BodyGuard issues

H

halfmoonclip

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Joined
Feb 4, 2011
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2,793
Bought a BG in December, and just loved it. Same size as an LCP, but real sights, and less recoil. It ran from the first mag full, with everything, my reloads, Hornady XTPs (carry load), even some old 105 LTC loads. Got an Alabama pocket holster, and I was set.
So I swapped something to pick up a spare. And that one has been a disaster. It's hard to get through a full mag without a problem, either of a partial feed, or not locking the slide on an empty mag.
It feels like there is extra resistance racking the slide with the troublesome gun.
It's been back to Smith; they couldn't replicate the problem.
Suggestions welcome.
Moon
 
Take it apart, and put it back together.

Clean and lube everything.

But it sounds like you traded to some Joe for it. Maybe there's a reason Joe got rid of it. Joe broke something or modified something. That's the risk of trading or buying any kind of second-hand gun.

I've handloaded a half-million rounds. I love to reload. But I won't reload .380 AUTO. All .380's are known to be ammo sensitive. Nature of the beast unfortunately. Knock it off with the reloads unless you want stories to tell about how you're having malfunctions.

Its an inexpensive gun. If you can't get it sorted, trade it to somebody else. For maybe a toaster.

Then buy a NEW one.

I have two Bodyguard 380's. Both run fine.
 
I don't have a bodyguard 380 but I'll suggest something anyway :)

Field strip it and mount the slide only onto the frame. Run it back and forth slowly and check for smoothness. You might discover a burr or something interfering with slide travel. That's all I got.
 
W.E.G. said:
Then buy a NEW one.
Click to expand...
Actually, both guns were brand new. (Understand the perils of used guns) I may take it to the shop where purchased; they have seen plenty of my money, and they may be willing to do something. Happy to hear that your BGs run; as noted, my other one has been utterly flawless, including my usual .380 reloads. Even the oddball 105s.
Reloading .380s are where you can save some money; currently buying 9mms is cheaper than loading.

unclenunzie said:
Field strip it and mount the slide only onto the frame. Run it back and forth slowly and check for smoothness. You might discover a burr or something interfering with slide travel. That's all I got.
Click to expand...
I've tried something like that with the fluff n' buff. Currently, left the slide locked back, to see if that softens it a little.
Moon
ETA- a buddy has suggested swapping parts between the two, to see if something in particular solves the problem.
M
 
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That sounds like a break-in and/or ammo sensitivity issue. You reload, so you should be able to experiment with slightly hotter ammo, COL, etc.. If S&W could not replicate the problem, it worked with whatever ammo they used. Can you find out what ammo that was?
 
OK, so brand-new gun acting balky. Drown it in Break-Free CLP. Lay it out to drain. Blow it off with compressed air. Work it some manually. Blow it off again with air. Shoot a couple boxes of factory ball ammo.

An awful lot of problems with 380's can trace back to people being stubborn, and repeatedly shooting one brand of ammo that gun obviously dislikes. Or handloads.

I'm not a strong believer in guns needing to be "broken in."
In most cases these "break-in" stories are just a matter of identifying unsuitable ammunition and/or getting enough lubrication distributed in the gun, such that the tight spots aren't dry, or still caked with packing preservatives.
 
W.E.G. said:
OK, so brand-new gun acting balky. Drown it in Break-Free CLP. Lay it out to drain. Blow it off with compressed air. Work it some manually. Blow it off again with air. Shoot a couple boxes of factory ball ammo.

An awful lot of problems with 380's can trace back to people being stubborn, and repeatedly shooting one brand of ammo that gun obviously dislikes. Or handloads.
Click to expand...
S&W is known to turn out a turd or two.
 
Sorry your 2nd BG has been giving you trouble. Sounds like you’re trying everything from swapping parts/magazines to find the problem. The difference in feel when racking seems telling that something is off. If you go back your shop maybe bring both so they can observe the difference; if they see it firsthand themselves, perhaps they could do something to help you out. I would probably look for an opportunity for them to take it back in trade for a different gun, or failing that, see if they could vouch for the defect and serve as your intermediary with S&W to have them either fix or replace it. Never hurts to ask!
 
If the pistol repair tech couldn't duplicate the problem with whatever American factory ammo was used, then it might be an issue with the ammo you're using at this moment in time. If the manual slide retraction feels different, you might call and ask for a replacement RSA (or 2, if you buy them). The RSA in your other Bodyguard is probably well broken-in. FWIW, I've been told by the folks at the factory that they commonly rotate their orders of different American-made ammo for their in-house use.

Comes to that, you might exchange the RSA's in your 2 Bodyguards and see if that changes things. (But keep track of which is which.)

Yes, itty bitty pistols can be a bit fussy in their tolerance and demands regarding ammunition, especially when brand new, and the littlest .380's aren't immune from this sort of thing.

Just some thoughts.
 
Good thoughts, guys.
As noted, first gun runs on everything, the second does not. If I'd bought the second gun first, I'd probably just give up and trade it away, with a clear conscience. S&W says it works.
But the fundamental problem would remain unsolved...an LCP sized pistol that isn't an LCP (They are just stinkers to shoot, and give me trigger slap/pinch). Did try a buddy''s Kahr .380 last night; shot as well as one I'd had. But the racking issue is just a bear on those, and they have a hinky reputation as well.
I'm going to pursue the RSA thought, and may even swap that part...but carefully marking which is which. I might not be above clipping a coil, too....
Moon
 
halfmoonclip said:
Good thoughts, guys.
As noted, first gun runs on everything, the second does not. If I'd bought the second gun first, I'd probably just give up and trade it away, with a clear conscience. S&W says it works.
But the fundamental problem would remain unsolved...an LCP sized pistol that isn't an LCP (They are just stinkers to shoot, and give me trigger slap/pinch). Did try a buddy''s Kahr .380 last night; shot as well as one I'd had. But the racking issue is just a bear on those, and they have a hinky reputation as well.
I'm going to pursue the RSA thought, and may even swap that part...but carefully marking which is which. I might not be above clipping a coil, too....
Moon
Click to expand...
If you can find one, try a Remington RM380. With the extension magazines I get a full three finger on the grip, two with the flush fit.

Black-Cherry-03small.jpg RM380-grip.jpg
 
jar said:
If you can find one, try a Remington RM380. With the extension magazines I get a full three finger on the grip, two with the flush fit.

View attachment 1197730View attachment 1197731
Click to expand...
Maybe unfairly, I always dismissed these out of hand; the possibility of the takedown pin falling out was one issue. In any case, there's now no factory support; appreciate the tip, and glad yours works for you.
BTW, if you want to see a gun with no finger room, have a look at a Beretta Pico...
Thanks, Jar.
Moon
 
halfmoonclip said:
Maybe unfairly, I always dismissed these out of hand; the possibility of the takedown pin falling out was one issue. In any case, there's now no factory support; appreciate the tip, and glad yours works for you.
BTW, if you want to see a gun with no finger room, have a look at a Beretta Pico...
Thanks, Jar.
Moon
Click to expand...
Like this one?

Pico-11small.jpg

2024-02-24-Pico.jpg

At GetOffMe distances it does okay but so skinny I tend to push way left unless I use the second digit of my trigger finger.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Are these the models with integral lasers? Those had a known issue where the battery cover could warp or become dislodged and cause binding. Something to check anyway.
Click to expand...
That feature is available, but mine don't have it.
NIGHTLORD40K said:
I've had good luck with my Gen.2 Pico, but the extended magazine baseplate is a must for sure.
Click to expand...
How is the Gen2 different? My buddy was told that Beretta will no longer support the platform.
Happy for any info to pass along.
Moon
 
halfmoonclip said:
That feature is available, but mine don't have it.

How is the Gen2 different? My buddy was told that Beretta will no longer support the platform.
Happy for any info to pass along.
Moon
Click to expand...
The G2 used blued carbon steel for the trigger and mag release instead of stainless, and had revised springs- supposedly for more reliable extraction and ease of operation.

I had a G1 when they first came out, and never really had any problems with it. My G2 has been flawless so far.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
I had a G1 when they first came out, and never really had any problems with it. My G2 has been flawless so far.
Click to expand...
Is yours considered current production?
The short grip/high bore axis put me off, but my buddy's gun ran 100% until the trigger spring bagged it.
Moon
 
The latest deal; Smith sent another RA, and I may indeed send it again.
Alternately, I may see if they will send me another recoil spring assembly.
And I'll stop at the local shop, to see if they have some .380 ball. Most of the issues have been with my handloads, but the slide doesn't lock back on carry ammo either. I'll test hop it with the factory ball, just to have a more convincing argument.
Moon
 
halfmoonclip said:
Is yours considered current production?
The short grip/high bore axis put me off, but my buddy's gun ran 100% until the trigger spring bagged it.
Moon
Click to expand...
I think it was one of the last made, so I suppose so. I dont believe there were any dimensional differences between the two generations and all parts should interchange.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
I think it was one of the last made, so I suppose so. I dont believe there were any dimensional differences between the two generations and all parts should interchange.
Click to expand...
My buddy had to scrounge to get the trigger return spring, as those were no longer available from Beretta.
Thanks,
Moon
 
I'm not sure which generation my Pico might be but it's been reliable. I have both the standard black frame as well as the purple and three styles of magazines; the flush fit, extended magazine and my modified extended. The flush and modified conceal best and make it a true pocket pistol but the extended do make a significant difference in control.

Flush and extended:

Pico-03small.jpg

Modified extended:

Pico-11small.jpg

In the target posted above I used all three style, five rounds through each. As expected the flush magazine is the outer holes while the extended and modified were the inner set of holes with closest to center being the full extended magazine..
 
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