Remington 1 1/2 vs. 5 1/2 Small Pistol Primers

[foxymike]

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

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Looks like you answered your own question. (Thinner cup)

 

[Paul5388]

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.

 

[foxymike]

... 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

 

[Paul5388]

Mike,

It would seem that the addition of the "M", like in the 9 1/2 M, would solve a lot of confusion.

 

[jwh32]

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

 

[foxymike]

... 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

 

[n4zov]

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.

 

[Paul5388]

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.

 

[mystical_tutor]

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.

 

[IAhunter]

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.

 

[WR Moore]

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.

 

[DWalt]

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.