I've been looking at M frame revolvers and was warned in the Standard catalog of S&W that "modern" ammunition should not be used in these pistols. That said, I really like to , at least occasionally, shoot what I own. So is there any manufacturer of 22 S&W long (not LR) that is safe to shoot in these little pistols?

Thanks!

Maybe this should go in the "ammo" forum. I posted there too so if mods want to delete this please do.

Current mfg '.22 CB Long' or '.22 CB Short' is about the most I'd put down an orig Ladysmith.
But truth be known, I don't have anything that says what the breech pressure of those is either.

Modern mfg .22 Long ammunition has a breech pressure right in the same range as .22LR if I'm not mistaken, right around the 24k mark.
22Short not far behind that.

Some people have reported that CB caps, a very light bullet fired with basically just primer ignition, and just good enough to penetrate paper target at possibly 10-15 ft. I would be very concerned about chamber pressure with anything else, in that old of a firearm, which was not heat treated.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have used standard velocity 22 shorts as well as CB caps in my tiny M frame Ladysmith second change made between 1906 - 1910. The area of concern is the forcing cone as many otherwise pristine examples have split at that weak spot.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

The CB caps that I am familiar with, made by CCI will definitely do more than punch through a paper target. I have killed a number of raccoons and opossums with them with head shots from a rifle. They appear to be loaded with the same 29 gr. bullet as a .22 short over an extra heavy priming charge. have used them in S&W Model 1 and Model M revolvers with no ill effects. The problem with the Model M is not the lack of heat treating, which applies to the cylinder, but the thinness of the portion of the barrel between the frame and the cylinder. I have seen many Model M revolvers with that portion of the barrel completely blown away from firing HV cartridges, but have never seen a cylinder damaged.

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Tom
1560

While they would probably hold up with SV .22 short, I only shoot BB or CB in my Ladysmiths and civil war era tip-ups. None of these will win any competitions, but accuracy is quite surprising. I've used the CBs to dispatch vermin in live traps. Head penetration at PBR is definitely 'humane'.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I shoot Aguila .22 SUPER COLIBRÍ in mine at 590 feet per second works great, If you want to go even softer .22 COLIBRI at 420 FPS.
Be careful with using modern 22 standard shorts as some of them have velocities approaching 22LR. As others have said CB and BB are fine. I like the Aguila ammo as it is easier to find.

I also use and recommend the Aguila longs "sans poudre" with "balle 20 grains" load.

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Jim
S&WCA #819