New Bodyguard broken
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I wish I had a dollar for every pistol that exhibited an early bit of difficulty when inserting a metal-bodied magazine against a steel magazine catch.
I can think of a wide range of makes/models of good quality pistols that can sometimes exhibit this sort of thing, especially when a mag catch is new, or new mags are used. Sometimes it may be a square/sharp edge of the mag body where it encounters the mag catch. Sometimes it might be a new edge/angle of the mag catch. Sometimes it might be a burred spot on either.
Most of the time it seems to be a matter of the square/sharp edges of the mag body wearing in against the mag catch.
The only guns I can't think of that haven't exhibited this sort of thing are those which use plastic mag catches and/or plastic covered mag bodies.
Both of my LCP's do it, to one degree or another, but it's become less noticeable as the guns are used (less effort required to overcome the initial resistance of the mag pushing past the mag catch).
I don't know it the M&P Bodyguard 380 mag catch body has a steel insert, as I've not yet attended the 4 hour armorer class for that model, nor have I bothered to look at the mag catches that closely in the ones I've handled and fired.
Let us know what the company tells you. I wouldn't be surprised if they tell you it's normal & fine, or ask to examine the gun (just to make sure nothing is out of spec for an owner).
FWIW, my second LCP (stainless version with the better sights and revised trigger) has the annoying feature of a magazine not as easily seating/snapping into place unless I push the mag base slightly forward. The mags feed and function just fine during live-fire(remaining seated during recoil).
I suspect it's a slight tolerance variation of the mag catch (or maybe the frame mag catch cut, mag bodies and/or mag catch) as the same mags more easily snap in & lock in the older LCP. I might call and see if Ruger wants to send me another mag catch, but as long it doesn't interfere with actual feeding & live-fire functioning, it's not high on my list concerns.
Speed of loading/reloading) the short-gripped LCP isn't exactly something as easily done as with a longer grip frame. I have to really open the fingers of my hand to get clearance to insert that itty bitty mag in the first place. I'd much rather reload one of my J-frames, using a speedstrip, than try to load another mag into the diminutive Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard 380's.
Let us know what the company says.
I can think of a wide range of makes/models of good quality pistols that can sometimes exhibit this sort of thing, especially when a mag catch is new, or new mags are used. Sometimes it may be a square/sharp edge of the mag body where it encounters the mag catch. Sometimes it might be a new edge/angle of the mag catch. Sometimes it might be a burred spot on either.
Most of the time it seems to be a matter of the square/sharp edges of the mag body wearing in against the mag catch.
The only guns I can't think of that haven't exhibited this sort of thing are those which use plastic mag catches and/or plastic covered mag bodies.
Both of my LCP's do it, to one degree or another, but it's become less noticeable as the guns are used (less effort required to overcome the initial resistance of the mag pushing past the mag catch).
I don't know it the M&P Bodyguard 380 mag catch body has a steel insert, as I've not yet attended the 4 hour armorer class for that model, nor have I bothered to look at the mag catches that closely in the ones I've handled and fired.
Let us know what the company tells you. I wouldn't be surprised if they tell you it's normal & fine, or ask to examine the gun (just to make sure nothing is out of spec for an owner).
FWIW, my second LCP (stainless version with the better sights and revised trigger) has the annoying feature of a magazine not as easily seating/snapping into place unless I push the mag base slightly forward. The mags feed and function just fine during live-fire(remaining seated during recoil).
I suspect it's a slight tolerance variation of the mag catch (or maybe the frame mag catch cut, mag bodies and/or mag catch) as the same mags more easily snap in & lock in the older LCP. I might call and see if Ruger wants to send me another mag catch, but as long it doesn't interfere with actual feeding & live-fire functioning, it's not high on my list concerns.
Speed of loading/reloading) the short-gripped LCP isn't exactly something as easily done as with a longer grip frame. I have to really open the fingers of my hand to get clearance to insert that itty bitty mag in the first place. I'd much rather reload one of my J-frames, using a speedstrip, than try to load another mag into the diminutive Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard 380's.
Let us know what the company says.
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Bodyguard mag
I've had my Bodyguard for almost two years. I bought my daughter one also. Both have functioned perfectly from start. I've fired several hundred rounds. It is such a joy that I felt comfortable with buying a 9mm shield. I now have this as my primary carry.
I've had my Bodyguard for almost two years. I bought my daughter one also. Both have functioned perfectly from start. I've fired several hundred rounds. It is such a joy that I felt comfortable with buying a 9mm shield. I now have this as my primary carry.
Normal...
It's 'normal' for a weapon intended for SD use (the name? 'Bodyguard') to require holding down the mag release to insert another mag? I hope nobody has to reload under duress. That's not 'normal'. It's p**s poor design.
It's 'normal' for a weapon intended for SD use (the name? 'Bodyguard') to require holding down the mag release to insert another mag? I hope nobody has to reload under duress. That's not 'normal'. It's p**s poor design.
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CaptRon956
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Yes you will! This is good free neck exercise when you shake your head!
Sigh.... ^^^ He's right you know.
In all honesty, I love my M&P bodyguard 380! I have fired over 600 rounds thru mine & I have not experienced any issues with it at all, in fact I carry it more than I do anything else.
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At the risk of sounding a bit cynical, I'm having trouble seeing a situation where you would be slamming mags under duress with a .380. It seems to me that if the threat still existed after you pumped seven rounds down range you have way more serious issues than a stiff mag spring. And if you were in such a situation, you would be unlikely to slide the mag slowly and smoothly up the guns hindquarters. That is precisely when you slam them home. Mine works with slamming every time. Maybe it's just me.
CaptRon956
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Couple things... One, if joe average is caught in a life/death situation & as a last ditch attempt pulls out his BG380 & pumps off 7 rounds & has to reload then perhaps he/she should have spent more time on the range.
I think some of you guys are overthinking this too much. If you want to get a feel for what a typhical situation is like for joe average then get on you tube & watch the countless videos of "Guns saving people". Only a few shots if that take place & the BG is usually either out running in 2 seconds or is down. The only time I've seen a situation where a good guy shot off a whole mag & had to reload was that video on the Hollywood shootout.
Now if you are caught in a situation such as the Hollywood shootout and all you have is a .380 then I hope to god you left behind a will and have all expenses caught up for your family cause buddy, you in trouble!
The odds of us normal everyday CC holders going about our daily lives getting caught up in a dragged out, hell bent for leather Tombstone style free for all is about zero to nill.
gwpercle
Member
I may be wrong, but I press the catch to release a magazine and press it again when inserting a new one. Always did it this way with all semi-auto's. My thought was less wear and tear on both the catch and magazine.
Pressing to insert is no more problematic than pressing to release....
Just seems the common sense way to do it.
Gary
Pressing to insert is no more problematic than pressing to release....
Just seems the common sense way to do it.
Gary
I'm hoping I don't have t reload.....
I would hope that would do it too, but the CC people always insist that you carry extra mags and all that if you want to be really prepared. Personally, I like a gun that has a boatload of round in it already, hence the doublestack. And one thing I mentioned on another thread is that you can't count on just having one attacker, either on the street or in a home invasion. After you let off a few shots everybody else is SUPPOSED to run away but with the crackhead mind you never know....
I would hope that would do it too, but the CC people always insist that you carry extra mags and all that if you want to be really prepared. Personally, I like a gun that has a boatload of round in it already, hence the doublestack. And one thing I mentioned on another thread is that you can't count on just having one attacker, either on the street or in a home invasion. After you let off a few shots everybody else is SUPPOSED to run away but with the crackhead mind you never know....
If you have plenty of time...
If I have plenty of time and no pressure I could change a mag with my hands tied behind my back. Now when being attacked...
If I have plenty of time and no pressure I could change a mag with my hands tied behind my back. Now when being attacked...
Georgia Yankee
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How many people who carry a Bodyguard .380 carry a spare magazine? My guess is a lower percentage than average for larger guns, because the whole reason you would carry it is so you can carry very light. Nevertheless, I would agree that this is a design flaw. If it has been corrected on newer ones, maybe they would replace it if you complained.
Rpg
Member
This is a joke, right?
ggibson511960
Member
Break In?
Just scratching my head wondering why any gun would "break in" and achieve easier magazine insertion or latching. Maybe if you inserted a magazine over and over into battery without depressing the release button the latch surface would wear down or bevel a bit. I always push the mag release button on any clip fed pistol to reduce friction and wear on the latch and keep from scraping the finish off the magazine. Yes, I know, non-tactical situations. I know BG's latch open on an empty magazine. Ruger LCP's don't and the resistance from the incredibly strong mag spring is way higher than that of the mag release, making that last 1/in. of insertion pretty stiff as the top round is pushed down in the magazine. BG's would be the same if attempting to load on a closed slide.
Just scratching my head wondering why any gun would "break in" and achieve easier magazine insertion or latching. Maybe if you inserted a magazine over and over into battery without depressing the release button the latch surface would wear down or bevel a bit. I always push the mag release button on any clip fed pistol to reduce friction and wear on the latch and keep from scraping the finish off the magazine. Yes, I know, non-tactical situations. I know BG's latch open on an empty magazine. Ruger LCP's don't and the resistance from the incredibly strong mag spring is way higher than that of the mag release, making that last 1/in. of insertion pretty stiff as the top round is pushed down in the magazine. BG's would be the same if attempting to load on a closed slide.
martybee
Member
I totally concur with GGibson!
mb
mb
Decipher
Member
I always carry a spare mag regardless of what I'm carrying. It's good practice and really doesn't add that much weight. It's low enough that it shouldn't matter.
I don't carry a spare expecting to get in a full shootout, but I'd rather have extra brass and not need it than need them and not have them.
Wait . . . what?
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
The biggest design flaw is that the BG380 isn't round. 
If my old six-shooter runs dry and I still have bad guys, I pull another round gun.
If my old six-shooter runs dry and I still have bad guys, I pull another round gun. I thought the same thing when I read it! Maybe we are missing something here?
Mcwsky09
Member
I have to correct my previous statement about the 90 degree mating surfaces. I was looking at the top of the mag catch rather than the bottom - and of course the bottom of the catch is what the magazine encounters first - on my BG380 - that surface is beveled/angled.
(if this works) in one of the attached photos there is a shot up the mag well with an arrow pointing to the bottom of the mag catch, plus one with the magazine body (no guts) meeting the mag catch as viewed from the top and a shot of the magazine with an arrow pointing to the mating point on the mag.
You may be able to see on the mag catch a roughly circular area which is worn a bit which is where the mag meets the catch. There is also a flat bottom on the catch that protrudes into the well - I may have to look some more if the mag is encountering that flat bottom before meeting the angled portion.
In any case - the mag catch must be moved out of the way in order for the magazine to be inserted. This cam be done by you manually - or my the magazine being inserted, which will require more force than if the mag catch is moved out of the way. If you are holding the firearm such that you are blocking the mag catch from moving out along the right side of the grip (as viewed from behind with muzzle forward) - then it will require even more force.
Possibly solutions to mage the insertion easier which should not affect operation of the firearm or mag drop could include a slight chamfer to the leading edge of the magazine - either by bending it in slightly (not enough to interfere with the projectile) or by sanding/grinding/filing the edge of the magazine such that the outside is angled - this might only take a mm or so of adjustment. OR - alter the profile of the mag catch so that it is more angled or at the very least knock off the edge where the flat bottom meets the angled side.
(if this works) in one of the attached photos there is a shot up the mag well with an arrow pointing to the bottom of the mag catch, plus one with the magazine body (no guts) meeting the mag catch as viewed from the top and a shot of the magazine with an arrow pointing to the mating point on the mag.
You may be able to see on the mag catch a roughly circular area which is worn a bit which is where the mag meets the catch. There is also a flat bottom on the catch that protrudes into the well - I may have to look some more if the mag is encountering that flat bottom before meeting the angled portion.
In any case - the mag catch must be moved out of the way in order for the magazine to be inserted. This cam be done by you manually - or my the magazine being inserted, which will require more force than if the mag catch is moved out of the way. If you are holding the firearm such that you are blocking the mag catch from moving out along the right side of the grip (as viewed from behind with muzzle forward) - then it will require even more force.
Possibly solutions to mage the insertion easier which should not affect operation of the firearm or mag drop could include a slight chamfer to the leading edge of the magazine - either by bending it in slightly (not enough to interfere with the projectile) or by sanding/grinding/filing the edge of the magazine such that the outside is angled - this might only take a mm or so of adjustment. OR - alter the profile of the mag catch so that it is more angled or at the very least knock off the edge where the flat bottom meets the angled side.
Attachments
My wife has had a BG for a while now. She shoots it extremely well, reloads fast and has never complained one bit about the mag hanging up without depressing the mag release. After reading threads like this I'm just so freaking glad I have her to go to the range with rather than some of you knuckleheads. Breaking in guns is the fun part.
