Dear Friends,
I have a pre model 21 and was planning on running Buffalo Bore’s 190 gr LSWCHPs through it. I just saw Hondo44’s post about S&W eliminating the heat treatment of cylinders in 44 special in the thread regarding Stingers and Kit Guns. What are your thoughts on using this ammunition in a pre 21? Thank you for your assistance.

1chessiefan

Pre 21's are fairly rare birds. Play it safe and run some less-brutal loads.

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On the Oak Savannah

Hi Chessie,

Since you asked, my thought is to use mild ammo in old guns and save the high performance ammo for modern guns. If a modern S&W needs repair or adjustment, the factory will do it, probably without charge. Parts and knowledgeable gunsmiths for the pre-war originals can be hard to come by.

Take care, Tom

Per their website this load gets nearly 1100 fps out of a 4" 629. I would be tempted to restrict it to only very occasional use or in a .44 Magnum. A good excuse...uh, reason to buy one if you don't have a 29/69/629 yet.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Dear Friends,
I know that Elmer Keith and others pushed the 44 Special envelope with the pre model number 44 Specials. I have shot the 190 gr. BB out of a 3” Ruger GP 100 and they did not seem excessively stiff. I suspect, however, that I will err on the side of caution and not fire this ammo out of the pre 21.

1chessiefan

What I posted is the old heat treating was eliminated and replaced with improved (modern) steel. Your pre model 21 IS a modern gun! And there's no stronger .44s been made since then.

I would never advocate a steady diet of hot loads in any gun because of cumulative excessive wear. But the BB ammo is easily safe in your 1950 44. There's a lot hotter loads than that used in the modern 1950's 44s.

If you shoot any loads that make the cyl pop open or jump out off the cyl locking bolt, then you know your gun needs a tune-up or you're exceeding safe limits.

And it is a collectible gun if in collectible condition, so prudence is your friend.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Dear Hondo44,
Thank you for your response. I will probably run a few of these rounds through the pre 21 but I will not subject it to a steady spicy diet.

1chessiefan

I'd stick to standard velocity ammo for your almost 70 year old shooter. What would be the purpose of hot loads in it - unless it is your only available gun for self defense.

I'm a big fan of Buffalo Bore ammo but all the versions I've tried are right up to the limit. Fine for limited use in modern guns but I'd not want to chance it in your vintage M21.

My question is WHY?????????????

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Dear Friends, I like its old school cool look and want to occasionally carry it as a CCW. God forbid that I have to use it but if I do I want it to be stoked with effective ammunition.

1chessiefan

It's yours. Go ahead and possibly ruin if you want to..........Want more power. Get a magnum.

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S&W Accumulator