S&W BG 380 Take down lever issue

[chrisansilver]

Carried my wife to the range today, 2nd outting with the BG 380 it has seen 91 rounds today on the 92nd round the take down lever fell out. The slide almost fell off the frame, had a live round in it, cleared the slide took a while to locate take down lever. Reassemble the gun and put 4 rounds thru it and again the take lever fell out. Got home and googled Smith & Wesson Body Guard 380 take down lever and wow lots of issues with this little gun, have a read and check it out. Hers will be going back to S & W. They said in the forum the serial # starting off EAA are experiencing these and other issues. Guess what hers is EAAXXXX

[MoJo]

Sorry for your bad luck - - - that's why I wait at least a year before buying a new model gun or auto.

[chrisansilver]

Sorry for your bad luck - - - that's why I wait at least a year before buying a new model gun or auto.

Totally, but my wife really liked the gun when she first seen it, so we came home with it Plus it is a S&W who would've thought . I hear that S&W will repair the issue. Other than that its a great little gun, plus she's happy so that puts me in good standings, might get a new gun out of the deal

I hope they do get the issues taken care of, hate to see someone get injured or worse.

[Divided Attention]

Sorry to hear you are having issues! That is frustrating. I had an issue with a S&W 325PD 45 revolver the cylinder and frame gaps were off and it was not always lining up well. S&W was awesome with their customer service and returned it quickly with the frame replaced. Worked like a charm after that.

Hubby has a 380 Bodyguard and it is a sweet little gun, no problems and runs fine. The longer trigger pull befuddled me a bit after I had put 50 rounds through my P238 and then went to the Bodyguard, but I really like how it handled.

I hope you get your problem resolved quickly and have as great a service from the S&W customer service group!

[Middle Age Russ]

Like DA said, I recently got a Bodyguard 380, SN EAA4xxx. Through about 200 rounds, I have not had a single issue. For self-loaders, we thouroughly clean and then grease slide rails and oil other action parts prior to ever going to the range with a new arm. During this process, and subsequent field stripping/cleaning, I noticed that the main thing holding the takedown pin in place is a little wire spring, which fits into a notch on the takedown pin itself. It seems that the size and shape of the notch in the pin in conjunction with the size of the wire spring are absolutely critical, as is properly getting the spring to seat in the notch when assembling. Noting this, I try to be very careful when assembling to ensure that the pin seats well in the notch. If I am in doubt, I keep working with it until satisfied. I think doing so may have contributed to the reliability so far, but I guarantee that S&W will immediately have a chance to fix the issue if the pin suddenly starts backing out on its own. I have heard that they know what the fix is and quickly get things sorted.

Best of luck,

[chrisansilver]

Like DA said, I recently got a Bodyguard 380, SN EAA4xxx. Through about 200 rounds, I have not had a single issue. For self-loaders, we thouroughly clean and then grease slide rails and oil other action parts prior to ever going to the range with a new arm. During this process, and subsequent field stripping/cleaning, I noticed that the main thing holding the takedown pin in place is a little wire spring, which fits into a notch on the takedown pin itself. It seems that the size and shape of the notch in the pin in conjunction with the size of the wire spring are absolutely critical, as is properly getting the spring to seat in the notch when assembling. Noting this, I try to be very careful when assembling to ensure that the pin seats well in the notch. If I am in doubt, I keep working with it until satisfied. I think doing so may have contributed to the reliability so far, but I guarantee that S&W will immediately have a chance to fix the issue if the pin suddenly starts backing out on its own. I have heard that they know what the fix is and quickly get things sorted.

Best of luck,

I have never used grease on slide assembly, oil yes. I am glad you have had good luck with your BG I always clean and oil'em up good when new out of the box prior to going to range, also pay close attention to detail when I reassemble the firearm. The pin appears to snap in place solid and flush to frame which in turn makes me think its installed correctly, who knows lets see what S&W does from here they surely have a problem.

Check this out, and there are more out there, alot.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wess ... lever.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Middle Age Russ]

No doubt that S&W released them before all the kinks were worked out. I have seen quite a number of issues reported on a few different boards. I am sure they'll sort it out for you fairly quickly, but you'll likely have a different serial no. when it comes back. If I had experienced what you have, it would be on its way back to S&W without a doubt.

One other thing that has been mentioned is failure of the laser after using Breakfree CLP to lubricate the pistol. It seems the Penetrating ability of this product is good enough to foul the electronics. I really like Breakfree, but it will not be used on this pistol.

They say that the only thing louder than a gun that goes bang is one that goes click when you expect a bang. I think the slide stop pin coming out unexpectedly is similar to the latter, particularly if it occurs at an inconvenient time.

Let us know how the return/fix goes.

[P_Pac]

@Middle age russ

Do you mind taking a picture of the spring you're talking about?

Thanks

[Middle Age Russ]

I'll try sometime soon. In the meantime, I'll try to describe it and how it engages the takedown pin.

First, the takedown pin has a larger area where it enters the frame of the pistol. In this enlarged area is a slot on one side. This slot is where the spring in the frame should go to keep the pin in place. If the spring does not nestle down into this slot when the pistol is assembled, or if the slot is milled in a manner that it can slip out easily, the takedown pin will likely come out. Nothing else holds it in place.

Now to the spring... From outside the frame with the takedown pin removed, the spring appears as a wire, inside the frame, running across a portion of the hole the takedown pin came out of (it does not bisect the hole, so the pin can be inserted).

I hope that makes it a bit clearer, but I will try to post photos to this thread later.

[Middle Age Russ]

Here are some pictures as promised.
First: The Bodyguard with Takedown pin installed/in place


Second: Bodyguard with Takedown pin removed showing "spring" (the little wire looking keeper)


Last, the takedown pin - note the slot that the spring is supposed to fit in. This slot is on the bottom; towards the trigger guard, when installed properly. Care must be taken to ensure the pin is seated fully engaging the notch and spring/keeper.


Hope that helps

[function12]

So with all the issues out there posted on the net on this gun would you still buy one for you main carry?
I am really like the features on this gun but it reminds me of all the issue the first version of the LCP had.

[Middle Age Russ]

Some folks may think me foolish, but I do carry this pistol when I need to carry something more concealable than my preferred M&P 9C. Though I only have around 250 rounds through it so far, it has gone bang every time I have pulled the trigger. FWIW, feature-wise I don't see much need for the safety. The long trigger pull makes it generally unnecessary if a holster that covers the trigger guard is used.

Having said all that, there are specific issues that have been reported with some frequency, including the takedown lever coming out and also the trigger failing to function. Complaint history shows these issues to generally be limited to the earlier EAA serial numbers. If a hint of either of these occurs with my pistol, I will be on the phone with S&W right away to send it back for repair/replacement.

[function12]

I am just torn between the LCP and the bodyguard. I already have a G-30 that I normally carry. I just want something I could throw in my pocket and go.

[Middle Age Russ]

As with any choice of firearms from respected manufacturers that will stand behind their products, see how they feel in your hand or, better yet, shoot both and see which works better for you. I personally did not like the feel of the LCP, but I know a LOT of folks have them and like them. The Bodyguard 380 simply felt best to me. YMMV of course. Good luck whichever way you go.