Bagheera

I got to thinking the other day about something, and wanted to see what others thought about it as well.

Let's say that one day, we all woke up and suddenly found out that the government had banned the sale of ALL gun primers throughout the country.

Now, all of the reloaders out here had plenty of supplies of bullets, cases, powder. But had no primers to create the finished product. Ahh, what would we do now? Without that magical spark plug to create the big **Bang** our guns would effectively become useless to us. How on earth would reloaders solve this problem?

Could we, effectively create our own primer? Could someone design a new "spark plug" for this purpose? Possibly a reusable primer? Yes, I know that this will probably never happen in "our" lifetimes. And I'm not trying to create any crazy conspiracy theories here. But was seriously curious what people would do.

As a whole, man is pretty ingenious about adapting to situations. We are warriors in every sense of the word. It is bred into us since man rose up and stood on two legs. To eat, we fashioned knives out of rocks, and built clubs and spears to kill our next meal, or fight off a rival clan for food, women, what have you. We found a way to stay warm by fashioning clothing.

So, how would we adapt to this? I would love to hear everyone's opinion on this topic. I find it interesting to see what people come up with, when a need arises. I expect this thread to get very cerebral with all the crafty people out here. So, let's hear it. I don't care if you even think your idea might be stupid. Tell me about it.

J White

I was scanning over something the other day I found online, sort of
a beginners explanation of the difference between Berdan and Boxer primers...

It said something to the effect that a Berdan primed case might be reloaded
in a pinch
with primitive tools using nothing more than a piece of metal can and a
matchhead for a primer - I'd like to see how that works, but from a little
distance

Bobshouse

There is a video on utube that shows you how to "reload" your own primers using kitchen match heads.....lot of work for one bang, but works in a pinch.

el gavilan

Interesting question, apparently a lot of other shooters are thinking about this as well. Not so much worried about a govt. ban on primers but just supply. My local reloading store has a limit of 500 per type because of demand. Prices are still reasonable but have seen some reselling with some significant mark-up. So how many primers should someone have stored away?

Bagheera

Hmm,

Very interesting. A matchhead? I'll admit, I never would have thought of that. One thought I came up with a few hours ago, was "poppers". These are little white pieces of some kind of paper that hold a tiny amount of powder in them. They sell these during 4th of july. You simply toss them at the ground with enough force, and they go pop. Now, if a person could make one small enough, could it be triggered by a gun hammer? Interesting thought..

Anybody else?

El Gavilan, I'm really not sure myself. I know the resellers out here are trying to get anywhere from $45 to $65 a box for 1,000. Way out of line in my opinion. These people are scalpers, and they can keep the product. I wouldn't buy it at that price.

wilkersk

Wow! I bet they've lost a few regular customers. 500/type per visit would be enough of a hardship for me to take my business elsewhere. I bought into a big group purchase recently and have enough for competition this year. But, no excess. I still by a 1000/brick every time I see one.

Back on topic though: Theres a Paladin Press book somwhere on homebrewed gunpowder and primers. Not as difficult as you'd think. The biggest hassle in a EOTWAWKI situation would be forming new brass.

Bagheera

I have to admit, I really don't know much about primers. But just got to thinking on how people could create our own if we had to in a bad situation. The topic has many viewers, but not many responders... Perhaps it wasn't as interesting a topic as I originally thought it would be.

Sonnytoo

I have enough for me.
Sonnytoo

Charlie Two Tracks

It was interesting. I just have no idea.

hutchman

uhhhhh, X2!

bigjim

You would have to ask the Israeles, in 1947 they were making cartrages from imported lipstick cases, wonder what they used for primers??


Jim

littlevineyard1

I have a friend who is an electrical engineer, he said not to worry he said he could rig up an system that would ignite the powder charge with a 9 volt battery similar to a pezo-electic switch. A little over my head but it sounds good in therory

Bagheera

Damn, never knew that. That is a good question. "Lipstick Cases"? Wow, I thought I heard it all. Live and learn.


That sounds like a great idea actually. I had thought of something similiar myself. But using a piece of "flash paper" in the hole maybe, and possibly a "AAA" Battery coupled with a few other components. I wouldn't think it would take much voltage to set it off, But I could be wrong.

bigjim

Actually Remington came out a while ago with a rifle that uses electrical primers, don't think it ever got to far thou.

Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply INC

http://www.ammo-one.com/220SwiftEtronx.html

Jim

Bagheera

Holy Crap!

That's cool! I'll take 5,000 for the small pistol, to go please.

Seriously, that looks like a winner. If they are reusable that makes them even better.

shooter29

I bought all the primers i wanted at a gun show this past weekend. There were two groups there selling all the popular sizes in CCI and Remington. They told me they ordered them in large (case) quantity and receive them in about two weeks. CCI 500 were $38.00 per 1000. I think the primer shortage is over. I live in Las Cruces New Mexico.