Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 reliability

[thinker01810]

I have one of the original Bodyguard 380s. I really like the design but have had several issues and have sent the gun back to S&W twice. They repaired it once and replaced it the 2nd time. I'm about to send it back for a 3rd repair. Does anyone have any experience with the new M&P Bodyguard? Is it the same gun with a new name or are there any mechanical improvements? I know they changed laser manufacturers but one of my problems had nothing to do with the laser. The other problems have to do with the way the laser is attached. I'd like to buy the new M&P but only if the known issues have been resolved.

This size is for a particular purpose so suggesting larger pistols/calibers will not really help.

Thanks.

 

[ToddDubya]

Have you considered the one without the laser?

 

[thinker01810]

I have one of the original Bodyguard 380s. I really like the design but have had several issues and have sent the gun back to S&W twice. They repaired it once and replaced it the 2nd time. I'm about to send it back for a 3rd repair. Does anyone have any experience with the new M&P Bodyguard? Is it the same gun with a new name or are there any mechanical improvements? I know they changed laser manufacturers but one of my problems had nothing to do with the laser. The other problems have to do with the way the laser is attached. I'd like to buy the new M&P but only if the known issues have been resolved.

This size is for a particular purpose so suggesting larger pistols/calibers will not really help.

Thanks.

I have. Basically that's what I have now, a Bodyguard with a broken laser.

 

[J.A.C]

As mentioned above have you looked at one of the newer versions without the laser. I have a bodyguard with the laser and find it a PITA more than a help.

The one without the laser is slightly slimmer in the front (because there is no laser housing). I have heard the slide on the non laser one is darker (blacker), something to do with the coating they used.

Also, I believe the non laser one comes with two mags. As far as other major mechanical changes, none that I know of.

 

[jason19711971]

I'm a Smith & Wesson guy. Not happy at all with the Bodyguard 380. Despite the size of it being awkward to hold and shoot. After only shooting 100rds through it the magazine wouldn't stay engaged so I had to send it back. The customer service was great and repaired it quickly. Once I got it back I sold it and bought an 72 Colt Cobra revolver. Very compact and great gun. The price of the Bodyguard is cheap but not very reliable-In my opinion.

 

[mursenary4]

Contact s&w and demand the gun be replaced with the newest model

 

[thinker01810]

I'm a Smith & Wesson guy. Not happy at all with the Bodyguard 380. Despite the size of it being awkward to hold and shoot. After only shooting 100rds through it the magazine wouldn't stay engaged so I had to send it back. The customer service was great and repaired it quickly. Once I got it back I sold it and bought an 72 Colt Cobra revolver. Very compact and great gun. The price of the Bodyguard is cheap but not very reliable-In my opinion.

I had the same problem, magazine would not stay engaged. That was my first major problem. Second problem was the screw that holds the laser in loosened itself and went into the mechanism causing the the gun to malfunction (slide wouldn't even open). I insisted that they replace the gun at that point which they did. When I got it back, I read that there were two solutions to preventing the screw from working loose, either tighten the screw every week or Loctite it. I tried tightening the screw every week but one day the nut pulled out of the polymer frame. Talk about frustrating! At that point I carefully Loctited the nut and screw in place and it worked for a while. A few months later, the laser turned on and would not turn off. Eventually the battery died and that's the current situation.

- - - Updated - - -

Contact s&w and demand the gun be replaced with the newest model

Not a bad idea, thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm a Smith & Wesson guy. Not happy at all with the Bodyguard 380. Despite the size of it being awkward to hold and shoot. After only shooting 100rds through it the magazine wouldn't stay engaged so I had to send it back. The customer service was great and repaired it quickly. Once I got it back I sold it and bought an 72 Colt Cobra revolver. Very compact and great gun. The price of the Bodyguard is cheap but not very reliable-In my opinion.

I'd be happy to pay extra for a better quality piece. I wish the Kahr 380 was available in MA for example.

 

[spcantwell]

Used to carry my bg every day. The laser burned out a while back and I sent just the laser back. Got a new one in a week, it broke again a few months later. Just leaving it out for now. Never really used it and can't carry now with my new job until I get a ri and ct non resident

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

 

[thinker01810]

I'm a Smith & Wesson guy. Not happy at all with the Bodyguard 380. Despite the size of it being awkward to hold and shoot. After only shooting 100rds through it the magazine wouldn't stay engaged so I had to send it back. The customer service was great and repaired it quickly. Once I got it back I sold it and bought an 72 Colt Cobra revolver. Very compact and great gun. The price of the Bodyguard is cheap but not very reliable-In my opinion.

I had the same problem, magazine would not stay engaged. That was my first major problem. Second problem was the screw that holds the laser in loosened itself and went into the mechanism causing the the gun to malfunction (slide wouldn't even open). I insisted that they replace the gun at that point which they did. When I got it back, I read that there were two solutions to preventing the screw from working loose, either tighten the screw every week or Loctite it. I tried tightening the screw every week but one day the nut pulled out of the polymer frame. Talk about frustrating! At that point I carefully Loctited the nut and screw in place and it worked for a while. A few months later, the laser turned on and would not turn off. Eventually the battery died and that's the current situation.

 

[MAD Geary]

I believe, Smith and Wesson has the worse customer support. I would get a sig 238, ruger lcp or a g42 and replace that bodyguard.

 

[yanici]

Like Sgeary says. If you want a nice .380 get a Sig P238. You'll like it.

 

[ToddDubya]

I bought the new BG380 w/o laser last summer as my beater pocket gun. I would have bought a Sig p238 but if it fell out of my pocket mountain biking I didn't want to cry about it. I also didn't want that light of a trigger on something that would be carried in a mtb environment. A Kahr was my next choice, but the BG380 was <$300 and filled the same niche and again I didn't want to cry about it.

I've put enough rounds through it to be comfortable with it and I carried it quite a bit this winter when I was too lazy to carry something bigger.

It goes bang every time, has real sights, shoots straight enough at 10 yards (8" plate) and disappears in my pocket. It's crazy thin and light.

IMO at the range I see the BG being used (ones of yards) a laser is worthless.

 

[Retired-LEO]

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/249607-New-S-amp-W-M-amp-P-Bodyguard-Range-Review?highlight=bodyguard+review

Above is a link to a S&W BodyGuard w/o laser, Review I did.

After checking out the LINK above , ALSO go to post #25 where I did a FOLLOW-UP



(4) PICS:

#1) With the Galloway Trigger
#2) With Williams Fire Sights
#3) With a dime on top to show width
#4) With a S&W Shield and M&P9 to show a size comparison

 

[mtnbiker26]

My M&P version has been fine. Only about 200 rounds through it, though. I wanted a thumb safety so the Ruger LCP was not for me and I ruled out the Sig 238/938 because it's single action and I didnt want to have to learn to cock it. The BG was really the only option for me.

 

[92G]

I had a 2014 model. M&P no laser. It actually shot nicely. 150 rds no hiccup. Then i sold it cuz I picked up a kahr CW380 which simply blows the S&W away.

 

[Retired-LEO]

I had a 2014 model. M&P no laser. It actually shot nicely. 150 rds no hiccup. Then i sold it cuz I picked up a kahr CW380 which simply blows the S&W away.

I like the KAHR, except it is:

1) Hard to find
2) More money $$$
3) If you get one with issues, their customer service is LOUSY!

 

[Berkshire Guy]

No issues with mine. It's the second iteration with the ring around the laser button. When the batteries needed to be replaced, I realized I lost the Allen wrench and S&W sent me 2. Trigger is heavy which doesn't bother me and it has improved with use. I prefer having the safety. With practice, it snips off smoothly. My Sig 238 is a nicer gun but I have to say that I am very satisfied with mine.

 

[Shootfirst]

Like Sgeary says. If you want a nice .380 get a Sig P238. You'll like it.

+1

 

[Cluster F]

I have the older version. Yea the laser sucks balls. I never intended to use it. Good thing cause it doesn't work but the gun itself runs fine for me and I shoot good with it

 

[snubking]

Iv had 4 of them at different times. Never head a jam but...... every single one of them light striked like crazy with all different kinds of ammo. The last one I had about 3-4 months ago bought brand new. a chunk of the barrel broke off after its first mag. It was up next to the chamber by the viewing port. These guns are junk. I wished they ran thou. There accurate and nice looking. I kept wanting to find one that worked but i'v given up after the last one. Wish i could by an LCP.

 

[thinker01810]

I agree. I really like the gun when it's running.

 

[Retired-LEO]

Iv had 4 of them at different times. Never head a jam but...... every single one of them light striked like crazy with all different kinds of ammo. The last one I had about 3-4 months ago bought brand new. a chunk of the barrel broke off after its first mag. It was up next to the chamber by the viewing port. These guns are junk. I wished they ran thou. There accurate and nice looking. I kept wanting to find one that worked but i'v given up after the last one. Wish i could by an LCP.

Most people keep stating "Light Strikes" but if you check the primer indent.

It is NOT a "Light Strike" it is a Hard Primer (mostly cheaper FMJ, target ammo)

Quality "Carry Ammo" runs fine in these pocket pistols!

 

[tuna]

If a s&w isn't old enough to buy itself a drink, its garbage, IMHO. I'd rather have a taurus, based on better customer support.

 

[jkelly1229]

I was going to say how have no glock fan boys piped in on the whole first page but someone didn't dissapoint. That said lol if you want a baby 380 get you a glock 42 amazing gun that doesn't feel like someone is trying to hammer a spike through your Palm every shot.