CCI Primers - Hard?

[Sniffer]

I have a bunch of #500 small pistol primers which I have been using for a while with no issues

Recently I started a new box and am finding them almost unusable as they are so hard. To be clear nothing else has changed (same powder / same bullet / same case / same load) and if I switch back to previous batches I loaded previously my guns function correctly.

With my Shadow 2 I get about 25% reliability, I find DA is more reliable that SA and often when I have a SA misfire (so hammer is forward) I can ignite the round with a second DA strike. I also have a P320 which will hopefully be able to use this ammo (haven't tried it yet).

Anyone else have sporadic issues with CCI primers or did I just get unlucky?

 

[Alpheus]

I know CCI rifle primers have a cup that is thicker then most brands, maybe the same with the pistol primers too?

 

[CV32]

I know CCI rifle primers have a cup that is thicker then most brands, maybe the same with the pistol primers too?

Yes.

 

[Ganderite]

Sounds like you have small rifle primers.

Got a small rifle?

 

[4n2t0]

Sounds like you have small rifle primers.

I have a bunch of #500 small pistol primers...

...

 

[Sniffer]

Sounds like you have small rifle primers.

Got a small rifle?

Yes, multiple, I think I see the solution you are alluding to ;-)

Sounds like occasionally rifle primers end up in pistol primer boxes at CCI......

 

[Alpheus]

Yes, multiple, I think I see the solution you are alluding to ;-)

Sounds like occasionally rifle primers end up in pistol primer boxes at CCI......

Yes, those darn factory mix-ups.....

 

[QUATTROISKING]

Harder than the little blue pill
Federal or Winchester primers are what you want

 

[Sniffer]

Yes, those darn factory mix-ups.....

If you're implying I mixed them up unfortunately I don't use CCI small rifle primers (which are silver) and the brands that I do use are a different colour (brass coloured), with this in mind its only logical than the silver primers came from the CCI small pistol box.

 

[Canuck44]

You can replace your mainspring with a heavier version or switch to Federal Primers.

I have never measured the thickness of CCI primers. I doubt many have, they may indeed be thicker.

I don't think I have ever gone below a 13# mainspring in any of my CZ's and have never had any problems setting off CCI or any other primer uncluding Tula with any of my guns. I would think a stock S2 would set off the primers. I assume you are seating the primers fully. If so re-read my first sentence the solution is before you.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Sniffer]

There is something wrong with the box of primers in question.

I ran a test today with this box and two other boxes making up a batch of each (everything was the same except the primers)

The other 2 boxes ran flawlessly (which has always been my experience with CCI small Pistol) but the third box would not run at all in either my Shadow 2 or bog standard P320.

What I found was that in either gun they would work around 50% of the time, those that didnt fire on the first attempt almost always fired on the second attempt.

To be clear all the boxes are marked as "Small Pistol". Deffo looks like CCI goofed up or the are defective.

 

[koikeeper67]

I would be looking for a batch number on the questionable primers and contacting CCI.