Inverted primers....what would happen

[cberge8]

Throughout my reloading years, I have found a few inverted primers in my cases.

I have always found them upon my final inspection, but was wondering what would happen if an inverted primer were to be fired?

 

[jcwit]

The little 3 sided anvil would fly out.

How are you going to set it off?

 

[Walkalong]

Primer might go bang if struck dead in the middle. Nothing else would happen obviously, as the cup is blocking the flash hole.

Try it, let us know.

I have never managed to seat one completely upside down, only sideways a time or two. (Or three)

 

[EddieNFL]

I have never managed to seat one completely upside down, only sideways a time or two. (Or three)

I have. POP! Slide didn't cycle. Racked the slide and round ejects sans anvil. I guess it fell out somewhere in mid-flight.

 

[cberge8]

By fired, I meant attempted to be shot. I would also think the flash hole being covered would prevent the round from exiting the case.

I was mainly curious as to the possible damage to the breech face from the odd primer configuration.

 

[T Bran]

I dont think the firing pin would reach the inside of the cup if fully seated even if it did and managed to set it off I wouldnt expect any harm if you have your eyes on.
Could be mistaken and I'm sure someone has done it. Hopefully they will share their experience.

T

Note to self
type faster.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

You would test how your action handles gas leakage.

 

[cberge8]

EddieNFL, any damage to your breech face?

 

[Blue68f100]

The only one I have ever had would not go off. FP would not hit any thing..

 

[chanson88]

My brother had one go pop in his 1911 yesterday, no damage to anything.

 

[rcmodel]

Nothing would happen except a pop and some smoke.

Not enough flame temperature or pressure to do any damage on just one or two or a few.

Glocks and other striker fired guns would probably not have enough firing pin travel to fire one.
A 1911 certainly would.

rc

 

[ggood]

Unfortunately while loading on my Dillon 550 I've gotten my share of inverted Primers. I think they named it the 550 because thats about how many rds I produce when going full throttle on my press. I do have an occassinal inverted primer but never had a squib or double thank heaven. When shooting 1911's I can tell you that nothing will happen except a primer going oiff. The bullet has never entered the barrel or left its taper crimp. I guess i'm a little lax in inspecting each rd after reloading as I just dump the ammo from the bins into a large bin or plastic bag and when going to range will load about 25 mags and then refill them as I go along. Sometimes with steel plates you can shoot 500rds at a session. Again I would not worry about inverted primer but wouldn't shoot them if I noticed them.

 

[Sam1911]

Primer might go bang if struck dead in the middle. Nothing else would happen obviously, as the cup is blocking the flash hole.

Glocks and other striker fired guns would probably not have enough firing pin travel to fire one.

I can attest that an xDM does not have the travel to fire one. Missed 1st place in that match by 0.30 sec...wonder how long my TAP, RACK, BANG took?