Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-04-2009, 09:37 PM
foxymike foxymike is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers

Folks,

I actually was able to buy some primers today. (I was able to buy only 400.) Available were Remington 1 1/2 and 5 1/2 small pistol primers.

I've only used Winchester, CCI, and Federal primers. I gather from other forums that 1 1/2s are small pistol and 5 1/2s are small pistol magnum.

The 1 1/2s have the warning: "Do not use 1 1/2 small pistol primers in high intensity pistol cartridges such as .357 Magnum . . . ." I thought this odd, because I've used other small pistol primers in all sorts of .357 Magnum loads without a hitch.

Not being familiar with the Remingtons (and not ever having seen them on the shelves before) I thought I'd make a general inquiry about their use.

Do the 1 1/2s have thinner cups making them unsafe in Magnum loads? Et cetera???

Inquiring minds want to know.

(BTW, I plan on using them only in .38 Special loads, so the question may be academic, but I (and others) might like to be enlightened!)

Thanks in advance!

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-04-2009, 09:40 PM
Gun 4 Fun Gun 4 Fun is offline
SWCA Member
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,027
Likes: 1,061
Liked 774 Times in 375 Posts
Default

Looks like you answered your own question. (Thinner cup)
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 08-05-2009, 01:45 AM
Paul5388's Avatar
Paul5388 Paul5388 is offline
US Veteran
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Rusk Co. Texas
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 0
Liked 43 Times in 31 Posts
Default

Here's a primer cross reference. Primer cross reference chart

That cross reference indicates the 5 1/2 is a small pistol magnum primer. I wouldn't use either one in a .357 Mag, but I would use a 6 1/2.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-05-2009, 11:12 AM
foxymike foxymike is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default ... knew I shoulda looked ...

Thanks, gents!

Tho I've used handloads.com for lots of other stuff, it completely skipped my mind when this question came up.

Remington's packaging is a bit of a mystery. If they would just label 5 1/2s as small pistol magnums it would save us from reading the microscopic print!

Anyhow, I use CCI 400s in my magnum loads, thanks to an earlier tip from Paul.

Thanks again!

Best,

Mike

Last edited by foxymike; 08-05-2009 at 11:14 AM. Reason: bad grammar!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-05-2009, 12:13 PM
Paul5388's Avatar
Paul5388 Paul5388 is offline
US Veteran
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Rusk Co. Texas
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 0
Liked 43 Times in 31 Posts
Default

Mike,

It would seem that the addition of the "M", like in the 9 1/2 M, would solve a lot of confusion.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-07-2009, 06:52 PM
jwh32 jwh32 is offline
Member
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts
Default

rem 1&1/2 vs rem 5&1/2, being disatisfied with all forum answers about a year ago, i call rem factory, and got this answer. NO change in
power, just cup thickness. they use 5&1/2 for factory loaded 357 sig and 40 S&W to prevent flow-back into the firing pin opening. i use it for everything including 38spl & 380 with no problems. they said it is NOT a magnum primer.

john

Last edited by jwh32; 08-07-2009 at 06:54 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 08-09-2009, 10:59 AM
foxymike foxymike is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default ... hmmm ...

jwh32,

Now, that is interesting!

Confirms my use of CCI 400s for magnum loads. (I generally stick with 2400; old fashioned, I guess.)

Paul5388: Would a change in the handloads.com primer comparison chart be in order? Just asking.

Best,

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-09-2009, 11:54 PM
n4zov's Avatar
n4zov n4zov is offline
US Veteran
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: S.E. USA
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times in 37 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwh32 View Post
rem 1&1/2 vs rem 5&1/2, being disatisfied with all forum answers about a year ago, i call rem factory, and got this answer. NO change in
power, just cup thickness. they use 5&1/2 for factory loaded 357 sig and 40 S&W to prevent flow-back into the firing pin opening. i use it for everything including 38spl & 380 with no problems. they said it is NOT a magnum primer.

john
Good information to know! Thanks for sharing it with everybody.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 08-10-2009, 02:28 AM
Paul5388's Avatar
Paul5388 Paul5388 is offline
US Veteran
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Rusk Co. Texas
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 0
Liked 43 Times in 31 Posts
Default

Mike,

A change to the chart would be beyond my job description. I can edit posts and do general moderator functions, but I don't have the ability to change any of the articles and etc.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-04-2017, 07:20 PM
mystical_tutor mystical_tutor is offline
Member
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default What is a 5 1/2 "small pistol" primer

Haven't reloaded for years and am learning all over again. Asked for small pistol primers at the LGS and got a box of Remington 5 1/2 primers. Asked the clerk what 5 1/2 meant and he didn't know. So, can someone tell me if this will work OK for loading 9mm for my Springfield Arms XD and my 1939 Mauser made Luger? Hate to bother but I need qualified input on this. oops, forgot, would they also work for .38

Major Gary Adkison (USA-RET)
3/5 Cav [yes, and if you ain't Cav, you ain't.....]

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by mystical_tutor; 06-04-2017 at 07:52 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-04-2017, 08:05 PM
IAhunter's Avatar
IAhunter IAhunter is offline
Member
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cochise County, Arizona
Posts: 390
Likes: 230
Liked 311 Times in 136 Posts
Default

I had previously read the info concerning Remington 1 1/2 and 5 1/2 primers in jwh32's post. I have used both successfully, and prefer them in certain loads. The 5 1/2s work well for me in .357 magnum jacketed loads with Alliant 2400 and they should work fine in 9mm if they stand up to .357 pressures.

Last edited by IAhunter; 06-04-2017 at 08:07 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-04-2017, 08:09 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,580
Likes: 1,787
Liked 5,342 Times in 2,685 Posts
Default

You really need the magnum small pistol primers if you're using hard to ignite powders like 4227, 296 etc. If you just gotta get the last foot second out of the load also.

I've done .357 loads with regular SP primers with no issues, but I'm not trying to get the last foot second.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-04-2017, 11:57 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,480
Likes: 236
Liked 28,941 Times in 14,012 Posts
Default

Some years ago, I came into some quantity of elderly (probably 1960s) Remington 1-1/2 and 6-1/2 primers at a giveaway price, and used them in both .38 Special (1-1/2 small pistol) and .38 Super (6-1/2 small rifle) without any problems. I probably still have some of each. I have used mainly small rifle primers for loading handgun calibers - .32-20, .38/.357, 9mm, and .38 Super - for quite a few years.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
357 magnum, 380, 38spl, primer, remington, sig arms, winchester

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Using small rifle primers for small pistol primers kantuck Reloading 16 05-04-2015 09:10 AM
Small Pistol Primers vs. Magnum Small Pistol Primers palmetto99 Reloading 5 02-10-2011 10:03 PM
CCI vs Remington Small Pistol Primers Rule3 Reloading 20 06-10-2010 09:51 PM
WTT Small pistol PRIMERS for Large Pistol PRIMERS(Charleston Sc) Lomax Anderson Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 0 02-20-2010 08:30 AM
WTT CCI magnum small pistol primers for standard small pistol primers Black_Sheep Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 1 09-07-2009 11:47 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:30 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)