I'm sorry but this statement is not factual. Smith & Wesson has NEVER condoned the use of any handloaded ammunition in their firearms and any damage caused when using handloaded ammo was entirely the responsibility of the shooter and not S&W.

The k-frame .357 magnums were designed originally for use in a LE environment where practice would be conducted using .38 Special ammo and the firing of full power 158 grain .357 magnum ammunition would be limited to qualification and duty carry. With the advent of high velocity 110 and 125 grain loadings such as those manufactured by SuperVel, the cracking problems arose. As the popularity of these loadings became more popular, the mainstream ammo companies jumped on the bandwagon and the use of light bullet for the caliber loads became wide spread. Because of this, Smith and Wesson warned against the use of magnum ammunition utilizing bullets lighter than 140 grains in the k-frame magnums. This warning had zero to do with handloads of any type and I don't know where this notion came from or why it continues to be propagated. This goes double for the "W296" enhancer. It is an internet enhanced myth.

Bruce