Primers backing out on "primer only" .45 ACP test loads.

josquin

josquin

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I just did some trigger work on my S&W 625 (.45 ACP) and wanted to check that a slightly reduced trigger spring weight would still detonate the primers consistently. So I loaded up a moon clip full of brass with primers only and fired them in my basement. After the first round the cylinder locked up. When I finally got the cylinder free I saw that the fired primer had backed out a little. As this happened consistently, I take it that this may be "normal" but I can't see why. No doubt there is a simple explanation...

:) Stuart
 
That is normal. When a round is fired, the full pressure developed presses the casehead back against the breechface, and the primer is seated.
 
josquin,
tiriaq is right. One thing you can do is drill out the flash-holes, just like guys do to shot wax bullets indoors. Just don't get those cases mixed in with the live loads later.
 
Dogleg said:
josquin,
tiriaq is right. One thing you can do is drill out the flash-holes, just like guys do to shot wax bullets indoors. Just don't get those cases mixed in with the live loads later.
Click to expand...

Hmmm..... I hadn't thought of that. Good idea. Thanks to you both.

Hedgehog, I'd say the noise is about like a .22 subsonic. Enough to recommend hearing protection, at least indoors.

:) Stuart
 
Thanks Rusty- good advice. I always point the gun towards a thick piece of wood when shooting just primers. I'm using "standard" CCI primers, which seem fairly hard, as I could only back out the strain screw about 3/4 turn and still maintain reliable ignition, at least in the abbreviated test I did earlier. (It's not recommended to use Federal primers in my Lee priming tool.)

Now if I only had time to get up to the Mission range more often...

:) Stuart
 
Even in a carbine, the primer alone will shoot flame out the muzzle. A lot of energy.

I blew up a Lee Autoprime using federal primers. Only one fired. They told me later that sometimes one going off sets off the whole tray. That would be exciting. As it was I was picking pieces out of my gut.

When I set the ignition of a revlover, I set itt o fire with rifle primers, in the theory it would be sure to fire pistol primers. That is probably a heavier strike than I really need.
 
Thanks for the help, folks.

I drilled out the primer holes to 1/8" and all was well. The CCI are still pretty hard as I could only back out the strain screw about 1/2 turn before I began getting erratic ignition. I might end up buying a regular-weight Wolff mainspring the next time I order from Brownell's, but even without it the action seems smoother.

:) Stuart
 
I have shot wax bullets in a 44 mag, using standard cases with standard flash holes. It worked good, the wax bullet would go through both sides of a brown cardboard box.
Let us sometimes just have fun and not worry so much about the legallity on such trivial things.
 
dan belisle said:
I don't know, we used to use Speer plastic bullets for basement target practice all the time back in the day. Good way to practice trigger control and sight steadiness. - dan
Click to expand...

i agree its a great idea and good practice. just something we should keep hushed about if its a bit wishy washy on legality
 
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