[ehsa]

is it ok to shoot the new service 44 Russian/44 smith & Wesson with standard jacketed modern loads (44 special) also what about the army special 38 is it ok with standard jacketed modern loads.both these guns were manufactured in 1922 and are in great shape.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

I think either gun would be safe with standard pressure loads. if in doubt have a gun smith check them out.

 

[Colt75]

Half the fun of owning old Colts is shooting them.

 

[BobWright]

Provided the guns are in sound condition, O.K. But beware vintage steels were softer, I'd limit jacketed bullets, and certainly no +P ammunition.

Bob Wright

 

[ehsa]

thanks for the replies as always good sound advice. perhaps just the lead bullets would be the safest approach with velocities around 750-850fps

 

[DS326]

I agree with the last two posts. I don't recall reading how Colt felt about it, but Smith & Wesson was dead set against jacketed bullets in revolvers--even including their .35 auto. For it, they designed a lead bullet with a metal tip extending only to the ogive so it would feed from the magazine to the chamber, but the surface bearing against the rifling was lead. Those cartridges are collector's items.

Another line of thought was that replacing barrels in most autos is easy and cheap, but replacing revolver barrels isn't. Not that you're likely to shoot them that much, but still....

Dick