S&W Bodyguard 380 Range Report

[bobbittle]

Sorry, no fun pictures or anything, just random info.

Took my new S&W Bodyguard 380 out to the range yesterday. Ran 175 rounds through it:

Box 1 - 50ct Federal
Box 2 - 50ct Magtech
Box 3 - 50ct TulAmmo
Box 4 - 25ct Hornaday Critical Defense

Box 1, 2, and 4 ran through with zero problems, all rounds fired and fed just fine.

Box 3, the TulAmmo, had at least 15 FTF, and at least 10 of them didn't fire on the 2nd try. Needless to say I won't try and save a couple bucks buying that again.

I was overall happy with performance, expected more problems than I had from what I've read. Mine is an EAT serial #, made in early september.

 

[alluwant]

I like the look of the bodyguard, I was wondering how far away were you shooting, and how accurate it was thanks

 

[bobbittle]

I like the look of the bodyguard, I was wondering how far away were you shooting, and how accurate it was thanks

7-10 yards was the distance

Accuracy? Well they all hit the target

In all fairness this is my first handgun and first time firing one, so I'm sure I held it back from its full potential.

 

[alluwant]

congratats on the new gun, I hope you enjoy it, it gets addicting.

 

[paperboy]

Try shooting Remington Golden Sabres, I think they are an awesome 380 round...

 

[SixSigmaLarry]

Glad you like the 380. I have one too and am pleased with it, but will put it up for sale soon (nothing performance related....I just have a couple new toys to replace it).

I like Hornady Critical Defense in mine.

Again, congrats on the purchase!

 

[BBSparkle]

I have the BG as well. I like it. Slides right in my back pocket and disappears. It IS NOT a quick draw, but at least it gets carried.

The only time I've ever had a FTF was with TulAmmo 7.62x39. Something like 12 out of 100 rounds. I've never bought that junk since.

 

[Yukon227]

I ran a box of the Tulammo through my Taurus TCP .380 and only had one fail to feed,

 

[cmstuard]

Own a BG and like it, but had a few bugs at first. Laser failed at range... S&W repaired free. Had a problem with the screw backing out that held the laser in the frame. Repaired and has been reliable ever since. I had trouble with FTF with RWS ammo due to their harder primers. Everything else has functioned fine... never shot Tula in it, but expect it to a harder primer as well.

 

[dyerwatcher]

I really like my Bodyguard. I sold my 3PAT to buy it. Great decision - It goes with me most of the time - soooo easy to carry

 

[Swim404]

Did any of you by chance have really bad pain in the webbing of your hand (particularly the base of the thumb bone) after shooting the Bodyguard? I put 50 rounds through mine a few weeks ago before having to stop and it still feels bruised. I didn't get that bruising feeling after shooting a Glock 19, so am wondering if it's just the Bodyguard causing it?

 

[greyhound47]

Did any of you by chance have really bad pain in the webbing of your hand (particularly the base of the thumb bone) after shooting the Bodyguard? I put 50 rounds through mine a few weeks ago before having to stop and it still feels bruised. I didn't get that bruising feeling after shooting a Glock 19, so am wondering if it's just the Bodyguard causing it?

Yes, I had the same experience. It is not designed for high round count and general plinking w comfort. It is an awesome carry gun.

 

[ZachJ03]

How is the trigger pull on the BG? And is the laser pretty reliable? I held a used one last week at a local shop, it seemed like I had to push the buttons pretty hard to activate the laser. Seemed pretty nice though, I've been looking into the 380 pocket guns for purchase.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Try some Fiocchi. Not a lot of it, but mine won't eat that. Everything else I've tried, though. The Fiocchi just won't go into battery.

 

[bobbittle]

How is the trigger pull on the BG? And is the laser pretty reliable? I held a used one last week at a local shop, it seemed like I had to push the buttons pretty hard to activate the laser. Seemed pretty nice though, I've been looking into the 380 pocket guns for purchase.

Trigger pull is long and hard, I think it's around 12 pounds from what I've read. It is what it is, it won't bother me as this is for personal defense.

The laser was a pain at first, I took the buttons out to contemplate the q-tip mod and when I put them back in I must have straightened out the rubber "nipples" and it activates very easily now. Maybe too much so.

 

[bobbittle]

Did any of you by chance have really bad pain in the webbing of your hand (particularly the base of the thumb bone) after shooting the Bodyguard? I put 50 rounds through mine a few weeks ago before having to stop and it still feels bruised. I didn't get that bruising feeling after shooting a Glock 19, so am wondering if it's just the Bodyguard causing it?

I didn't have any issues at all after 175 rounds.

 

[bobbittle]

Range report #2

Hit ECPR again yesterday. Problems ensued.

100rnds MagTech
100rnds Aluminum Cased Blazer

Blazer functioned fine.
MagTech not so much. Numerous double feed failures, FTE, one squib round (thanks to the range office with the squib removing set )

Accuracy (meaning: me) improved from last time.

Getting expensive to feed this little beasty. Blew through $80 in ammo yesterday.