Newer powders are hard to make, but black powder is actually relatively easy to make from what I understand. You certainly won't be shooting modern quality amm

Newer powders are hard to make, but black powder is actually relatively easy to make from what I understand. You certainly won't be shooting modern quality ammunition, but guns are still possible. The .38 special was originally a black powder cartridge if I'm not mistaken. That's why the case is so large compared to the actual quantity of modern gunpowder that you use.