Yeah, I loaded approx 200 .38 spl with CCI primers and 30% of them has light primer strike issues. Put them back in and use single action, bang. It seems like CCI is a lot harder or thicker than federal primers, I used to use federal in all my revolver loads with no issues. Anyone met the similar situation?
CCI small pistol primer not ideal for revolvers?
- Thread starter Mikehenrybell
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
Have had no issues with CCI in my revolvers
Fairly well known issue, like 4n2t0 said. People typically replace springs in their DA revolvers to lighten the double action pull weight, but this will also reduce the power that the hammer strikes with. People that have done this will also typically load with Federal primers because they're known to be softer.
If your revolver is stock, there's a good chance it's due for some new springs? I don't know of anyone running factory springs in a modern revolver that has an issue with CCI primers (They run fine in my Smith 686 no dash and 627).
If your revolver is stock, there's a good chance it's due for some new springs? I don't know of anyone running factory springs in a modern revolver that has an issue with CCI primers (They run fine in my Smith 686 no dash and 627).
The thing is I never modified my trigger nor the spring of the gun, the strain screw is tight and everything on my gun is original, I bought my gun about 10 years ago brand new tho. I guess I'll just keep using federal primers.
It sounds like you're an experienced reloader so this likely isn't your problem but have you made sure your primers are completely seated? A light first strike and detonation on the second strike is often an indication that the primer was not fully seated. I hand seat all my 38 Special primers as this is the calibre I have had problems with in the past. I was loading 9mm on my Lee loadmaster and everything was fine but when I switched over to loading 38 Special and shooting them in my 686 I suddenly started having light strikes. The rounds did fire on the second hit. I tried hand reseating the primers in 38 cases that were primed on the Loadmaster and I could definitely feel them seat deeper with the hand primer. The light strike problem disappeared.
However, on my PPC revolver which has a very light action no primers (I tried 5 different brands) would ignite reliably except for Federals.
+ one on this.
This have been know for decades. Un plated primer cup seem to help. Winchester come to mind.
Old brass - reloaded many time can have deeper primer pocket or just a bit thinner rim after being fired many time.
Seating primer without cleaning the pocket can also make a difference in gun with light trigger and hammer spring, sne primer is not on firm ground but sitting on crud - carbon.
Last edited:
I have done that but found that the cups were too thick, hence brass shims.
