lead ammo in a J frame ok???
- Thread starter Eagle1*
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Well I have serious amounts of lead ammo shot though my mid 70s 60 & 15, 2 colt snubies of that era and 4 other .357s that can easily shoot lead ammo I report no problems, most of my ammo shot is reloads. I also have a new Ruger LCR .38 and its normal diet is lead.
Note with a .357 shooting the shorter .38 rounds do a VERY good cleaning to guarantee that .357 rounds will chamber OK.
Note with a .357 shooting the shorter .38 rounds do a VERY good cleaning to guarantee that .357 rounds will chamber OK.
M E Morrison
Member
gman51
Member
I figure with a snub the barrel being so short that leading isn't really a problem. I have shot a lot of lead ammo through all my revolvers and never had a leading problem.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Until the late 1950s virtually 100% of ammunition for revolvers used lead bullets and had for over 100 years if you include percussion types. Why would you have any idea that it wasn't still OK for revolvers, or, specifically, J-Frames????? Leading? What do you think that bronze and stainless steel bore brushes are made for?
post #5;
I'm with him..........
I do take it easy with the stainless brushs but I do use lead remover liquids.
I'm with him..........
I do take it easy with the stainless brushs but I do use lead remover liquids.
skippysanchez
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2014
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 16
It doesn't hurt a thing IF you are conscientious about keeping things clean, particularly using cheaper ammo. I've seen occasional lead flakes in the barrel and around the forcing cone. If the cylinder isn't clocked accurately the forcing cone will shave the bullet and those flakes, be they brass or lead, can end up in the ejector and cause a jam.
Just my 2¢.
Just my 2¢.
DWalt
Member
"Wondering if shooting lead ammo in my 442/642/638 is alright..."
Yes. Next question?
Yes. Next question?
Backlighting
Member
No need to wonder. Put a box thru it and see for yourself...you'll then be able to decide if it's right for YOU.
Last edited:
M E Morrison
Member
Perhaps, but a lot of that depends on the lead alloy as well as the powder used. Some difference also in the bullet lube used. That's a fair amount of variables.
In my experience, lead ammo residue has been less troublesome than jacketed bullet residue - FWIW.
Jingles
Member
All I run through my 642 are 158gr LSWC; never had a problem.
Qc Pistolero
Member
My guns wear tubes from 8'' down to 2'' and all of them only see lead bullets.The only difference I see is the 8s'' take four times more scrubbing than the 2''!!
Qc
Qc
G.T. Smith
US Veteran
Hundreds and hundreds of 158 grain LRN standard pressure rounds through my 37 no dash and I clean it after every shooting spree, or range session I mean. It cleans up just fine. Nary a problem so far. 1 7/8" barrel.
Peace,
Gordon
Peace,
Gordon
The only issue I can think of is that firing heavy recoil loads could cause the lead bullets in the other chambers to work forward if the crimp is weak. If the bullet protrudes out the front of the cylinder it would jam when a bullet touched the forcing cone.
The factory put a warning on the M-337 Airlite for this reason. The Airlite is 4 oz. lighter than an Airweight and jumps a lot more in recoil.
The factory put a warning on the M-337 Airlite for this reason. The Airlite is 4 oz. lighter than an Airweight and jumps a lot more in recoil.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I shot ALOT of lead bullets in my revolvers and there is no leading in the barrel. If you do get some leading it can easily be cleaned with a bronze brush and your normal cleaner choice. Shoot away...
You're more likely to accumulate a little lead outside the forcing cone than you are in those J frame barrels. Not an issue and millions have gone boldly before you.
Try to keep your brushes a softer metal than your gun barrel if you have to remove any lead from the rifling. Gentle with that brush shaft anywhere near the crown.
Try to keep your brushes a softer metal than your gun barrel if you have to remove any lead from the rifling. Gentle with that brush shaft anywhere near the crown.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,803
- Reaction score
- 31,647
Lead ammo (specifically the 158 grain lead bullet) is exactly what the J-Frame was designed around. SHOOT AWAY!! Get yourself a Lewis Lead Remover (Brownells sells them) and cleaning up lead deposits in your Barrel and Cylinder is easy and harmless although not used all that often. A Bronze Brush and Solvent will more than suffice most of the time.
TAC
Member
J-B Non-Embedding Bore Cleaning Compound is also a great product. Also available at Brownells.
J-B(R) NON-EMBEDDING BORE CLEANING COMPOUND | Brownells
