S&W Nyclad Ammo

[Frailer]

I debated whether to put this thread here or in "Ammo," but decided this would be best.

Paid a brief visit to the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot today. I've spent too many hours of my life running weapons ranges to get too excited over watching other people shoot, but as Knob Creek is only a few minutes down the road I thought I'd pop by.

I was pleased to get the opportunity to meet Steve Lee (the "I Like Guns" guy), and while I was near his table I saw four boxes of S&W Nyclad 38 special ammo (three 158gr SWC and one 158gr LRN). Since they were priced reasonably ($15/box) I went ahead and bought all four. I stuck them in my stash when I got home, and as I was trying to find additional info in the SCSW I saw a line that there is a minor degree of collector interest in S&W ammo.

Is this in fact the case? My plan was (and still is) to shoot these, but if they do indeed have any "collectible" value I'd probably pass them on to someone who's into such things.

I'd appreciate any additional information anyone might have.

[gunlovingirl]

I'm sure there are collectors who would like to have it. I'm not sure how much they would pay though. There was recently some S&W Nyclad in 9mm on an auction site for a starting bid of $28 and there were no bidders.

[ko41]

I've been looking for some boxes of Nyclad to add to my S&W ammo collection......

KO

[watchmanjimg]

Federal is making Nyclad again, but I'm sure some collectors are interested in the S&W-marked ammo. Whatever it's worth, I've never heard anything but positive comments about Nyclad.

[opoefc]

.38 Special is probably the most common S&W Nyclad ammo still around and is collectable. As we know, "They don't make it anymore" and as it gradually disappears, values will go up. I would say, stash it away and you can probably double your money before long. Ed.

[XAVMECH]

I remember using this Ny-clad in my Chief's Special. It was recommended for that model gun as a "de-rated" .38 spl round and it actually worked out very well for that model. Glad to hear they brought it back, but haven't actually seen any out there in many years. It would be worth hanging on to IMHO.

[kennyb]

if you decide to sell...please advise...

[dlay]

I have one box, given to me when I bought mod 60 in 1979 or 80, got them out other day, plan to shoot but wont if they are worth much.

[H Richard]

I'd like to know why it was ever dropped the 1st time? Back in the 80 I had an opportunity to buy a few thousand of the 158 gr SWC bullets, which I reloaded and it was wonderfully accurate ammo. Clean as jacketed to shoot.

[Elkwc]

I just found this thread as the result of a thread. My stepdad just gave me a box of S&W 9mm. He received these from his sister when he was helping her sell her husbands guns. Her husband was an FFL dealer for many years and sold guns and ammo. After reading this may just keep them and not shoot them at least for a while.

[mkk41]

Originally Posted by H Richard

I'd like to know why it was ever dropped the 1st time? Back in the 80 I had an opportunity to buy a few thousand of the 158 gr SWC bullets, which I reloaded and it was wonderfully accurate ammo. Clean as jacketed to shoot.

Late to the dance , but the reason I read Nyclads were dropped because the nylon-coating process resulted in a high number of rejects. Plus , they just didn't sell very well. Intended as a low cost training round that also reduced airborne lead in indoor ranges and was an effective duty round , the price was not significantly lower than copper jacketed bullets. The concept was revived back during the great copper shortages. Seems like they died out again.

[schutz5]

Coincidence.

In the past I have sought info about my S&W Nyclad 158 G SWC N383N ammo and found none.
Now I find this forum and thread !

I still have some from a 1982 bulk purchase.

Luckily I kept buying reloaded .38 special ammo at gun shows and have shot mixed amounts through the years, mostly the reloads.

Yeah this stuff is nice.

"reduces airborne lead, reduces bore leading, no lubricant to smoke"

I wonder whether S&W pioneered the Nyclad ammo that Federal later made available? The cardboard box states "Patent pending".

Nice to come upon some trivia on this ammo.

found another site with more info. here's a link on a patent that illustrates the apparent labor intensive manufacturing as can be contrasted to the copper coated bullet.

Patent US4328750 - Plastic coated ammunition and methods of manufacture - Google Patents


and quoted from yet another forum,

Historian wrote,
"Federal Nyclad 38 Special
It might be interesting to note that prior to its marketing by Federal, the "Nyclad" line, under that trademark spelling, was a product of the Smith and Wesson ammunition line. In the 1978 Broadsheet that they used to introudce this cartridge, Smith and Wesson claimed, in tests run against three other types of lead bullet, a reduction of Airbourne Lead Particle contamination of from 61% to 89%, as well as claiming that it "virtually eliminates the problem of bore fouling in .38 Special lead loads, including +P velocities." Initial offerings by smith and Wesson were for .38 Special 148 wadcutter and 158 round nose, .38 Special +P 158 grain SWC and 158 grain SWC HP, and .357 magnum with the same two bullets as the +P .38 Special offerings. They predicted the offering of Nyclad in other calibers, including reolver and auto pistol, which did, indeed, happen. They added 9mm to their line of Nyclad loads. While I have no S&W Literature in my own library showing it, I have a Nyclad .45 Auto round with S&W headstamp in my cartridge collection. Among the other attributes claimed for this ammunition was less smoke, and accuracy and expansion comparible to othe high-performance, lead bullet loads. There was no claim for better wound ballistics characteristics, and probably for self defense, aside from the reduction of airbourne lead, etc., there is no particular advantage to the Nyclad over conventional lead bullets of equal quality, weight, caliber and velocity.

When Smith and Wesson stopped marketing ammunition, Federal acquired the right to market the Nyclad ammunition under the same trademark name.
I didn't have time at the moment to research when Federal started marketing Nyclad, but the last catalog in which it appeared was that of 2001, so the line was discontinuyed in that year. In that catalog, they offered one 9mm Luger load and four .38 Special Loads. The .357 Magnum is not shown."

[mkk41]

I know some of the S&W ammo line was made by Fiocchi of Italy.

Do the original Nyclad boxes say if they were made in the US or in Italy?

[Peakes]

Have 3 boxes of the Federal 357 158gr. H.P.'s. All original same lot. I rarely see these in 357. I put em up also. Use to run a ton of the 38's through my 19 4in. when it was my duty weapon in the earlier years. Saw a auction on G.B. for 9mm started at $70 per/box. Nice find on the 38's..

[gunlovingirl]

I have a box of Federal Nyclad .38s. The date on the box is 2006. The speedloader in my avatar is filled with these.

[oksws]

Have 2 50 rd. boxes, S&W Nyclad that I have sealed and "put up". Both marked MADE IN U.S.A. / S&W AMMUNITION COMPANY / A BANGOR PUNTA Company / Rock Creek, Ohio 44084 (slashes not on the box)
One is "38 CHIEFS SPECIAL 125 GR. SEMIWADCUTTER HOLLOW POINT N387N".
The other is "38 SPECIAL 148 GR. WADCUTTER N386N"

PS...Not yelling; just wanted to type as is on the boxes.

[DigiRebel]

I recently bought 500 rounds of Herter's TNJ (total nylon jacket) its the Cabela's store brand. Its quality stuff, this stuff is still available and made today.

Only drawback is aluminum cases which do nothing me for trying to learn to reload! LOL

[schutz5]

Originally Posted by mkk41

I know some of the S&W ammo line was made by Fiocchi of Italy.

Do the original Nyclad boxes say if they were made in the US or in Italy?

Hi, the original blue box S&W 38 special ammo I have are made in USA (S&W Ammunition Company Rock Creek,Ohio 44084)

Bangor Punta is not stated in my production runs.

I also had bought a 38 special +P SWC case back in the 1980's.

[schutz5]

Originally Posted by DigiRebel

I recently bought 500 rounds of Herter's TNJ (total nylon jacket) its the Cabela's store brand. Its quality stuff, this stuff is still available and made today.

Only drawback is aluminum cases which do nothing me for trying to learn to reload! LOL

Just looked that ammo up. Looks interesting and a good idea.
Sold out of course at Cabellas. But it states "Blazer" on the corner of the box.

Probably decent ammo.

Neat to see pictures of the Federal NYCLAD boxes. Thanks !

quoted from Cabellas:


Herter's Select-Grade TNJ Handgun Ammunition

Great performance at a value-minded price
Precision aircraft-grade aluminum cases
Total Nylon Jacket bullets eliminate copper fouling
Precision-made in the USA

By replacing costly brass cases and copper jackets with aluminum and nylon, USA-made Herter’s aluminum-case handgun ammunition keeps cost down while preserving clean-shooting reliability and accuracy. Sized to incredibly precise tolerances, the nonreloadable, aircraft-grade aluminum cases cycle smoothly. Premium-quality, round-nose lead bullets are coated with a Total Nylon Jacket (TNJ) to replace expensive copper jackets. TNJ bullets are inherently accurate, and cycle fluidly through semiautomatics. As an added benefit, TNJ bullets eliminate hard-to-remove copper and lead fouling. Made in USA. Per 50.


My edit:

BTW I have been using the S&W Nyclads with mt Colt Python and have never had dirty byproduct issues nor nylon bits under the ejector star etc. 1500 rounds mixed with other 38 special ammunition.

More Nyclad to go !

[Bigdog6974]

I just acquired 2 boxes of S&W Nyclad ammo 38 special 158gr round nose... if anyone is interesting in having them in their collection PM me with a fair offer... I can't seem to get pictures to post in here but I can email them to you. The boxes have been taped to each other since 1979 or 1980.

[wetdog]

I found this box at a LGS last Sat. missing 6 rounds.

[Club Gun Fan]

Except for the .357 box which contains 5 rounds, they are full. Bought them years ago.

[demkofour]

I have these five boxes in storage. All are full with the original 50 rounds and styrofoam packaging.
The 9mm rounds are very interesting.
Does this ammo (Nyclad) have collector value?

[schutz5]

Hi, I had the 38 special +P case back then, the rest currently are basic 38 special, 158 grain. I liked the +P kick.

I really like the Nyclad rounds.
They are clean and nice for my .38 pistol.

As far as collector value, maybe in another 20 years??

my uneducated opinion.

Probably more valuable as shootable ammo right now !!

[Club Gun Fan]

Originally Posted by mkk41

I know some of the S&W ammo line was made by Fiocchi of Italy.

Do the original Nyclad boxes say if they were made in the US or in Italy?

How do you know that? If you have proof, I'd really like to see it. I never saw a box of S&W ammo made in Italy. Smith & Wesson bought out Fiocchi. They marketed ammo under the banner SMITH & WESSON-FIOCCHI for a few years. The plant was in Alton Illinois.

[JSR III]

There is also Alcan-Fiocchi ammunition that was owned by S&W. As Don stated, all of this ammunition was manufactured in the USA by the plant in Alton, IL.

[Club Gun Fan]

I've included items that show Smith & Wesson-Fiocchi ownership, along with a October 1978 flyer announcing NYCLAD ammo. You may not be able to read the stamp on the botton of the .38 Spl box, it reads VISUAL REJECTS. All of the cases have visable dings or scars of some sort.

[Johnnu2]

Somewhere in my travels, I came across a 'ballistics guy' who told me that Nyclad bullets do NOT leave any traceable markings when fired. I have no idea if that is true or not but it does seem feasible. Anyone know with certainty? J.

[hotrod150]

Interesting. I've never see any factory 125 gr SWC-HP loads, or Nyclad full wadcutters.

[Club Gun Fan]

These two drawers show some of my collection of Smith & Weeson brand ammo. Most boxes are full. I was buying them when they were cheap. Most were $10.00 a box. I can't tell you how many gunshop owners would actually thank me for taking them off there hands.

[LT4]

^ Pretty awesome CGF! I have a modest black talon collection but a lot more modest than that!

[jrd1976]

When the product was discontinued, they sold the remaining bullets for reloading. I still have a coffee can full that never made it to the Dillon.

[Club Gun Fan]

Originally Posted by jrd1976

When the product was discontinued, they sold the remaining bullets for reloading. I still have a coffee can full that never made it to the Dillon.

I know they sold the NYCLAD line to Federal. Tons and tons of stuff was thrown out!