My Bodyguard Experience

[tobimaru]

Purchased a BG380 (no laser) the other day. Ideally, it will make the perfect backup gun to my Glock. I wanted something smaller, lighter, but just as reliable.

After a quick couple mags through it, I discovered the trigger was not so hot. I'm also a very novice shooter, but the trigger did feel thin and spongy. I could not depress it fully every time, and shots were often low and right. Despite that, I loved the gun.

Not to be discouraged, I made an order at Galloway Precision for nearly everything they make for the Bodyguard. RTK trigger, a few springs, trigger bar, traction grips, etc. What a great company!

Installed everything today except the slide parts (2 springs, new firing pin). Will need to drift the rear sight off to install and just did not have time today. These are "extra" parts after all, purchased just in case.

Took it back to the range with new trigger, trigger bar, hammer return spring and spacer today. Even without fine tuning the new RTK trigger adjustments, it feels SO much better in my hand. The trigger feels smoother, breaks crisper, and earlier.

After a little helpful instruction from the range staff (grip, stance, breath control) I was shooting fairly tight groups out to 7 yards! For me, that is really good!

Very happy with this little 380 so far. I'm a fairly picky person and pocket guns are notoriously finicky; but this one I like! Ate up hollow points and hardball without a problem.

 

[Smith Wesson]

how many rounds so far and have you had any failures??

 

[tobimaru]

100 rounds of FMJ (Federal & Aguila)

50 rounds of JHP (Hornady)

No failures to speak of yet. I was able to shoot thru each magazine without a problem. I thought I'd notice a difference when shooting FMJ vs JHP but since they're 90 and 95 grain they really feel the same.

 

[checkmyswag]

Very interested in this. Thanks!

 

[tobimaru]

I'm planning to take my friend to the range next time I go. Hopefully I can get a few pictures of targets and groups to show. Anxiously awaiting a new holster for the Bodyguard as well. It's in the mail

 

[sooner*redneck]

I too have the bg 380 no laser model, and love it for its intended use. I actually find me self leaving with it more than i should on acocunt of how easy it is to carry.

 

[rod1948]

RTK trigger system

Hickok45 said in one of his BG380 video reviews that the RTK system made the trigger pull shorter and it felt much better but he also said it prevented the hammer from coming back as far supposedly causing more light primer strikes, shown in his video, resulting in a failure to fire. I was thinking about getting the same trigger system until seeing that video. Don't need light primer strikes and failure to fire on a self defense pistol! Have you had any light primer strikes since adding the new trigger system? How many rounds have you fired with the new trigger system?

 

[CaptRon956]

I too have a non lazer M&P bodyguard that I occasionally carry. I've had very little problems with it, sure I get the ocasional failure to lock the slide back but then again, thats after I've been at the range putting in 150 rounds.. For what it's intended purpose is, I will stake my life on it...

 

[tobimaru]

Hickok45 said in one of his BG380 video reviews that the RTK system made the trigger pull shorter and it felt much better but he also said it prevented the hammer from coming back as far supposedly causing more light primer strikes, shown in his video, resulting in a failure to fire. I was thinking about getting the same trigger system until seeing that video. Don't need light primer strikes and failure to fire on a self defense pistol! Have you had any light primer strikes since adding the new trigger system? How many rounds have you fired with the new trigger system?

Galloway addressed this problem with an upgraded (stiffer) hammer spring, as well as a spacer. It causes the hammer to come down MUCH harder, and when you reassemble the gun getting the rear pin in is a lot more difficult than with the stock spring and no spacer. All my primers were firmly depressed that I saw.

This actually can cause damage to the firing pin. Supposedly the factory FP is not all the strong. That is why I picked up the Galloway hardened steel firing pin as well. Pretty cheap.

150 rounds so far with the new trigger. I only put a few magazine thru it with the stock trigger, it did fine, but did not feel fine.

 

[Old cop]

I picked up the no laser .380 in Feb. and 600 trouble free rounds of HP & FMJ so far. I kept the gun stock (works for me) w/the exception of a Hogue grip sleeve and a little orange glow paint on the front sight. Great ccw, especially for summer.

 

[rod1948]

Tobimaru,
May ask roughly how much this new trigger kit costs?

 

[tobimaru]

The trigger kit is $98. It comes with Trigger bar, Edge trigger, increased rate hammer spring (for light strike prevention), reduced power blocker spring and reduced power firing pin return spring. Oh, and a little washer for the hammer spring.

 

[thewittmp]

Oh, and a little washer for the hammer spring.

Wow, thanks for pointing that out. I installed this trigger a few months back, prior to this change. I have the occasional light-strike using bulk ammo. I have contacted Galloway Precision and they are sending me the spacer.

I do like this little gun, but was always a little concerned by the occasional light-strike.

Note from website:

**Now includes .050 spacer for increased hammer spring rate to increase the impact of firing pin for harder primer bulk ammos, see faq page for ammo info.**

 

[rod1948]

Trigger kit for S&W 380 Bodyguard

The trigger kit is $98. It comes with Trigger bar, Edge trigger, increased rate hammer spring (for light strike prevention), reduced power blocker spring and reduced power firing pin return spring. Oh, and a little washer for the hammer spring.

Thanks for the info! Think I'll see what our local range armorer would charge to make the change for me. Thanks again!

 

[buckshotshorty]

What bothers me is that after spending close to $400 on a firearm you need to spend another $100 for a trigger system and if you're not a shade tree gunsmith, and I'm not, you need to spend up to another $100 to get the system installed.
With all Smith's experience making guns, there should be decent trigger system with no light strikes.
I had to have a heavier trigger spring put in mine after Smith failed to fix my problem with light strikes. Luckily the cost was only $25 but it fixed the problem.

 

[checkmyswag]

What bothers me is that after spending close to $400 on a firearm you need to spend another $100 for a trigger system and if you're not a shade tree gunsmith, and I'm not, you need to spend up to another $100 to get the system installed.
With all Smith's experience making guns, there should be decent trigger system with no light strikes.
I had to have a heavier trigger spring put in mine after Smith failed to fix my problem with light strikes. Luckily the cost was only $25 but it fixed the problem.

I really dont know why they get a pass for such bad triggers. Same witu the full size compact and Shield. I have or had all of them so im not against the guns. Yes with a lot of rounds through them they get better bur even Ruger SR pistols have better triggers.

The BG380 trigger is ridiculous especially with the thumb safety.

I bought and sold one a few years ago now. At the time there weren't any aftermarket improvements for them, only one model, firing pins breaking...

Now with Galloway in the game I might have to pick one up again.

Anyone been able to lighten the trigger pull to something reasonable like 5-6 pounds?

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

You guys don't get the point of the bg. It's not a range gun. It's a up close pull out of the pocket and shoot pistol. It is made with a long trigger pull for a reason.
Read reviews and don't buy the gun. Why act surprised and complain about it.
If you don't like the safety leave it off a lot of people like a gun carried in the pocket to have a safety.
Why do these issues continue to be a debate? It is what it is and is well known if you do your research before buying the gun

 

[checkmyswag]

You guys don't get the point of the bg. It's not a range gun. It's a up close pull out of the pocket and shoot pistol. It is made with a long trigger pull for a reason.
Read reviews and don't buy the gun. Why act surprised and complain about it.
If you don't like the safety leave it off a lot of people like a gun carried in the pocket to have a safety.
Why do these issues continue to be a debate? It is what it is and is well known if you do your research before buying the gun

Chill out.

I PREFER thumb safeties on guns. What is a BG380 trigger 10-12 pounds? It doesnt need one and should be optional.

As far as "complaining"...how do you think new models and improvements come about?

"It is a pull and shoot gun"...OK...and a gun with a decent...just average trigger makes a gun much more shootable. Not all self defence shootings are within 3 feet. (Notice the gun does have decent sights...)

"It is what it is"...so we should just accept subpar products silently and line up at the altar of S&W? No thanks.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The trigger kit is $98. It comes with Trigger bar, Edge trigger, increased rate hammer spring (for light strike prevention), reduced power blocker spring and reduced power firing pin return spring. Oh, and a little washer for the hammer spring.

Let's see.....three itty bitty springs, a trigger, a trigger bar and a washer-all for only $98 bucks for a gun that I paid $250 for.
I don't think so scooter.
The reason the guys who sold you this stuff are so nice and friendly is because it's just good customer relations to be nice when they put the wood to ya......
Just me thinking our loud.........
Full disclosure- I have BG380 and have run 100 rounds through it with no ftf and one stove pipe in the very first magazine I fired. The trigger is stiff and smooth which is what I want for a pocket carry gun.

 

[checkmyswag]

Let's see.....three itty bitty springs, a trigger, a trigger bar and a washer-all for only $98 bucks for a gun that I paid $250 for.
I don't think so scooter.
The reason the guys who sold you this stuff are so nice and friendly is because it's just good customer relations to be nice when they put the wood to ya......
Just me thinking our loud.........
Full disclosure- I have BG380 and have run 100 rounds through it with no ftf and one stove pipe in the very first magazine I fired. The trigger is stiff and smooth which is what I want for a pocket carry gun.

You arent counting in all their research, prototyping, investment in machinery, personnel overhead and so on.