This was my first S & W revolver

Hello, Looks like a 38 safety 2nd model? What is the serial number? Very nice ol revolver.

Serial # is 70166. It functions perfectly. I shot some bp handloads i made, really need a better bullet mold though.

Yours is a third model, probably from the mid-1890s. It would be a BATFE antique. .38 Special bullets work well enough in .38 S&W. I used them for years. Light smokeless loads are far cleaner than BP - 3 grains of Unique is ideal for a safe load.

A good bullet for that is a hollow base wad-cutter with 3 GRS. of bullseye. If you can find them use a .360 bullet. I found some from a guy in S. Carolina. But if you only have the .357/.358 they will work. Avoid the flat base wad-cutter because it won't expand enough.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

I have found that any .357-.358" lead bullet works OK in these, hollow base or flat. Especially so at close range. Hollow base .38 Special full wadcutters are good because of the Minie Ball expansion effect. Just do not seat them deeply, maybe halfway.

i actually have some unique, i thought these babies were bp only, so i never loaded up with it, just 3ffg

These guns originated in the BP era, but light smokeless loads are fine in them. All factory .38 S&W loads are smokeless. Just be careful to avoid double charges when you reload. You will find that 3 grains of Unique is a very mild load. I have used up to 4 grains, but no real point in doing that in these old revolvers. 3 grains gets the bullet out of the barrel OK, and with little recoil.

I used to load for the old top break .38 S&W revolvers, and I agree the hollow base wadcutter is a great choice. The base expands to fill the grooves and the flat bullet makes a respectable hole. IF I were to load a .38 S&W round for carry - in a newer revolver - I would use the HBWC and around 4.5 grains of Unique...but I'd work up to that from 4 grains. They are very well made little guns, and I have enjoyed occasionally shooting them for decades now.

I often wondered, given the machining and workmanship on these little guys, what they would cost today, if made to the same quality...

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Liberals made the USA

4.5 grains of Unique is very stout for a top break. The Lyman cast bullet handbook stops at 3.7 grains of Unique for a 141 grain wadcutter - and cautions that it's for solid-frame revolvers only. I have used 4 grains of Unique, but quickly became uncomfortable firing it in an old gun. I then dropped back to 3.5 grains, and now use only 3 grains.

If i ever venture into smokeless territory, which I doubt, seeing as i make my own powder, I daresay I would most likely stick with the lower loading. I like these old guns too much to stress them, lol!