Can you crimp primers in?

isanchez2008 · January 14, 2009, 01:08 AM

I have often heard people talking about removing crimped in primers from military brass. What I am wondering is, can the average reloader crimp primers in himself? Would it be worth it?

Shoney · January 14, 2009, 02:46 AM

There are primer crimping tools out there in the used market. None in current production that I know of. The Class 3 shooters used them to crimp for full auto weapons.

Sometimes full auto military arms stretch in the bolt/chamber area due to heat. Wear can also be a factor. Under battle conditions this is a definite possibility. The headspace can increase to the point that a primer could pop out of it's pocket of uncrimped ammo. A loose primer could foul up the mechanism, and the blockage wouldn't allow the weapon to go into battery.

It's not likely that a stoppage would be life threatening to sports shooters. However, during combat you don't want this to happen.

So if you are planning to go into battle soon with your handloads, you better spend a lot of time on Google tracking one down.

LHB1 · January 14, 2009, 02:29 PM

Why would you want to crimp primers? Why deliberately go to the extra effort to create problems that don't exist? NO. NO. NO.

isanchez2008 · January 14, 2009, 05:15 PM

Lol. No I won't be in any battles anytime Shoney. Just kinda wondered why the imbalance of info.

swmike · January 14, 2009, 09:44 PM

Primers are crimped in to keep them in place under EXTREME conditions. Military loads are often at or above the max for a sport shooter and are also designed to be used in Full Auto (capable) weapons.

Unless you expect those conditions don't worry about crimping. For those of us that use thousands of ex-military ammo cases for reloading the crimp is a bit of a pain. Once it is removed by swaging I definitely don't want it back.

Inspector3711 · January 14, 2009, 10:09 PM

I need an ex motherinlaw crimper....

January 14, 2009, 01:08 AM	#1
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	Can you crimp primers in? I have often heard people talking about removing crimped in primers from military brass. What I am wondering is, can the average reloader crimp primers in himself? Would it be worth it?

January 14, 2009, 02:46 AM	#2
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	There are primer crimping tools out there in the used market. None in current production that I know of. The Class 3 shooters used them to crimp for full auto weapons. Sometimes full auto military arms stretch in the bolt/chamber area due to heat. Wear can also be a factor. Under battle conditions this is a definite possibility. The headspace can increase to the point that a primer could pop out of it's pocket of uncrimped ammo. A loose primer could foul up the mechanism, and the blockage wouldn't allow the weapon to go into battery. It's not likely that a stoppage would be life threatening to sports shooters. However, during combat you don't want this to happen. So if you are planning to go into battle soon with your handloads, you better spend a lot of time on Google tracking one down. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

January 14, 2009, 02:29 PM	#3
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Why would you want to crimp primers? Why deliberately go to the extra effort to create problems that don't exist? NO. NO. NO. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

January 14, 2009, 09:44 PM	#5
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	Primers are crimped in to keep them in place under EXTREME conditions. Military loads are often at or above the max for a sport shooter and are also designed to be used in Full Auto (capable) weapons. Unless you expect those conditions don't worry about crimping. For those of us that use thousands of ex-military ammo cases for reloading the crimp is a bit of a pain. Once it is removed by swaging I definitely don't want it back. __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

January 14, 2009, 10:09 PM	#6
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	I need an ex motherinlaw crimper.... __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

January 14, 2009, 05:15 PM	#4
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	Lol. No I won't be in any battles anytime Shoney. Just kinda wondered why the imbalance of info.