M&P Bodyguard 380 slide locking back issues

[Tim padilla]

Picked up a S&W Bodyguard 380 recently 2nd hand .Its shoot surprisingly well, the sights are crisp for being so small and it?s been reliable with all ammo I ran through it.
The issue is the slide won?t lock back after the last round or rarely even just pulling it back on a empty mag. I have two factory mags with the gun and it’s doing the problem with both of them . I?m feeling it should not be a issue with that. I have hit and miss problems over the years with S&W warranty support so it?s really a far away idea to send it back to them in my mind ... I?m guessing it is a slide release issue but unclear if it needs a replacement or can this existing one with the gun be tweaked or tuned better to lock up consistently. If I grip the base of the mag with my pinky finger applying upward pressure and rack the slide back it will mostly engage the lock but not always, when it does it will only go up so far and I can actually move/gain it up more with my thumb .
Any one with ideas I?m open to all . Cheers

[Quiet]

Initial thought would be to...

Replace the magazine springs, due to the weak/worn out magazine springs no longer pushing follower up high enough to cause the slide to lock back on an empty magazine.

[Tim padilla]

I’ll check that out.

[L-2]

OP, you could also buy new mags (a person can always use more mags anyway) to determine if the mag/follower/mag-spring of a new mag is adequately raising the slide-stop:

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/promag-smith-wesson-bodyguard-380-acp-6-round-magazine.html

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/promag-smith-wesson-bodyguard-380-acp-10-round-magazine.html

The other item could be a slide-stop, but we wouldn't know if that's the problem. Here's a slide stop ~$5 part. Shipping on that item is probably more so consider ordering more stuff at the same time like a magazine:

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/396570000

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/SMI-21

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/397950000

Good luck

[Tim padilla]

Good info L-2 .I will buy a new slide release and new mag at the same time . Should be the solution. If the new mag helps the fix I?ll grab new springs for the existing two OEM?s I have now.

[hambam105]

Don't mix-match ammo during testing.
Mark your magazines.
Keep a log. Note kind of malfunction.
Use non dominate hand & see if magazine issue persists.
With the same equipment under the same conditions, let another shooter fire ~dozen rounds thru you pistol and see what happens.

Some people, and he knows who he is...Will inadvertently release the magazine in his PP/K when he wears gloves.

Speaking of Walthers; if this S&W magazine issue persists, I'd recommend replacing a few parts on your S&W with a few Walther PSS M2
parts that include but are not limited to a magazine, magazine spring, magazine button, slide, frame, grip panels and front sight.

[Tim padilla]

^LOL!!!
I did all the basics. I’m a southpaw I switched hands at the range and had another shooter in tow . Put five different types of ammo through it including. Winchester silver tips , Underwood 100 grain hard cast , Gold dot HP, Winchester white box, Remington green box and some of my hand loads with Berry’s plated bullets. All ran perfect.slide locking back is my only issue.
I don’t usually go for synthetic frame guns in general and with S&W mostly Gen 3 autos and Prelock wheelguns is what I dig but this was picked up from a good friend who pasted away’s estate.it’s very much a keep sake to me and sentimental since it was the last gun he bought before he died. It’s a second gen with the wavy slide serrations and better grip texture. I didn’t think I’d like the built in Crimson Trace laser but now I think it’s kinda cool .It doesn’t help normal shooting fundamentals but it’s surprisingly accurate using it off hand quickly.I never had interest in them for my guns before .I always chalked there use up to Hollywood tactical entries in smoky buildings maybe a Terminator with one the size of a maglite attached to a AMT long slide.
I originally didn’t think the magazine springs would be the issue since the gun isn’t very old ....I did get the gun with both mags fully topped off with ball ammo and probably sat that way for a year or two .I disregarded that being a issue since years of stories about 1911 GI mags being fully loaded for decades and still performing ,but maybe these springs are smoked, not being of quality compared to ones made years ago .
Oh believe me I love and respect me some Walters.I currently have 4 in the stable . A USA made stainless PPK/S 380 & TPH in 22 plus a west German TPH 22 & W.G. PPK/S in 22 LR both in blue.