Hello all, I'm new to reloading for revolvers but have done a lot of reloading for rifles. With my long guns I have had fantasic results with CCI primers but I am now told that they are too hard for revolvers and they will cause missfires and that Federal pirmers are the only way to go. I know from experience that Magtech primes are quite soft too. What primes do you people use in 38 Special / 357 Magnums and what are you opinions?
Revolver primers
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I mostly use WW now as that is what the LGS carries. Over the past 40 years, I suspect I have used all of the American brands and have never had a problem.
buck460XVR
Member
Only problems I have heard from using CCI primers is those folks that have replaced/shortened/loosened action springs, or have a short firing pin. I have used CCIs in all of my revolvers and have never had one not go off.
imashooter2
Member
A S&W revolver in good factory condition will set off any brand of primer with 100% reliability. When competition tuned to lower DA pull weights, they become less and less reliable as the pull weight decreases. Federal makes the most sensitive primers and so the recommendation to only use Federals for lowered pull weight revolvers.
ACP230
Member
One of my revolvers had a tune up and will not fire CCI primers all the time.
The rest have no problems.
If I had realized that the tune up would have made the revolver primer sensitive I wouldn't have had it done.
The rest have no problems.
If I had realized that the tune up would have made the revolver primer sensitive I wouldn't have had it done.
Az Rick
Member
I've been using CCI's almost exclusively for awhile and have never had a problem, they look the same as other brands when struck. You'll get lots of unsolicited advice when you reload. It's good to ask questions and get opinions and judge for yourself. Try some, I'll bet you'll come to your own proper conclusion.
Best, Rick
Best, Rick
imashooter2
Member
It's fully reversible. Put factory springs back in and your gun should once again be 100% reliable with any primer, but smoother than stock due to the polishing. Of course, this assumes the tuner did some polishing and didn't just swap out or cut / bend the springs...
I have replaced all the main springs (hammer) and rebound springs in my revolvers. They will fire any brand. I am using mostly Wolf large and small as I bought a bunch on sale during the great primer shortage. I would say the Wolf are towards the hard end of the scale.
The Wolf main spring only reduces the pull by 1/2 lb from factory. The rebound spring makes the trigger nicer and does not effect ignition.
It's when people fiddle with the strain screw to try and lighten the pull that they screw up their guns,
The Wolf main spring only reduces the pull by 1/2 lb from factory. The rebound spring makes the trigger nicer and does not effect ignition.
It's when people fiddle with the strain screw to try and lighten the pull that they screw up their guns,
As long as you factory or factory replacement springs, you should have no problems with CCI. If you are shooting a modified "tuned" action revolver, you could have ignition problems, and therefore the Federal are the best as they will set off with the lightest hammer fall.
Titegroups
Member
Exactly, a man who knows what he's talking about. Stock guns will fire most any primers, modify them with lighter springs for competition and you may have to go with federals for reliability. CCI makes a great primer.
TSQUARED
Member
I tend to use WInchester primers from my semi auto pistols but have also used Remington and CCI. For my revolver loads I stick with Federal primers since all my revovers have lightened DA triggers.
Andy Griffith
Member
Typically, anyone that has a super-light action on a revolver that will not ignite any correctly seated primer has an incorrectly modified revolver. Typically, most people either shorten the strain screw or back it out even when using lighter springs to make the action even lighter! 
If you have a action so light it has to have Federal Gold Medal primers, there is something terribly wrong.
I will add that the above is my opinion and may not be the status quo among some shooters, but I believe that if your gun malfunctions during a match or range session and isn't reliable- it isn't right and isn't safe.
I've been at several matches and looked at other shooter's guns that wouldn't reliably set off rounds, and when I suggested tightening up the mainspring they usually got huffy about it and each stated they knew what they were doing.
That's why I now never make suggestions much anymore.
If you have a action so light it has to have Federal Gold Medal primers, there is something terribly wrong.
I will add that the above is my opinion and may not be the status quo among some shooters, but I believe that if your gun malfunctions during a match or range session and isn't reliable- it isn't right and isn't safe.
I've been at several matches and looked at other shooter's guns that wouldn't reliably set off rounds, and when I suggested tightening up the mainspring they usually got huffy about it and each stated they knew what they were doing.
That's why I now never make suggestions much anymore.
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I use mostly CCI primers and have never had a ignition problem with any of my revolvers.
imashooter2
Member
Typically, anyone that has a super-light action on a revolver that will not ignite any correctly seated primer has an incorrectly modified revolver. Typically, most people either shorten the strain screw or back it out even when using lighter springs to make the action even lighter!
If you have a action so light it has to have Federal Gold Medal primers, there is something terribly wrong.
I've been at several matches and looked at other shooter's guns that wouldn't reliably set off rounds, and when I suggested tightening up the mainspring they usually got huffy about it and each stated they knew what they were doing.
That's why I now never make suggestions much anymore.
The pure fact is you can lighten the DA pull and be 100% with all primers, but you can lighten it further and still be 100% with the more sensitive Federal. As long as the gun in question is a game gun only and the competitor understands and accepts that limitation there is not something "terribly wrong."
GyMac
US Veteran
No matter how hard I try to fully seat them, I get the occasional misfire from high primers in revolvers with CCI primers. They also seem to fit a little tighter in the pockets. I have no problem with WW primers. And I have no problem with CCI primers in autos.
Bullseye Smith
Member
The CCI primer is a good primer for general use. When I could shoot rifles I found that the WW primer and Federal were the best for a target gun. I most of the time use Federal Match Primers for everything 
.
.Like GyMac I have found CCI primers very hard to fully seat. My Rem.
45 AR brass absolutely will not allow a CCI 300 to seat even flush.
45 AR brass absolutely will not allow a CCI 300 to seat even flush.
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