Continuing major problems with Bodyguard 380

[53cowboy]

Well I could not wait till Tuesday, so I went to the range this am...seems I have a good one...no misfires and it ate everything I threw at it
Remington white
Herters
HST
Aguilar
Federal
I must say I think the magazines could be one gauge higher, the trigger is long, long, long..I must admit I shot an sr9c after and that was at the other end of the long trigger spectrum....you pull that and it goes.

My only issue with the bodyguard is the magazine has a hiccup when loading, looks like it is due to an edge on the release catching..in time it should smooth out

Later

 

[srmd22]

Hi 53cowboy and db4570 - thanks for the updates. I am glad to hear S&W stepped up to the plate so far - I think that is great, but it is still too much work for my lazy a-- er- bones.

I do agree though, the bodyguard 380 is a unique form factor, and I guess that's why I chased the problem down to the bitter end. Presuming it passes my final test - which I really think it will - I will be very happy that I have it.

I do have a Ruger LC9spro, which works great, and is not all that much bigger then the 380's out there, except the BG, which I think is the smallest one. The BG, despite its issues, does have a nice, quality feel to it. I also hated the trigger, but the one I have on there now is great.

 

[Muss Muggins]

You ever have somebody else shoot that thing?

 

[jstanfield103]

I always Loved the BG380, Like theOP said it was the only thing that really fit my bill. I did not like the LCP and would trade my BG380 off on several other guns just trying to find a reliable pocket gun. I kept going back to the Bg380 (in fact I have bought 4 of them just to trade them back off on something I thought would be better).
Like I said the LCP I thought felt cheap and like a toy so it never interested me until Ruger Finally came out with the LCP custom. I traded my BG380 in on that and have never looked back. Great sights, great trigger for a pocket gun (Still Long but easier) and I can and have a 7 round magazine in it. It just works. Maybe something you would be interested in.
Good Luck on the BG380.

 

[tobimaru]

Adverse selection here. People with good experiences do not post about them, those with bad experiences do.

Exactly. I've yet to have a bad day with my Bodyguard 380 and I've taken it to the range several times. It's never had a hiccup, always goes bang and cycles.

Latest trip, maybe 100 rounds through it. It eats every ammunition I've put through it; FMJ, JHP, and +P.

I have outfitted it with several Galloway Precision parts but only because I wanted a different trigger feel/pull. It's always been reliable and most of the parts were so cheap I decided to get them and keep the factory springs/parts as backups should I ever need them.

Overall I think it's a good gun but I did not love it from the factory due to the long trigger and slim frame. It's a little jumpy, but I'm also a novice shooter. I would not recommend it to an inexperienced shooter or someone unfamiliar with shooting MICRO subcompact pistols.

 

[Mttodd]

Hello all, just joined this forum after a very disappointing trip to the range with my brand new bg380. With three different brands of ammo, Remington, federal, and cheapy mag tech I had 18 failure to fire events. 13 of these were light strikes, the rest were stovepipe jams. Out of 150 rounds. My coworker was with me and brought his brand new lcp. Same ammo combination same brands. No malfunctions. I was disgusted with the performance of this pistol. I really want to use it for cc but I have no confidence whatsoever. Has the light strike issue been resolved by returning to s&w? I don't want to purchase aftermarket parts to fix this brand new pistol.

 

[Spartan380]

I've had my "M&P" version since September, with the Crimson Trace green dot added on. It's fired 575 rounds so far, with 2 light strikes from a box of Sellier & Bellot. I've also shot a couple boxes each of MagTech, Gecko, some old Federal stuff and Blazer Brass... plus 100 rds of Critical Defense FTX.

I describe this pistol as my 3/4" wide quick-reload 8-shot revolver... the extra 2 rounds courtesy of MagGuts in the primary and spare mags. AIWB in a Dara Custom holster, and the spare mag is from Stealthgear... both tuckable for special occasions.

My BG380 is one of those with the "curved" left frame rail... and I've looked at 17 others at gun shops around the country, so it seemed normal... and doesn't affect accuracy (8" plates at 20 yards).

The C/T laser, however, is a problem. I'm on my 3rd, now, with the activators on other 2 quitting at 178 and 211 rounds. Both replaced under warranty, no questions asked, but that could change.

 

[Patton1970]

I have been fortunate. So far not a single issue with my BG380 regardless of what ammo I feed it. Stock unit, no modifications. I use it for my primary carry. I have owned it since new for about 18 months now.

 

[dagodave1]

I too also have just purchased a BG380. Took it to the range twice and have had one light strike. I have about 150 rounds thru it mostly with Monarch ammo and it is pretty good. Will see how it goes the more rounds thru it. Sorry everyone is having problems with it. I really like the gun and am considering using it for carry, primary carry is a Sig P938, but maybe in the summer time here in South Louisiana.

 

[Don~Z~]

Love my BG so far, I didn't mind spending a little bit of money on a trigger kit from Galloway and also 10% increase mag spring... I had a few light strikes before making any changes to the pistol, after the changes it works fine... great little gun


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ColRJBrinkman]

Well I bought my wife a BG380 for Christmas and finally took it to the range last week for the first break in firing. It had been cleaned and lubed, though the magazines were new and not oiled. The only Ammo it shot perfectly was the Underwood 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator. Had 50 rounds of Remington 90gr ball and Oi. Failure to extract from the barrel 4 times( had to use a knife to extract the rounds). Failure to feeds, eject, stove pipes, light strikes. Took it apart, cleaned it tried Federal 99gr HST and it cycled 3 in a row then the magazines (both) would fall out after one to two shots. Even had one of the range instructors try it and it had the same magazine issues. Had their gunsmith replace the magazine catch mechanism but have not fired it since. My wife is furious. She wanted the Sig p238 but I went with SW reputation as well as trying to save a few hundred bucks. I plan to take it out Friday with some Winchester 90gr ball and more HST. If it has the same issues, I'll call SW and see what happens.

 

[tobimaru]

Well I bought my wife a BG380 for Christmas and finally took it to the range last week for the first break in firing. It had been cleaned and lubed, though the magazines were new and not oiled. The only Ammo it shot perfectly was the Underwood 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator. Had 50 rounds of Remington 90gr ball and Oi. Failure to extract from the barrel 4 times( had to use a knife to extract the rounds). Failure to feeds, eject, stove pipes, light strikes. Took it apart, cleaned it tried Federal 99gr HST and it cycled 3 in a row then the magazines (both) would fall out after one to two shots. Even had one of the range instructors try it and it had the same magazine issues. Had their gunsmith replace the magazine catch mechanism but have not fired it since. My wife is furious. She wanted the Sig p238 but I went with SW reputation as well as trying to save a few hundred bucks. I plan to take it out Friday with some Winchester 90gr ball and more HST. If it has the same issues, I'll call SW and see what happens.

What revision is your Bodyguard? A good indication is the stamping on the magazines. 1, 2, and 3 are the revision numbers I am aware of. If it's anything but "3", get in touch with S&W and they will update the firearm for you at no cost (minus shipping).

I have had a hell of a time with a Glock 42 and "weak" ammo not cycling the firearm. 85gr are an absolute no-go. 90 and 95gr work but not consistently. 100gr ammunition is the only type that has cycled it 100% every time.

 

[ColRJBrinkman]

What revision is your Bodyguard? A good indication is the stamping on the magazines. 1, 2, and 3 are the revision numbers I am aware of. If it's anything but "3", get in touch with S&W and they will update the firearm for you at no cost (minus shipping)

Far as I know it is the latest revision. The M&P 380 Bodyguard. Has the serrations on the end of the slide with 2.75" barrel. Has the M&P engraved on the slide, etc. S/N starts with KDJ and am thinking it was made early 2016??? (04-04-16 actually) As for stamping on the magazines?

 

[Dewy]

I just bought a BG380 not fired, so now I read all these problems, You'd think a co like S&W would want this fixed, if Galloway can fix it S&W a major Firearm Co. could fix or care for their customers better. If I have problems I WILL send it BACK, and DEMAND IT FIXED, this is BS, maybe a class action would get their attention.

 

[Dewy]

No-one should have to buy a gun from a major Arms company thinking it might work. I just bought the BG and now I'm reading all these problems and people buying a hundred dollar trigger to make it as nice as a LCP, RIDICULOUS. If S&W cant build this gun to work every time they ship one then quit making the thing. This is far as I'm concerned is pure BS and unactable. If I was the CEO heads would be rolling they'd fix it or be looking for work. If mine is a problem Ill make them fix it if I never carry it, it's the principle of the thing. GET IT FIXED OR QUIT MAKING IT.

 

[Dewy]

No-one should have to buy a gun from a major Arms company thinking it might work. I just bought the BG and now I'm reading all these problems and people buying a hundred dollar trigger to make it as nice as a LCP, RIDICULOUS. If S&W cant build this gun to work every time they ship one then quit making the thing. This is far as I'm concerned is pure BS and unacceptable. If I was the CEO heads would be rolling they'd fix it or be looking for work. If mine is a problem Ill make them fix it if I never carry it, it's the principle of the thing. GET IT FIXED OR QUIT MAKING IT.

Hate this, going to the range with a chip on my shoulder before the first shot, I'll throw it fifty yards if it does not work.

 

[rwsmith]

I gess you'll be getting her....

Well I bought my wife a BG380 for Christmas and finally took it to the range last week for the first break in firing. It had been cleaned and lubed, though the magazines were new and not oiled. The only Ammo it shot perfectly was the Underwood 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator. Had 50 rounds of Remington 90gr ball and Oi. Failure to extract from the barrel 4 times( had to use a knife to extract the rounds). Failure to feeds, eject, stove pipes, light strikes. Took it apart, cleaned it tried Federal 99gr HST and it cycled 3 in a row then the magazines (both) would fall out after one to two shots. Even had one of the range instructors try it and it had the same magazine issues. Had their gunsmith replace the magazine catch mechanism but have not fired it since. My wife is furious. She wanted the Sig p238 but I went with SW reputation as well as trying to save a few hundred bucks. I plan to take it out Friday with some Winchester 90gr ball and more HST. If it has the same issues, I'll call SW and see what happens.

I guess you'll be getting her that Sig. Peace will be worth a few hundred bucks.

I've heard bad press about the .380 before and I'm still hearing bad press. I'm not confident about getting one of those. Give me a couple of years to see if this 'new generation' pans out.

 

[vortex360]

I just bought a BG380 not fired, so now I read all these problems, You'd think a co like S&W would want this fixed, if Galloway can fix it S&W a major Firearm Co. could fix or care for their customers better. If I have problems I WILL send it BACK, and DEMAND IT FIXED, this is BS, maybe a class action would get their attention.

Even an experienced attorney would at least test the gun but you haven't even fired it. Why don't you test it out before going ballistic next time?

 

[Rpg]

I just bought a BG380 not fired, so now I read all these problems, You'd think a co like S&W would want this fixed, if Galloway can fix it S&W a major Firearm Co. could fix or care for their customers better. If I have problems I WILL send it BACK, and DEMAND IT FIXED, this is BS, maybe a class action would get their attention.

If you'd done a bit of research, you'd have known you were buying a problem.

Due diligence is a good thing.

 

[mrmike7189]

not sure what all the fuss is about? I have had zero problems with mine.(2014 M&P no laser.) over 1k rounds
send it back to S&W if you need something fixed