Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

[TenZero]

Been loading rifle rounds for a while now, with success. I thought pistol rounds would be easy. I loaded a bunch of 40 SW to use for 3 gun comps, but I'm having a reliability issue. The recipe: 40 S&W, Win brass (run thru a GRX die), 4.5 gr Titegroup, Berry's plated 165 flatnose, CCI Sm Rifle Primers, in a G35. Out of 150 rnds, I got a light strike and FTF on 2 rounds. The primer showed just a very light dimple on the the FTF rounds. Both fired and showed a normal strike when fired the second time, and both chambered normally.
I've never had an FTF in my Glock with factory ammo, so naturally, I think it must be something I did. The only thing out of the ordinary I can think of is using the Sm Rifle primers instead of Sm Pistol primers. I was told they are interchangeable, but maybe not. Has anyone else had an issue like this, or have any suggestions? Thanks in advance, and I appreciate any insight.

 

[244]

Re: Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

Rifle primers typically have thicker cups to handle the higher pressures of rifle cartridges which makes them less sensitive.

I've also heard that CCI SP Magnum primers are the same as their standard SR primers.

Given that only 2 of 150 were FTF's, I'd guess that the primers were not fully seated in the pocket. Did you try to fire the FTF rounds again, and if so, did they ignite?

Ensure the primers are fully seated and try again. If that doesn't fix it, try SP primers instead.

 

[TenZero]

Re: Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

Yes, I inspected the FTF rounds and saw the very light strike. I then chambered and fired them successfully with no issues. After firing, the primers showed a 'normal' Glock striker signature.

 

[30SMK]

Re: Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

Small rifle primers is definitely your problem and they are not exactly interchangeable except for size. If you are shooting a magnum load or a hot load out of a comped gun then by all means use a heavy striker spring and whack away. I would stick with small pistol if I were you, if you still get light strikes switch to something with a soft cup like federal SP primers.

PS CCI small rifle primers have a harder cup than other small rifle primers so switching to federal 205's might fix that if you are set on small rifle primers.

 

[TenZero]

Re: Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

Thanks for the input guys, SR primers seem to be the problem then. The reloading 'guru' at Cabela's told me "they work just fine, and there weren't no need to even buy SP primers". I liked the idea of simplifying my primer inventory, but I'm not crazy about introducing unreliability into my pistol games. Off to buy some proper Small Pistol primers then, and I'll reserve the SR's for rifle use.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

like posted above, SR primers are not 100% reliable in pistols, I have over 2000 9MM loaded with SR primers and 1/2 of them won't go off in any glock I own, luckily an SOT friend of mine has an full auto uzi that loves them.

 

[culater]

Re: Light primer strike FTF in a 40 cal Glock?

Try Federal primers the primer cups are softer than cci.I have tried cci primers and will get the same issues you have FTF in my rifle to my pistol.So im a big Fan of Federal primers.I have had only one or two FTF in 5000rds from Fededral primers which is to be expected.