I've been searching and reading about pocket guns when IWB and OWB carry just isn't feasible. A friend has offered me a 2013 production model Bodyguard at a very good price. Have the bugs been worked out of the Bodyguard yet. Since primary reason for buying it would be for carry I just want to make sure they are reliable. I have narrowed my choices down to the Bodyguard or the New Beretta Pico. I have looked at Kahr, Taurus, Keltec, Ruger, NAA, and others but have decided on either the Bodyguard or the Pico. With the Pico being a new design I am considering purchasing the Bodyguard if it is indeed a reliable pistol. Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences. I know that early production Bodyguards had some problems but this is a 2013 model. I'm not worried about the laser because I will either disable it or simply ignore it.
S&W Bodyguard 380 reliability
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wally
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We've got a pair, both have been reliable and function with the cheap Wolf steel cased .380ACP ammo, something none of my other sub compact .380s will do (SIG 238, Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec P3AT, or Taurus TCP, yes I collect pistols that are small for their caliber).
bannockburn
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A friend of mine has an older model purchased new not long after they first came out. The gun was reliable but suffered from a heavy and rather stiff DA trigger and the laser module had a habit of coming loose within the frame. He sent it back under warranty and they did some sort of modification to the laser mount so that it keeps from wandering like it did before. The trigger and the thumb safety still remain somewhat stiff but have gotten a bit smoother in operation with use.
I have two friends who own BG380s. There are a lot of things I don't like about those little pistols, such as the difficult to activate safety that shouldn't even be there, the crappy trigger, and the laser I don't need... But that said... They are reliable, or at least the two I've shot were.
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I've had a Body Guard for almost 2 yrs now with no issues, and I'm still happy with it. It's perfect in a remora clip less CC holster. I like the fact that it has a safety, I have the option to use it or leave it off.
My info may be dated, but when I was shopping for a pocket pistol some of the pluses that set the BG apart from other pocket pistols was: actual usable iron sights, ability to confirm a round in the chamber when the slide is closed, the BG will still shoot if a round is in the chamber and the mag is out, and it just felt good in my hand. Granted, these aspects may be common to all pocket pistols today; I haven't checked.
Good luck.
My info may be dated, but when I was shopping for a pocket pistol some of the pluses that set the BG apart from other pocket pistols was: actual usable iron sights, ability to confirm a round in the chamber when the slide is closed, the BG will still shoot if a round is in the chamber and the mag is out, and it just felt good in my hand. Granted, these aspects may be common to all pocket pistols today; I haven't checked.
Good luck.
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rockhopper46038
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I like them. Generally I would say a late production model ought to be good to go, as the problem with the takedown pin and the laser module seemed to get resolved about the time the serial numbers hit EBBxxxx or so. The two examples I have (an EBB and and EBF) have both been perfectly reliable. One caution though, the firing pin is MIM and there have been reported breakages (I do plan on replacing it with a tool steel version) and in the very newest versions (which I have yet to see an example of in person) I've heard that the barrel may have been changed to a cheaper, less nicely machined version. So, I guess I'd tell you to look for one around the serial number prefixes of the ones I've got, because they have been great pistols.
I tried one with every load buffalo bore has and it was 100 percent reliable. I was surprised-always am when a sub compact actually works. The revolver of the same name however had a malfunctionion cylider ratchet and shot way away from the sights.- as did several others Ive seen subsequently.
lobo9er
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been shooting one a few years now been great had a couple FTE earlier on but I chalk them up to one of 3 things bad grip, not "broke in" yet, and or to much oil and pocket lint possibly. Again with in the 1st 200 if not 100 rounds of shooting. I enjoy this gun alot. shot a cousins LCP andfound the S&W a world apart and comfortable to shoot in comparison. LCP stung.
Hokkmike
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This is the FIRST semi-auto pistol I have owned (out of about 6 or 7) that has not yet had a misfire of any kind. (knock on wood)
Bush Pilot
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I've put over a thousand rounds thru mine in 2 1/2 years and haven't had any issues. The only thing I don't like about it (or any small .380) is the recoil with factory ammo, they are miserable to shoot. With lite reloads they are actually kind of fun to shoot and crazy accurate for such a small gun.
herrwalther
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Play with the trigger or bring a trigger gauge with you for the Bodyguard. My wife bought a Bodyguard for carry and it ended up having a 15+ pound trigger. I say + because the scale did not go up any higher than 15, so the actual weight is a guess. I sent it into S&W. It came back about 3 or 4 weeks later, DIRTY and with the same heavy trigger. A note was enclosed saying it was in their specification range. It was sold the next day.
WinThePennant
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I love everything about my BG380. Except for the trigger. I hate that trigger. That trigger is the only reason why I'm going to get rid of it.
It is super reliable, and very accurate. I even like the laser.
It is super reliable, and very accurate. I even like the laser.
lobo9er
Member
Your money and your gun, but there is at least one after market company that makes a trigger and spring kits. Might be worth looking into before you sell or trade.
On another site, somebody said that beretta had not made tomcats for over a years devotiing their machinery toward the PICO instead. I wonder if anybody has SEEN a Pico! They announced it at last years NRA meeting for August. There is one review out where the writer definately shot one (Patric Sweeney) and a number of fulsome reviews that mention it's versatility, adaptability and suitability for the halt and lame but stopped short of a shooting report. (!) Cabellas lists them as Out Of Stock.
I wonder if they are still trying to get it to work.
I see you bought the Bodyguard. I have one in my pocket right now so you know I feel that mine is reliable.
The laser had to be replaced shortly after I bought it which took a few weeks. Make sure you practice without the laser because it is just one more item that could fail when you need it and if you haven't practiced with the gun's sights you will be in trouble because they are almost non-existent. I like the fact that it has a laser but the design and quality of this laser isn't top notch by any means.
The laser had to be replaced shortly after I bought it which took a few weeks. Make sure you practice without the laser because it is just one more item that could fail when you need it and if you haven't practiced with the gun's sights you will be in trouble because they are almost non-existent. I like the fact that it has a laser but the design and quality of this laser isn't top notch by any means.
Hokkmike
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Thinking about putting white dots on my BG sights. Just trying to figure out the best way to do it.
^^I put a spot of white-out on the front sight of the BG and it helps in "finding" the sight. The BG sights are actually better than a couple of my other "pocket" sights. I really like the laser and shoot with it most of the time but I always run a mag using the iron sights just in case.
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