Using Small Pistol Primers Instead of Percussion Caps

[arcticap]

Found this method interesting if you're running low on percussion caps:

 

[troy fairweather]

good idea is this that manny guy ?. i may have to try this on all my bp guns. normal primers here in ny can be hard to find cap are near impossible to fined

 

[Patocazador]

I've been using the plastic tubing pieces like those to dry-fire my BP guns without damaging the nipples. The tubing acts as a cushion to stop the hammer before it contacts the nipple.

 

[1KPerDay]

Would be nice to see if it actually ignites the charge reliably. Wonder if the anvil is ever an issue.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

I used to use the clear aquarium tubing on cci percussion caps to keep them whole and intact so that they dont burst into smaller peices that can fall into the action. I have my guns set up so that the hammer barely kisses the nipple too which helps not to distort or pinch the used percuasion cap...i use remingtons and they always stay whole and burst into a "star/cross" shape and never fall into my guns action...but when i had to use some cci's or winchesters they didnt behave the way remingtons do so i resorted to wrapping them in tubing. It worked great...but now i wont use anything but remingtons or my home made caps...none of which jam my guns.

 

[paul harm]

Thanks for the post - a neat idea.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Hmmmm....I wonder about my TC New Englander......

LD

 

[arcticap]

I checked the Lowes website and this size tubing only cost $3.08 for 20 feet.
It's listed as being in stock & on the shelf at my local Lowes:--->>> https://www.lowes.com/pd/EASTMAN-1-4-in-x-20-ft-Pvc-Clear-Vinyl-Tubing/1000180535

It's also available in a package of 10 feet for $1.88.

 

[arcticap]

Someone posted that the lip of the hammer cup on their rifle comes into contact with the tube and prevents the pistol primer from being struck, so it won't fire.
The tube may be too wide for the lip of the hammer cup on some rifles and interfere with the hammer falling all of the way to strike the primer.
I've seen mini-magnets that may be able to be placed inside of the hammer cup that might solve the problem on rifles that have this lip interference.
It would take some experimentation to see if works.
The mini-magnets are sold in bulk in various diameters & thicknesses and are relatively strong.
It would be a small project to fit a mini-magnet inside the hammer cup to see if that would provide enough clearance to eliminate the interference.


Or perhaps the outer diameter of the tube would need to be modified by shaving it down in the right way.
It may not be same on all rifles since their hammer cups may have different sizes, depths and shapes.
The pistol primers may work with some rifles and not others depending on the size of the hammer cup unless an adaptation can be made.


I would like to hear more feedback about whether the pistol primers will work with different rifles or not.
If anyone tries it please let us know how it works out