Mag problems with my BG380

[ljmacae1953]

First i am new to the forum, so Hi. Anyway I bought my BG380 last Sunday played with it a bit but did't really do much to it. I've read several reviews and this thing is always near the top. In fact I had a taurus tcp380 that I sold so I could buy this...anyway back to my story.
I had to back into work tonight and it's in a less than savory area. Hey ..I think.. lube the BG380..load it and take it.
So I follow the instructions, get it apart, lube it, put it back together the only real problem I had was getting the takedown lever back in.
So I load it then go to put the mag back in and it hangs about where the 5th round indicator is... on both!!
My son says to push the mag release in and it will load the mag fine...hmmm weird
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Jayhawkokie]

I have to depress the mag release slightly on my Wife's Bodyguard to get the mag in, it's not an issue for me, just a little quirk.

 

[Johnmuratore]

Mine was like that when new. I can't remember exactly when it stopped but doesn't do that any more.

 

[Rastoff]

The proper way to insert a mag is in one smooth, but firm motion. Are you inserting it a little bit and then whacking it with your hand? Kind of a two part motion?

The mag should go in without pressing the mag catch. If it doesn't, then something's wrong. Having to press the mag catch is not a "no issue" issue, it's a major problem. If this is a self-defense gun, it needs to work without extra motions.

 

[GtrPlyr]

Mine did the same thing, for the first 5-6 mag insertions. After that, it works just fine.

 

[PersDef]

As others have stated, the condition will clear up in short order as you continue to reinsert the mag.

 

[Texan7505]

It's normal. Just insert the mag with some authority, and you're fine. As I recall, even MrGunsngear (no affiliation) mentioned on his Youtube review of the BG that he had asked S&W about it and was told it was normal. Initially, I was curious about it, as well.

 

[triggerb]

If you pull the frame apart (carefully, be mindful of the trigger bar under tension and the slide lock spring) you can smooth out the plastic mag retainer. ONLY SMOOTH OUT THE BOTTOM ANGLE and do not change the length of the flat top edge, as this is what physically holds the mag in place. Just use 1000 grit sandpaper to smooth out the bottom, it doesn't take much and you can visibly see when its about right. The safest way to do this is every ten sanding cycles you can put the mag release button and spring back in to test. This will make inserting a magazine smooth as butter.

 

[USAF1980s]

^^^ this works. I did similar removal of BOTTOM edge of mag release (plastic) to slightly round/taper the edge. I used a machinists deburring tool from the bottom of the magazine entrance (did not need to pull parts).

The sharp (as molded) edge catches on the magazine housing (that also could be deburred but is OK with the above correction).

After some normal use, the magazine release would wear off the sharp edge... As it is my EDC backup, it needs to work 100%.

 

[ljmacae1953]

Thanks to all of you for your replies