Opinions/experiance with Bodyguard 380

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Louchia

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considering purchase of Bodyguard 380. I would appreciate comments, good and bad ,on this subcompact. I understand the trigger is tight but so is my snubby J frame. I'm OK with that. Compared to Rugar LCP it has better sights, mag safety, hammer block, 2 mags, and hold open after last round.
Did I just sell it to myself?
Any bad experiences?

Thanks
 
I have one and I think it is a great pistol. No light strikes or fte. The only issue I have had is when I fired cheap blazer aluminum rounds it would not lock open on the last round. With blazer brass, Remington fmj and hornaday critical defense it performed flawlessly.
I appreciate the second strike capability.
Very easy and comfortable to carry in the pocket.
Being a pocket gun I appreciate the safety even though the trigger pull is long enough you would probably be okay without it.
I got a nice deal at a gs $350 for a new bg 380 w/Crimson trace
 
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I'm on my second BG - the first was the original with the Insight laser which was a total disaster, and was replaced by S&W CS with the MP version sans laser -

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/379706-defective-bg-380-s-w-cs-rescue.html

My MP BG is currently back at S&W to correct the light fire syndrome. Due to my experiences with this model, I have lost all confidence in the BG as a reliable carry weapon. When I get it back from S&W, gonna trade it in on a Ruger LCP.

Don't get me wrong, this is just my own personal experience with the BG......there are many here who have had no problems with theirs and swear by them. 'Tis a pity because I really wanted to like this model, it's so ergonomically correct for a pocket shooter and damned accurate for such a tiny barrel. But my definition of a reliable SD weapon is not one that has spent more time back to S&W for repairs than it has on the range. It must go bang when I pull that long trigger!
 
I had one. Light primer strikes and not locking after last round. Went back to S&W. When I received it back, the very first round in the first magazine went click.
Traded it that day at the dealer I bought it from, fr a new Ruger LCP custom. Ruger has been perfect for 350 rounds so far.
My BG experience was not good.
 
Light strikes, back to SW, same thing when it came back. Put a stronger spring in and now it fires, but way to heavy trigger pull, it's a safe queen.
I transferred one to a student, and hers was the same way. Numerous light strikes. Bummed, I really wanted to liked this gun. I'd sooner carry a rock though for CCW, as the I know what the rock would do if I needed it.
 
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We have the BG380 w/ laser and it has feeding issues at times. Will shoot more through it and if it's doing better after some time we'll keep it.

I tried a Pro-Mag magazine and things got worse.

Might try the MagGuts™ in the future...
 
There's a ton of stuff on the forum on this gun. Do a search. Personally I wouldn't want one for free.
 
I have one with the Insight Laser and one with the CT. The only problems I have had, is with the Insight. S&W replaced it, and now it is my edc. It eats every thing i feed it. I never leave home without it.
 
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Bg 380

I have had an early model for several years. I have not had one failure. The laser is useless, I removed the battery. Hard to actuate, will not stay on zero. I pretend it isn't there. I think that I am one of the very few people that likes the trigger. I don't find it hard to pull, and it stages very nicely. I would like to get a new model w/o the laser, but I see many complaints of light strikes, not locking back, ect... I think I may just hold on to what I have until the newer models have their issues resolved.
 
It's accurate and very light. The trigger has a very long pull and it gets dirty very quickly. You must use good quality FMJ.
 
They either operate perfectly for people, or they have a lot of problems. It's weird. I am guessing people complain about the problems with them in disproportionate numbers, like anything else. But random guns still seem to have a lot of issues.

I have one a few months old, with about 200 rounds of name-brand brass case FMJ through it, and it's back to S&W for the second time for several problems. I really like it, and hope I can get to the point where I am comfortable with it, but we'll see.

Compared to Rugar LCP it has better sights (but the LCP seems more accurate), mag safety, hammer block, 2 mags, and hold open after last round (sometimes).
Click to expand...
Don't forget the second strike capability (you may need it!).

David
 
I have one with the Insight Laser

I have the earlier version w/the Insight Laser and have had zero
issues with the piece.
I do not use the laser. I only use the iron sights and I find the gun to be quite accurate.
Mine has had over 500 rds. shot through it and I enjoy the way it shoots! The trigger has smoothed out and the long pull is akin
to the old time "Cap Guns" of the 40's& 50's.
To me it is a very nice Pocket Gun.

mb
 
I have had numerous, continuing issues with the BG380. My post (below) on another thread sums it up.

My wife purchased the BG 380 for carry and we both shoot it at the range. I have posted here about recurring issues. They are:

1. lock back after last shot does not work...ever. stopped early and didn't improve even with mags cleaned...new mags...and new springs from SW for the mags.
2. mag insert has always meant pushing the mag release button in before mags will go in.
3. when mag release button is pushed we still have to physically reach for the mag and pull it out...not a good thing in a ccw firearm.
4. gun is "picky" about ammo with a habit of having the casing hang up instead of ejecting correctly...causing a ftf on next round. again this is not a good thing for a ccw firearm.
5. very thin and hard handle making it prone to move a bit on rapid fire...another ccw concern.
6. sw techs and cust supt has been mediocre at best.

bottom line: easy to conceal and shoots accurately...when it does.
we are still trying to work out the bugs but if we had to do it again probably would have a purchased something else.
 
Bought my Bodyguard one month ago. Had 15-20% light strikes with certain factory ammunition. Sent it back to Smith and they shipped it back with a new slide according to the repair sheet. Three weeks turn around time.

Went to range yesterday, fired 100 rounds had 1 light strike. I did not use any of the German brand that gave me all the light strikes originally. I checked all my brass and even though I had only one failure to fire, I was amazed that those that did fire had such light firing pin indentations. I'm amazed I had only one round that didn't go off on the first shot!
My gunsmith said he could put in a heavier spring to increase the hit.
 
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