Dimple in primer just from chambering - normal?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Dimple in primer just from chambering - normal?

Posted: 4/14/2002 5:38:35 PM EDT

Over time I've noticed that when I chamber a round in my AR15a2, then extract it (without firing), it creates a small dimple in the primer. Not enough to ignite the primer but large enough to easily see it.

Is this normal, and should I worry about it? I wouldn't want an accidental slamfire. Are there any types of commercial or surplus ammo that have sensitive primers that we should avoid due to this? Also, is the primer with that dimple any less stable than one without?

I might be worrying over nothing, but better safe than sorry.

Thanks all...

Posted: 4/14/2002 5:42:44 PM EDT

[#1]

The dimple on the primer is relatively common given the free-floating AR15 firing pin. Military ammunition is typically loaded with primers having "thicker" primer cups----these are available from CCI for reloaders. I would tend to doubt that dimpled primers are any more sensitive or dangerous than non-dimpled ones.

Posted: 4/14/2002 8:17:14 PM EDT

[#2]

It is normal, and I have never heard of a problem resulting from it.

Posted: 4/14/2002 8:55:25 PM EDT

[#3]

There HAVE been problems with guns going off during chambering, due to an extremely sensitive primer or a primer that wasn't fully seated (this problem is common to any semi-auto with a free-floating firing pin, BTW).

If you reload for a semi-auto, I recommend either hand-seating your primers and/or using CCI "military" primers, which are designed to handle free-floating firing pins.

Also, NEVER chamber a gun with the barrel pointing at something that you mind being shot. People HAVE been killed and maimed, and there are many holes in walls, roofs, and floors from people who were SURE that "nothing bad would happen."

-Troy

Posted: 4/14/2002 10:24:17 PM EDT

[#4]

I have personally experienced some "slam-fires" with handloaded 223 ammo using Winchester small rifle primers. I eliminated the problem with a titanium firing pin. So far so good.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Dimple in primer just from chambering - normal?

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