Reversed primer

[Pistoleropete]

Ok, it finally happened. I seated a primer upside down, is there a safe way to remove it ?

 

[steveno]

just deprime it like a spent primer only go easy with the effort

 

[Pistoleropete]

Thanks Steveno!

 

[devils4ever]

Yeah, I've done this years ago. I just went real slow and easy, no sudden movements!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Decapping a live primer in the correct orientation is a breeze and it's not much worse with it upside down. Remember, some primers won't go off if the springs are too light on a revolver. Pushing up against the cup won't set it off, only a stiff strike will. Just don't slam the arm down as hard and fast as you can so that the pin strikes against the primer and you will be fine... lol

 

[edfardos]

It doesnt matter what others say here, you'll still be flinching with anticipation. I still do, and ive done it many times.

edfardos

 

[clutch]

Push it out slowly, wear safety glasses and ear protection, just to be safe.

 

[loose noose]

Not to mention a bullet proof vest.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is that case really so rare that you wouldn't throw it away?

 

[GJSchulze]

There have been many posts about this. Primers are not miniature nukes. If you are using a regular depriming die then if the primer goes off the blast will be contained by the die or the shell plate if it's flipped. While not impossible, trying to get the ram to rise fast enough to get a sharp strike is quite difficult; I've tried it on purpose and couldn't. The ram is on the short side of the lever fulcrum, so while the force is multiplied, the speed is reduced by the same factor.

I do this often after I've screwed up a round and never had a problem.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I've done that once, just tossed the primer and brass.

 

[1SOW]

Just deprime it. It's not a problem. For that matter, the primer can still be used if not deformed.
I dont throw away cases with a live primer in them. Even though unlikely to fire from being hit, smashed or whatever; any significant heat source/spark will set it off. YMMV

 

[dbmjr1]

Spray it with WD40 first. It'll kill the priming compound.

 

[scottishkat]

This happens to every handloader eventually. The last time it happened to me I backed the decapping rod out of the die ran the case into the die and tightened the decapping rod into the die until it came out it does not take much force glasses sure but its not a bomb.

Good luck and shoot straight.

Bob

 

[Pit4Brains]

Yeah, if it's not your last primer and you feel apprehension, then neutralize the thing first. Otherwise de-cap it nice and easily.
You should be wearing safety glasses anyhow..

 

[RussellC]

There is no need to spray it or any such nonsense. I've done it many times. Just deprime. A primer needs a good whack to set it off. You can reuse it as well. Just slowly press it out. You should be wearing saftey glasses just in case, but I have never had anything happen except the primer comes out. Sheesh!

Russellc

 

[witchhunter]

I would deprime, then stuff the same primer back in the right way. Done it many times. Slowly.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would deprime, then stuff the same primer back in the right way. Done it many times. Slowly.

Me, too.

 

[LiveLife]

Spray it with WD40 first. It'll kill the priming compound.

I see this posted from time to time but how do you know that WD40 kills primers?

On this thread, primers were not only sprayed with WD40 but primed cases were completely soaked in various oils/solvents for up to weeks and months and the primers still fired - http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=328319

Priming compounds are protected by sealants/cups and are designed to withstand decades of storage in harsh storage conditions, including moisture. To deactivate the priming compound, you must first defeat the sealants/cups used inside the primer cups (see picture below) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=630512&page=2

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Combine the images of BDS with this cross-section of a boxer primer.

For the primer to detonate, the anvil needs to be seated against the cartridge pocket and a sharp blow to the cup is required to ignite the primer.

Detonation is highly unlikely without the anvil seated, unless you do something like throw the primer in a fire. Even then, you will only have a minor flash.

I have deprimed many inverted primers, even some that are only turned sideways and crushed. Seating such a primer is more dangerous than removing one.

 

[Havok7416]

Nothing to worry about. I've had mine flip many times. Just drive it out and re-seat.

 

[rogn]

If you're really uneasy, wrap a towel around the press 2X. Go slow and reuse the primer. Don't spray it. Once upon a time and far away primers were touchy about oils. I don't think the manufacturers liked the stories about dead primers, so now the technology about sealing primers is first rate.

 

[Rule3]

Is that case really so rare that you wouldn't throw it away?

You know how "cheap" us reloaders are!!

Throw a shiny 9mm piece of brass on the ground and see who picks it up.

 

[Potatohead]

^^Or throw a dirty one on the ground and see who picks it up!

 

[RussellC]

As several have said, a big tadoo about nothing. Press it out and reuse it! Also as others have said, putting them in is more risky. I have seen some ham handed teenagers blow up a tube full on a RCBS (IIRC), blowing open the tube and sticking it in the ceiling. Just press it out!

Russellc