Lead Bullets in the Shield?

[JLM]

Hi all,
I thought I had heard that S&W's barrels were OK to shoot with lead bullets. I got a new Shield on Tuesday and took it to the range on Thursday. Shot 100 FMJ and then 100 LRN handloads. The last inch of the barrel had some pretty serious leading when I stripped it for cleaning. I've never had leading of this load in my Glock 19 with an aftermarket barrel. The load is 4.5 gr. Unique and a 124 grain lead RN bullet from Mo Bullet Company.
Thanks

 

[epj]

I shoot lead in mine almost exclusively. No real leading issues.

 

[wayne_i]

I would reduce the load for a lead bullet. Try 4.0 to 4.2 grains of Unique to drop the velocity to 900fps or less.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I use lead, although it is the polymer coated bullets (Bayou Bullets) and have had no leading problems at all. I keep the velocities of my practice rounds down around 700 fps. (.40 cal 180 grain bullet) The leading could possibly have to do with the fact that the barrel is new and hasn't worn smooth enough. Les Baer recommends that you break in their pistols with a minimum of 500 rounds of factory (I used FMJ) ammunition. That might be a good idea for your shield. Another factor with using lead bullets is the hardness of the bullet and the actual size of the bullet. I have had great success with using a local bullet supplier, Roger's Better Bullets. Roger advertises his bullets to be 18 BNH, which seems to work quite well for target loads of less than 850 fps.