Reloaded primers and stainless steel handguns

[lrrifleman]

This is as much a thought provoking PSA as it is a serious question.

I have been intrigued by the idea of reloading primers in light of the current shortages. While the process appears to be tedious, the cost to reload a thousand primers could be less than the pre-COVID price of a thousand primers. The immediate red flag that many desperate reloaders may miss is that these primers are corrosive! This, in concert with the next potential substitute, lead to the question at the end.

Another shortage induced remedy that could be employed by a reloader desperate for reloading components could be the substitution of either Pyrodex or Hogdon's 777 in 3Fg formulation in non-magnum loads. These powders tend to be advertised for their minimal cleaning after a shooting session.

My question is, what would the effects be of the corrosive nature of either or both the corrosive primers and/or the black powder substitute powders on a stainless steel handgun? Remember, in addition to the salts left in the barrel, you will have salts spread by the powder plumes at the muzzle, and either cylinder gap (revolver) or ejection port (semi-auto) during the ejection process!

I can envision a large quantity of stainless steel handguns (promoted for their need for minimal cleaning) destroyed by the use of substitute primers and propellants!

[rwsmith]

...is not of a grade to be especially corrosion resistant. They will rust if exposed to corrosives.

[sheppard]

Clean it like it was a cap and ball revolver. Soapy, hot water to get rid of the corrosive salts. You do need to clean ASAP after shooting.

[chief38]

While reloading Primers can be done, it is certainly not a practical thing to do and I would bet Primer failures would occur. We are all suffering through the current situation but for one to "reload" Primers in numbers isn't the answer IMHO.

I'd bet if you put your mind to it, you could actually score some Factory Primers. YES.... you will get ripped off, but at least you won't have to deal with dangerous chemicals, used deformed Primers and Primers from the Factory always work. AT the end of the day, this is one place that DIY doesn't really make sense - sort of like reloading 22 LR...... Just doesn't make sense to me.

[Pisgah]

I really foresee no problem. Reloading primers is so tediously slow, frustrating and dangerous that half the people who try it will quit after making a few, and the other half will find themselves too seriously injured to get to any actual shooting. Either way, I doubt we'll see any plague of rusted stainless guns as a result.