The recommendations here to use a Lewis lead remover or a piece of pure copper Chore Boy are sound.

I would not however blanket condemn PPU ammo as "eurotrash". I have fired PPU ammo in at least a half dozen handgun calibers with no issues what so ever.

It may just be that their .38 Special ammo wasn't a good match with your gun. The only lead bullets from PPU that I have fired were their .32 S&W Long wadcutters and Lead Round Nose .32 S&W Long, and I experienced no leading with those. Their FMJ auto pistol ammo works great.