[Rick Roemer]

RST shells definitely the way to go when it is deemed safe to shoot. The only way to feel "safe" about shooting is to have the barrel wall thickness measured and make sure it is within specs. Also as others have noted - the barrels have to be "on face" to the frame for safety. These are competent gunsmith questions. If the gunsmith you find doesn't know how to measure Barrel wall thickness - keep looking. You could end up hurt (or worse) and could destroy your family heirloom. I'd have it checked out and then enjoy it. I shoot Damascus barrels all the time. But I never shoot any store bought "cheap" shells. Not worth it. IMHO