I found a deal on primers awhile back.

[JimT]

They were a little less than $60 a thousand which these days is a pretty good deal. They were made in Argentina but I decided to take a chance on them. After getting them I figured it would be a good idea to get some kind of comparison to US-made primers so I decided to test them against Federal Small Magnum Pistol primers.

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My test was to fire loads with no powder and see how the primers performed. I decided to use the Saeco 158 gr. SWC and a .375" ball. The SWC would be loaded with no crimp and with a crimp. I set up some sections of cardboard as a backstop. The test would be fired with my S&W Model 340 that has a 1.75" barrel.

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I loaded the Argentine primed, uncrimped load and from a distance of about 6" to the cardboard I pulled the trigger, resulting in a loud POP but nothing exiting the barrel. Then I measured where the bullet stopped in the bore. I apologize for the unfocused photo. I did not pay attention to the camera in my haste. Sorry

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A5 1.75 - .78= .97.JPG

1.75" minus .78 equals .97" down the bore.

I shoved the bullet out of the bore with a brass rod.

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Next I loaded the crimped round. When I pulled the trigger all I got was the CLICK of the hammer dropping. I pulled the cartridge and found the bullet still crimped in place.

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Pulling the bullet showed the primer had fired.

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Next I loaded the round ball load and about 6" from the cardboard I pulled the trigger. At the shot the ball hit the cardboard and bounced back onto the floor.

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The cardboard had a small dent.

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I then took the loads with the Federal Small Magnum pistol primers and tried them. The first was the 158 gr. Saeco SWC uncrimped. It popped the bullet down the bore.

IMG_7086 1.75-1.02=.73.JPG

1.75" minus 1.02" equals .73"

After getting the bullet out of the barrel I tried the crimped bullet load and had the same results as the first. The bullet did not move. Then I loaded the .375" round ball load. At the shot nothing came out of the barrel. I opened the cylinder and found the ball in the end of the chamber.

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To make sure I fired on more. This one popped the ball just past the forcing cone.

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To keep things equal I fired one more ball load using the Argentine primers. This load popped the ball almost to the end of the bore.

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So the Argentine primers seem to have good power. I am not loading hot loads with them so it probably doesn't matter, but it was interesting to do. Chronographing would tell more but for my purposes this was enough.

[4t5]

Muy interesting.

[GunnyMack]

Interesting indeed. You would think the magnum primers would have been more energetic...
Sure wish I could find some large pistol primers so I can work up a load for my 41 mag .

[Rimfire McNutjob]

The only thing I've heard about them is that unlike most American brands, the anvil is not proud of the cup. Most people have to seat them a bit deeper to get reliable ignition.

You can get them at NormaUSA for $50/k with free shipping if you order 3k.

https://normausa.com/product/small-pistol-primers/

[Scott Tschirhart]

I bought some of these but have not had the opportunity to load them yet.

[JimT]

I've primed about 200 cases. Fired 10 in testing. No issues with the light hammer fall of the S&W Model 340.

[JimT]

The only thing I've heard about them is that unlike most American brands, the anvil is not proud of the cup. Most people have to seat them a bit deeper to get reliable ignition.

You can get them at NormaUSA for $50/k with free shipping if you order 3k.

https://normausa.com/product/small-pistol-primers/

I've not found any difference in the way the anvil is seated. Left is CCI and Right is the Argentine.

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[Ysabel Kid]

Thanks for posting this Jim. I have used CCI primers, when available. Started with them 40+ years ago (I wish those prices were back!). Back during the last major "primer drought" (Obama years), I purchased some Sellier & Bellot primers. They are a bit harder than the CCI's, but worked fine. Given the current drought, I've been looking at imported primers too.

What I really wish I could find is percussion caps. I haven't seen those in a store in forever...

[Scott Tschirhart]

My next .38 Special session will include these.

[JimT]

What I really wish I could find is percussion caps. I haven't seen those in a store in forever...

Powder Valley has them in Stock. CCI No. 10 and No. 11

And Natchez has CCI and Remington in stock.

and no, they are not cheap ... but they are available!

[Ysabel Kid]

What I really wish I could find is percussion caps. I haven't seen those in a store in forever...

Powder Valley has them in Stock. CCI No. 10 and No. 11

And Natchez has CCI and Remington in stock.

and no, they are not cheap ... but they are available!

Thanks Jim! Available is good!!!

[Scott Tschirhart]

I used these primers in my .38/44 loads over the weekend. They fed just fine through my Dillon 550 and they worked just fine for these relatively stiff rounds.

[JimT]

I used these primers in my .38/44 loads over the weekend. They fed just fine through my Dillon 550 and they worked just fine for these relatively stiff rounds.

Thanks Scott!

[4t5]

Targetsportsusa.com
CCI #500 sm pistol primers. $350 / 5000 free ship , only a $30 haz mat fee.
Split with some friends , not to bad.
In store p/u, no fees.

[Bronco]

Ahh. The fun of being able to reload.... playing around SAFELY