Got me a Bodyguard .380... Not very happy

[ajpelz]

a laser that you have to push a separate button to turn on is worthless. Let me get this straight,

1. Deadly threat encountered
2. Draw weapon
3. Hold gun in an odd unnatural way in order to try and push a little button on the side by the muzzle that everyone seems to agree is rather difficult to turn on, probably covering the muzzle at some point doing so.
4. Disengage safety
5. Address threat....

Seems to me that one of those steps is a little too cumbersome in a high stress situation.

 

[Mike Walsh]

Your RIGHT! The laser is just a toy, but the BATTERIES ARE INCLUDED!

 

[panther]

At the risk of opening a can of worms, how is it that so many new models hit the market without all the bugs worked out anymore? Ruger had recalls on new models lately, S&W is having these problems with the BG, Colt recalled some of their models recently. I want to buy American, I want to be confident in what I buy. How do these things get by the quality control people at the manufacturers?
I have confidence in S&W, they'll fix things, it's just a shame that we have to go through this at all. JMHO.

 

[brent701]

a laser that you have to push a separate button to turn on is worthless. Let me get this straight,

1. Deadly threat encountered
2. Draw weapon
3. Hold gun in an odd unnatural way in order to try and push a little button on the side by the muzzle that everyone seems to agree is rather difficult to turn on, probably covering the muzzle at some point doing so.
4. Disengage safety
5. Address threat....

Seems to me that one of those steps is a little too cumbersome in a high stress situation.

Do you have small hands with little fingers?
and do you understand the reasons to have a laser?

my hand size and finger size is perfect for this laser. when i put my finger in the correct spot it needs to be my finger lays right on the button.

 

[Loco Weed]

Do you have small hands with little fingers?
and do you understand the reasons to have a laser?

my hand size and finger size is perfect for this laser. when i put my finger in the correct spot it needs to be my finger lays right on the button.

My hand size and finger size are perfect for my laser, too, but when I press the button nothing happens. Or, after multiple presses of my finger it finally turns on and then I can't get it to turn off using the buttons on either side. A bad guy can be on you in a heartbeat and I personally don't have time to fuss around with something distracting and/or unreliable such as a laser or a safety. Coupled with my trigger failing to reset and my takedown lever working its way out resulting in two trips back to S&W and my chronic laser problems I've just about had my fill of this gun and I'm thinking about relegating it to strictly a range gun or selling it off. I'm not very happy with this gun.

 

[brent701]

My hand size and finger size are perfect for my laser, too, but when I press the button nothing happens. Or, after multiple presses of my finger it finally turns on and then I can't get it to turn off using the buttons on either side. A bad guy can be on you in a heartbeat and I personally don't have time to fuss around with something distracting and/or unreliable such as a laser or a safety. Coupled with my trigger failing to reset and my takedown lever working its way out resulting in two trips back to S&W and my chronic laser problems I've just about had my fill of this gun and I'm thinking about relegating it to strictly a range gun or selling it off. I'm not very happy with this gun.

ah I see your point with the problems
I also have had those same problems. they should be getting my firearm tomorrow after a week long fight over the phone and 5 different phone calls

I guess we both look at the usage of the laser in a different manner is all.. no biggie.

If a bad guy came up to me and I am able to see him and able to point my gun at him No need to use the laser. my sights are there and work just fine

 

[Dragon88]

If the laser comes on when you grip the pistol, great it can only help you. But if you have to fumble around to turn it on that could be very bad, wasting time while the threat is advancing on you. Heck if you are in self defense range anyway, better to take aim and shoot at that point instead of messing with the laser button.....

If you will never be confident in the gun, get S&W to fix it as best as possible then sell it off while these things are still hot on the market. That's what I'd do.

 

[Dannlee]

I'm very displeased with S&W myself and I haven't had any problems with my BG380. My concern is after reading of all the problems with them you have to wonder about the reliabilty of the gun! After emailing S&W three times asking what the failure rate is, what are the problems and the corrections? All I get is "If you have a problem with your gun contact customer service". They have yet to offer any information at all about the scope of these problems! If they would say , We have had a failure rate of under one per cent and are doing such and such to correct them... I would be fine with that, knowing where you stand. Customer service is more than just fixing a broken gun! I hope they get the message soon or I have bought my last S&W.

 

[brent701]

After emailing S&W three times asking what the failure rate is, what are the problems and the corrections? All I get is "If you have a problem with your gun contact customer service". .

Unless a recall is put out I do not think they are going to admit to a problem with the firearm. reason they say to call if you have a problem

 

[PittShooter]

The laser to me is mostly a training aid. The sights are pretty nice on the BG and would work fine, I don't think I would bother with the laser in a critical situation, even though mine works fine and is pretty easy to turn on. Practice point and shoot for the most part anyway.

And I carry with the safety off.

 

[oletymer]

I sure hope they fix the problems. I am waiting for the return tags to send in my two. Both of them have the take down lever popping out problem.

 

[jeffk49738]

BR380 laser button

There is a DIY fix of the laser botton on an independent site.
bodyguard380 . c 0 m.
It's easy and makes the button perform flawless. I did it. The laser was a bit touchy at first, but I shortened the repair item a little and it's easy to turn on, and doesn't come on in pocket holster or Crossbreed minituck.

IMO the laser button is in the perfect spot, and is on easily before i have gun out to full draw position. I can actually hit the button twice and have it in the blink mode.
Do the fix it's fast and easy, unless S&W has a better idea.

 

[Josh M.]

I really disagree with your laser statement. Any self defense gun you carry MUST have a laser. It's just common sense. If you don't think it's necessary, the next time you go to the range, lay on the ground and hold your gun at full arm's length above your head and see how accurate you are. YMMV!

Let me get this straight. ANY serious self defense gun MUST have a quirky, semi-reliable battery-operated doo-dad. That has only recently become a fad. "It's just common sense."????

I've got nothing against lasers, but they are hardly the end-all be-all of anything. - JM.

 

[Lost Lake]

Let me get this straight. ANY serious self defense gun MUST have a quirky, semi-reliable battery-operated doo-dad. That has only recently become a fad. "It's just common sense."????

I've got nothing against lasers, but they are hardly the end-all be-all of anything. - JM.

I'll agree with Josh. I have no laser sighted guns right now (my BG is backordered) and my M&P has a sweet Streamlight on it. So I guess some will think I am talking out of turn, but I'd much rather have a good light than a laser. I know from using the lasers I do have on equipment I use that finding that laser beam can be a REAL pain in daylight, on different clothing etc. But a flashlight can really light up a dark room, basement, area under a car, back alley etc. A laser won't do you much good trying to shoot a man in black hiding in a pitch black room.

I'd like my BG if it didn't have a laser, I sure didn't order it because it has one.

 

[pedropcola]

That suggestion on bodyguard380 forum is perfect. 5 minutes and this laser works like it should have from sw. They just sent me a new set of buttons but I think this "fix" is a better long term solution.

 

[pedropcola]

m19862, military and law enforcement have many constraints and agendas that you, as a private citizen, don't have. Using what mil/LE uses as proof of anything does not prove anything. That being said, a laser is certainly not absolutely necessary or even necessary. It is a tool, no more no less. In some situations it would be helpful in others it could turn into a hindrance. Training and common sense will help you decide which is which.

 

[pedropcola]

Well unless you are just a koolaid drinker then you know full well the military is not always cutting edge. Lots of times not even close. Having or not having a military mandate is meaningless. As for LE, you can pick ten separate organizations and they will mandate ten different things. So which one do you pick. In this case, a BUG, I recommend each individual use their own brain, common sense, and experience and make a reasoned judgement by themselves. I too have worn both hats and in most cases mil/LE decisions are due to politics, liability, or money. I personally would prefer to make an informed decision without those distractors clouding my judgement. You are free to follow the lead of your unit/dept. I choose to make my own decisions when able.

Edited to add: I did the Qtip fix that was described on the other BG forum and it works perfectly now. No rotating the button or rolling it like a booger (thanks guys I tried that). If you are having the button issue, take your time and do the Qtip fix. You won't be sorry. Even if you don't like the laser at least now it will work like it should have.

 

[billdeserthills]

I Own a LCP. Like the size but man it's a hand cannon. It does the job just has a feel to it in my hand I just don't like.

SO, I went to check out a Bodyguard .380. I feel in love with the fitment. it felt great in my hand.

So yesterday I picked one up.
Out of the box the right laser button didn't work.
had to go back and switch out the laser assy from another one they had in stock. it worked but you had to "really" push the button. To me giving it all you had to get the laser on is kinda retarded.

we got it working better by rotating the rubber button.

Went out to the range today with 200 rounds

1st 80 rounds didn't have any problems.
made it through 20 more and bam gun jammed and was stuck.

found out when I got home to take it apart. the screw that holds the laser in the front of the gun came out and jammed the slid.
So now it looks as the gun needs to be sent in and fixed/replaced/whatever. I know for a fact the screw was tight. I checked it along with the person at the gun shop.

But overall while shooting the gun. It felt way better than my Ruger LCP. the trigger pull is about the same but you have to reset the trigger all the way forward before each round, Ruger didn't

but I can hit the target up to about 20 yards ( not easy but i can) where I was limited to hitting the target at 10 yards with the LCP..

So lets see what S&W says, calling them tomorrow

Sounds like someone at the gunshop needs to find out about Lock-tite

 

[pedropcola]

I have no issue with anything you have written except the one statement you made regarding the laser's value because is has never been "mandated" by the mil/LE community. Yes, I find fault with that mentality. I agree fully with everything ELSE that you have presented. Alas, two different opinions.

Pete

 

[Skeptic 9c]

I stopped at the local Gander Mountain to check out the sales and ammo availability. No HP .380 sigh, prices were down a bit, but I can beat them at Wal*Mart.

According to the sale flier they have priced the BG 380 at $379.99, which usually means they will be cheaper at the larger gunshops.

Geoff
Who is thinking about a slightly larger .380.