UMC 38spl. ammo {dirty?}

**SauerGrapes** · April 6th, 2009, 11:57 PM

Not sure if this is a ammo or gun thing. I just bought a Ruuger SP101 3".
Went to the club Sun. to take it for a work out.
I had an old box of UMC LRN ammo. {9 yrs old} After half a box the gun looked like it took a bath in grey powder.

I shoot other brands in my S&W's revolvers. {LRN} Never get that kind of coating on them as this was.
This is the only new revolver I own and my first Ruger. Never used UMC before either. Was wondering if it was the ammo or the gun? Never had stainless before either.
Maybe I am just being anal. Really like the gun. It's no Smith but it's nice.

**andrewjs18** · April 7th, 2009, 12:27 AM

people have said UMC ammo has been dirty..I've never noticed it though.

**BCI Instructor** · April 7th, 2009, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by SauerGrapes

Not sure if this is a ammo or gun thing. I just bought a Ruuger SP101 3".
Went to the club Sun. to take it for a work out.
I had an old box of UMC LRN ammo. {9 yrs old} After half a box the gun looked like it took a bath in grey powder.

I shoot other brands in my S&W's revolvers. {LRN} Never get that kind of coating on them as this was.
This is the only new revolver I own and my first Ruger. Never used UMC before either. Was wondering if it was the ammo or the gun? Never had stainless before either.
Maybe I am just being anal. Really like the gun. It's no Smith but it's nice.

Congrats on the new revolver, it's a very reliable design.

If brand new, did you clean the revolver before your first range trip?
Oil / grease remaining from assembly, or in amounts commonly used for packaging and shipment, can accelerate lead fouling and gather unspent powder ...

Also, as it is a 3" barrel you will likely have more unspent powder as most common revolver loads are designed / maximized for a 4" - 6" barrel.
You've lost 25 - 50% of the "burn time" gained by the longer barrel.

TIP: when choosing defensive loads for this or any short barrel revolver, be certain to do some practice shooting near dusk, so you can witness the effects of the often increased muzzle flash due to unspent powder (once it exits the barrel and is combined with the air). Some manufacturers offer defensive loads designed for short barreled / snubnose revolvers and compact pistols for exactly the reasons above ...

... hope this helps ...

**WVBob** · April 7th, 2009, 07:19 AM

Stainless is your key word here. They do show the dirt a lot more than a blued. UMC is not any more dirty than most other ammo and as said the short barrel does not burn all the powder.

**notenoughguns** · April 7th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by WVBob

Stainless is your key word here. They do show the dirt a lot more than a blued. UMC is not any more dirty than most other ammo and as said the short barrel does not burn all the powder.

+1 Couldn't agree more . Own a few stainless sidearms and all look like they came out of a coal bin after a range trip especially after using lead , must be the bullet lube .