Firing Primer Only In A Revolver?

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

otisrush

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
785
I was at the range tonight burning through some (cheap) reman .38 Spcl using my S&W revolver. Four shells didn't chamber easily - as in they wouldn't plunk. I could see a case bulge in one of them. I probably could have gotten them in if I pushed a bit but I didn't want to force them.

I brought them home and pulled the bullets. (Prior to getting into reloading I would have struggled deciding what to do with unfired defective rounds. But now I can pull the bullets.)

I haven't yet experienced what a primer alone looks or sounds like when detonated. I figured I'd put the empty cases into the revolver (I could probably get them to chamber if I pushed them a little) and just fire the primers so I could then reload these cases.

Is there any issue in firing a primed case with no bullet and no powder in a revolver? I can't imagine there would be - but I guess that's why I'm asking: In case there is some issue I might not have thought of.

I'd do it at the range......with hearing and eye protection.....etc.

Thx.

OR
 
Yes, it will hurt a thing.

Without powder or bullet to create pressure?

The primer will blow / back out of the case against the recoil shield, and bind up the cylinder so it won't turn.

If you force it to turn, you can break the cylinder hand or deform it enough to knock the revolver out of time.

Don't do it.
Or at least expect the cylinder to lock up and don't try to force it to turn.

rc
 
Taroman said:
Primer may back out and tie up the gun. No damage but a a real PITA.
Click to expand...

That's more likely without powder and bullet than with? If so - why?

How does pressure in the case (as a result of having bullet and powder) keep the primer in the primer pocket? I think that's what Taroman and rcmodel are saying. But I'm not following the physics.
 
Because a full charge of powder and bullet pushed the brass back against the breach and keeps the primer seated.
 
Thanks! It makes total sense.

I'm glad I asked. I was so sure there would be no issue I almost didn't ask.

Thx again.

OR
 
No harm at all. These guys are acting like the sky is falling.

If the primer backs up and locks up the gun; take a dowel rod down the barrel, into the base of the case and give it a couple taps with a gunsmith hammer. Primer will seat and the revolver can be opened.
 
Na, no real issue. But what usually happens is the primer will back out due to low pressure, thus binding up against the recoil plate. But other than that, it's ok to pop primers off in your revolver. If it binds up really bad, use either a wooden dowel or a brass rod to tap on the cartridge from the muzzle. Doing so will push them in a few thousandths, thus allowing the cylinder to rotate, but I've never had to resort to that.

But what you could do, and it's a lot more fun than just popping the primer, is stuff some glue stick into the cartridge, you can also put a light crimp on them if desired. Though I doubt it would ignite the primer, I wouldn't recommend doing so with hot one's.

FYI, any time you do something like this, make sure the barrel isn't obstructed prior to firing any live ammo.

I guess my reply was a but redundant, I guess I should have read the other replies before posting my reply. But my response wasn't a total waste, I noticed no one mentioned anything about shooting glue stick projectiles with the primer. I shoot those in my back yard once in a while, or when I need to waste a perfectly good primer.

GS
 
Last edited:
I did it with a Ruger Redhawk. The primers did back out but didn't bind up the cylinder. There was quite a bit of residue in the barrel though.

If, such as when shooting primer powered rubber bullets, you don't wish primers to back out, all you have to do is drill the flash hole to a larger diameter.
 
Why waste the primer? Why not pull then decapping pin/rod out of your resizing die and have at it?
 
DC_art said:
Why waste the primer? Why not pull then decapping pin/rod out of your resizing die and have at it?
Click to expand...

I thought of that and will likely end up doing it. I may have decapped a live primer or two previously - I don't completely recall. (I've only been reloading for about 9 months.) And, although I know it can be done, I wasn't particularly enthused about the prospect of doing so. And additionally - I thought it would be good to experience a primer-only being detonated....just to get a sense for what they're about in general. I've heard many report "Louder than I thought!" and other things like that.
 
I figured I'd put the empty cases into the revolver (I could probably get them to chamber if I pushed them a little) and just fire the primers so I could then reload these cases.
Click to expand...


Not a problem and won't hurt a thing, but WHY? Why punch a good primer out just to put another one back in? Unscrew the decapping pin from your resizing die, resize and reload.

Honestly, if you can push them all the way in without great difficulty, you could have just fired them. After firing, they will extract easily like normal.
 
I tried it once while attempting to test some lighter springs for reliabilty in a jframe. Like has been mentioned, the primers backed out of the case and jammed up the cylinder. Not a huge deal, it will still swung open to clear it. It surprised me at first, but later I learned why it was happening.... no pressure.
 
When I need to remove a live primer, I use a universal decap die. I've never had any problems.
 
I am in the decap crowd or if you can remove the decapping pin from your size die just do that and resize them with the primer in place.

That said if you wanted to fire just primers and not have them back out, like using rubber bullets for example, you can drill out the flash hole but then you should never use the cases for powder loads at that point.
 
Unless you just want to fire the primers for the heck of it, just back out the depriming pin out of the sizing die and resize the case as normal. Personally, if you could have pushed the rounds into the chambers, I would have [and have] and fired them as usual.
 
I have decapped live primers with no issues. Always wear your safety glasses when dealing with primers.

Don't know that I would reuse them for Sd loads but have had no issues reusing them.
 
how much does a primer cost? decap and discard. start at the begining.

murf
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

O
  • Locked
What primers do I use???
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
Doindia
Doindia
Captaingyro
  • Locked
Re-using Primers from Crimped Cases
Replies
22
Views
801
Arkansas Paul
Arkansas Paul
B
  • Locked
Firing primers only...?
Replies
14
Views
599
.308 Norma
.308 Norma
Dark Skies
  • Locked
I made a stupid mixup with primers.
Replies
15
Views
627
Dark Skies
Dark Skies
A
  • Locked
watch your primers!!!
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
Walkalong
Walkalong
Back
Top