Can a 1911a1 fire number 41 primers?

[N555]

Well next round of loading will be my collection of several hundred small primer 45aarp brass.
I also got 500 winchester number 41 primers academy for Christmas.
After the brick of dead primers I test 1 or 2 primers from every sleeve now.
So can a 1911a1 Springfield armory design hit a number 41 hard enough to set it off?
No I'm not loading up a run of 45acp with number 41 primers, that would be a waste of No41s. I do have small pistol primers (which I also need to test).
What do you think?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I would just load a few ''blanks''. And see how they do. I think Winchester primers are a little softer than CCI. I have used CCI SRP in 9mm and 40sw. With no miss fires. In 380 striker fired they did need a second strike sometimes.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I don’t know what #41s are but I have used exactly 200 CCI SRP in one of my 1911s three years ago after I bought a box of stuff from a guy at the range. Tried one, it worked, so used them all.

 

[Cheesemaker]

I don’t know what #41s are but I have used exactly 200 CCI SRP in one of my 1911s three years ago after I bought a box of stuff from a guy at the range. Tried one, it worked, so used them all.

CCI #41 are the "mil-spec" SRPs. Designed, I believe for the AR/M16 world....Harder cups than standard SRPs

My opinion only, YMMV.

No clue if they will fire in a 1911...

 

[Y-T71]

I don't have any experience with that question but #41 primers were designed with a slightly different anvil geometry for the specific purpose of making them less sensitive to slam fires in the cartridge they were designed for: 5.56x45.

My suggestion would be to load some up to try.

That's the only way I can think for you find out.

Also, depending on the model and/or vintage of your Springfield 1911, you may have a lightweight firing pin installed so that the pistol would be able to pass "drop" tests required by some states on order to be legal for sale in those states.

That may or may not have some affect on your pistols ability to reliably ignite your #41's.

Hope this helps!

 

[AJC1]

I voted no for not consistently. I thing several if not all in a mag will need to be hit 2 or 3 times. I had that issue in my 357 marlin.

 

[jmorris]

I have not tried that particular primer but I do know from my 45 ACP revolvers that using both Winchester SPP and LPP, the SPP can allow for reduced main spring tension and retain 100% reliably. With LPP at the same setting will be hit or miss. So normally the smaller diameter the easier it is to light them off.

I have used many thousands of CCI (known harder cups than others) SRP in my open pistols (pretty much a double stack 1911) and they run 100%.

So, if the pistol is functioning properly, I’d put my money on “bang” over “click”.

 

[243winxb]

Yes, will fire.
Pin velocity is more important then depth. But both count.

The 1911 inertia firing pin may just bounce back, as it's not in full contact with the hammer.

 

[Blue68f100]

Does your Springfield have the Ti FP? of so it may have a problem. A std FP with a 26# hammer springs should not be a problem.

 

[Walkalong]

Maybe, they are harder to set off than other 'small" primers.

I tested some in 9MM, along with other SP & SR primers.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/9mm-primer-test.840256/page-3#post-10905312

From the link. More info and pics at the link.

 

[Charlie98]

I tested some in 9MM, along with other SP & SR primers.

Interesting. I wondered how the #41 would have affected the ES/SD numbers.

 

[JEBruns]

I bought a box of the Win #41's a couple of years ago, hoping they'd work for SPP. Less than half would go off in my P229, Shadow 2 (with std firing pin and extended one) or my P320 X5. Even with multiple strikes. I gave my buddy, who loads for his AR, a good deal on them. He said they worked great for .223 loads.

 

[N555]

Interesting. I wondered how the #41 would have affected the ES/SD numbers.

Be like using a magnum primer.

 

[N555]

Does your Springfield have the Ti FP? of so it may have a problem. A std FP with a 26# hammer springs should not be a problem.

I'm pretty sure it has the standard stainless steel firing pin I never bought a replacement firing pin.
I did modify my striker fired sten gun so that it no longer had a floating firing pin putting the primer, firing pin and hammer all in contact at the same time, it still wouldn't set off rifle primers. Then I added in a +0.015 titanium firing pin. Now it pops No41s like they are roll caps.
So unless that 1911 firing pin is really moving it may not want to set off No41s.

 

[Charlie98]

Be like using a magnum primer.

That was my thought. Magnum primers can sometimes mess with the numbers... at least in my experiences.

 

[N555]

Oh yeah swapping to magnums will definitely mess with pressure on hand gun loads.

 

[Nature Boy]

I bought a box of the Win #41's a couple of years ago, hoping they'd work for SPP. Less than half would go off in my P229, Shadow 2 (with std firing pin and extended one) or my P320 X5. Even with multiple strikes. I gave my buddy, who loads for his AR, a good deal on them. He said they worked great for .223 loads.

This is what I would expect. Thicker cup, less sensitive, unreliable ignition.

I’m interested in seeing what the OP gets when he tries them.

 

[Blue68f100]

There are 4 different FP sizes used in 1911's. The small one (0.062") used on 9mm will have more energy concentrated on a smaller spot and should work. The Original size (0.092") may have a problem.

 

[N555]

I processed all my SP 45acp brass as like always there's a few that were messed up and can't be turned into loaded ammo so I'll use those for #41 tests.

There are 4 different FP sizes used in 1911's. The small one (0.062") used on 9mm will have more energy concentrated on a smaller spot and should work. The Original size (0.092") may have a problem.

That's why I specified mine is a Springfield armory 1911a1, I know they have a different firing pin setup than the original 1911a1 I don't know how they are different, that's probably it.

Edit: it does set them off but the hits look a little weak.
I bet the camp carbine carbine can set them off with ease as it has a big hammer, big sprig and non floating firing pin.

 

[Bazoo]

Springfield 1911a1 of any recent manufacture will have a titanium firing pin from the factory. Also will be an odd size between the larger size of a colt 45 and a 9mm. Brownells offers replacement for it, I noted last I browsed their catalog.

 

[N555]

Mine is about 20 years old, I believe I bought it new in 2005.

 

[Y-T71]

Yank it and hit it with a magnet

 

[GooseGestapo]

I tried LRP’s in my M1911 Armscor 10mm as I’m running critically low of LPP.

It would only fire 4/10 on first hit. 8/10 on second hit, 9/10 on third hit.
One didn’t fire after repeated hits. I disassembled it, loaded the primer in a .30/30 case. A Win M94 popped it....

My solution is I found that Federal is loading its American Eagle 10mm 180gr FMJ with small pistol primers...

I’ve got thousands of those.

Oddly enough, the .30SC per Hodgdons 2023 data, uses a small rifle primer.
Gets about 100fps faster than factory loads from my .30 EZ with max loads.

 

[N555]

Some one changed their vote after I posted the results lol.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I am under the impression that #41 are magnum small rifle primers, extra tough for 5.56x45mm NATO loads at 62,000 psi.
I would not reload .45 ACP with small primer pockets in the first place, but if I did, I would not use anything but standard small pistol primers.

Otherwise, do as others suggest, load a "blank" - #41 primer only - and see if it will fire.

Looking up are Post #19 I see the results of the test.
Fired, but weak indent.