Remington Small Pistol Primers no good in 40 S&W???

johnw63 · February 25, 2010, 03:32 PM

On Midway's website they state that the Remington 1 1/2 small pistol primers are not recommended for 357 SIG and 40 S&W. Does anyone know why?

Has anyone used these primers in 40 S&W and if so, did you have any problems?

Thanks for any feedback.

dsv424 · February 25, 2010, 03:54 PM

Didn't realize that. I have reloaded a lot 40 S&W and .357 Sig with the Rem. 1 1/2 primers with no problems. Wonder what the problem is?

RB98SS · February 25, 2010, 04:35 PM

I did not realize that either. There's nothing on the box warning about using them in those calibers. I have used them in both .357 sig and .357 magnum, but now I'm wondering if I should continue to do so.

drjavelina · February 25, 2010, 05:09 PM

Never used Remington primers, just CCI. Guess I'll stay with CCI now.

Brian Pfleuger · February 25, 2010, 05:32 PM

If I remember correctly, it has to do with the primer cup being a little thin on the 1 1/2s. High pressure rounds (40 & 357sig) may blow through the primer cup and damage the breech face. I think you're supposed to use 5 1/2s for 40 and 357sig.

If I remember correctly.

alloy · February 25, 2010, 05:49 PM

If that is the case, Cabelas seems to show 5 1/2s in stock as well as the 1 1/2s.
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0003182210751a.shtml
Jus sayin'.....primers

.

jepp2 · February 25, 2010, 05:51 PM

Recent production Remington 1 1/2 small pistol primer warning on the side of the box:

If you check the current version of loading manuals, none that I have looked at show using the Remington 1 1/2 for the 40 S&W.

I have used them with the 40 S&W until I became aware of this caution. I switched away from them now. But I never did have any issues.

qcpunk · February 25, 2010, 06:25 PM

If you would like to use Remington SP Primers, you MUST use 5 1/2 for .357 Mag, .357 Sig, and .40 S&W.

1 1/2 primers are for .38, .380, .32, and so-on down the line. I dont think it's worth breaking a firing pin, eroding the breech face, or sending the extractor flying for a few bucks.

P.S. I got caught too. Went to sportsman's warehouse, line was formed for primers, clerk says "I've got small pistol primers!" we all jump, get the box, and outta there. Got home, wasnt busy, reading all the little writing (i do that sometimes

) and saw the same warning. I still have them if anyone is interested.

rock185 · February 25, 2010, 06:41 PM

I have been reloading since 1967 and have used the Remington 1 1/2 primers, and other Remington primers, for a long time. In both Remington factory ammo and reloads using the 1 1/2 primer, I have experienced more pierced primers than with all other American brands I've ever used. In fact, I don't actually recall any pierced primers with any other American brand. This has occured in different guns and calibers over a period of years. Most pierced primers I have experienced have been in 9mm. This is with both factory ammo and my reloads using the primer in question. I used the 5 1/2 primer for a while in reloding the 9mm and the problem went away. Velocities and velocity spreads were not significantly different than when using the 1 1/2 primer. With some 9mm loads, velocities were lower with the 5 1/2 primer than with the 1 1/2 I'd previously been using. The 5 1/2 primers didn't display any primer flow/extrusion/piercing issues at all. There were no misfires with the 5 1/2, which I believe, uses a thicker and/or harder cup. I quit buying the 1 1/2 primer some time ago and glad for the info and the fact that Remington is now putting that warning on their box reference the higher pressure cartridges mentioned. ymmv

dsv424 · February 26, 2010, 02:58 PM

Unfortunately, I purchased the individual 100 packs of Rem. 1 1/2 and the warning is not posted on them. They probably should put the warning on the 100 packs because a lot of stores sell them in this quantity. Thanks for posting the message on the 1,000 case because I could find nothing stating this at thier website either. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do since I have made about 300 .40 S&W and 200 .357 Sig and already shot half of them without any problems at all. The gun I'm using is a Sig P226 that I have with both caliber barrels.

PCJim · February 26, 2010, 05:44 PM

Food for thought - as long as you are not pushing maximum charges, you most likely will not have problems. Also, why is there no reference to 9mm? Isn't that a similarly high pressure round?

dsv424 · February 26, 2010, 07:03 PM

Well PCJim that makes me feel a bit better about the rest that I made since all I ever load is low to mid-range.

dsv424 · February 26, 2010, 08:56 PM

Well before anyone catches it. I made a mistake when I stated that the individual 100 packs did not have the warning on them. When I got home I re-checked and sure enough in very tiny print on the side of the pack was the same warning that is on the 1,000 box. So sorry for the mistake.

February 25, 2010, 03:32 PM	#1
johnw63 Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 42	Remington Small Pistol Primers no good in 40 S&W??? On Midway's website they state that the Remington 1 1/2 small pistol primers are not recommended for 357 SIG and 40 S&W. Does anyone know why? Has anyone used these primers in 40 S&W and if so, did you have any problems? Thanks for any feedback. __________________ There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation. One is by the Sword, the other is by Debt. John Adams. 9mm, 223 Rem, 260 Rem, and Browning XT Trap.

February 25, 2010, 05:32 PM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	If I remember correctly, it has to do with the primer cup being a little thin on the 1 1/2s. High pressure rounds (40 & 357sig) may blow through the primer cup and damage the breech face. I think you're supposed to use 5 1/2s for 40 and 357sig. If I remember correctly. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 25, 2010, 05:51 PM	#7
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Yes there is! Recent production Remington 1 1/2 small pistol primer warning on the side of the box: If you check the current version of loading manuals, none that I have looked at show using the Remington 1 1/2 for the 40 S&W. I have used them with the 40 S&W until I became aware of this caution. I switched away from them now. But I never did have any issues.

February 25, 2010, 06:25 PM	#8
qcpunk Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Farmsville, AZ Posts: 305	If you would like to use Remington SP Primers, you MUST use 5 1/2 for .357 Mag, .357 Sig, and .40 S&W. 1 1/2 primers are for .38, .380, .32, and so-on down the line. I dont think it's worth breaking a firing pin, eroding the breech face, or sending the extractor flying for a few bucks. P.S. I got caught too. Went to sportsman's warehouse, line was formed for primers, clerk says "I've got small pistol primers!" we all jump, get the box, and outta there. Got home, wasnt busy, reading all the little writing (i do that sometimes) and saw the same warning. I still have them if anyone is interested.

February 25, 2010, 06:41 PM	#9
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	I have been reloading since 1967 and have used the Remington 1 1/2 primers, and other Remington primers, for a long time. In both Remington factory ammo and reloads using the 1 1/2 primer, I have experienced more pierced primers than with all other American brands I've ever used. In fact, I don't actually recall any pierced primers with any other American brand. This has occured in different guns and calibers over a period of years. Most pierced primers I have experienced have been in 9mm. This is with both factory ammo and my reloads using the primer in question. I used the 5 1/2 primer for a while in reloding the 9mm and the problem went away. Velocities and velocity spreads were not significantly different than when using the 1 1/2 primer. With some 9mm loads, velocities were lower with the 5 1/2 primer than with the 1 1/2 I'd previously been using. The 5 1/2 primers didn't display any primer flow/extrusion/piercing issues at all. There were no misfires with the 5 1/2, which I believe, uses a thicker and/or harder cup. I quit buying the 1 1/2 primer some time ago and glad for the info and the fact that Remington is now putting that warning on their box reference the higher pressure cartridges mentioned. ymmv __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

February 25, 2010, 03:54 PM	#2
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	Didn't realize that. I have reloaded a lot 40 S&W and .357 Sig with the Rem. 1 1/2 primers with no problems. Wonder what the problem is?

February 25, 2010, 04:35 PM	#3
RB98SS Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2007 Location: Shoreview, MN Posts: 104	I did not realize that either. There's nothing on the box warning about using them in those calibers. I have used them in both .357 sig and .357 magnum, but now I'm wondering if I should continue to do so.

February 25, 2010, 05:09 PM	#4
drjavelina Junior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 11	Never used Remington primers, just CCI. Guess I'll stay with CCI now.

February 26, 2010, 02:58 PM	#10
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	Unfortunately, I purchased the individual 100 packs of Rem. 1 1/2 and the warning is not posted on them. They probably should put the warning on the 100 packs because a lot of stores sell them in this quantity. Thanks for posting the message on the 1,000 case because I could find nothing stating this at thier website either. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do since I have made about 300 .40 S&W and 200 .357 Sig and already shot half of them without any problems at all. The gun I'm using is a Sig P226 that I have with both caliber barrels.

February 26, 2010, 05:44 PM	#11
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	Food for thought - as long as you are not pushing maximum charges, you most likely will not have problems. Also, why is there no reference to 9mm? Isn't that a similarly high pressure round?

February 26, 2010, 07:03 PM	#12
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	Well PCJim that makes me feel a bit better about the rest that I made since all I ever load is low to mid-range.

February 26, 2010, 08:56 PM	#13
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	Well before anyone catches it. I made a mistake when I stated that the individual 100 packs did not have the warning on them. When I got home I re-checked and sure enough in very tiny print on the side of the pack was the same warning that is on the 1,000 box. So sorry for the mistake.