I surrender. The manufacturer's instructions on sight adjustment are likely just made up to destroy individual initiative and really should be ignored.
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My MP Bodyguard .380 groups low & left
- Thread starter Becida
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The instructions on both my Shields specifically say to drift the front sight, not the rear.
Decades ago, I read that simply by being born in the US, American men feel they've natural experts about cars, guns and sex. Not gonna touch the last, but nearly 8 decades of experience suggest the guy who wrote that is right. Manufacturers supply user directions for good reason.
I also recall that someone came up with an acronym (but don't recall it) for something like Do It Like The Book Says For Once. Note: my version is G rated.
I had an incompetent sergeant for a while who, when you showed him a law or policy he didn't want obey, he would tell us, "I know that's what it says, but that's not what it means." He eventually 'won' the state record for the longest distance disciplinary transfer - 450 miles (Deming to Raton).
Hard to imagine being worried about a warranty claim denial because you drifted the sight over a hair...as if some trainee hack there would actually know. You have a serious function issue and "nope....this sight has been moved". Ridiculous.
Cheyenne WYO
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I did not mean to suggest or imply that one should totally disregard instructions. But, you turned it into a warranty issue and not a practical one. I try to follow instructions to the extent that they are not CYA lawyer inspired instructions.
In the first place, the OP did not specify if he had an original Bodyguard or the 2.0. Page 35 of the BG 2.0 manual expressly states that: "The rear sight (FIGURE 30) is drift adjustable for windage only." I understand following that, as well as anything in the original Bodyguard manual about drifting the front sight on that model. It does not mean that disregarding it is a catastrophic thing.
But, let's look at other parts of the same BG 2.0 instructions. They expressly state that handloaded ammunition should not be used unless subjected to internal ballistic pressure testing. That is CYA and totally understandable from a legal perspective. But, I ignore it at my own peril, and rely on my knowledge, training and experience (learned over time and with a great deal of caution) over that of S&W's lawyers. Another CYA is S&W's engineering machinations to create the ability to remove the slide without pulling the trigger, unlike every Glock ever made. Page 30 of the BG 2.0 manual outlines a procedure for rotating the ejector down after locking back the slide, allowing the slide to be removed without pulling the trigger. I have seen forum posts where the setup has malfunctioned and caused problems putting the gun back together. Most people will just be sure the gun is empty, lock the slide open, rotate the takedown lever, close the slide, and pull the trigger to get the slide off the gun. (Just look at all the YouTube videos on disassembly.) I tried it the way the manual said one time and decided it was stupid. If the gun discharges a round when I do that, that is on me. Same thing with dry firing. As a final example, the manual says not to load the gun until "you are ready to use it." That literally means to wait until the bad guy points a gun at you and demands your wallet.
I really do read this stuff. I suggest that everyone do the same. It doesn't mean I have to believe every single word of it anymore than anything else I read.
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It was me...
I have to thank you all for helping out. I really appreciate it!
I read the responses and went out to learn some more. When I saw (somewhere) what I had called "the most common problem" I did stop to think...
With 2 other hand guns I do not have this problem, maybe with just this one? Can that be?
I picked up a bore sight tool and the S&W barrel points right where the sights do.
I need to learn how to shoot this one. Thanks!
I have to thank you all for helping out. I really appreciate it!
I read the responses and went out to learn some more. When I saw (somewhere) what I had called "the most common problem" I did stop to think...
With 2 other hand guns I do not have this problem, maybe with just this one? Can that be?
I picked up a bore sight tool and the S&W barrel points right where the sights do.
I need to learn how to shoot this one. Thanks!
Here's what Smith says (I contacted the customer service):
"Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson. We suggest following the instructions in the manual and adjusting the front sights only.
Regards,
Chelsea ".
"Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson. We suggest following the instructions in the manual and adjusting the front sights only.
Regards,
Chelsea ".
Maybe but not unlikely. This gun is notorious for shooting left and slightly low out of the box. There is little or no quality control in terms of the factory sight setting.
halfmoonclip
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Adjusting the sights (and replacing the rear sight with one from a BG1.0) now makes mine shoot just where it looks.
I actually adjusted both sights a bit to achieve a good zero.
BTW1- moving either sight was not a thing easily achieved; it required some real arm on the sight pusher, and makes an ugly noise when the sight is moved.
BTW2-some posters, elsewhere here, are hellbent to remove the sight and the backplate, so they can clean the firing pin channel. Go figure.
Moon
I actually adjusted both sights a bit to achieve a good zero.
BTW1- moving either sight was not a thing easily achieved; it required some real arm on the sight pusher, and makes an ugly noise when the sight is moved.
BTW2-some posters, elsewhere here, are hellbent to remove the sight and the backplate, so they can clean the firing pin channel. Go figure.
Moon
Good suggestion but I've had some students "game" this by being a little more mindful about that trigger pull. So, I put a dummy round or two in random positions in one of their mags and have them shoot away.
I need to apologize and stand corrected. The new BG 2.0 manual (REV:BODYGUARD_2.0_013024) does indeed suggest drifting the rear sight for adjustment. Page 35.
Well, I guess I am guilty of being 'often wrong but seldom in doubt.' A colleague hooked me up with the revised manual.
Again, my apologies.
Again, my apologies.
judgecrater
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Have a friend that is a good shooter try it, and let us know.Hello!
This is my first time here & I have a question..
I have a S&W MP Bodyguard .380, I bought it used. The front & rear sights are in dovetails so they can be moved.
The gun groups to the lower left every time I shoot it, I tried a different .380 (Ruger LCP Max) and they were grouped in the area I was aiming so I'm guessing it's not me.
How do I fix this?
Thanks.
p.s. FWIW I feel funny finding this forum just because I do have a problem, but I guess that's the way it works.
halfmoonclip
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It is tough to achieve a consistent sight picture, with the goal post sized rear sight. It also may have to do with how the gun recoils in the hand. Mine shot left, so did two other guy's at the Club, both good shots. One guy's did not, but he's left handed.
Really wish Smith put on better factory sights.
BTW, had a BG1.0 that went in for service. It wore TruGlo aftermarket sights, and there was never a question about them.
The rear sight on the 1.0 also captures the firing pin safety, which may be the reason for the warning.
Moon
Really wish Smith put on better factory sights.
BTW, had a BG1.0 that went in for service. It wore TruGlo aftermarket sights, and there was never a question about them.
The rear sight on the 1.0 also captures the firing pin safety, which may be the reason for the warning.
Moon
