Poll- Bodyguard 380 Firing pin issues

[10mmman]

Hello.

I would like to get votes from owners of BG380's broken down into two different categories, those with little use (under 500 firings/dry firings) and those with more use (over 500.)

Of those I would like to know if there have been any issues with either broken firing pins or light strikes failing to ignite.

Thanks.

 

[jimmib]

ok...I voted and expect another thread to beat up on .380's...so I will repeat what I have said in the past....if you have one and don't like it SELL IT...if you are thinking of buying one and have doubts DON"T BUY IT...pretty simple..kinda applies to any gun

 

[gdnagle]

I agree with jimmib. First time out with my wife's, four of us put over 500 rounds through it with not even a FFT or FTE with two newbie shooters. Nada nothing I trust hers. Haven't even had a laser screw problem. If you don't like it sell it or don't buy it.

Maybe you should have asked about first hand information not the I knew a guy who had a friend that saw this guy in a bar telling his friend while he was drunk that he heard that his neighbor's BIL's GF had a problem. You know internet rumors.

 

[dfhawkins]

It appears there is no way to enter the poll a second time but... my wife's BG380 is also used for training (+500 round count group), is carried concealed daily, gets cleaned every couple weeks and has had no problems. She has, however, been known to call it unflattering names for it's looooong trigger pull.

 

[10mmman]

Gee, thanks

I now remember why I don’t post here much anymore. Back when I joined this forum it was a most polite board and the responses were helpful and spot on topic.

I did not ask for advice. I asked for objective data. If my poll makes you defensive to the point of needing to repost what you have already posted, I apologize. I had hoped that by asking for OWNERS experience I might get said. I did not anticipate “owners” would be interpreted as somebody’s friend observing a drunk’s here say of his neighbor's brother in law’s girlfriend’s opinion.

The market niche, time on market and reputation of the manufacture lead me to conclude that if a substantial percentage of owners experience failures– say 5% or more, then perhaps I will formulate my own decision to sell (no doubt at a loss) once my 2013 model returns from S&W again.

 

[Ransom]

Did I miss something? I don't see any replies to this thread that are impolite or by non-owners reporting hearsay.

 

[jimmib]

I now remember why I don’t post here much anymore. Back when I joined this forum it was a most polite board and the responses were helpful and spot on topic.

I did not ask for advice. I asked for objective data. If my poll makes you defensive to the point of needing to repost what you have already posted, I apologize. I had hoped that by asking for OWNERS experience I might get said. I did not anticipate “owners” would be interpreted as somebody’s friend observing a drunk’s here say of his neighbor's brother in law’s girlfriend’s opinion.

The market niche, time on market and reputation of the manufacture lead me to conclude that if a substantial percentage of owners experience failures– say 5% or more, then perhaps I will formulate my own decision to sell (no doubt at a loss) once my 2013 model returns from S&W again.

If you have taken this personally that was not my intention...it just seems that lately the BG380 has been taking a beating and that was my roundabout way of defending it...I am sorry you have had a bad experience with yours as I have had absolutely no problems with mine and is one of the most comfortable CW guns I have ever carried

 

[rogarm43]

I have had my EATxxxx what seems like a couple of years. Log shows 950+ rds fired. Very accurate with Hornady Crit Def 95gr. The only issue I caused when I installed a mag spring backwards after cleaning. It is with me everywhere I can carry it everyday. I'm sorry for those that have had problems. I have see lots of posts around with various issues and kind of was expecting something to break on mine. Nothing has. It gets cleaned and laser screw & firing pin function checked after each range trip. I like it.

 

[78shovel]

I agree with jimmib. First time out with my wife's, four of us put over 500 rounds through it with not even a FFT or FTE with two newbie shooters. Nada nothing I trust hers. Haven't even had a laser screw problem. If you don't like it sell it or don't buy it.

Maybe you should have asked about first hand information not the I knew a guy who had a friend that saw this guy in a bar telling his friend while he was drunk that he heard that his neighbor's BIL's GF had a problem. You know internet rumors.

He asked for info from BG owners, is that not first hand information? I got one because 1) I own 3 S&W firearms and have had zero problems 2) In checking the info on this forum the questions about the BG I have not seen a lot of dependability issues. My new Bodyguard 380 has had 8 ftf in a little over 100 rounds. I do a search for the topic and see someone getting bashed for asking a question. I was hoping for maybe ammo info or some other issue I can control. I do like it and I don't want to sell it but would you trust my firearm with your life? If I need to send it back to S&W I would like to do that asap.

 

[78shovel]

Out of 20 people, 5 have had issues, how many have had to send their firearms back to Smith & Wesson? I really like mine, as has already been said it is a great carry piece. If it can be repaired to make it dependable I would like to do that. Or if it is something I can do...
I have used Winchester white box 95 grain, maybe try different ammo?

 

[tpence2177]

So far only one failure to return to battery with my m and p bodygaurd 380. I blame it on ammo cause it did it the second time and I finally sling shot it pretty hard and it went in. No other problems through 125 rounds of mostly various hollow points. The round I had trouble with was a cheap reload and it didn't like the 50th round for some reason lol.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

 

[78shovel]

So far only one failure to return to battery with my m and p bodygaurd 380. I blame it on ammo cause it did it the second time and I finally sling shot it pretty hard and it went in. No other problems through 125 rounds of mostly various hollow points. The round I had trouble with was a cheap reload and it didn't like the 50th round for some reason lol.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

I wish I had known the were coming out with an M and P model, what is the difference in them and the original Bodyguard 380?

 

[tpence2177]

I wish I had known the were coming out with an M and P model, what is the difference in them and the original Bodyguard 380?

So far that I can tell. They took the laser of. They made the slide stainless (don't know if it was before or not ) coated it differently to help a lot with rust. Engraved the slide a little differently. Don't really know if they changed anything internally though. I feel like the trigger may be a little better than before. It's definitely smooth and definitely not 15 lbs like some people say their regular bgs are. I've dry fired it about 300 times without any problems either.

Sent from my LG-V500 using Tapatalk

 

[goinfshn]

I have only had my bodyguard for about twelve days, have fired 50 rounds through it without any problems and love it. I am very pleased with the shot group to about 15 yards. I have carried it daily since I got it and find it to be very easy to conceal. The only problem I had is with the laser. The right side was very hard to turn on. Since I am right handed, it is inconvenient so I notified customer service and returned it. I am most pleased with customer service. No items can be mass produced without some flaws. Good customer service will correct it and give the customer a reason to continue being faithful to the product. I carried a service revolver and pistol for over 26 years of law enforcement and am depending on my bodyguard to perform to the quality that I have learned to expect from Smith and Wesson.
Gary

 

[lhump1961]

Hello.

I would like to get votes from owners of BG380's broken down into two different categories, those with little use (under 500 firings/dry firings) and those with more use (over 500.)

Of those I would like to know if there have been any issues with either broken firing pins or light strikes failing to ignite.

Thanks.

I think the folks here are just saying that the info you would get from this type of poll, while entertaining, would be so unscientific it would be misleading at best. Folks with problems tend to speak out and those without...well...don't!

Only you can decide if you like the gun or not. Everything you get from here would just be someone else's opinion. Sorry, I'm sure you already know these things...just my .02.

As for the folks here...lots of fine people...just many more than 15 yrs ago. Lighten up, life is short.

 

[KnightTime]

Reply to original OP question ...
Over 3000 rounds fired through my EDC BG380. The first 300-500 rounds, less than dependable firing pin strikes. Rounds 500-3000 ... running like a S&W. I trust my life with it, it fires every time.

My 2 cents other than your poll ... Break it in well with live fire, not dry fire, with at least 500 rounds of various ammo. I would do this with any EDC weapon. I bet you will find ammo than gets along great with your BG380. Keep it cleaned and lightly oiled

 

[78shovel]

Reply to original OP question ...
Over 3000 rounds fired through my EDC BG380. The first 300-500 rounds, less than dependable firing pin strikes. Rounds 500-3000 ... running like a S&W. I trust my life with it, it fires every time.

My 2 cents other than your poll ... Break it in well with live fire, not dry fire, with at least 500 rounds of various ammo. I would do this with any EDC weapon. I bet you will find ammo than gets along great with your BG380. Keep it cleaned and lightly oiled

I have had light primer strikes and 8 ftf in a little over 100 rounds. I purchased a different brand of ammo to try, but your post is the most useful I have read so far. I really love the feel, grip and well... everything about this firearm. Did you have any issues with the slide not locking back after the last round? I am thinking it may be a magazine issue but it only came with one. At any rate, thanks for your input...

 

[Hodgin]

Don't know what separates light use from heavy use but I have about 800 rounds through mine with no firing pin problems. I assumed that was sufficient for heavy use in the question.

I have had 5 or so light strikes but assume that the firing pin problem you're referring to is breakage. I haven't had any problems with my Hornady Critical Defense ammo. Two or three boxes (20) have been fired.

 

[78shovel]

Don't know what separates light use from heavy use but I have about 800 rounds through mine with no firing pin problems. I assumed that was sufficient for heavy use in the question.

I have had 5 or so light strikes but assume that the firing pin problem you're referring to is breakage. I haven't had any problems with my Hornady Critical Defense ammo. Two or three boxes (20) have been fired.

I have been having light strikes, some not firing so I am going to try different ammo. I will search for some Hornady to try also... thank you.

 

[Bengalsfan59]

Firing pin failure on 2 guns within a month

Purchased s&w M&P 380 Bodyguard on 1/9/2019. Went to the range and used laserammo surestrike laser cartridge and laser target to work on trigger discipline. Probably fired over 1000 times between dry fires and actual firing. Firing pin failed 1/14/19. I really liked the firearm so did a direct exchange with the dealer for another 380 bodyguard. Exchanged on 1/15/19 and had another firepin failure on 1/19/19. Both times I was firing at laser target and suddenly was not getting a laser shot and heard a piece of metal rattling around the inside of the gun. Looks like there is a weak point o n these firing pins that leads to fatigue failure after about 1000 cycles. I will return this Bodyguard too. Hopefully they will let me exhange for another firearm. I really like how this gun handles and shoots but will be using for self defense and can't afford to have it fail after such a short period.