A local fellow who is licenced and insured to sell reloads told me I could use them in place of pistol primers as long as they would cycle in my hand gun. So I dropped my load a couple of grains and tried one. It shot fine. Before I load any more I wanted to check with ya'll. They are the exact same diameter but just a hair thicker than the pistol primers. Will that have a negative effect on my firing pin? Is it worth the risk just to use up some old rifle primers I have in stock.
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Can you use large rifle primers in place of large pistol primers?
- Thread starter Lumberman
- Start date
the expert said it was ok so why not?
I believe it will depend on your gun. I used to do it with my Ruger Redhawk years ago. I've known others that substituted rifle for pistol that the spring wasn't strong enough to cause ignition.
I wouldn't. Not worth it to me. Large Rifle Primers are taller. Probably depends on the case and the gun if you can get away with it. If there is enough of them to be of value and no have no use for them, I'd sell them.
Now small rifle primers are the same height and diameter as small pistol. These can be used in small pistol ammo.
As other said, rifle primers tend to be harder and weaker firing pin springs may not be able to set them off.
Oh, and the reverse is not true, never use pistol primers in rifle cases.
Now small rifle primers are the same height and diameter as small pistol. These can be used in small pistol ammo.
As other said, rifle primers tend to be harder and weaker firing pin springs may not be able to set them off.
Oh, and the reverse is not true, never use pistol primers in rifle cases.
I'm not substituting component types. You may get by with it fine. There's reasons as to why the industry produces components with different properties for specific applications. I load for precision, so substituting like this makes no sense to me. It just ain't worth it to me.
I am with Chuckdog!!!
I would still classify myself as a noob in reloading but "slam fire" comes to mind as an unpleasant result of a high primer I have heard of.
So my 2 cents thinks not worth the risk in any automatic weapon whatsoever.
Pays to learn the characteristics of automatic rifles if loading for them.
Some require you to seat the primer so many thousandths below the case rim.
Never happened to me but I listen a lot to guys I know that reload and so I inspect my components and work in each stage.
Using case checkers and sliding my finger over my cases to feel for primer height, etc.
So my 2 cents thinks not worth the risk in any automatic weapon whatsoever.
Pays to learn the characteristics of automatic rifles if loading for them.
Some require you to seat the primer so many thousandths below the case rim.
Never happened to me but I listen a lot to guys I know that reload and so I inspect my components and work in each stage.
Using case checkers and sliding my finger over my cases to feel for primer height, etc.
Ok ill lay it out for you the only difference is ths cup thickness. If you have a strikerfire ie glock dont try it. The firing pin spring might not be strong enough to dent the primer resulting in a light strike. If it is hammer fired your all set. I use small rifle for .40 because they are cheaper here due to supply and demand. I shoot about 1k a week no problems
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I say sell them an get the correct components you need ........ there is a reason for everything 
I bet I know who your talkin about realoding the ammo too ...... I WOULD NOT shoot their reloads for no mans money !
I bet I know who your talkin about realoding the ammo too ...... I WOULD NOT shoot their reloads for no mans money !
