Im new to the forum so im looking for your help. Just got a 380 bodyguard this weekend and I noticed when I try to put a magazine in the gun it locks up on the mag release button. I have to press it to install the mags. Has anyone Have this problem?
M&P bodyguard 380
- Thread starter phalfhide
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I have a BG without this problem, but there are a few threads about this. They all say, just hold the button in, during install. After a few trips to the range, it will go away. If not, then contact S&W.
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Jaysq
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum from North Carolina.
I do not have a BG, so I cannot help you although I have heard about this.
I do not have a BG, so I cannot help you although I have heard about this.
That is exactly what I did for mine. Also resolved the issue.
Rpg
Member
This seems to be a problem that is reported with some frequency with these pistols.
Some folks say that it will fix itself if you shoot it enough (several hundreds of rounds).
Others think the pistol should work properly from the getgo. I share that view.
Some folks say that it will fix itself if you shoot it enough (several hundreds of rounds).
Others think the pistol should work properly from the getgo. I share that view.
checkmate6
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I had this happen to me at two gun shops, I was going to buy the gun that day but the magazine would stick when inserting it on both guns. Was not going to buy a gun with this issue, this needs to be addressed by S&W. I emailed them about this problem, the response I got was they had not heard of this before, I call BS on that, the response was unacceptable.
When I can find a Beretta Pico that will be my next .380 purchase.
When I can find a Beretta Pico that will be my next .380 purchase.
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poru_desu
Member
sadly, I have the same issue with my BG380 
nonetheless I still love the little bugger!
but then I bought a glock 42
Haven't shot it yet (no time to hit the range), but it feels just right in the hand like how I held my first M&P9 FS, compared to a glock 17/19
... yeah it's complicated
nonetheless I still love the little bugger!
but then I bought a glock 42
Haven't shot it yet (no time to hit the range), but it feels just right in the hand like how I held my first M&P9 FS, compared to a glock 17/19
... yeah it's complicated
djattack
Member
Took my new M&P BG to the range today. I too had the same mag problem. I read somewhere to slam that thing with the heel of your palm.
I did exactly that and now it's fixed. I was planning on running 100 rounds on it but unfortunately, that BG beat up my hand pretty bad. That thing was not pleasant to shoot although it went through 50 rounds without problems. The trigger was a pain to squeeze. Now I'm deciding if I should hang on to it.
I did exactly that and now it's fixed. I was planning on running 100 rounds on it but unfortunately, that BG beat up my hand pretty bad. That thing was not pleasant to shoot although it went through 50 rounds without problems. The trigger was a pain to squeeze. Now I'm deciding if I should hang on to it.
Mcwsky09
Member
There is a difference between getting it to lock all the way in and getting the leading edge past the mag catch in the first place.
If you take the slide off and even disassemble a magazine so you can see down in there while inserting a magazine - you will notice that the top of the mag and the mag catch meet at a right angle - and I believe that is where you are experiencing the resistance. If you press in with enough force you will overcome the spring holding the catch in place - or you can partly depress the mag release button until the leading edge of the magazine is past the catch.
As for locking it all the way in - when the mag is full and the slide is closed - the stack of rounds plus follower plus spring needs to be compressed far enough to push the top round down into the mag far enough to lock the mag into place. If you insert the mag with the slide open this should be much easier - of course that is not always what you want to do. While I have not heard with this gun I have read some cases where folks have filed off a mm or two of the bottom of the follower to help with loading all the rounds and then inserting the mag with slide close.
As for the catch interfering with the mag when the leading edge meets the catch - you could say this is not a good design but it is working as designed. If you look at a number of other firearms in some cases the top of the mag is narrower than the catch point and there is a ramp up to that point which pushes the catch as it goes past - or at the very least the leading edge of the mag is bent in so you don't have metal meeting metal square with each other. I'd have to look at BG380 mags a bit closer to see if it would be possible to bevel the edge but it likely would not be possible to bend it it as then it would catch the follower "shelf" designed to actuate the slide stop.
Ibmikey
Member
I too have a Bodyguard and what is the big deal about pushing the mag button slightly to insert? I have no intention of doing speed reloads with this weapon and once loaded it is a non issue in fact the spare mag is still in the box, we seem to find more reasons these days to " call for a return label". Suck it up and shoot the little bugger it is fun. My opinion--others have their own.
I'm with Mikey.. shoot it! Stop looking for issues where there are none. I had the slight resistance on mine, wiggled it around a bit to install it and decided to give it a palm slap, like I've been taught with all my mag fed pistols.... it worked just fine. I install a fully loaded mag, rack the slide and load a round in the chamber. I then remove the mag, add another round, then palm slap it in.... is it tight, heck ya, it's supposed to be!!
It's not a china tea cup, it's a gun
It's not a china tea cup, it's a gun
martybee
Member
Ditto!
I'm in agreement with the last 2-posts.
Don't baby it. It's a well made piece, shoot it. You will love it!
mb
I'm in agreement with the last 2-posts.
Don't baby it. It's a well made piece, shoot it. You will love it!
mb
Very simple solution. It is necessary to grind and polish magazine top right edge (picture 1 left magazine). Then I can put magazines flawlessly. The original design is not very good. Magazine sharp edge interferes with plastic magazine release button. It grinds it. There are some information of spontaneous magazine release during shooting. Grinded button can't hold it. Quite unpleasant moment in dangerous situation.
SW BG 380 has several design issues (faulty laser, walking roll pins, weak magazine spring=doesn't catch slide after last round, weak hammer spring=often missfires etc.). Some others I have allready solved (new handmade trigger (picture 2)=increased trigger distance for my big palm=better shooting, shortened magazine release button=no accidental magazine release when in holster etc.).
SW BG 380 has several design issues (faulty laser, walking roll pins, weak magazine spring=doesn't catch slide after last round, weak hammer spring=often missfires etc.). Some others I have allready solved (new handmade trigger (picture 2)=increased trigger distance for my big palm=better shooting, shortened magazine release button=no accidental magazine release when in holster etc.).
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My new M&P Bodyguard had the same magazine problem. That was the small problem. Less than one box and slide locked up had to work and work at it to get it back. Could not send it back loaded. Got the slide back and could move the take down lever.
I have a dozen other S&W pistols including a non-M&P Bodyguard I love. I cannot believe their quality control has gotten so bad they ship out junk like that (the last gun I had this kind of immediate problem with was a built in China 886 shotgun).
Bought a Glock 42 and it is a beautiful thing (that actually works)
I have a dozen other S&W pistols including a non-M&P Bodyguard I love. I cannot believe their quality control has gotten so bad they ship out junk like that (the last gun I had this kind of immediate problem with was a built in China 886 shotgun).
Bought a Glock 42 and it is a beautiful thing (that actually works)
I'm not saying " Go S&W", but be careful with Pico - a friend of mine asked me to look at the gun and give him my opinion. Well, From the starter - two hands magazine release is no-no for me. "Ergonomic" magazine pad with finger extender makes the gun print in pocket for CCW.
After two years of wearing CCW, my preferred choices are: Ruger LCP in pocket holster, when I wear "minimal" cloth, Shield 9mm in IWB all other times, with exception when I'm going into the nature (remote areas with $6k+ of photo equipment) - then it's 3.8" XDm 9c in OWB (still concealed) with 13rd + three 19rds and LCP as a BUG
