small pistol magnum primers

[tomywalker]

With the trouble trying to find small pistol primers I Was wondering if you could could go on the low side with powder and substitute magnum primers.
Your input would be great. Thanks

 

[MarshallDodge]

I do not load my reloaded ammunition to the maximum and the last time I tried magnum small pistol primers in 9mm I did not see a significant difference. If I shot them over a chronograph then maybe the difference would be measurable but I did not see or feel a change in accuracy or recoil.

 

[steveno]

as long as you don't start at a max load and work up to it there won't be a problem

 

[nelly]

I use Small Pistol Magnum Primers in some of my 9mm Major loads & I noticed a slight increase in FPS when Chronographed. I also used Plain Small Pistol primers in the same loads & they functioned just as good but not as loud. I don't think you would do any harm to a normal load as long as you're not compressing it. I use them to get a more complete burn of all the powder that I need for 9 major & the additional benefit of increased FPS is a plus.

 

[FROGO207]

I have seen no difference in felt recoil or POI on my loads but I do not load to max either. The only downside would be that the primer cups are a bit harder and might not work with a weaker firing pin/spring in some autoloaders. So far mine have all played well with MAG primers when I experimented.

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=688906&highlight=magnum+primers

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=688339&highlight=magnum+primers

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=682261&highlight=magnum+primers

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=659045&highlight=magnum+primers

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=678905&highlight=magnum+primers

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=675002&highlight=magnum+primers

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=674607&highlight=magnum+primers

rc

 

[hentown]

I use small rifle primers, exclusively, for my 9mm reloading, as do lots of others.

 

[Walkalong]

The only pistol caliber I use small rifle primers for is a hot .38 Super load for use in a pistol set up for hot loads.

Other than that sort of thing, there is no need to use them unless one simply wants to keep inventory simple.

One thing to watch for is reports of damage to the breech face from low pressure pistol loads blowing by the harder cup of the rifle primer.

And of course, some handguns have trouble setting off the harder primer.

 

[Walkalong]

During the primer shortage four years ago many people had to substitute mag small pistol primers for standard one. Reduce the charge a bit if you are at max by the book, or max on a worked up load that is at or near max. With a charge like you ask about a .1 Gr reduction will likely result in similar velocities. .2 at most.

Problems? In general, the least violent primer that ignites the powder well is going to be better for accuracy.

But hey, which one of us is good enough to prove it in a hand gun? Not me.