[dashootist]

I just bought a used s&w model 31. The revolver comes with a box, and it says Punta Bangor (or something like that) on the box. There's no pin on the barrel, to my surprise. I thought all pre-MIM guns had pinned barrels. The revolvers looks to be in very good condition.

I'm making reloads for it. The Lyman manual states spec diameter of the bullet should be .312 and to slug the barrel to determine the proper bullet size. I don't have a way to slug the barrel. If I use a bullet that's too big, will it damage the barrel?

My bullets: Penn hard cast bullet, .314 diameter

I've used these bullets successfully on a .327 revolver. It was accurate and no leading.

[Jesse Heywood]

Bangor Punta owned S&W from 1965-1984. Based in Bangor, Maine they were a conglomerate formed by the merger of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad and Cuba-based Punta Alegre Sugar Corp. in 1964. In 84 Lear/Siegler bought the pieces left after some court decisions and a hurricane.

I size lead bullets to the cylinder bore. As long as it works with no leading you should be okay, even hard cast lead is softer than steel.

[dashootist]

Yes, a .314 bullet all pass thru each hole in the cylinder quite easily.

[Walkalong]

They will be fine.