new BG380 owner here!!

[adav93]

BG380 slide won't go all the way back...FIX!

I'm posting this where ever I can, because it could cost a lot to fix for no reason. If you are shooting your BG380 and the slide won't go back all the way, it is probably because of the little screw that holds the laser in place. The tiny screw that holds the laser in the bottom part of the gun has shaken loose, and is blocking the slide from locking back. I went home, noticed the screw was poking up, tightened the screw...problem SOLVED. This is a simple problem to fix, and I'm going to call S&W for a new screw just in case...problem SOLVED.

 

[Ickmay]

.380 Laser

Hey guys, how ya' doing? Let's be serious and honest...how often will you use the laser in a SD situation which would most likely occur at a close distance encounter, 3-10 yds. . I agree that turning it on isn't as easy as it should be but at the range ( where I'll use mine once in a while ) who cares!? It's a selling hook, at most it might intimidate a younger BG...ooh a laser on me, I'm dead. The 380 BG is , to me, a great little defense piece, I bet my & my family's life on it. MO

 

[adav93]

BG380 slide won't go all the way back...FIX!

I'm posting this where ever I can, because it could cost a lot to fix for no reason. If you are shooting your BG380 and the slide won't go back all the way, it is probably because of the little screw that holds the laser in place. The tiny screw that holds the laser in the bottom part of the gun has shaken loose, and is blocking the slide from locking back. I went home, noticed the screw was poking up, tightened the screw...problem SOLVED. This is a simple problem to fix, and I'm going to call S&W for a new screw just in case...problem SOLVED.

 

[telIN1]

I'm posting this where ever I can, because it could cost a lot to fix for no reason. If you are shooting your BG380 and the slide won't go back all the way, it is probably because of the little screw that holds the laser in place. The tiny screw that holds the laser in the bottom part of the gun has shaken loose, and is blocking the slide from locking back. I went home, noticed the screw was poking up, tightened the screw...problem SOLVED. This is a simple problem to fix, and I'm going to call S&W for a new screw just in case...problem SOLVED.

Thanks for the post. I was having the same problem and this fixed it.

 

[mag318]

Smith & Wesson has made many subtle improvements to the Bodyguard since it's introduction and all the bugs have been worked out. I bought one of the first ones and had the dreaded takedown pin problem. Sent it back and they relaced it with the improved frame. Yesterday my local dealer received 4 new Bodyguards and since they are so much less expensive now I bought one. I looked at all 4 pistols and I can report that the safeties on all of them were easy to engage and disengage. Also the lazer buttons on all of them were very easy to operate. I made my choice solely on trigger pull. All had the typical long DA but one was very light and that's the one I bought. For a hot weather carry gun these pistols are hard to beat. I've owned the Ruger LCP, and a Kahr P380 which is vastly superior to the Ruger, and now 2 BG380s. Of the 3 the Bodyguard is my hands down favorite. Anyone comtemplating buying one now can rest assured the problems with the first early examples have been rectified and are long gone.

 

[saliva2002]

Smith & Wesson has made many subtle improvements to the Bodyguard since it's introduction and all the bugs have been worked out. I bought one of the first ones and had the dreaded takedown pin problem. Sent it back and they relaced it with the improved frame. Yesterday my local dealer received 4 new Bodyguards and since they are so much less expensive now I bought one. I looked at all 4 pistols and I can report that the safeties on all of them were easy to engage and disengage. Also the lazer buttons on all of them were very easy to operate. I made my choice solely on trigger pull. All had the typical long DA but one was very light and that's the one I bought. For a hot weather carry gun these pistols are hard to beat. I've owned the Ruger LCP, and a Kahr P380 which is vastly superior to the Ruger, and now 2 BG380s. Of the 3 the Bodyguard is my hands down favorite. Anyone comtemplating buying one now can rest assured the problems with the first early examples have been rectified and are long gone.

i bought one last month and have not really heard about the take down pin problem. I know with mine, i have to use something to push the take down pin all the way down, my fingers just can't do it. is that the problem??

 

[lil'Bill]

The original 'takedown pin problem' was that it would back itself out of the frame during the action of the slide while firing... They stiffened it up considerably, which is why it is hard to push now.
With that said, it does loosen up once the firearm is broken in... ... ... a little.

 

[RSY]

I think it's useless because I have to manually turn it on with a finger that should be on the trigger.

No, don't use your trigger finger. You're likely using a thumbs-forward grip; if so, use the thumb of your left hand to switch it on once the grip is established. Lefties, like me, do the opposite.

Scott

 

[mag318]

I find it easy and very natural to use my trigger finger to activate the laser. With practise it become second nature and is fast.

 

[M&Pat15-22]

I have also had problems with the laser screw coming loose, Even after i re-tightened it will still back out. I havent had it jam the slide while shooting because ill check it after 20 rounds or so and tighten it again. Also has a halo around the laser because of moisture, really need to send the whole housing in...

 

[ffawally]

ok...so what if the slide won't go back??

So, I'm pretty sure this is my problem now. However, I can't get the slide to go back far enough to allow the take down pin to push down. Now what? Needless to say, I'm fairly frustrated with this problem, especially after I've only run 100 rounds through it. By the sound of things after looking around on the internet, this is a fairly common problem. Any ideas on how to prevent this from happening again? Thanks for any replies!

 

[Physboy]

Most likely it is because the laser's dust cover screw was not torqued down enough & backed out on you. Call S&W, they will take care of it for you. In addition, remember to torque down on that screw. I have replaced batteries, installed re-inforcements for the laser button nipples, and taken the laser out just to look at. In all cases I torqued down on the screw to ensure it does not back out. I shoot BB +P ammo & it still has never backed out on me EVER.

 

[Physboy]

I have also had problems with the laser screw coming loose, Even after i re-tightened it will still back out. I havent had it jam the slide while shooting because ill check it after 20 rounds or so and tighten it again. Also has a halo around the laser because of moisture, really need to send the whole housing in...

You should have S&W send you another screw, or put some blue loktite on it. I shoot BB +P through mine and NEVER have back out problems. Hundreds of rounds through my pistol, never had an issue w/ backout of screw.

 

[patbelly]

Check out BG380 Reassembly on YouTube, that should help for reassembly. As far as the laser screw, contacted S&W and they said that the screw was part of the laser assembly. They had me send in my laser and they sent me a new one with extra nipples. Blue loctite will also work.

 

[Bassleg]

I shoot and reload a lot and I really like my BG380 I like that you can double strike ammo if needed and its very accurate it locks back on the last round the sights are great and its a Smith & Wesson.
My carry ammo is Golden Saber 102 gr. it opens up like a rose!

 

[semperFi]

A great Weapon

Had by BG 380 for a few months and put 500 rounds or so thru it. I've found that the more you shoot and carry the weapon the more it grows on you and you appreciate the features such as the loaded chamber indicator, the safety, the dbl action/strike capability, its ergonomics and size, the laser, easily loaded magazines (and two of them), plus the zippered case - all this for the $350 range. You can also squeeze out highly accurate performance as well. In NoVa at the Ft Belvoir gunshop they sell everything they get in FAST. Customers pick the BG 380 over the LCP when they have the comparison and chance. I also liked the fact that S&W even with pressure to keep the costs of the system low didn't skimp on the guide rod and kept it metal (Beretta's PX4 and civilian M9's are PLASTIC). Very pleased with the purchase.

 

[gunlovingirl]

I had to return my newest BG to S&W for laser repair. I didn't have any problems with my first BG, but the new one, EAS prefix, had laser troubles. At first it worked fine. Then one button wouldn't work. I switched the buttons and it still wouldn't work. Then when it finally came on, it wouldn't shut off. From either side. I finally got it shut off and then it wouldn't turn back on. The problem wasn't the buttons, but the laser itself. Hopefully I'll get it back with everything working as it should.

 

[Joker18]

Hi, new owner of 2, BG380's. I wanted to buy one for my wife for her b'day but no one could get their hands on one (must be popular) so I bought her a Taurus TCP380.
Long story short, one of my local dealers got a Bodyguard in and I snatched it up; figured I'd let the wife choose which one she liked best and I would keep the other. Well, after thoroughly checking out the bodyguard, I decided I had to have one so I took back the TCP380 and swapped it for another Bodyguard my dealer happened to get in. I must have hit the lottery because both of them work very well. Smooth trigger and yeah the take-down lever is a bit stiff but better that than falling out. I spoke to S & W customer service about that and they advised that it would loosen up a bit from use. The rep also stated that the BG380 can use the sights from one of the M&P pistols if you want better sights.
Personally, the stock sights on the BG380 are some of the better one I have seen on sub compact .380's.
I have been shooting it at 15 yards and head shots on the target are not difficult. The laser was factory regulated pretty well for "out of the box".
My wife and I are well pleased with these weapons, especially how nice they are for CCW.
I haven't run into any ammo issues yet but will post if that happens.
Plan to carry Buffalo Bore standard pressure 100 grain, hard (and I do mean hard) cast .380's.
One thing I do agree on is the recoil of these light little sub-compacts is hard on your hand after about 100 rounds. Of course in a SD scenario I will not shoot 100 rounds .

 

[Joker18]

BTW and FWIW, the BG380's aren't the only handguns I own. It is my wife's first however (for 30 years she never wanted a firearm, go figure).
I wanted a nice concealable handgun that one can slip in one's pocket (in a pocket holster) and forget that it's there.
Some of my other pistols are OK for carry, but would have to be on a belt type holster.
A note about the Buffalo Bore heavy .380 ammo; for a sub-compact, I personally would stick with the standard pressure load.
Will the BG 380 be able to handle the 100 gr. Buffalo Bore +P .380? I think so, because it is a well constructed firearm, but I wouldn't use it because of the potential for accelerated wear and tear. I have read too many articles about Ruger LCP's and other sub-compacts that ended up with bent take-down pins and excessive wear from the heavy .380 loads.
Using them occasionally would most likely be OK however I am a firm believer in the theory that one should practice with the same ammo that one plans to carry.
The BB standard pressure heavy .380 is no slouch at 100 grains and 1,000 fps.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[l_____l]

....The rep also stated that the BG380 can use the sights from one of the M&P pistols if you want better sights.
Personally, the stock sights on the BG380 are some of the better one I have seen on sub compact .380's.

Hmmm....did the rep say which model M&P's sights will work with the BG380? ...direct swap? Perhaps Trijicon tritium sights for M&P model? would fit the BG380 Kinda stirred my curiosity now!