Ammo Mistakes

Refer to information marked on the gun and found in manufacturer specs
for the proper ammunition. (bullet type is a separate subject)

SOME examples of ammo mistakes …....
If gun is 32 S&W . . . don't try 32acp or 32 Colt.
If gun is 32 H&R Mag . . . don't try 32 Long Colt.
If gun is 32-20 Win . . . don't try 32-20 HV.

If 9mLuger(9x19 para) ... don't try 9x19nato or 9x18mak or 380acp(9x17kurz), etc.
If gun is 9x18 . . . don't try 9 Luger(9x19para) or 380acp, etc.

If gun is the old 38acp(9x23sr) . . . don't try 9 Win Mag, etc.

If gun is 380acp . . . . don't try 38acp.
If gun is 38acp . . . . don't try 380acp or 38super.
If gun is 38 S&W . . . don't try 38acp, 38Colt, 38 Special, 357, etc.
If gun is 38 Special . . . don't try 38acp, 38super, 357, or 9 Win Mag.
If gun is 38-40 Win . . . don't try 38-40 HV.

If gun is 22wrf, 22wm, or 22 WinAuto ... don't try .22 S/L/lr.
If gun is 22lr . . . don't try 17m2 (will fit chamber, but not barrel; and too hot)

. . . . . . but . . . . . .
If .357mag is marked on a revolver, you can also use .38 Spl or .38 Spl+p.
If 22LR is marked on a revolver, you can also use 22Long or 22Short.
(these do not apply to auto or semiauto guns)
There are other possible ammo swaps, but you must confirm
the safety and reliability of the swap before you try it.

Firing ammunition not specified on the firearm can cause serious injury or death.
Sometimes this is due to a bullet stuck in the barrel from a weak load, or from
water/debris in the barrel.
If you don't know that a barrel is clear, you should first clear the chamber
before checking the bore for any blockage.

When in doubt, I choose fmj (full jacket) or tmj (total jacket), and no-lead.
Full/total jacket feeds more reliably, and is more likely to reach internal organs
(not such an issue if you are shooting 357 or 9x19).
Speer is one source of tmj, which reduces lead vapor for leo-volume practice.
Tmj or no-lead is best for any indoor shooting.