Lead or no lead

[BillsNAA]

I went to my lgs today to pick up some CCI Stingers. Just in passing the employee there said to never use lead round nose in a pistol. He said it will cause non repairable damage to the barrel.  Any input would be appreciated.

[Talldog]

I know that Glock recommends not using lead bullets in their pistols. I think it has to do with the type of rifling, though. You should call NAA and ask.

[linux_author]

i'm gonna call bravo sierra on the notion, but more experienced folks may want to chime in

willie
on the Gulf of Mexico

[Warthog]

Hmm, I have fired thousands of lead round nose rimfire ammo through more than a few pistols without trouble.  Sounds like a Gun Store Expert who owns maybe one gun and thinks because he works at a gun store he knows more than he actually does.

[Canoeal]

Wouldn't it be true that when the 1911s were designed, as well as the 32 auto, all the rounds were likely to be lead?

[adp3]

Wouldn't it be true that when the 1911s were designed, as well as the 32 auto, all the rounds were likely to be lead?

Nope. Jacketed bullets have been the norm for automatics since the beginning with little deviation.

With regards to the dim witted, I'm being kind  , salesman's advice on lead, round nose bullets causing damage, that damage would only be to the target not the firearm. That lad needs to be transferred to the shoe department where he can't do as much harm with senseless advice. I've run upwards of a thousand lead bullets a month through my centerfire and rimfire pistols since 1966 with no issues. Lead bullets are easier on a bore than jacketed ones. A shooter probably causes more wear on a pistol fired with lead bullets cleaning it than shooting it.

Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, you can clean your barrel after a range session when using lead centerfire ammo since it can build up in the barrel with either soft, swaged bullets or high velocities. Many .22 rimfire competition shooters do not regularly clean their barrels. Also, don't run a steady diet of Stingers in a .22 semi-auto as they accelerate wear to the mechanism, not the barrel though. There's a fair amount of Stinger wear discussion over on the Rinfire Central Forum.

Best Regards,
ADP3

[OLD and GRUMPY]

BS. Shoot and clean. Stiff brush will do it. Punk ass kids were instructed wrong.

[Uncle Fatso]

Think I'd seek out a different clerk in the future. He doesn't know what he's talking about.

[WECSOG]

Never take gun advice from a gun salesman, auto mechanics advice from a parts store employee, or legal advice from a cop. 

Do take advice on medications from a pharmacist, though. He probably knows more about it than your doctor.

[linux_author]

Many .22 rimfire competition shooters do not regularly clean their barrels.

i was going to mention that, but since i'm not a competitive shooter i figured i'd let someone more knowledgeable throw that out into the thread...

willie
on the 'amateur plinking' Gulf of Mexico

[Uncle_Lee]

I think the question has been answered but I will chime in anyway.
The clerk has spent too much time on the internet.....

[robbi]

Hmm, I have fired thousands of lead round nose rimfire ammo through more than a few pistols without trouble.  Sounds like a Gun Store Expert who owns maybe one gun and thinks because he works at a gun store he knows more than he actually does.

I agree

[bearcatter]

LGS trying to unload a glut of copper wash ammo?

[RICKS PLACE]

Having worked at a gun store part time after I retired, one gets use to hearing all kinds of advice and tall tales from both workers and customers.  If it sounds odd, get another opinion.  I note the word "pistol" was used, not revolver.  As already mentioned, Clocks advise against lead bullets.  NAA has an owners manual in their shipping boxes that covers ammo.  Even if you already own several NAA's if you buy a new one, read the manual in case of any changes.  There are some ammo not recommended in NAA weapons, however lead bullets is not one of them.

[SteveZ-FL]

BS. Shoot and clean. Stiff brush will do it. Punk ass kids were instructed wrong.

Spot on.  A little lead residue can end up in the barrel.  A decent cleaning (which should occur anyway) is the historical solution.

Of course, the salesman's solution is to "just happen to have a better ammo for sale.  It  costs a bit more, but...."

[bill_deshivs]

ALL .22lr ammunition is lead-even the "copper washed."
They don't make jacketed .22lr bullets.
Clerk is an imbecile.

[OV-1D]

  And they walk amongst us Bill .   I would venture to say 2 (maybe another half) out of five ,young and old ,male and female , crazy to think .

   Oh and most are democrats .