Ammo for older revolvers

[Waveski]

"It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard pressure lead loads only, no jacketed or PlusP."

This statement was made in the "Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers" thread.

I would like to know what the downside is to shooting jacketed ammunition from and older revolver which predates heat treatment of the cylinder.

 

[GBExpat]

First thing that comes to my mind is the higher pressure spike due to the increased friction present while getting that jacketed bullet on its way down the bore.

 

[MIL-DOT]

While I would agree that it would be wise to tread lightly on older (pre heat treat) pistols by avoiding +P ammo, it's also my understanding that older ammo was loaded to hotter specs than modern ammo often is, so you might not even want to fire those old,original cartridges that came in the pistol.

 

[Twiki357]

I’m not sure if this is the result of [over] powered ammo or not. I recently purchased a S&W in 32S&W Long that was manufactured about 1909. It checked out in good condition when I bought it. However, the chambers in the cylinder are oversize to the extent that cartridges actually rattle in the chambers when the gun is loaded. Needless to say, it quickly became a wall hanger.

 

[Jim Watson]

Oh, horrors. Cartridges rattle in the chambers of my 1980s vintage S&W Bodyguard , too.

Should I make it a wall hanger, too?

 

[Old Fuff]

I recently purchased a S&W in 32S&W Long that was manufactured about 1909. It checked out in good condition when I bought it. However, the chambers in the cylinder are oversize to the extent that cartridges actually rattle in the chambers when the gun is loaded. Needless to say, it quickly became a wall hanger.

If the revolver is otherwise in sound condition the cartridge(s) rattling isn't of concern, although this could indicate an excessive headspace issue, and that should be checked by a qualified gunsmith.

Regular lead-bulleted .32 S&W Long ammunition is loaded to pressure levels consistent with early 20th Century revolvers. This is why we have higher performance .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Ruger Magnum cartridges that won't (or at least shouldn't) fit in a .32 S&W Long revolver. However one can shoot the latter round safely in any of the two Magnum ones'.

 

[Waveski]

Mr Fuff ,

What about jacket non +p ammo in my 1909 M&P?

 

[Old Fuff]

I presume you are thinking of some 130 and 158 grain full-jacketed ammunition being sold primarily for plinking and informal target shooting.

Your 1909 era .38 Military & Police model was made to shoot soft lead bullets, and the rifling is optimal for these. If you shoot a lot of the jacketed cartridges over time they may cause some etching (looks like fine pitting) at the back end of the bore. Shooting a little of it won't matter.

If you are buying ammunition (as opposed to reloading) probably the best available for your elderly revolver is .38 Special/158 grain/lead bullet cartridges made for the Cowboy Action Shooting games because it's deliberately downloaded to reduce damage to their metal targets.

Seek information at www.sassnet.com

 

[MartinS]

I thought the rattle was how you made sure you didn't forget to load up.