Hellgate #3302 L Posted December 15, 2024 Posted December 15, 2024 I recently bought some small pistol primers for CAS. They were Remington 1 1/2 size. Remington also makes a small pistol size 5 1/2. Upon researching "what the hell's the difference," I found the 1 1/2s are made for lower pressure loads like 38SPL due to the thinner cup. The 5 1/2s were recommended to be used in high pressure loads like 357 mag and even the 9mm to prevent primer cup flow. I've seen multiple shooters who have highly tuned slicked up rifles that will not fire off CCI or Winchester primers but do quite well with Federal small pistol primers. For those who are having trouble finding Federal SP primers it looks like the Remington 1 1/2s may well be a good substitute for the Federals that for a while, were hard to find. Since I own no highly tuned slicked up rifles I have gotten through the primer shortage by using small rifle primers in the 357/38s. 2 Quote
Go West Posted December 16, 2024 Posted December 16, 2024 I wouldn't worry about whether primers are magnum or not. Use small or large as you need to and what is available. It may matter if you use them for purposes other than cowboy. Then it would be wise to check your manual. The big thing is whether your guns are set up with light springs requiring Federal primers or not. 1 Quote
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted December 16, 2024 Posted December 16, 2024 FWIW, I'm getting 5-10 FTF with Remington LPP (ones I got when stocks of others were low). These were struck at least twice. The Federals and CCI work fine for me. 1 Quote
Nutmeg Ryder, SASS # 74966 Posted December 16, 2024 Posted December 16, 2024 5 hours ago, The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 said: FWIW, I'm getting 5-10 FTF with Remington LPP (ones I got when stocks of others were low). These were struck at least twice. The Federals and CCI work fine for me. I had FTF in my pistols, the Cody rifle functioned with zero issues with the LPP So saved 1/2 of my Federal stock by using Remington's for monthlies where I do not care as much about an issue. It's all practice anyway :-) Now finding a power and charge that I like is a whole different story! Quote
Reverend P. Babcock Chase Posted December 16, 2024 Posted December 16, 2024 Howdy Fellers, At the risk of sounding like a heretic, why not turn in that screw on the bottom receiver tang that increases spring pressure a little? I wonder how much it would add to a shooters time? I bet it's probably a lot less than an FTF. Just a thought from a very slow shooter. Rev. Chase 5 1 Quote
El Sobrante Kid Posted December 16, 2024 Posted December 16, 2024 Hellgate, thank you for the useful info on the Remington primers. Also, when folks say, "I had FTF's" or, "This brand doesn't work" or, "Everything works fine for me", it would be great for the rest of us if there was at least a tiny bit of context. Are your guns stock? What kind of guns? Have you had work done? What kind of spring(s) are you using? Otherwise, the info is kind of useless. Quote
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted December 17, 2024 Posted December 17, 2024 (edited) 11 hours ago, El Sobrante Kid said: Hellgate, thank you for the useful info on the Remington primers. Also, when folks say, "I had FTF's" or, "This brand doesn't work" or, "Everything works fine for me", it would be great for the rest of us if there was at least a tiny bit of context. Are your guns stock? What kind of guns? Have you had work done? What kind of spring(s) are you using? Otherwise, the info is kind of useless. For me, my guns are modified (lightened), however, further testing with the rounds pulled (after double firing pin hits) they are still not firing; as in THEY ARE BAD... DUDS, NO WORKIE... No matter what mainspring tension is. I guess I could throw them in a fire to see if they go bang; just not that committed to it. Edited December 17, 2024 by The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 17, 2024 Posted December 17, 2024 On 12/15/2024 at 4:52 PM, Hellgate #3302 L said: I recently bought some small pistol primers for CAS. They were Remington 1 1/2 size. Remington also makes a small pistol size 5 1/2. Upon researching "what the hell's the difference," I found the 1 1/2s are made for lower pressure loads like 38SPL due to the thinner cup. The 5 1/2s were recommended to be used in high pressure loads like 357 mag and even the 9mm to prevent primer cup flow. I've seen multiple shooters who have highly tuned slicked up rifles that will not fire off CCI or Winchester primers but do quite well with Federal small pistol primers. For those who are having trouble finding Federal SP primers it looks like the Remington 1 1/2s may well be a good substitute for the Federals that for a while, were hard to find. Since I own no highly tuned slicked up rifles I have gotten through the primer shortage by using small rifle primers in the 357/38s. I had no idea there were two different types of SPP by Remington. Thanks, I’ll look at the ones I have. 1 Quote
Go West Posted December 17, 2024 Posted December 17, 2024 When I handed guns over to a gunsmith I told them that I used Winchester primers. In recent years I've had to buy whatever brand I could find and they've all worked until last month on my 73 short rifle. A small turn of the screw on the mainspring stopped that. That rifle is 15 years old (?) and evidently the spring weakened slightly. On the other hand, I'm not very fast so whatever works for you. Quote
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 This day and age. Shoot what you can find. I personally like a little heavier spring. Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 Springs, whether flat or coil, weaken with use. Strongly advise you to increase spring tension. Quote
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