new BG380 owner here!!

[saliva2002]

so as a new BG380 owner i've been doing a lot of net searching, and as with any product there are good and bad things said. While browsing this site, i've found fixes for the laser sight (which i'm not sure if its a real problem yet).... but also saw mention that someone sent theirs back to S&W for a "safety switch issue" but it was left at that. I know mine is very very hard to switch from safe to fire and vise versa, but i am just assuming its supposed to be that way... any insight on the difficult safety would be helpful, thanks!!

 

[Snoguy]

I sent mine back to S&W because the safety was almost impossible to operate and hadn't become any easier with some use. It came back improved, but still not really easy. But then you don't want it to accidentally engage either. If you think it's too difficult call CS.

Dave

 

[saliva2002]

when things are sent back to smith, does it cost anything or just bring it to the dealer and its paid for by s&w?

also curious as to others experiences with the safety

 

[greybeard43]

The safety on mine is a little hard to operate. The way it is recessed makes it difficult to disengage from a shooting position. I find the darn thing redundant anyhow. The long double action pull is sufficient in my book to prevent accidental firing. But if you are the type that must have a safety if a round is chambered, it's there for your use. I don't bother with it.

 

[Snoguy]

when things are sent back to smith, does it cost anything or just bring it to the dealer and its paid for by s&w?

Call customer service(1-800-331-0852 x2905) and tell them what the problem is that you're experiencing. They will ask for your gun S/N. If they agree that it's a problem, they will send you a prepaid FedEx label (get it by email) to send the gun back to S&W. It will be fixed and returned to you by FedEx at no cost to you.

Dave

 

[saliva2002]

Call customer service(1-800-331-0852 x2905) and tell them what the problem is that you're experiencing. They will ask for your gun S/N. If they agree that it's a problem, they will send you a prepaid FedEx label (get it by email) to send the gun back to S&W. It will be fixed and returned to you by FedEx at no cost to you.

Dave

i have to take it to a dealer to ship, right?

 

[Snoguy]

i have to take it to a dealer to ship, right?

Nope. If S&W sends you a prepaid label, just get a FedEx box, put the label on the box and take it to FedEx or call FedEx to come and pick it up. I believe you have to tell FedEx it is a firearm, but tell them you are shipping it to the manufacturer which is legal. You CAN NOT, put it in a FedEx drop box. You have to give it to a counter person or a driver. It will either be a next or 2nd day label.

You can have the dealer send it back if you want and if he will do it, but it's not necessary to go through the dealer. That is an extra step and can take longer, depending on the dealer.

Call S&W CS and talk to them about your concerns with the gun.

Dave

 

[saliva2002]

and one last question (i have no need to call them yet, i need to put some rounds through it this week before i decide how everything feels).... but when i ship (if i ship) to them, can i get it shipped back to my house?

 

[Snoguy]

and one last question (i have no need to call them yet, i need to put some rounds through it this week before i decide how everything feels).... but when i ship (if i ship) to them, can i get it shipped back to my house?

Yes, they automatically will ship it back to your house, but an adult signature may be required.

Dave

 

[drover]

I've had my BG380 for a few weeks now and my safety is relatively hard also. I called the factory and they said it would most likely become easier over time, just needs to be worked a bunch.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

After reading the 100th thread on the issues of the BG380 ,I can firmly say that I'll never ever buy one of these. I think the 'looks cool' factor overcomes the useless laser, rough trigger, and myriad of other issues surrounding this paperweight.

They are pretty good for letting your wife think she's holding a real gun, however.

 

[Physboy]

so as a new BG380 owner i've been doing a lot of net searching, and as with any product there are good and bad things said. While browsing this site, i've found fixes for the laser sight (which i'm not sure if its a real problem yet).... but also saw mention that someone sent theirs back to S&W for a "safety switch issue" but it was left at that. I know mine is very very hard to switch from safe to fire and vise versa, but i am just assuming its supposed to be that way... any insight on the difficult safety would be helpful, thanks!!

Last year when I had issues w/ the laser button, I inquired to S&W about the proper functioning of the safety. According to them the safety is designed to be more difficult to engage than to dis-engage. I found that to be the case w/ mine, and was satisfied as I cannot conceive of an eminent life threatening scenario where I will need to ENGAGE the safety. After only a week the safety was perfectly capable of being disengaged w/ ease, and that is when I noticed the difference between the ease of engaging vs disengaging the safety.

 

[18DAI]

"...looks cool..."

Hmm... I never thought that. I simply thought it was another ugly, overpriced, striker fired gun, constructed as cheaply as possible, from the current company calling itself S&W. Regards 18DAI.

 

[DogmeatAl]

After reading the 100th thread on the issues of the BG380 ,I can firmly say that I'll never ever buy one of these. I think the 'looks cool' factor overcomes the useless laser, rough trigger, and myriad of other issues surrounding this paperweight.

They are pretty good for letting your wife think she's holding a real gun, however.

OK, tell me why you think the laser is useless. I'm thinking about buying one and I've tried out the laser in several gunstores. It's easy to see at 30 feet in indoor daylight. I understand that in bright sunlight outside it would be harder (but the sight picture would be better).

This laser seems about as powerful as others of the same size. Perhaps you think all lasers of this sort are useless, but what makes this one "useless"?

 

[Copnomore]

Dogmeat, disregard that post by nogoodnamesleft! Read the ones with current owners problems and those of us that are happy and try one out. He made his decision based on 100 posts without regard for the over 50,000 BG380s on the market. And, he has not held or fired one. Try one at your local gun shop or range. If you can't find one, come on down to St Pete and I'll let you shoot mine.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

OK, tell me why you think the laser is useless. I'm thinking about buying one and I've tried out the laser in several gunstores. It's easy to see at 30 feet in indoor daylight. I understand that in bright sunlight outside it would be harder (but the sight picture would be better).

This laser seems about as powerful as others of the same size. Perhaps you think all lasers of this sort are useless, but what makes this one "useless"?

I think it's useless because I have to manually turn it on with a finger that should be on the trigger. I prefer CT style or other lasers that activate when you put pressure on the grip or trigger (like the lasers activated when you depress the 'safety' on a glock trigger) ..

Don't get me wrong, it's a great cat toy .... but if I have to pull and fire a weapon, I don't want to fidget with a little button that's gonna turn on the laser and then fumble for the trigger ....

That's why I think it's 'useless' .... the advantage I see to lasers is being able to be accurate with a weapon in less than ideal stances or without being able to look through the sites .... turning it on wastes time that could be the difference between life and death.

 

[greybeard43]

I think it's useless because I have to manually turn it on with a finger that should be on the trigger. I prefer CT style or other lasers that activate when you put pressure on the grip or trigger (like the lasers activated when you depress the 'safety' on a glock trigger) ..

Don't get me wrong, it's a great cat toy .... but if I have to pull and fire a weapon, I don't want to fidget with a little button that's gonna turn on the laser and then fumble for the trigger ....

That's why I think it's 'useless' .... the advantage I see to lasers is being able to be accurate with a weapon in less than ideal stances or without being able to look through the sites .... turning it on wastes time that could be the difference between life and death.

I'm curious. Have you shot one? I like mine. The trigger is a double action trigger, period. Mine sits in my pocket and I hardly notice it. At the range at 7 yards it shoots as accurate as my 1911 compact. The 1911 weighs a ton. The BG380 does IMOP what it was designed for.

 

[saliva2002]

here's another question, obviously from a newbie, is there any way to change the trigger pull so its not so hard? I know some guns you can, but not sure on this one...

 

[greybeard43]

Yes, get another pistol. One that is single action, or try out different da only pistols at your lgs. If you try to tamper with the springs on a dao pistol, you will make it unreliable. You don't want a target trigger pull on a pocket pistol for safety reasons. I don't consider the pull on the BG to be any worse than some wheel guns in da mode. Try an AMT backup, after that you will think the BG is easy.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I'm curious. Have you shot one? I like mine. The trigger is a double action trigger, period. Mine sits in my pocket and I hardly notice it. At the range at 7 yards it shoots as accurate as my 1911 compact. The 1911 weighs a ton. The BG380 does IMOP what it was designed for.

I've shot one, and I did indeed like it. I think it's a sleek compact gun that shoots well and fits nicely into a pocket. My only issue with the product is the button activated laser. I feel it's a quality firearm, no matter what 'bugs' have been worked out in it ... when you pull the trigger it goes bang.

For something that size, however, I'd forgo the laser if my only option was a manual 'on' ......

But hey, I sure wouldnt want to be at the working end of one, and would feel absolutely confident using one as a SD weapon ...

I just think the laser is a bit janky, that's all.