Spare Mags I found a Gander Mountian for $19
Report: Problems with new S&W Bodyguard 380
- Thread starter cateye
- Start date
Spare Mags I found a Gander Mountian for $19
Copnomore
Member
Express Police supply 14.99
Laser sight mount Bodyguard 380
I purchased a S & W Bodyguard 380. I've had it to the range a few times. Shoots great feels good, it is my everyday carry. I was at the range today after 1 shot the slide stuck open with a spent case. I cleared the case and fired again. Same thing happens. I decide break down the weapon to locate the cause. I could not get the slide to open enough to engage the latch. I tried for about 20 min at the range to break the weapon down. I even engaged the assistance of the range master. After he could not open the slide he recommend sending it back to Smith & Wesson.
After getting home and having the use of tools I was able to get to release pin out. The slide still would not go all the way back. After removing the barrel and spring I found the srew holding the laser sight in had backed out and was preventing the slide from fully opening .
I purchased a S & W Bodyguard 380. I've had it to the range a few times. Shoots great feels good, it is my everyday carry. I was at the range today after 1 shot the slide stuck open with a spent case. I cleared the case and fired again. Same thing happens. I decide break down the weapon to locate the cause. I could not get the slide to open enough to engage the latch. I tried for about 20 min at the range to break the weapon down. I even engaged the assistance of the range master. After he could not open the slide he recommend sending it back to Smith & Wesson.
After getting home and having the use of tools I was able to get to release pin out. The slide still would not go all the way back. After removing the barrel and spring I found the srew holding the laser sight in had backed out and was preventing the slide from fully opening .
I sold mine, Love my M&P .40,.45 and 15-22 but the BG380 was a let down, too many failures on a feature I paid for, Laser buttons failed, got the updated versions. Laser failed....got a new one. Only fired 270 rounds through it and owned it for 5 months..If they made a version without the laser I would buy another one, however my next pocket pistol will be one of the following...Sig P238 or P938, Boberg XR-9s, or the XD slim in 9mm.
I bought a bodyguard 380 on 02/02/12. Serial is EAZ....
Went to the range on Saturday to finally fire the gun. Has 3 boxes of hornady critical defense ammo.
Got 18 shots off and was happy with the gun. Loaded up the mag, charged the gun, aimed *CLICK*. *CLICK* *CLICK*
ejected the cartride and no strikes on the primer. Look on the bench and find the back portion of the firing pin on the bench.
The gun didnt even make it a box of ammo and now I need to send it back to S&W
Went to the range on Saturday to finally fire the gun. Has 3 boxes of hornady critical defense ammo.
Got 18 shots off and was happy with the gun. Loaded up the mag, charged the gun, aimed *CLICK*. *CLICK* *CLICK*
ejected the cartride and no strikes on the primer. Look on the bench and find the back portion of the firing pin on the bench.
The gun didnt even make it a box of ammo and now I need to send it back to S&W
Fastbolt
Member
I don't know when it was introduced, but I was told that S&W made a revision to the firing pin, introducing a radius at one of the angles where some earlier style firing pins had experienced breakage at a sharp angle.
I've replaced one broken firing pin for a Bodyguard 380 owner, but he didn't have the rear part of the original pin, so I couldn't see the difference in the affected spot. No problems with the new firing pin so far.
I did recommend that he not engage in further dry-fire, but just go and shoot the gun to become acclimated to the trigger.
Let S&W repair your Bodyguard.
I don't know when it was introduced, but I was told that S&W made a revision to the firing pin, introducing a radius at one of the angles where some earlier style firing pins had experienced breakage at a sharp angle.
I've replaced one broken firing pin for a Bodyguard 380 owner, but he didn't have the rear part of the original pin, so I couldn't see the difference in the affected spot. No problems with the new firing pin so far.
I did recommend that he not engage in further dry-fire, but just go and shoot the gun to become acclimated to the trigger.
Let S&W repair your Bodyguard.
18 shots out of mine, no dry firing, and the pin broke.
I can take a picture of the broken pin once I get home. The pin looks like a MIM part.
Fastbolt
Member
I didn't notice whether the new one was cast/machined or MIM. The impression I had of the forward part of the broken firing pin was that it was a cast/machined part, but like I said, I wasn't paying particular attention to that aspect. Doesn't concern me. MIM is just fine when done right. It can make better, more precise and complex shapes which work just fine in many applications.
FWIW, when S&W revised the M&P strikers to strengthen them at the head, they switched from machined (original design) to MIM (revision). The MIM strikers are stronger due to design, and easier to manufacture due to being MIM. (The original machined strikers could sometimes break at a machined relief cut.)
Let 'em replace the firing pin and go out and shoot it again.
If the Bodyguard 380 was having significant problems it probably wouldn't have passed the LAPD's in-house T&E and have been authorized for secondary & off-duty weapon use.
I bought one for my wife last year as a carry gun. Took it to the range to test fire. Started at 15 yds off of a rest. Couldn't hit a 8"x11" target with two mags. Moved to 10 yds, same thing. It functioned fine, just couldn't hit anything with it. Went to 3 yds. Still couldn't hit a 8"x11" paper target! My buddy had the same results with it. I have never had a firearm that was so inaccurate. Simply amazing!
I told my wife she couldn't have it. Sold it the next day. Even told the buyer what it was doing (or not doing).
I love S&W M&P pistols ( I have four) but the BG gets nothing but my scorn.
I told my wife she couldn't have it. Sold it the next day. Even told the buyer what it was doing (or not doing).
I love S&W M&P pistols ( I have four) but the BG gets nothing but my scorn.
Fastbolt
Member
I didn't go downrange and try the Bodyguard out for myself. I let the owner go do the test-fire (since he's an experienced instructor). I just don't care for diminutive .380's, myself (preferring to use my J-frames).
He came back and said he was pleased with its functioning and the practical accuracy he obtained with it. I think he was shooting it out to 10-11+ yds.
If I'm going to shoot something with a trigger that long, I want it to have a revolving cylinder.
Different strokes. (Hmmm, no pun intended)
He came back and said he was pleased with its functioning and the practical accuracy he obtained with it. I think he was shooting it out to 10-11+ yds.
If I'm going to shoot something with a trigger that long, I want it to have a revolving cylinder.
Different strokes. (Hmmm, no pun intended)
I didn't notice whether the new one was cast/machined or MIM. The impression I had of the forward part of the broken firing pin was that it was a cast/machined part, but like I said, I wasn't paying particular attention to that aspect. Doesn't concern me. MIM is just fine when done right. It can make better, more precise and complex shapes which work just fine in many Mapplications.
FWIW, when S&W revised the M&P strikers to strengthen them at the head, they switched from machined (original design) to MIM (revision). The MIM strikers are stronger due to design, and easier to manufacture due to being MIM. (The original machined strikers could sometimes break at a machined relief cut.)
Let 'em replace the firing pin and go out and shoot it again.
If the Bodyguard 380 was having significant problems it probably wouldn't have passed the LAPD's in-house T&E and have been authorized for secondary & off-duty weapon use.
Just looked online and googled bodyguard 380 firing pin broke.
There are a TON.of bodyguard users complaining about the broken pins. It is a a major issue.
Because a police department buys a bunch of guns, especially in cash strapped Kalifornia only tells me that S&W was the lowest bidder.
Helderberg
US Veteran
I had an earlier Bodyguard and after around 100 rounds it started to act up. I also could not get the slide to go back enough to field strip so I sent it back to S&W. When it came back it still had issues do I sold it and bought a j-frame 638. I found a new mod made in 2012 and bought it. I can not find anything that fits my hand and is that easy to pocket carry. I had no problem with accuracy, started about 10 ft, and worked my way back to 30 ft. Not a nail driver but all on a 12" target with all inside the body mass area. I do not know what to tell people what their problems are but my new gun has gone through 200 rounds of Winchester white box target rounds and not one problem. As far as I am concerned this is a great gun and I think S&W has filled a need that no other gun maker has addressed. While many people hate the safety I have no problem with it, I don't use it. As far as the trigger is concerned, I want a long and heavy trigger as it gives me a real margin of safety not afforded a single action trigger. This is the reason I have a j-frame 638 as I do not want the easy ability to single action the gun. I can on a 638 but it is not an easy and fast thing to accomplish. For those who do not like the gun I understand, try to find something by any maker that fills the space that allows you to carry always. Any gun is better that none. If you have any doubts, take your 22, load it with two rounds and shoot your self in the palm on the hand. Then shoot yourself again, I am joking but think about it. Would you really want to be shot in the hand by any gun? I hope not.
Frank.
Frank.
Fastbolt
Member
I've looked among some online forums mentioning an occasional breakage, as well. Compared to the number of guns that have been made, it's not exactly what I'd refer to as "major" issue.
S&W has always been pretty willing to put out an actual "Recall" whenever there was a problem that required replacement of parts, versus parts that just benefited from ongoing development and revisions that made them better. Kind of like how they eliminated the sharp angled corner under their early 3rd gen ejectors, where they could sometimes develop a stress riser and break, replacing that corner with a nicely curved angle. No need to replace the older style ejectors that weren't breaking ... just giving their customers an improved design developed over time and continued R&D.
Or the M&P striker re-design, or the adoption of the larger MA-type sear plunger & spring.
Or the recent new model of another major firearms maker, and some ongoing revision of the slide & recoil spring assemblies.
Also, LAPD has always been a bit fussy in their testing & approval of duty & off-duty firearms. Both those bought by the agency and issued and those approved for individual officer purchase.
Just because a state, or any other local agency (county, city, etc), may be 'cash strapped', that doesn't necessarily mean they're always buying the lowest bid equipment, BTW.
if S&W is going to be making upwards of 6,000 Bodyguards for purchase by LAPD, I doubt they'd be willing to put that many of them on the street if they thought (or LAPD thought) there might be "major issues".
The sky isn't falling. Really.
bodyguard 380
strange that everything happens on saturdays
I purchased my S&W380 automatic this past saturday.
I get it home and find that the safety requires two thumbs, one to engage it with the other to push on the first thumb. This is also the only way I can disengage this pistols safety.
Any advice??
It is almost 100 mile trip to the dealers place.
strange that everything happens on saturdays
I purchased my S&W380 automatic this past saturday.
I get it home and find that the safety requires two thumbs, one to engage it with the other to push on the first thumb. This is also the only way I can disengage this pistols safety.
Any advice??
It is almost 100 mile trip to the dealers place.
kozmic
Member
I have less than a hundred rounds thru mine. I don't have any mechanical problems and once I got it sighted in, the laser has stayed put so far. The laser switch on the left side sucks though. The right is fine and works with little effort.
It still seems to be more durable and a better shooter than my buddies who have LCP's.
It still seems to be more durable and a better shooter than my buddies who have LCP's.
BuckeyeChuck
Member
strange that everything happens on saturdays
I purchased my S&W380 automatic this past saturday.
I get it home and find that the safety requires two thumbs, one to engage it with the other to push on the first thumb. This is also the only way I can disengage this pistols safety.
Any advice??
It is almost 100 mile trip to the dealers place.
Don't use the safety. I'm not trying to be flippant here, but I don't see the need for a safety on a DAO gun with a 10 lb trigger pull.
Others who want to use the safety have reported that it loosens up substantially with repeated use, so I recommend that you work it over and over again to see if your gun does the same. The takedown lever on my gun got much easier to remove with repeated use, as well.
BuckeyeChuck
Member
I wish to report that I can join the list of people whose laser screws have backed out and interfered with the slide. I couldn't get the slide to retract all the way, so I left the gun at home for a day. When I got home that evening, I picked it up and pulled on the slide, and it retracted to its stop. I could see that the screw had backed out, but I was able to remove the slide and retighten the screw.
I now check the screw everytime I have the slide off of the gun. When I tighten the screw, I try to be careful not to overtorque it, as other BG 380 owners have reported stripping their screws.
I now check the screw everytime I have the slide off of the gun. When I tighten the screw, I try to be careful not to overtorque it, as other BG 380 owners have reported stripping their screws.
44fanatic
Member
Another Bodyguard failure...
I tried a friend's BG380 and was impressed with the accuracy of these little beasts. I showed one to my wife at a gunstore and it was the first time she actually seemed interested in a gun. Naturally, I bought it for "her" and while at the range today, the slide started hanging back. I could get it back into play with a little force and then it just failed to retract far enough back to load a round. Unfortunately, it also won't travel back enough to field strip it. After searching this forum, it seems I'm a victim of the laser screw backing out. The worst part is that there seems to be no way to get the gun apart and get the screw back in, short of calling for a return tag. (wonder how they do it?) Just one more reason I like revolvers!
I tried a friend's BG380 and was impressed with the accuracy of these little beasts. I showed one to my wife at a gunstore and it was the first time she actually seemed interested in a gun. Naturally, I bought it for "her" and while at the range today, the slide started hanging back. I could get it back into play with a little force and then it just failed to retract far enough back to load a round. Unfortunately, it also won't travel back enough to field strip it. After searching this forum, it seems I'm a victim of the laser screw backing out. The worst part is that there seems to be no way to get the gun apart and get the screw back in, short of calling for a return tag. (wonder how they do it?) Just one more reason I like revolvers!
I bought one on saturday, and traded it in on a S&W model 442 on monday. Never even fired it. Mabe it was my particular gun but the magazine release button was a little to touchy for my comfort. The fear of having to use my weapon and only having one shot frightens me.
