Bodyguard .380 needs sensitive primers

[clutch]

I bought a S&W Bodyguard .380 for a deep concealment handgun last week.

This afternoon I went out with it using a mixed selection of .380 ammo. The thing choked on Privi, Privi took 0-3 tries to set it off and the indent on the primer was minimal.

Some of my hand loads also took a retry, I'm not sure if they had CCI or Winchester primers in them.

Baring mechanical changes to my firearm, I'm thinking I need to use the most sensitive small pistol primer for my training and carry loads. What primer should I try?

Thanks,

Clutch

 

[rcmodel]

That would be Federal primers by a wide margin.

Privi are loaded with Europein mil-spec hard primers to start with.

rc

 

[LKLive13]

Like RC said. Federals are the softest

 

[Rule3]

Call SW and send it back. Try some other factory like Win or Rem. If it does not go bang have them fix it.

Mine shoots Wolf primers.

 

[clutch]

I'll go get some Federal primers. I'm thinking there is no excess of energy in the firing pin system due to the constraints and choices S&W made in making a firearm of this size.

Reading postings in the web makes it sound like S&W has no 'fix' for this so I'll try feeding it what it likes.

 

[Rule3]

I'll go get some Federal primers. I'm thinking there is no excess of energy in the firing pin system due to the constraints and choices S&W made in making a firearm of this size.

Reading postings in the web makes it sound like S&W has no 'fix' for this so I'll try feeding it what it likes.

I do not know about that. They made the gun, it should fire any commercial ammo, Mine does?

None of their guns state to be ammo specific and only use Federal brand.

 

[murf]

maybe there is gunk in the firing pin channel and a good cleaning is all it needs.

murf

 

[murf]

maybe there is gunk in the firing pin channel and a good cleaning is all it needs.

murf

 

[mdi]

I'd disassemble the bolt/firing pin assy. and clean it up real good (shipping oil, cutting oil, even chips left behind) and reassemble using a light oil, sparingly, then try it. If it doesn't work with any factory ammo sold in the US, send it back...

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I had a similar problem with a DAO Grendel P10 and .380ACP from S&B. The pistol fired Winchester ammo first strike every time. S&B would sometimes take two strikes to fire. The S&B was good for practice overcoming flinch and making me follow through on double action without anticipating recoil; the Winchester was reserved for carry.

My surmise is the primers used by S&B, Prvi Partizan, and some other East Bloc makers is that they use the equivalent of small rifle primers.

 

[gamestalker]

The fact that it is unreliable with multiple factory ammo brands is an obvious indication that it has a problem. Firearms are manufactured to function 100% with most any factory ammunition.

If the problem was limited to reloaded ammunition, then the first course of action would be to address primer seating depth.

That pistol needs to be sent back to S&W / competent gunsmith for repair, period!

GS

 

[Rule3]

I'll go get some Federal primers. I'm thinking there is no excess of energy in the firing pin system due to the constraints and choices S&W made in making a firearm of this size.

Reading postings in the web makes it sound like S&W has no 'fix' for this so I'll try feeding it what it likes.

No offense but that makes no sense??. If you bought the gun new, SW will have no issue in fixing it to fire on any commercial ammo, Even if you bought it used they seldom ask or care and will send you a Fed Ex pick up ticket.

It's made to fire any factory ammo, call customer service there is nothing definitive on the internet If it was a major issue there would be posts everywhere or a recall.

Heck I had a pocket 9mm Sig that would not go bang all the time, The picked it up and replaced the springs, no fuss no muss.

 

[Walkalong]

A new gun should fire all commercial ammo. Call S&W.