M&P Bodyguard FTF Last Round

[bg1111]

Hello,

Got a new M&P Bodyguard that fails to feed on the last round. Does it every time with both mags. Tried 6 different ammos from W&W Whitebox, PMC, Norma and others including handloads. Sometimes the loaded round is sticking straight up like a stovepipe but most just jammed into the chamber on the loading ramp. Midway had new magazines available so I ordered one. The first mag jammed like all the others but only once. Then it wouldn't lock back after the last round, even if I racked the slide. Had to pull the mag out and re-insert it then it locked back. Did this every time after it. Still FTF's with the other mags.

Anyone else have a similar problem?

You have to wonder if S&W even test fires these other than for the registration shell they include.

 

[Phbaton]

Bodyguard 380 stovepipe or failure to load

I've had the exact same problem. I'm not sure what to do either. Thought it was the spring in the magazine but ruled that out. Makes it hard to trust carrying it. If anyone has an idea, please let us know. Glad it wasn't just happening to me but not that glad if we can't figure it out.

 

[skip4309]

My BG380 is a ***....shot over 300 rds of various defensive and hardball ammo and I've had several failures to feed...not to mention the slide not locking back on last round...just gonna sell it at the next gun show and take my losses...other people luv theirs and have not had any problems...I just can't trust it...sent it back once...if I do it again I'll still have to invest another $100 bucks or so in ammo to shoot just to prove its reliable...I'm done with it...

 

[Old cop]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems but do appreciate you posting. I've had my problems w/some of these tiny guns and am of the opinion that a J frame is the way to go for EDC and something this small.

 

[Nikogto]

Great! Just picked one up Friday, haven't shot it yet, only cleaned and lubed. Hope this is not a common problem.

 

[MichiganScott]

Could be limp wristing. Easy enough to do with a small pistol. Has anybody else shot it?

 

[skip4309]

Could be limp wristing. Easy enough to do with a small pistol. Has anybody else shot it?

No limp wristing here...its a failure to feed issue...ejects fine...BTW it does it with 3 different mags...2 different shooters...when a pistol won't feed hardball ammo its got a problem...Good Luck with yours for those who own them...

 

[Problemchild123]

Problems

I bought the bodyguard cleaned and lubed it up,
Took it to range. last bullet hung in slide. I figured its just a fluke,
But no. I tried both clips as well, did it again and again. Had several issues with slide not staying back as well. I shot 100 out of it that day. Took it home cleaned again. I took it back next week did the same with several different brands of ammo. Same result. I am familiar with smiths. I have owned several with no issues. This one let me down. I'll probably trade it on something.
I bought a glock 42 haven't had any problems.

 

[Johnmuratore]

Have you guys tried customer service?
What did they say? I can't believe they'd ignore a repeating problem like this from multiple sources.

 

[Jayhawkokie]

I have the Laser version and have had no problems with it yet.

 

[kozmic]

I had a first gen with the insight laser and had the same issue plus FTE and untold problems with the laser. Didn't matter who shot or what ammo. It went back to S&W twice and I finally traded it in.

I really like the concept and was going to have my wife look at (try) a new laserless BG for her EDC. I'm not sure I can take that route with my history and the continual issues folks are experiencing. I really wanna like it.

 

[GWK4667]

I got mine with a lazer when they first came out - - - the first 100 rounds and 2 cleanings I hated it!

After the second cleaning and more rounds it came around, prior the that my wife and daughter both had to use both index fingers to fire it. Now it still has a little more resistance than I like but it is acceptable. It has never had any problem other than the extream trigger pull - - - it still gets used on the range when someone wants to try one but other than that is sits in the safe.

 

[Big Max]

Mine is doing the same thing, failure to feed the 6th round.

Called customer service, they sent me a FedEx shipping label.

Will let you know what they repaired when I get the pistol back.

 

[CaptRon956]

I'm probably beating a dead horse here but when you cleaned the pistol after shooting did you also disasemble & clean the magazine? That red plastic follower in the magazine will stick if there is too much fouling/soot. And the pistol will start getting real sooty after about 100 rounds or so. I use M pro-7 foaming gun cleaner & a nylon toothbrush and I hose the entire inside of the pistol & scrub away with the toothbrush. I also get it in the magazine well, and wipe dry with either a soft clean rag or paper towels... I also take the mag apart & put a brush & gun cleaner to that red plastic follower and scrub it clean & wipe dry
I'm telling the god's honest truth, I have shot over 550 rounds thru my M&P bodyguard 380 and not once did it fail me.... It is my EDC.

 

[Big Max]

Yes I did clean the magazines with the same product M-Pro 7, but i did not disassemble them.
I have 900 rounds through this pistol, the failures to feed the 6th round just started.
If it was just one magazine with the FTF I could understand, but not all 3.
Also had a previous issue with the slide not holding open on the last round with this gun. Had to send gun back to S&W several times before they corrected the problem. ( that is why I have a high round count )
Do you think I am wearing the gun out ?

 

[Rickgus]

Big Max - I hear your frustrations! Couple questions, could this be ammo related? I know you are telling us it's the last round in 3 different magazines. The last rounds are the first rounds you load into these magazines. Are you loading the rounds by hand or a Lula handloader? Sorry, just my thinking out loud. You have many more rounds on your BG than we have on my wife's BG. We had failure to feeds on ours but they were occurring towards the middle of the magazines, 2 different mags. Our LGS convinced us it was ammo related as he fired many mags using Perfecta (inexpensive WalMart brand), reloads a friend sells to him and PMC Bronze, all without FTfeed issues. We were using Remington UMC rounds which work fine in my Ruger LCP but not the BG. He also suggested an old technique of tapping the loaded mag on a benchtop to make sure all the rounds are to the rear of the mags. This could be an issue when using a Lula loader. I always insert the first round by hand and then follow with the Lula loader. Just seems to work better for me. Anyway, just some thoughts. Sounds like you have sent your BG back too many times, would hate to see you have to do it again! Best of luck - Rick

Oh, and yes, I would definitely take the mags apart and clean them good like Capt Ron suggested. What do you have to lose?

 

[Big Max]

Rickgus,
Hard to say if ammo related. All rounds fired through this gun has been Blazer, both aluminum & brass. No issues feeding until now. ( More aluminum because that is all that is available in .380 in the Cleveland Ohio area unless you buy hollow points )
I hand load all magazines then tap the magazine with my hand to seat the ammo. And yes I have sent my BG back too many times, beginning to lose trust in it.

 

[CaptRon956]

I would suggest taking the mags apart for cleaning. The reason why is because the mag spring helps apply the tension on the slide lock. With the slide closed insert a empty mag and look at the slide lock, what does it do? it moves up....if you pull back the slide it will pop up and lock the slide back. if the mag is sticking on you it will not lock the slide back, it will close. If it doesnt lock back using all 3 mags then it's possible that all 3 mags may have to be taken apart & wiped down with gun cleaner. Its super easy to take them apart, just use a tool and push in that little button on the bottom of the mag and slide the cover off, just be careful not to shoot your spring across the room... I'll bet you when you do that your plastic follower is still sticking inside the mag and wont come out till you push it with your finger..

In addition, if you had your BG for a couple years it may be possible that you may have to replace the magazines as the springs may be "wearing out".

 

[Rickgus]

Rickgus,
Hard to say if ammo related. All rounds fired through this gun has been Blazer, both aluminum & brass. No issues feeding until now. ( More aluminum because that is all that is available in .380 in the Cleveland Ohio area unless you buy hollow points )
I hand load all magazines then tap the magazine with my hand to seat the ammo. And yes I have sent my BG back too many times, beginning to lose trust in it.

Big Max - Ever try ordering ammo online? I've had good luck with both Gander Mountain and Cabelas and were both reasonably priced. I've had good results going to the PMC Bronze. I've also read where others have had good luck with Federal American Eagle rounds. These little pocket pistols can be very picky with the ammo they are being fed.

You say no issues with feeding until now. Could very well be the magazines needing a little cleaning as Capt Ron has suggested.

Good luck and I hope you find a fix. The BG is a great pistol with some nice features. I haven't given up on mine yet!

Rick

 

[Big Max]

Thank You both Captain Ron & Rick.

I will make a post when I receive my BG back from S&W.