Wait or Buy Bodyguard .380.

[kevinmcc2]

Hey all, moving in a new direction for my EDC. Currently I have been carrying my M&P 9c IWB and would like to switch to inside the pocket for job reasons; bending over a lot and my shirts tend to pull up revealing my 9c or printing heavily.

That being said, I am interested in the Bodyguard or LCP. What turns me onto the Bodyguard is my reliability and luck with my 9c. But after Googling, asking my local dealer, and more research there seems to be a 50/50 like dislike ratio (When it comes to reliability)

So should I wait a bit until S&W (hopefully) figures out an updated version to take care of the FTF issues or are these claims slim compared to 100% reliability?

As my EDC I want to my confident in my lifeline; and forums, Google, and word of mouth locally have me second guessing.

Are my concerns of real concern or just me being naive?

BTW, I hope I am not beating a dead horse here, just looking to have some input since a lot of Google results were from before 2014, I believe the M&P version was released first quarter of 2014.

 

[Flyordie]

Hey all, moving in a new direction for my EDC. Currently I have been carrying my M&P 9c IWB and would like to switch to inside the pocket for job reasons; bending over a lot and my shirts tend to pull up revealing my 9c or printing heavily.

That being said, I am interested in the Bodyguard or LCP. What turns me onto the Bodyguard is my reliability and luck with my 9c. But after Googling, asking my local dealer, and more research there seems to be a 50/50 like dislike ratio (When it comes to reliability)

So should I wait a bit until S&W (hopefully) figures out an updated version to take care of the FTF issues or are these claims slim compared to 100% reliability?

As my EDC I want to my confident in my lifeline; and forums, Google, and word of mouth locally have me second guessing.

Are my concerns of real concern or just me being naive?

BTW, I hope I am not beating a dead horse here, just looking to have some input since a lot of Google results were from before 2014, I believe the M&P version was released first quarter of 2014.

What I can tell you on mine is I have never had a FTF. Its always gone bang on the first shot. (over 300 rounds now)..

It does have issues with stovepipes from time to time during break in though. Avoid Brass Jacketed FMJs. Just avoid them. Copper or Lead.. easier to clean.

The concern I had though with mine was the final round.. it would eject the 2nd to last round but not feed the final round. I narrowed it down to a weak mag spring.

Personally, I like the gun, just be ready to spend money on ammo breaking it in. 380 ain't cheap.

 

[comiskeybum]

There already is an upgraded version. As long as it say M&P on it, it's the new version.

Mine is perfect, dont let people sway you.

 

[rjm6120]

I have a good M&P .380 as well. I picked it over the LCP because it fit my hand better and I felt it had better sights. There's nothing wrong, though, with doing a little research and checking out an LCP to compare with a BG (if you haven't done so already) to see definitively with one suits you better as far as how both feel in your hand, sight picture, etc.

 

[sschrick]

several other good "pocket" guns out there. Don't know much about the BG380, but check out Kahr

 

[KSDeputy]

I have been waiting for the problems to be worked out on this pocket pistol before purchasing one. Read a good article on here yesterday about changes that need to be made and S & W is in the process of doing so. If I buy one, it will be after the design changes have been implemented.

 

[GerSan69]

I'm with sschrick. The Kahr .380s are awesome. Pocket or belt carry, they disappear.
Now, if S&W would come up with a Bodyguard-sized 9mm, something like a Smith version of the Sig 938....

 

[db4570]

See my thread here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/444665-bodyguard-380-finally-reliable.html

I am hopeful S&W has finally figured out how to make the BG 100% reliable.

The FTFire problems were real. I had 3 BGs that had issues. These were all the latest M&P version guns. Anyone who hasn't had FTFire problems IMO either 1) Doesn't shoot very much, 2. Happens to shoot a particular brand of ammo the gun "likes", or 3) Just got plain lucky.

I would suggest waiting until there is some word that S&W has truly adopted this latest change and that the old stock is changed out.

But they are great little guns! I can't tell you how happy I am that mine finally works right.

David

 

[shadow41]

I bought an M&P BG380 early this year. So far I haven't had a single problem. I've run over 300 rounds of various FMJ and about 50 rounds of Hornady CD so far without a hitch. It has a long trigger pull but I found it to be more comfortable to shoot and more accurate I expected for a small gun.

 

[ClayCow]

Its only 300 bucks man. Worth jt to try it and sell it if you dont like it.

The trigger travel was too long and heavy for me so I sold it. Im pretty sure it was reliable when I shot it. Wouldnt buy again.

 

[WarDamnSW]

Consider getting a shield? Not a pocket gun, but the width vs. the 9c is considerable.

 

[kevinmcc2]

See my thread here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/444665-bodyguard-380-finally-reliable.html

I am hopeful S&W has finally figured out how to make the BG 100% reliable.

The FTFire problems were real. I had 3 BGs that had issues. These were all the latest M&P version guns. Anyone who hasn't had FTFire problems IMO either 1) Doesn't shoot very much, 2. Happens to shoot a particular brand of ammo the gun "likes", or 3) Just got plain lucky.

I would suggest waiting until there is some word that S&W has truly adopted this latest change and that the old stock is changed out.

But they are great little guns! I can't tell you how happy I am that mine finally works right.

David

Yea that is something I rather not go through. Even tho the gun is only 300 bucks I dont feel like having to send in the gun 3 times or buy $200 worth of ammo to test if the gun is reliable enough to EDC.

 

[danhalen1096]

Personally I would buy a shield. I actually pocket carry mine with the 7 round mag in it but I also wear cargo pants and the hip pockets are a bit bigger then pockets on jeans or dress pants.

 

[ClayCow]

Yea that is something I rather not go through. Even tho the gun is only 300 bucks I dont feel like having to send in the gun 3 times or buy $200 worth of ammo to test if the gun is reliable enough to EDC.

I mean spending 200 bucks on ammo wont determine reliability. It could be reliable 100% of the time and malfunction the next. were you planning on shooting it just 50 dollars worth?

 

[McE]

There's no such thing as a flawless pocket gun on the internet as long as there are people who don't know how to use them blaming the gun.
I.e., you can safely disregard most complaints of failures as user error induced by limp wristing.

 

[Rick_A]

There's no such thing as a flawless pocket gun on the internet as long as there are people who don't know how to use them blaming the gun.
I.e., you can safely disregard most complaints of failures as user error induced by limp wristing.

There is certainly some truth in that. The pocket 380's in particular do not reward poor grip or shooting technique. At least 90% of the guns I've seen that folks swore were completely unreliable work perfectly in a more accomplished shooters hands.

 

[Old cop]

I may fall into the just lucky category but I got my M&P .380 in Feb. and have put almost 700 rounds of FMJ & HP absent a single problem of any kind. I went to the range today and shot another 75 rounds of all kinds and it continues to run 100%.

 

[db4570]

There's no such thing as a flawless pocket gun on the internet as long as there are people who don't know how to use them blaming the gun.
I.e., you can safely disregard most complaints of failures as user error induced by limp wristing.

There is certainly some truth in that. The pocket 380's in particular do not reward poor grip or shooting technique. At least 90% of the guns I've seen that folks swore were completely unreliable work perfectly in a more accomplished shooters hands.

This is obnoxious.

Why don't you drop a note on Hickok45, the highly-regarded pistol expert, who has regularly commented on the FTFire issues with this gun, and tell him he doesn't know what the hell he is doing.

There's a good chance I have been shooting pistols since before you two were in diapers. I know how to shoot a pistol.

If you read my post, you'll see I'm SUPPORTING this pistol, and thrilled that it might finally be reliable.

There's an issue with this gun, and you can choose to ignore it. Good for you that you got lucky with yours. Or maybe you don't even own one, but just want to come off as a S&W fanboy and armchair expert.

David

 

[oldnotdead]

there is always the 642 that also fits in the front pocket.

 

[McE]

Anyway . . . .
Just because you have a 9c that's reliable means zilch on a different model. Heck even assuming another 9c would be equally reliable is not a sure thing.
No matter which gun you end up with, no amount of internet anecdotal statistics will change how your gun performs in your hands. If you're not willing to put however many rounds it takes for you to feel confident in your carry option, the only other option I can see is to buy a used gun from someone you trust.
I've tried the old old S&W 380 (with the pinch mag release), the version with fail Insight laser, the version with Crimson Trace laser, a P3AT, and the LCP. Through it all, I ended up with a flawless Taurus TCP.
Had I put much stock in the loudest most obnoxious people who got a bad gun of any make that thought their one data point represents anything more than one data point, I never would've gotten one. Reading complaints is useful insofar as it informs you on what to look out for, but again, no matter which brand/model you get, you still need to establish your own faith in that specific gun's reliability.