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Old 04-26-2017, 09:09 AM
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Who are "they"? Most do not call these fine little revolvers "Lemon Squeezers" and neither did the company. To many, the term denotes inferior quality brands and copies, but not S&W. They are simply Safety Hammerless revolvers offered in 32 S&W and 38 S&W calibers.

The Safety models were made well into the Twentieth Century with no design changes and the company actually made statements that these guns were safe with smokeless powders in the early 1900s. Besides, the companies that manufacture ammunition, load to the same ballistics as the original BP rounds, and most likely to even lower pressures than original ammo. The 32 Safety was manufactured until 1937 and the 38 Safety was made until 1940.

There is only one correct load for BP in the 32 & 38 S&W cartridges and if you do not know how to reload a BP cartridge, you would do well to research the topic first. Black powder is a potentially dangerous powder if used incorrectly. It is about the only propellant that can blow up your gun if you use too little in a case, leaving an air space. You must always fill the case to 1/16" above the base of the seated bullet, but decisions on powder type & size, bullet weights, lead purity, crimp, primer, etc. All need to be known before attempting to reload. BP is not just another powder, but requires care and knowledge to get right. There are lots of smokeless reloading tables out there that give you accurate and safe formulas for reloading these calibers and the end result will leave your revolver a lot easier to clean than with BP, with no corrosive residue.
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