I just picked up one of the saddest little mud puppies I have ever seen. A Double Action top break in .38 S&W. Still tight and can be salvaged to a shooter again with plenty of TLC. BUT...I need to find out when it was made so I know if I can use smokeless powder in it or need to load some BP rounds. SN is 3511XX.
Thanks folks

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BP loads would be safe in a mechanically sound gun, but I think current (lightly loaded) factory .38 S & W would be as well, if you can find any.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

You can shoot smokeless in your DA, according to S&W.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Remington and Winchester smokeless loads are lighter than old factory BP, so actually a little safer than full load BP. I would check the gun over very carefully, checking for looseness or mechanical wear. To me, at a minimum, there should be no more than a slight wiggle with the cylinder fore and aft. I would also check for hammer push-off by cocking the hammer and pushing hard with your thumb against the hammer without touching the trigger. If it slips off cock, that is a very unsafe condition. Lastly, load with fired cases and pull the trigger in double action mode. after pulling the trigger, hold it back and try to move the cylinder to make sure the cylinder stop is fully engaged in the cylinder slot. Do that on each cylinder. If the cylinder does not lock up where it should, you can shave lead, which can peel back and hit anyone on either side of you.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thank you all! The gun is still tight, with no slop at all. So now, hopefully the decades of neglect after being carried a lot by someone, will clean up well.

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Always bet on stupidity.