My Bodyguard Experience

[tobimaru]

The problem I had is that it had to be pulled so far back that I end up twisting the gun to get the trigger fully pulled.

Exactly my issue. Even when dry firing I was noticing my grip on the pistol had to change to get the trigger fully depressed. The trigger sat in the groove of my index finger rather than on the first pad of my finger. Holding it naturally, the trigger felt awkward. At the range, all my shots were very low and right.

New trigger is much wider, allows trigger finger a more secure purchase on the trigger. It breaks sooner, and my grip does not transition throughout the shot.

Like these ladies, this is about how it felt to me out of the box. Granted, their grip is sometimes off and their other fingers actually get in the way of their index finger when firing. Numerous times, they squeeze the trigger and NOTHING happens. This is what I wanted to avoid, and why I picked up the Galloway kit.

https://youtu.be/A7nWBMIeIXI?t=3m52s

 

[CaptRon956]

Under the risk of straying a little off topic & maybe a hint of a rant coming, but let me get this out of my system and I'll drop it.

I think part of the reason why some people love it stock & others seem to have "issues" is based on the shooters level of experience. So to me, a small self defense pistol for the concealed carrier such as myself, finds the DAO trigger on the BG380 to be functional & fine the way it is... When I first shot my Shield 9, my first thought was, "Jeez, this things a hair trigger"...I was used to the trigger on my 686 that I've had since the early 90's. Besides, you dont want a hair trigger, or any light trigger on a pistol used for self defense tucked in your pants pointing at your femoral artery or even down your backside. And dont even get me started on the potential unwanted consquences of modified triggers on carry guns.
In all honesty, I feel that small pocket pistols are not a good choice for new or inexperienced shooters as they can be finicky & not the most fun or rewarding guns to shoot at the range. And that, can lead to bad shooting habits and discouragement for newer shooters. Hence probably part of the reason why we get so many "complaints" about the Shield or the BG380. I say its inexperience.

I never modified any of my pistols. When I buy a new gun, I learned about it, how it handled, where it hold's when aimming. And I practiced with it and accepted it for how it is. I feel no need to change anything on my carry gun except maybe add a grip.

 

[Protected One]

I don't see much difference between the BG and LCP.

Have you looked into them? There are numerous differences between the Bodyguard and LCP.

 

[tobimaru]

Rants are fine! Everyone is different This is not the first firearm I've modified and it won't be the last. In fact, no firearm I own is completely stock/factory. I am a mechanic by habit and PC tech by trade, so taking things apart is just in my nature I suppose. Whether it's a grip, sights, replacement metal (versus factory plastic), trigger, extended magazine capacity, barrel swap, etc etc etc.

This is one of those debates that will not end I think. As bikers say, "Ride what you ride." I'm an advocate of safe gun ownership and carry, but beyond that I do not usually concern myself with other people's gun preferences.

On a side note, my holster arrived today! Triad Holsters "Zeus" model. Kydex Holsters, Triad Holsters LLC

Fits the gun well. Covers trigger, magazine release, and safety. Feels well built, fits my belt nicely! Ordered May 2nd and it arrived to my door May 13th.

 

[ATF]

Have you looked into them? There are numerous differences between the Bodyguard and LCP.

Yes I have and they do have some differences but IMHO they are quite similar. 380 is not my caliber of choice so I'll leave it there but if someone likes these guns so be it

 

[Old cop]

I'm another one who does not modify my ccw weapon beyond a grip change. I'd tried all the tiny .380 pistols w/o luck (several trips back to the factory for lots of issues) until the new M&P came along. A friend got one and let me play w/it (dry fire only, no time for the range). When I went to Gander Mountain I carefully looked at and played with the Taurus, updated Ruger then the S&W no laser. I liked the feel of the Smith best (x-lg. hands w/long fingers) plus it had pretty good sights. The trigger was similar to many J frames I've shot plus I'm an experienced shooter. I ran 200 + rounds (FMJ and HP) through my new gun before carrying it, and it has 600 rounds now w/o a single hiccup. I now carry it as needed w/complete confidence. The whole caliber war thing is lost on me. I'm accurate w/this little gun out to 40 feet, plus it's fun to shoot.

 

[Rickgus]

Have you looked into them? There are numerous differences between the Bodyguard and LCP.

Both kick like a mule, but there is definitely a difference in the two! I own both, I like the feel of the BG in my hand and the features it offers, but I definitely like the LCP for the smaller size for carry and the reliability I have experienced with it (no failures, knock on wood)!

 

[buckshotshorty]

Mine goes bang every time I pull the trigger....

Well, you are one of the lucky ones. Mine didn't ! Light Strikes! I get the part about heavy trigger and I really don't mind that, but it does seem there are numerous instances of light strikes.

 

[checkmyswag]

Well, you are one of the lucky ones. Mine didn't !

So when you are finished with the trigger pull the trigger stays back and the hammer doesnt fall or it falls but gun doesn't fire?

 

[CaptRon956]

On a side note, my holster arrived today! Triad Holsters "Zeus" model. Kydex Holsters, Triad Holsters LLC

Fits the gun well. Covers trigger, magazine release, and safety. Feels well built, fits my belt nicely! Ordered May 2nd and it arrived to my door May 13th.

Wow, that's a sweet looking holster... I'm gonna check it out..

Thanks!

 

[tobimaru]

After a little debating I do want to say the reason I could not shoot the gun well from the factory was 100% improper technique on my part. I don't want to give the impression I think the gun was at fault, and I "fixed" it. I simply changed a few parts and with some coaching at the range I shot it better. The new trigger feels better in my hand, which gives me confidence while shooting, which inherently improves my shooting.

Over 1,000 views on this thread! Very cool

 

[CaptRon956]

Over 1,000 views on this thread! Very cool

Popular little pistol, that's why

 

[mrmike7189]

I like mine. don't need any new parts...just more mags!

 

[Horn]

No Modified Actions Either

Under the risk of straying a little off topic & maybe a hint of a rant coming, but let me get this out of my system and I'll drop it.

I think part of the reason why some people love it stock & others seem to have "issues" is based on the shooters level of experience. So to me, a small self defense pistol for the concealed carrier such as myself, finds the DAO trigger on the BG380 to be functional & fine the way it is... When I first shot my Shield 9, my first thought was, "Jeez, this things a hair trigger"...I was used to the trigger on my 686 that I've had since the early 90's. Besides, you dont want a hair trigger, or any light trigger on a pistol used for self defense tucked in your pants pointing at your femoral artery or even down your backside. And dont even get me started on the potential unwanted consquences of modified triggers on carry guns.
In all honesty, I feel that small pocket pistols are not a good choice for new or inexperienced shooters as they can be finicky & not the most fun or rewarding guns to shoot at the range. And that, can lead to bad shooting habits and discouragement for newer shooters. Hence probably part of the reason why we get so many "complaints" about the Shield or the BG380. I say its inexperience.

I never modified any of my pistols. When I buy a new gun, I learned about it, how it handled, where it hold's when aimming. And I practiced with it and accepted it for how it is. I feel no need to change anything on my carry gun except maybe add a grip.

I'm with you on this. I have a H&K P7M8, Sig P232, Bersa Thunder, Glock 26 Gen4, and two Shields (No safety) and not one
modified. They're fine "out of the box" albeit not all have the exact same trigger feel but___very acceptable. The P7M8 I bought over thirty years ago and my price (LE) then was a thousand dollars.
I actually like every one of mine, even the little Bersa Thunder. (Great little shooter)
Pack only a nine.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-- George Orwell

 

[edseas2]

Bought one of these new (without laser) 3 weeks ago (great price) and took it to the range last week. Very accurate but I had a light strike, pulled the trigger again and it didn't fire. I've only got one box through it so far but I'm a little concerned. I've done no mods (and don't plan to) and I was using factory FMJ rounds and am an experienced shooter.

 

[checkmyswag]

Have an issue with hard primers. What ammo?

 

[tobimaru]

Second range trip with the Bodyguard today. Only 50 more rounds through it but 25 were standard hardball and 25 were 380 +P! My neighbor gave them to me (old) so I figured why not send them down range and test the gun.

Happy to report zero malfunctions. Went bang every time, slide locked back on all mags (3), no problems.

I still have yet to change the 2 springs and firing pin in the slide with the Galloway Precision replacements. The slide is all factory including the recoil springs. I will probably leave those pieces alone until I either get new sights to put on or the gun exhibits some problem. Don't forsee any problems though!

 

[Smith Wesson]

Second range trip with the Bodyguard today. Only 50 more rounds through it but 25 were standard hardball and 25 were 380 +P! My neighbor gave them to me (old) so I figured why not send them down range and test the gun.

Happy to report zero malfunctions. Went bang every time, slide locked back on all mags (3), no problems.

I still have yet to change the 2 springs and firing pin in the slide with the Galloway Precision replacements. The slide is all factory including the recoil springs. I will probably leave those pieces alone until I either get new sights to put on or the gun exhibits some problem. Don't forsee any problems though!

Are you sure +p is ok......?.... also if so how did they feel compared to standard

 

[tobimaru]

According to S&W using +P ammo is OK but they do advise the pistol will need "more frequent service" if you consistently use +P. A few rounds down range here and there won't hurt it in my opinion.

I believe this to mean things like springs and possibly other parts are susceptible to premature wear with hotter loads. I watched several YouTube videos of other people shooting Buffalo Bore and other hot ammo without issue.

I honestly could not tell between the 90gr hardball and the +P stuff. The gun really handles 380 well, the felt recoil is not that much at all.

 

[tobimaru]

Bit of a hiatus, but I managed to get the rest of the Galloway parts in/on my Bodyguard today.

Firing pin retaining pin is a bit of a pain. I had to depress the dfiring pin with a piece of plastic wedged in the slide and then taped in place. Then I tapped the slide on my padded table and voila, retaining pin dropped out.

Sights slid off without too much cursing. I made a few small scratches on the sights but not gonna worry. It's a carry gun and a new set of sights in in the works eventually.
Taped/depressed firing pin to remove retaining pin

"Old" firing pin (200 rounds) looks to be in GREAT shape.

Difference in firing pins. Galloway on right