Small Pistol Primers

frjeff

frjeff

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
129
Location
Mid-Michigan, USA
With the help of scores of folks here (thanks), have obtained everything necessary for beginning reloading.

Except, having no success finding small pistol primers. I have seen a few Magnum SP primers in local shops, but no standard.

I am also confused as to differences that may exist in various brands. It would greatly help if other experienced loaders could share what primers I can safely use and what I should avoid. Decades ago, all I ever used were CCI 400. But, I see none of them and presume other brands must be available and acceptable. Your input would greatly help me. If I know what is acceptable, I can grab it if I see it.

I will only be loading .380ACP. All help is appreciated!
 
frjeff said:
Except, having no success finding small pistol primers. I have seen a few Magnum SP primers in local shops, but no standard.
Click to expand...

You aren't looking hard enough. Supply is getting better and better, and particularly in local shops... but I usually buy my primers by the case from one of the online vendors.

Powder Valley currently has CCI #500 primers... for example. CCI is my go-to for any type primer, I prefer them over any other, but these days you have to take what you can get... and I would buy Winchester or Federal if that's what they had.
 
frjeff said:
With the help of scores of folks here (thanks), have obtained everything necessary for beginning reloading.

Except, having no success finding small pistol primers. I have seen a few Magnum SP primers in local shops, but no standard.

I am also confused as to differences that may exist in various brands. It would greatly help if other experienced loaders could share what primers I can safely use and what I should avoid. Decades ago, all I ever used were CCI 400. But, I see none of them and presume other brands must be available and acceptable. Your input would greatly help me. If I know what is acceptable, I can grab it if I see it.

I will only be loading .380ACP. All help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
You may have to expand your search to online sources or ask your locals to order in some standard primers. Most stores will happily piggyback special orders onto their stocking orders, especially if you offer to prepay.
 
If you are wanting to use SPP most companies will deliver similar results.
CCI-500 of course, Winchester WSP #1 1/2, Remington 1 1/2, Federal #100 or their SP Match primers #GM100M (but those will cost you) and some of the overseas primers are fine too.
Magtech SPP work fine and the Fiocchi SPP are excellent. (they are packaged in 1,500 count, not 1,000)
I think that's the info you are looking for, good luck.
 
Last edited:
9MM instead of .380, but here is some good info on using various primers with the same load.

9MM Primer Test

OK, so everything in the test is not "perfect" I still think it's a good test and that, the results will be interesting and helpful, and I appreciate Walkalong taking the time to do it and post the results for all of us. And this is the goodest comment I've read on this line of thought.
www.thehighroad.org
 
You can use: Small Pistol, Small Magnum Pistol, or Small Rifle primers in your 380. They are all the same physical size.
• Magnum and Rifle will use thicker metal cups (for the higher chamber pressures) so that once in every 25 rounds you may find a cartridge that requires a double strike to set them off.
• Magnum will also be a hotter primer, so you might need to "work up" your load again. Start 0.2gr lower and test.

Of the brands, CCI is the hardest, Winchester is in the middle, and Federal primers are the softest metal cup. So if you are experiencing a high percentage of FTF, then 1) make sure you're seating your primers all the way, and then 2) proceed to the next softer cup. However, this is NOT usually an issue unless you have modified your hammer spring to get a better trigger feel.
 
Just returned from Cabela’s (5th visit in five days).
Lo and and behold, they actually had SP Winchester primers in stock. Had hoped for CCI, but blessed to find these.
Bought 2000 just in case. With Vet discount out the door for $86. Not like the old days, but I am quite fine with it.
 
So Fiocchi spp are good? Hmmmmm.........at that price difference, the last 320 Fiocchi primers are free.

FIOCCHI PRIMER SMALL PISTOL 1,500/bx - Graf & Sons

Fiocchi Small Pistol Primers
www.grafs.com www.grafs.com

Fiocchi = 7.5 cents each

www.midwayusa.com

CCI Small Pistol Primers #500 Case of 5000 (5 Boxes of 1000)

CCI Primers are continuously tested and improved. As a result today's CCI primers are more sensitive, easier to seat and more compatible with...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com

CCI 500 = 9.5 cents each

I live close enough to drive to either place, so haz mat and shipping don't apply to me. To date, I've only bought CCI 500, but if Fiocchi is just as good, that could change.
 
While the prices will never return to pre-Wuhan flu levels they seem to be available Some places. I went to the very large Smyrna, GA gun store (think 10,000 guns in stock large) and there were at least 20k of each CCI and Federal SPPs on the shelf. Also some other sizes, types and makes on the shelf. Inventory is coming back, not prices.
 

Fiocchi Small Pistol Primers Free Shipping & Hazmat - 6000ct​

$419.99
American reloading
 
Howa 9700 said:
So Fiocchi spp are good? Hmmmmm.........at that price difference, the last 320 Fiocchi primers are free.

FIOCCHI PRIMER SMALL PISTOL 1,500/bx - Graf & Sons

Fiocchi Small Pistol Primers
www.grafs.com www.grafs.com

Fiocchi = 7.5 cents each

www.midwayusa.com

CCI Small Pistol Primers #500 Case of 5000 (5 Boxes of 1000)

CCI Primers are continuously tested and improved. As a result today's CCI primers are more sensitive, easier to seat and more compatible with...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com

CCI 500 = 9.5 cents each

I live close enough to drive to either place, so haz mat and shipping don't apply to me. To date, I've only bought CCI 500, but if Fiocchi is just as good, that could change.
Click to expand...
If you're old enough you might remember Alcan primers. They were very good and most reloaders thought very highly of them.
Alcan primers were manufactured by Fiocchi so yes, they are very good primers and like you said, you are saving money too.
 
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