Ultimate Bodyguard 380 Laser Button Fix.

[QCTim]

Mod worked S&W still doesn't have a good fix

I just bought my gun this week (SN EAKxxxxx)it had bad laser switches......I did a web search and found this fix. I installed the mod using a ink pen tube. Its a really small part only a 2mm is plenty. It took me an hour or two to get it right. It works like it should NOW. I must say....with the plastic tube installed the button doesn't have the spring it was designed to have....but it does give the nib the ridgidity it needs.

I did E-mail S&W about the problem and mentioned the mod. They recommended I call and get new buttons. So they are sending me new buttons. Of course they will be the same buttons with the bad design.

Hear is a thought I had though.......what if you took the buttons and painted them with a rubber coating like they make for rubber coating tool handles. Might even be able to turn the button insideout and dip the center nib in the coating. I didn't try to turn the button inside out...might be able to try when I get the new ones. You would have to make sure you got the nip centered before coating. I did notice if you roll the button in your hand you can get the nib centered but it is still too weak. A coating of rubber might make it a little thicker a little longer(you wouldn't want it too much longer) and more rigid.

Thanks to all for posting the mod info.....still think S&W owes us a real solution. An improved rubber button....not just trying the same old flawed design.

I will give S&W credit for quick response to my email (next day) and them sending parts with little hassle to me.

I have a question in to Beretta's customer service for about three weeks....and no answer yet.

 

[hobywan]

BG380 Laser Fix

Aww, this is just plain ingenious, not to mention a tad scary! Who on earth knows the inside and outside diameter of a q-tip?
I got my BG today - haven't even shot it yet - still in the "early fondling stage" - and I knew this was a show-stopper. Started googling as soon as I got home, and with a little effort, found a few teasers that led me here, and immediately joined, of course.
Read the entire thread, reviewed the pics, followed the instructions, and Voila! It worked, right down to the advice about sizing the sections of tube - first attempt!
The bad news I am here to report, having read this and most of the other threads I could find on this topic, is that this problem has not been addressed by S&W as of S/N EAK73**. It is utterly amazing that this issue has not hurt the sales of this gun one iota. I was on the waiting list at two different stores (paid-in-full at one) for a month and a half before I got the call.
Anyway - THANK YOU - if I hadn't seen and attempted this fix, I would probably never even have taken it to the range, but straight back to the store. Out to the range tomorrow morning!
Merci,
HobyWan

 

[ecryder]

I sent S&W email last week complaining about the long hard trigger pull and the difficulty in activating the laser on my recently purchased .380BG. the only way I can activate the laser with any ease is to push both buttons at the same time using left thumb and trigger finger in a pincer like movement. Got email back from S&W yesterday. They claim there is nothing they can do about the trigger pull as it is set at the factory for 10-12 pounds. Feels more like at least 15 pounds to me. They also said they had new and improved buttons for activating the laser, which they are mailing out to me. Stay tuned...

 

[cop551]

Bodyguard 380 Laser button fix

I just got my BG380 a couple days ago. (An early birthday present from the wife.) I did the button fix and now its a night and day difference to activate the laser. I know a couple guys that have a BG and the laser has been their chief complaint. I told them about the fix, so I hope it works for them too. It only took me about 10 minutes to complete. I used the q-tip route vs the pen insert. I also used thin plastic and punched a couple disks out with a paper hole punch, to act as a buffer between the foil pad and the button. It took up some of the gap and protects the laser unit. I just used clear tape and taped the disks over the foil pads. Its all removeable so it should not void any warrantees.

Now I just need to find some pratice ammo, and shoot the hell out of it. I was able to find some Hornady CD FTX ammo for it, so I can use it as my back-up gun at work. But pratice FMJ ammo is hard to find in my neck of the woods. I hope to put a couple hundred rounds though it before I use it for work.

 

[ecryder]

I tried removing the buttons and rolling them around between thumb and trigger finger. No luck. So, I tried the q-tip fix, finally settling for a length of about 1.75mm...best I could guesstimate. Perfect fit. It does as advertised! Very easy to activate laser now

 

[Physboy]

I sent S&W email last week complaining about the long hard trigger pull and the difficulty in activating the laser on my recently purchased .380BG. the only way I can activate the laser with any ease is to push both buttons at the same time using left thumb and trigger finger in a pincer like movement. Got email back from S&W yesterday. They claim there is nothing they can do about the trigger pull as it is set at the factory for 10-12 pounds. Feels more like at least 15 pounds to me. They also said they had new and improved buttons for activating the laser, which they are mailing out to me. Stay tuned...

Please let us know if the new buttons from S&W wind up working for you.

 

[tracel2000]

I just purchased this gun (BG380) two weeks ago. My only complaint was that the buttons to activate the laser were extremely hard to use. I had to push the buttons multiple times before the laser would activate. The gunsmith at the store I bought the gun from said there was no fix for this and that it was an inherent problem with this pistol; however, I contacted S&W customer support who sent me new buttons within three days, which were firmer. Now the laser activates easily and I could not be happier with this gun. I tested similar guns in this class, such as the Ruger LCP, and I preferred the looks, feel, price and the performance of the Bodyguard 380. I highly recommend this gun for concealed carry. IMHO, this is the best looking gun in its class, and has a great price (S&W recently lowered the MSRP as of April 2011) to $399

Highlights:

1. Light weight, easily concealed in pocket

2. Locks open on last round

3. Integrated laser:

a. Three modes:

i. Depress buttons (ambidextrous) once: laser on

ii. Depress twice: pulsating laser

iii. Depress third time: laser off.

iv. Automatic laser deactivation after five minutes (for accidental laser engagement)

4. Initial buttons that came with gun (April 2011) very difficult to activate the laser.

a. S&W customer support acknowledged the buttons on some models were too "soft."

b. S&W mailed new firmer buttons to me, that arrived in three days, and were easy to install.

c. The new buttons worked much better/perfectly, and the laser now activates easily

5. Integrated safety

6. DOA

7. Reliable.

8. Feel of gun in hand is perfect for me (better than others in class)

9. Accurate.

10. Looks smooth and "cool."



Thank you for all of your reviews.

Best regards,

Tracey

 

[tracel2000]

I just purchased this gun (BG380) two weeks ago. My only complaint was that the buttons to activate the laser were extremely hard to use. I had to push the buttons multiple times before the laser would activate. The gunsmith at the store I bought the gun from said there was no fix for this and that it was an inherent problem with this pistol; however, I contacted S&W customer support who sent me new buttons within three days, which were firmer. Now the laser activates easily and I could not be happier with this gun. I tested similar guns in this class, such as the Ruger LCP, and I preferred the looks, feel, price and the performance of the Bodyguard 380. I highly recommend this gun for concealed carry. IMHO, this is the best looking gun in its class, and has a great price (S&W recently lowered the MSRP as of April 2011) to $399

Highlights:

1. Light weight, easily concealed in pocket

2. Locks open on last round

3. Integrated laser:

a. Three modes:

i. Depress buttons (ambidextrous) once: laser on

ii. Depress twice: pulsating laser

iii. Depress third time: laser off.

iv. Automatic laser deactivation after five minutes (for accidental laser engagement)

4. Initial buttons that came with gun (April 2011) very difficult to activate the laser.

a. S&W customer support acknowledged the buttons on some models were too "soft."

b. S&W mailed new firmer buttons to me, that arrived in three days, and were easy to install.

c. The new buttons worked much better/perfectly, and the laser now activates easily

5. Integrated safety

6. DOA

7. Reliable.

8. Feel of gun in hand is perfect for me (better than others in class)

9. Accurate.

10. Looks smooth and "cool."



Thank you for all of your reviews.

Best regards

 

[barcroft]

BG 380 Laser buttons

I just picked up my BG 380 today, S/N EAM7XXX. I researched this gun for a month before making the purchase and had been to this sight and read the posts on the button fix. My laser buttons were basically non functional. I had to push extremely hard on them or hold the opposite side of the gun with one hand and push. I have strong hands. One Q-tip, a pair of small electronics flush cutters, the nail file blade of a small Swiss Army knife and a butane lighter and the job was done in ten minutes not counting the time it took me to find the Q tips in my 17 year old daughter's room . When I removed the buttons with the nail file blade both nibs were displaced off center. I cut the Q tip tube so that the nib stuck out and made contact with the foil switch. I did heat the tubes with the lighter to round the edges should they inadvertently contact the foil membrane. No problem with flat surface rubbing issues. The buttons now work effortlessly and I have had no problems with holster turn on issues. Thanks for the fix.

P.S. I think the gun is now a closet Lady Smith though. The Q tip tubes used were pink!

 

[USAF385]

I picked up an EAM9xxx yesterday. I don't know if my buttons are what some would consider hard to push or not. It's not effortless... I can't just tap it, but I don't find it hard. It comes on every time.

Compared to the used EAJ that was in the case mine definitely is easier to activate.

Of course, I bookmarked this thread just in case.

 

[dc_]

i'm very bad (i don't think i've ever done this after easily 100+ opportunities) at following up to help/answers/fixes i find online with "thank you" unless i'm the one posting that i have a problem.
i really didn't want that to be the case here so i registered and fought email login problems just to post this.

so... thank you, this is an excellent fix. i just implemented it over the weekend and i'm very satisfied with the results. works like i would've expected it to from the factory.

now if i can just find a way to get a shorter pull for the trigger, it'll be the perfect CC i expected it to be when i purchased it.

 

[adav93]

I just bought a BG380 2 weeks ago, and have had no problems besides the right side laser button being hard to engage. I've taken the laser out and looked at the buttons, and the right side button seems deformed, whereas the left side button looks perfect (and performs perfect) I've heard that S&W has produced some new, more firm buttons that they will send out upon request...is that true?

 

[Physboy]

You can try, they will send them to you. Let us know if the new are clearly firmer compared to the ones you have now. Also, let us know if the issue has been resolved for you after a long time, or if it returns again.

 

[adav93]

BG380 slide won't go all the way back...FIX!

I'm posting this where ever I can, because it could cost a lot to fix for no reason. If you are shooting your BG380 and the slide won't go back all the way, it is probably because of the little screw that holds the laser in place. The tiny screw that holds the laser in the bottom part of the gun has shaken loose, and is blocking the slide from locking back. I went home, noticed the screw was poking up, tightened the screw...problem SOLVED. This is a simple problem to fix, and I'm going to call S&W for a new screw just in case...problem SOLVED.

 

[jkn1946]

Laser buttons

I bought my BG380 in April and have had two lasers fail after firing the gun. The firearm has fuctioned flawlessly - just the laser has quit working twice. SW has forwarded a replacement promptly for my install but I haven't fired the gun since the last laser was installed.

Which brings me to the real purpose of my post - I compared the buttons received with this last laser and the ones originally on the gun and the ones sent with the first replacement. The newest ones definately have a bigger "tit" inside that pushes the contact on the laser. Activation is alot easier and reliable. From my observations, it would appear they may have solved the button issue, for the most part anyway.

 

[Badmax18]

Just bought my BG380 on Friday and also had issues with the laser activation buttons. Thanks to this thread everything works perfect the way it should have from the get go! Many thanks!!

 

[offensive]

I bought mine 5 weeks ago and have put 300 rounds through it. I called Smith and Wesson today about the laser buttons as well and they are sending some in the mail to me. I was on hold forever but the lady that answered was great.
I will post my feedback once I receive them, if i am not satisfied I will try the q-tip repair method

 

[Knochen]

DC, Just keep shooting/dry firing and don't forget to lub the trigger...after a short while the trigger pull greatly improves!

 

[offensive]

I received my new buttons on Friday, I must say they are a big improvement over the originals. Great Service and fast turn around time. I will be looking at making more purchases from Smith and Wesson in the future because of great customer service like this

 

[ejboczek]

laser fix suggestion

I just squirted some premium Silicone instead of using the sleeve/collar method. Seems to work just right and easy to do.