Substituting primers Rifle for Pistol

je2140

Anybody have any experience substiting rifle primers for pistols primers in light loads? I had a friend do it in a S&W 38/357 that evidently had a strong hammer spring.

bpost

Yes. I have used RIFLE primers in PISTOL loads. But NEVER, EVER the other way around. I had no misfires when shot in a revolver.

perry shooter

Back in the old days the primer pocket was slightly deeper in rifle cases then pistol cases the primer was the same diameter but also different with the rifle primer being longer . This could lead to a rifle primer setting slightly higher then it should in a pistol case [:(] would not want this in my pistol Can you say slam fire. [xx(][xx(] Your mileage may vary.

PJ

I routinely use small pistol primers when reloading for my 22 Hornets. Accuracy is much better. I also read somewhere that the pistol primers work better in 25-20 WCF.
Pete

je2140

Thanks for the responses

BHAVIN

I shoot a 9x23 pistol and because of the high pressure involved they are loaded with Small rifle primers. Other than that I have never interchanged.

44shotdoctor

The same is true for using pistol primers in a rifle. Such as 44mag rifles. You cannot buy rifle ammo for a 44 mag rifle. Reload books show 44mag pistol and rifle loads using both type of primers. The powder loads are almost the same. Using both primers I can't tell the difference.

codenamepaul

I use small rifle primers in my .40S&W reloads