small pistol primer

salvadore · October 13, 2012, 07:36 PM

Can anyone tell me which small pistol primer is easiest to ignite? Thank you.

dacaur · October 13, 2012, 08:12 PM

Well, I have heard federal, but I think the question is, why do you need an "easy" to ignite primer? If you are having light strikes, the solution is not a softer primer.....

Gerry · October 13, 2012, 08:54 PM

Federal is reportedly easiest among the big 3 brands (Federal, CCI, and Winchester). A lot of IPSC Production DA/SA shooters who have lightened their mainspring to the point where light strikes sometimes occur find that going to Federal is just one more aspect under their control that increases reliability, as does the use of an extended firing pin, and a slightly weaker firing pin spring.

But I agree with dacaur on this. Doing stuff to your gun that makes primer choice a factor for reliability is going too far in my opinion. If your unmodified gun is doing light strikes, then obviously it's time to address the root cause of the problem.

serf 'rett · October 13, 2012, 09:08 PM

Some of the revolver guys I shoot with in IDPA swear by the Federals. I lean toward the harder CCI and Tula or Wolf in my pistols.

Shootest · October 13, 2012, 10:55 PM

In my experience if a primer doesn’t ignite, it was because the primer was not fully or correctly seated. All the major manufactures Remington, Winchester, CCI, Federal, and Wolf make a reliable product.

salvadore · October 13, 2012, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Well, I have heard federal, but I think the question is, why do you need an "easy" to ignite primer? If you are having light strikes, the solution is not a softer primer.....

No really, the question was, can anyone tell me which small pistol primer is easiest to ignite? Thank you.

dahermit · October 13, 2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Can anyone tell me which small pistol primer is easiest to ignite? Thank you.

Without any preaching, it is Federal.

Misssissippi Dave · October 14, 2012, 12:05 AM

I have tried 4 brands so far. Here they are in order.
Federal
Winchester
Remington
CCI

FloridaVeteran · October 14, 2012, 12:13 AM

Federal. Hands down.

I think it is important to balance that against why you want a light-strike primer. I shoot single-actions with 2-lb. triggers and light springs, so I need reliable ignition relative to that. But when I load for my standard-ammo 1911s I use Winchester.

salvadore · October 14, 2012, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the timely resonse gang, appreciate it.

spacecoast · October 15, 2012, 07:54 AM

Definitely Federal. I have problems with light strikes in my modified Bullseye revolvers shooting DA if I don't use them. I also think Federal .22LR ammo is more likely to ignite in a light strike situation.

October 13, 2012, 07:36 PM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	small pistol primer Can anyone tell me which small pistol primer is easiest to ignite? Thank you.

October 13, 2012, 09:08 PM	#4
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	Some of the revolver guys I shoot with in IDPA swear by the Federals. I lean toward the harder CCI and Tula or Wolf in my pistols. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

October 13, 2012, 10:55 PM	#5
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	In my experience if a primer doesn’t ignite, it was because the primer was not fully or correctly seated. All the major manufactures Remington, Winchester, CCI, Federal, and Wolf make a reliable product. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

October 13, 2012, 08:12 PM	#2
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	Well, I have heard federal, but I think the question is, why do you need an "easy" to ignite primer? If you are having light strikes, the solution is not a softer primer.....

October 13, 2012, 08:54 PM	#3
Gerry Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 382	Federal is reportedly easiest among the big 3 brands (Federal, CCI, and Winchester). A lot of IPSC Production DA/SA shooters who have lightened their mainspring to the point where light strikes sometimes occur find that going to Federal is just one more aspect under their control that increases reliability, as does the use of an extended firing pin, and a slightly weaker firing pin spring. But I agree with dacaur on this. Doing stuff to your gun that makes primer choice a factor for reliability is going too far in my opinion. If your unmodified gun is doing light strikes, then obviously it's time to address the root cause of the problem.

October 14, 2012, 12:05 AM	#8
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I have tried 4 brands so far. Here they are in order. Federal Winchester Remington CCI

October 14, 2012, 12:13 AM	#9
FloridaVeteran Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 399	Federal. Hands down. I think it is important to balance that against why you want a light-strike primer. I shoot single-actions with 2-lb. triggers and light springs, so I need reliable ignition relative to that. But when I load for my standard-ammo 1911s I use Winchester.

October 14, 2012, 09:53 AM	#10
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Thanks for the timely resonse gang, appreciate it.

October 15, 2012, 07:54 AM	#11
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Definitely Federal. I have problems with light strikes in my modified Bullseye revolvers shooting DA if I don't use them. I also think Federal .22LR ammo is more likely to ignite in a light strike situation.