Wondering if shooting lead ammo in my 442/642/638 is alright and if so, will I need to clean it a special way if I do? Thanks...

Well I have serious amounts of lead ammo shot though my mid 70s 60 & 15, 2 colt snubies of that era and 4 other .357s that can easily shoot lead ammo I report no problems, most of my ammo shot is reloads. I also have a new Ruger LCR .38 and its normal diet is lead.

Note with a .357 shooting the shorter .38 rounds do a VERY good cleaning to guarantee that .357 rounds will chamber OK.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Just wondering - what is your concern about lead ammo?

I figure with a snub the barrel being so short that leading isn't really a problem. I have shot a lot of lead ammo through all my revolvers and never had a leading problem.

Until the late 1950s virtually 100% of ammunition for revolvers used lead bullets and had for over 100 years if you include percussion types. Why would you have any idea that it wasn't still OK for revolvers, or, specifically, J-Frames????? Leading? What do you think that bronze and stainless steel bore brushes are made for?

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Gunsmithing since 1961

post #5;

I'm with him..........
I do take it easy with the stainless brushs but I do use lead remover liquids.

It doesn't hurt a thing IF you are conscientious about keeping things clean, particularly using cheaper ammo. I've seen occasional lead flakes in the barrel and around the forcing cone. If the cylinder isn't clocked accurately the forcing cone will shave the bullet and those flakes, be they brass or lead, can end up in the ejector and cause a jam.

Just my 2¢.

"Wondering if shooting lead ammo in my 442/642/638 is alright..."
Yes. Next question?

I was wondering if there would be anymore cleaning that would need done? Just wondering guys, that's all.

No need to wonder. Put a box thru it and see for yourself...you'll then be able to decide if it's right for YOU.

Perhaps, but a lot of that depends on the lead alloy as well as the powder used. Some difference also in the bullet lube used. That's a fair amount of variables.

In my experience, lead ammo residue has been less troublesome than jacketed bullet residue - FWIW.

All I run through my 642 are 158gr LSWC; never had a problem.

My guns wear tubes from 8'' down to 2'' and all of them only see lead bullets.The only difference I see is the 8s'' take four times more scrubbing than the 2''!!
Qc

Hundreds and hundreds of 158 grain LRN standard pressure rounds through my 37 no dash and I clean it after every shooting spree, or range session I mean. It cleans up just fine. Nary a problem so far. 1 7/8" barrel.
Peace,
Gordon

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better have that checked

The only issue I can think of is that firing heavy recoil loads could cause the lead bullets in the other chambers to work forward if the crimp is weak. If the bullet protrudes out the front of the cylinder it would jam when a bullet touched the forcing cone.

The factory put a warning on the M-337 Airlite for this reason. The Airlite is 4 oz. lighter than an Airweight and jumps a lot more in recoil.

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6/23/2022

I shot ALOT of lead bullets in my revolvers and there is no leading in the barrel. If you do get some leading it can easily be cleaned with a bronze brush and your normal cleaner choice. Shoot away...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

thanks fellas..

You're more likely to accumulate a little lead outside the forcing cone than you are in those J frame barrels. Not an issue and millions have gone boldly before you.

Try to keep your brushes a softer metal than your gun barrel if you have to remove any lead from the rifling. Gentle with that brush shaft anywhere near the crown.

Lead ammo (specifically the 158 grain lead bullet) is exactly what the J-Frame was designed around. SHOOT AWAY!! Get yourself a Lewis Lead Remover (Brownells sells them) and cleaning up lead deposits in your Barrel and Cylinder is easy and harmless although not used all that often. A Bronze Brush and Solvent will more than suffice most of the time.

J-B Non-Embedding Bore Cleaning Compound is also a great product. Also available at Brownells.

J-B(R) NON-EMBEDDING BORE CLEANING COMPOUND | Brownells

My snubs get a lot of lead bullets through them. I've never had an issue.


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All standard 38 Special lead ammo from all the companies
should be loaded to standards that are ok for todays weapons.

There should no leading with the standard fps loads you find on
on the shelves today, in your ammo shops.
I would go as far to say even a cylinder of the "FBI 158gr should
not lead your barrel, starting with it clean.

You have three flavors to choose from......
go ahead, pick one.

I get more gunpowder residue on my left hand from the cylinder than lead build up in the barrel. Lead is good!!

Of course it's OK...lead bullets are actually easier on a gun.
Less pressure and less wear.
Clean it as normal.
98% of all my handguns have shot lead bullets , cast by myself and there are absolutely no problems from the practice. Doing it since 1967 .
The soft lead swaged bullets should not be hot loaded , cast bullets and hard cast can be shot faster without fear of lead fouling in the barrel. Coated bullets also eliminate leading.

I have never had to resort to a Lewis Lead Remover , just be aware of how hard or soft the bullet is and load accordingly.
Gary

From a 1.875" barrel, most loads do not generate enough velocity to heat up the bullet enough to foul the barrel with lead. As Alk8944 pointed out, we been doin' this for a while.