Why does my recoil rod stick out so far on my BG 2.0?

[recppd]

Trust me, I've looked everywhere for similar posts but have found none. Perhaps this is a normal thing for this particular model, but my guide rod sticks out about 1/8" past the muzzle and it looks ridiculous! Anyone else have this issue? How is this normal? Born on date is 4/4/25.

 

[geeollie]

That seems to be the way they all are. Mine is the same way and works 100% for many weeks now. One post a couple weeks back said it is that way to prevent the slide from being forced back if the front end of the gun is up against a wall or other surface.

I believe it is called a standoff device?? Ours works like the stand off device is designed to do.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Can you post a photo of the end of the guide rod?
My BG2 is as shown in photo.
The two contact points where the guide rod spring contacts the inside of the slide will compress a few thousandths of an inch when it is seated on the slot on the barrel. If the end cap of the guide rod is extending past the slide face of the slide by 1/8" then the distance from the inside of the slide where the spring contacts to the little slot on the barrel where the rear guide rod cap locks must be shorter.

 

[Harper]

They all protrude a little ways. But they don't all protrude exactly the same amount. If you're not having any issues with it, don't sweat it.

 

[Cphobes]

Trust me, I've looked everywhere for similar posts but have found none. Perhaps this is a normal thing for this particular model, but my guide rod sticks out about 1/8" past the muzzle and it looks ridiculous! Anyone else have this issue? How is this normal? Born on date is 4/4/25.

View attachment 754733

Mine doesn't protrude that much though it's certainly not flush either. My Shield Plus is flush.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Mine is protruding a little, but not that much. But, if it is correctly seated in the pocket in the frame, and it runs ok, not to worry.
It does offer a standoff device, keeping the slide from being pushed out of battery at contact distance with an assailant.
Moon

 

[Harper]

It's nothing to obsess over. Manufacturing tolerances come into play. You'll notice that when the slide is removed, the guide rod, as held by the notch in the barrel, is much closer. Once you assemble the gun the guide rod is no longer against the notch in the barrel, but held slightly more forward by mechanisms in the frame. LIke I said, don't sweat it.

 

[recppd]

Here's the view with the slide back. It looks like it should have been press fit all the way down.

I measured the actual length of the recoil assembly at 2.0895". Not sure if that's correct or not. Prob will look at putting in a Galloway rod once they become available.

 

[GnarlsR2]

My guide rod assembly length measured 2.0665"

 

[MikeNV]

recppd, I agree, it looks like the retainer is not fully seated in the rod. Give S&W Customer Service a call and they'll send you a new one. They send them out like they're candy!

 

[GnarlsR2]

My front spring cap is also not seated fully against the inside guide rod. It has about a 0.020" gap.
I assume that it is threaded into the end of the inner rod?
The front spring cap IS fully seated on my 2nd guide rod spring assembly,
I will be closely watching that little thingy from now on.

 

[dben002]

who ever classified this as the Handgun of the year must have spent the last 25 years using only bow and arrow.

 

[recppd]

recppd, I agree, it looks like the retainer is not fully seated in the rod. Give S&W Customer Service a call and they'll send you a new one. They send them out like they're candy!

View attachment 755131

I'm gonna call them tomorrow. Thx.

 

[DMax17]

They all protrude a little ways. But they don't all protrude exactly the same amount. If you're not having any issues with it, don't sweat it.

Mine was born last month and guide rod extends as much as yours.
I called S&W and they are sending me another one.
Shot it today with no problems.
Stopped by LGS after range trip to get sights adjusted.
Guy that adjusted my sights who also sold me the gun carries one also said guide rod is not an issue.

 

[CouchPotato]

It's a defect not a feature which is why S&W sends replacemens to people. It's supposed to sit flush. The idea of it being a standoff device is nonsense.

 

[DMax17]

It's a defect not a feature which is why S&W sends replacements to people. It's supposed to sit flush. The idea of it being a standoff device is nonsense.

I agree and it is why I contacted S&W even before I shot it.
I own and have owed a lot of pistols and have never had one with the guide rod extending beyond the slide.

 

[leadhead2]

Do you have to register your gun with S&W before you contact them?
I didn't see any forms or numbers to call in the box when I bought it.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

It's normal. I've got two that have it. Just shoot it. It is a standoff device as far as I am concerned. That is a desirable feature.

 

[MikeNV]

Do you have to register your gun with S&W before you contact them?
I didn't see any forms or numbers to call in the box when I bought it.

Probably not if you just have a question. If your intent is to get a part, I would. They have already had my address when I've called for parts before - not sure if they link my phone number or caller-ID name to their database? But then I've bought 10 guns from them in the last 5 years.

I recommend registering any purchase with them using their online reg process - it's simple and only takes a few minutes. Your owner's manual says to have the model number, SN, etc. when calling (1-800-331-0852, ext. 4125). Rarely have to provide any details.

 

[seasoldier85]

Completely normal, don't sweat it...

 

[ImDrRich]

I got an email today being an add for the BG 2.0 in different colors and almost all had the guide rod protruding slightly.

 

[GnarlsR2]

If the spring cap is threaded into the inner rod, why would it NOT be fully seated at the end of the inner rod.
If the end cap is not fully seated, it is not normal.
That spring cap that is extended a few thousandths beyond the end of the slide is not a "standoff device".
I am concerned that it may be unscrewing from the inner rod.

 

[MikeNV]

If the spring cap is threaded into the inner rod, why would it NOT be fully seated at the end of the inner rod.
If the end cap is not fully seated, it is not normal.
That spring cap that is extended a few thousandths beyond the end of the slide is not a "standoff device".
I am concerned that it may be unscrewing from the inner rod.

To add to the confusion, I don't think the retainer/cap on a BG2.0 recoil spring assy is threaded.

I've haven't taken my BG2.0 recoil spring assy apart, but from a photo posted by Wheelin89 in thread https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/bodyguard-2-0-guide-rod-recoil-spring.727095/post-142114216 , it looks like the retainer/cap is a press fit and not threaded like other M&P's.

It looks like a spiral knurled pin for press fitting.

So, this raises the issue of how much less than fully seated is acceptable? Last year I had called S&W about a 4" Shield Plus recoil spring retainer that had unscrewed about 1/16 of an inch. They said that shouldn't have happened and sent me a new spring assy.

 

[recppd]

Probably not if you just have a question. If your intent is to get a part, I would. They have already had my address when I've called for parts before - not sure if they link my phone number or caller-ID name to their database? But then I've bought 10 guns from them in the last 5 years.

I recommend registering any purchase with them using their online reg process - it's simple and only takes a few minutes. Your owner's manual says to have the model number, SN, etc. when calling (1-800-331-0852, ext. 4125). Rarely have to provide any details.

I called having not registered mine yet. They didn't even blink an eyelash, or even ask for a serial number. Let's hope this new one is a better fit.

 

[GnarlsR2]

To add to the confusion, I don't think the retainer/cap on a BG2.0 recoil spring assy is threaded.

I've haven't taken my BG2.0 recoil spring assy apart, but from a photo posted by Wheelin89 in thread https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/bodyguard-2-0-guide-rod-recoil-spring.727095/post-142114216 , it looks like the retainer/cap is a press fit and not threaded like other M&P's.

It looks like a spiral knurled pin for press fitting.

So, this raises the issue of how much less than fully seated is acceptable? Last year I had called S&W about a 4" Shield Plus recoil spring retainer that had unscrewed about 1/16 of an inch. They said that shouldn't have happened and sent me a new spring assy.

Wow... I don't remember seeing that photo of the rod cap!!

Now I'm very concerned with that design.

This is another issue for me adding to the list regarding S&W's engineering designs.

One.... is there enough friction in that very short pressed-in knurled area to keep the rod cap from moving or popping off?

Two.... is the level of quality control questionable?

Three... why would S&W opt to NOT use a threaded end cap on a highly stressed guide rod spring assembly?

I will put another 300 rounds through it and I'll be measuring that end cap after every range day.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

Somebody please post when their end cap goes flying off, along with the round count. I'm at 2000+ rounds through my first BG 2.0 and it hasn't happened yet. I usually replace RSAs in my Glock 42 and Sig P365-380 at 2500 rounds, so I should be needing to order another one for the BG 2.0 soon. I suppose I could tell them that my gun has the end cap sticking out and get a free RSA, but I don't work like that.

How many people will even put 2000 rounds through their BG 2.0s? For people buying factory .380 ammo, that is way more than the cost of the gun, maybe even multiples more depending on the ammo.

 

[GnarlsR2]

My BG2 will most likely not see more than 1500 rounds.

 

[CH4]

Sounds like you're bragging

 

[GnarlsR2]

My BG2 will most likely not see more than 1500 rounds.

Nope… not bragging. Just answering Cheyenne WYO's question.

Although I hit the range once or twice a month, I don't shoot a lot of rounds. I typically bring 3 or 4 firearms with me and enjoy shooting all of them.

Just my anal thinking…. my defense carry handgun will probably not see more than 2500 rounds in its life as my defense carry. I prefer my defense carry to be as reliable and trustworthy as possible.

Does putting thousands of rounds through a firearm make it more reliable?

Does driving my truck many 10s of thousands of miles make it more reliable?

Why does Sig Sauer recommend replacing the guide rod spring assembly at 5000 rounds on my P365?

 

[cracker57]

This reminds me of when a friend bought a new jeep, he ran out of gas when the gauge read 1/8 of a tank. When he complained about it, they said öh that's normal for that model. He didn't like that answer and said it might be normal for this model but it don't mean your not going to fix it and make it right.
Just because you make something wrong and ever piece you manufacture is made wrong they would all be normally wrong. That don't make it right.