Weird Question — Primers Only??

[Barmcd]

I ordered a new set of grips for my new to me S&W 686 no dash. It doesn’t have an M on the yoke. I couldn’t get the grip screw into the opposite side grip because the strain screw was screwed down so tight it pushed the main spring into the path of the grip screw. I backed off the strain screw one turn and it made room for the grip screw to engage both grips.

I’ve never seen the grip screw screwed down so tight and wanted to make sure the gun would still work. I pressed primers into six empty cases and put then in the gun. All six fired, but they all pushed the primer out of the case enough that the cylinder was difficult to turn.

I’ve never experienced this with any reload, but I’ve never shot a cartridge with no gunpowder or bullet either. Does anyone know if this is normal?

 

[PapaG]

Yes.

 

[badkarmamib]

It is normal. With primer only, the primer explosion is trying to go through the flash hole, which is too small, so most of the pressure is against the primer pocket, backing it out. When you fire a full power cartridge, the resulting pressure pushes the case back, reseating the primer.

 

[Starter52]

Badkarma nailed it.

 

[Barmcd]

Thanks! BTW, I sent the grips back. After looking at my other K and L frame guns, I think the screw hole is too close to the center of the grip to fit right.

 

[someguy2800]

Normal. Typically the pressure from the fired cartridge would push the case back into the primer and reseat it.

 

[Englishmn]

Always happens primer only sometimes locks up the cylinder.

 

[Palladan44]

It is normal. With primer only, the primer explosion is trying to go through the flash hole, which is too small, so most of the pressure is against the primer pocket, backing it out. When you fire a full power cartridge, the resulting pressure pushes the case back, reseating the primer.

This.