I believe running Russian steel ammo in a favorite handgun is like using the cheapest regular gas you can find in a fine sports car. Yes, it will run, but not as well as premium gas.
Steel cases are very hard compared to brass. They typically will not expand/contract in the chamber like brass does. They are harder on your extractor and ejector.
I have found Rusdian ammo to be cheaply loaded for quality control. It is not as accurate as better quality American made ammo. It is dirty.
If all you want is cheap to go bang, sure, use whatever. However, there may be a hidden safety and/or wear cost. I bet if you asked S&W, they would steer you away from steel cased ammo.
Unless you shoot many thousands of rounds a year, saving a few pennies/rnd is false economy in my book. Aluminum is a little better, but again, the savings are only a few $10 bills a year. I buy 9mm by the case and pay about $0.21/rnd out the door (or delivered). I also pick up brass at the range. While I don't reload anymore because my time is worth more than the savings of reloading, the brass is mine. About twice a year I take it to a recycler and get about $15. So maybe each round costs $0.01 less. Eh.
You get what you pay for. S&W pistols are designed for brass cases, not steel.
