, though I must say that I won't do much dry firing after reading your other post concerning the firing pin.

On another note, the sales numbers for these guns must be through the roof. It's anecdotal, but I know a couple of guys who have recently attempted to purchase a second one at sale prices (both in vastly different geographical locations) and were informed that both the stores had sold out almost immediately and there were none available to order. Now if S&W can get to the bottom of the firing pin issue so we can feel comfortable about practicing by dry firing we'll be all set since it seems like they have corrected any earlier issues.

 

[RSY]

Wonderful work. One thing, though: The part you refer to as the "ejector" is actually the extractor. The ejector is the little fixed protrusion in front of the hammer on the left side of the pistol that kicks the cases out when the slide runs to the rear.

 

[MackIII]

Anyone know where I can find the video to this? YouTube removed it.

Thx

 

[rgyarbro]

Bible

GeorgiaShooter,

If you are interested in performing your Bodyguard Bible modifications on my Bodyguard, please PM me.

I would be happy to pay you to do so.

Thank you.

P.S. I tried to PM you, but your InBox was full.

 

[1917-1911M]

Inspired by 1911's P22 bible it gave me the confidence to go through my Bodyguard 380.

So Georgia Shooter, you are going to make a Bodyguard .380 bible. You know, I never made that bible. That was just some posts I made about 2 weeks after owning a P22 and about 6 months after purchasing my first computer. Someone else stuck em together into the so called bible. It is a wonder anything is right with it. I've gone way past that in recent years, O rings, trigger bar ears laid back to match the angle of the ramp under the slide, sear analysis, 1 lb triggers, sent a 1040g sear to Crete in Greece as he shoots ISSF Rapid fire competition and needed his old P22 to have a few better parts. The new Q models have a thicker slide so that has apparently corrected the poor design of the original pistol.....but I digress.

I purchased a Ruger LCP some years ago and put 4,000 rounds through it. That thread with picture and a picture sticky of how the internal components work is located at ElsiePeaForums now RugerForums. Recently I sold the old LCP although I never had one failure of any kind. I purchased a new LCP with a stainless slide, $300 and a Bodyguard for $319. Both new and the dealer threw in an extra mag for both. I took them both down to the country Thanksgiving for some family eating and shooting. My sister promptly looked them both over and took the LCP home with her for "some more needed practice"...she said. I never even got to shoot it and I only got to shoot my new BG 6 rounds. They all landed in a 1" group though. Much better sights than on the LCP although neither is a range or target pistol. I just had to have one of the BG with that locking slide and double strike capability. If you have to have a safety...this is a very good way to design it. It snaps on or off with authority. It brushed down to fire by the first knuckle of my thumb like a 1911. In a holster there is no reason to have the safety on or at night if you use the pistol for home defense until you can get to the 12 ga. But, each to his own. I really like the pistol.

The reason I joined in on your thread was to post a link to some disassembly and comparative notes I did on the BG at ElsiePeaForum. My intention was to do a side by side with my new LCP but...it got away. Members there like the BG as well. Here is my link with pictures of the guts and some explanation. Hope you guys enjoy it. I like knowing how stuff works. M1911

S&W Bodyguard Disassembly - Comparative Photos to LCP