I don't know whether it would work with this model, but the only problem I had with lead balls in my old Makarov was that the magazine follower was deforming them. To solve it I loaded a steel BB first, then filled the rest with lead. If it is the action deforming them, then it will have to be steel BB's and glasses! I've always used Copperhead, which were fine, but haven't used them in a long time. I actually found cheap SMK BB's to be very good.