Banner image by Mike116

Banner image by Mike116

« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Small pistol primers instead of caps  (Read 7821 times)

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Small pistol primers instead of caps
« on: January 06, 2015, 06:35:11 PM »
I had read a while ago about using small pistol primers pushed into poly tubing and placed on the cylinder nipples instead of percussion caps. I cut some tubing about 1/4" long using a jig for uniformity. Pushed the caps in flush with the top of the tubing. I loaded up all six chambers and stepped out into the yard. Hey....those things actually work!
« Last Edit: January 06, 2015, 06:37:10 PM by mazo kid »
Logged

Offline Captainkirk

  • Administrator Extraordinaire and Part-Time Gunslinger
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • "Never said I didn't know how to use it" M.Quigley
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2015, 07:47:04 PM »
Wow...pretty good idea! Of course, I'd rather use caps, but hey...in a pinch...good to know!
Logged
"You gonna pull those pistols, or whistle Dixie?"

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2015, 11:01:52 AM »
Yeah, plus the fact that primers are less than half (sometimes even a third) the cost of caps. As long as I can get caps, that is what I will use. It's good to know there is a reliable alternative.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 11:16:35 AM by mazo kid »
Logged

Offline mike116

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2673
    • View Profile
    • LeathersmithMike.net
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2015, 03:42:21 PM »
Caps are just $5.99 at Sportsmans Warehouse here North of Denver.  As long as I can get them that cheap I won't worry about it.  Cabelas and Gander Mountain are charging $7.99.   Caps were always in pretty good supply here but if they ever get scarce again I would be willing to try the primers and tubing.    Thanks for doing the work for us Mazo.
Logged

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2015, 04:07:11 PM »
It really wasn't my original idea as I had seen a post on another forum telling about the procedure. I wasn't sure the primers would go off in the tubing when struck by the hammer, but all six cylinders fired off with nary a hitch!
Logged

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2015, 03:11:44 PM »
Here is a picture of some, shown with a .....GASP......Remington cylinder. I'll get around to shootin' a cylinder full out of a Colt as soon as the weather moderates a bit.
Logged

Offline mike116

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2673
    • View Profile
    • LeathersmithMike.net
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2015, 03:33:18 PM »
Sure looks like it will work.  Maybe help with cap jam problems on the Colts.
Logged

Offline Captainkirk

  • Administrator Extraordinaire and Part-Time Gunslinger
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • "Never said I didn't know how to use it" M.Quigley
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2015, 06:42:56 PM »
Quote from: mike116 on January 08, 2015, 03:33:18 PM
Sure looks like it will work.  Maybe help with cap jam problems on the Colts.
Good point! Now I wanna try it!
Logged
"You gonna pull those pistols, or whistle Dixie?"

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2015, 01:36:28 PM »
Mike, you mentioned that caps are $6.00 per hundred. That's $60.00 per 1000. Primers here are $28.00 per 1000. But yeah, I'll keep on using the caps until I get in a bind or just want something different to shoot.
Logged

Offline mike116

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2673
    • View Profile
    • LeathersmithMike.net
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2015, 06:21:34 PM »
Your are right Mazo,  a significant savings to say the least.  I will reluctantly continue using caps and pay the $32 difference just to avoid another step in the loading and/or preparation for shooting these C&B revolvers.  It's good to have an option though.
Logged

Offline Mad Dog Stafford

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1238
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2015, 05:31:33 AM »
I paid $45 for 1500 Fiocchi small pistol primers last year.
Logged

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2015, 09:07:23 AM »
Some guys are making their own caps and these primer adapter thingies are much less work!
Logged

Offline omarkw

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2015, 08:34:16 PM »
Should be nearly waterproof.           Mark
Logged
on these walks make your gun your constant companion.   TJ

Offline mazo kid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5165
  • Newbie
    • View Profile
Re: Small pistol primers instead of caps
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2015, 01:14:18 PM »
Yes, I would think they would be waterproof as the primers are a snug fit in the tubing, the tubing is a snug fit on the nipple.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »