Small pistol primers as percussion caps?

Speedgoat44 · Oct 11, 2024

Anyone try a variation of this as a homemade percussion cap option for times of scarcity? There are (of course) youtube videos of folks doing all kinds of things to make caps, and this is one of several ways folks have tried to DIY. It might be a horrible idea and I'm in no way condoning it - just curious if anyone has tried it?
I hear of adapters for primers that were once commercially available, but I've yet to see one. Small Pistol primers seem to always be in decent supply even in times of scarcity for other components. Thanks all!

TNGhost · Oct 11, 2024

Clear PVC tube of the type used for aquarium pumps friction fit over nipples cut just long enough to secure a primer. Not all revolvers may have enough clearance, but for rifles shotguns and single shot pistols, they will work.

You can get 10 feet at Home Depot for less than $10, enough to last a while.

Being an "unmentionable" reloader as well, I wouldn't say small pistol primers are always in decent supply, in fact right now, of the four main types they are the scarcest in my latest perusing, but they come and go.

Speedgoat44 · Oct 12, 2024

Thanks - will try this. This would be for a hawken - less in-line than a pistol, so do you think the flame would still get to the charge?

Gtrubicon · Oct 12, 2024

I’ve used small pistol primers often on an 1858 Remington, CVA mountain rifle, investarm hawken and TC Cherokee rifles. I cut the aquarium Tube about 1/4” or so. It works great.

stubshaft · Oct 12, 2024

Luckily for me, there are more than enough caps locally, however there is a shortage of small pistol primers!

russellshaffer · Oct 12, 2024

Primers are hot and the tubing seals them to the nipple. It works and they are water resistant, maybe even waterproof.

TNGhost · Oct 12, 2024

Speedgoat44 said:
Thanks - will try this. This would be for a hawken - less in-line than a pistol, so do you think the flame would still get to the charge?

Oh yeah, definitely. The reason they don't work on some revolvers is simply sticking out too far in one with a cylinder with tight tolerances no being able to rotate.

I think pistol primers are probably hotter than regular caps, and if not (which I doubt you will see), there are magnum small pistol primers for the same price or a small amount more.

TNGhost · Oct 12, 2024

russellshaffer said:
Primers are hot and the tubing seals them to the nipple. It works and they are water resistant, maybe even waterproof.

Yes. IIRC the first time I saw this technique described, years ago, it had nothing to do with shortages and was aimed at hunting in wet weather.

Speedgoat44 · Oct 13, 2024

Thank you - I'm down to about 200 caps and an alternative would be helpful since they are really hit or miss locally.

TNGhost · Oct 13, 2024

Speedgoat44 said:
Thank you - I'm down to about 200 caps and an alternative would be helpful since they are really hit or miss locally.

Don't know if it's helpful or not but I have been getting regular emails from Graf and Sons, Natchez Shooting Sports and Midsouth Shooting Supplies, running free hazmat and/or shipping of late. I do business with all three regularly and they are good to go. Don't know what they have right now, but I got a case of Large Pistol Primers from Natchez not too long ago on sale, and some caps from Grafs

Ohio Rusty · Oct 14, 2024

How big is the spent pistol primer if you remove the little anvil in the center ?? Is it the right size then to fit firmly over a nipple ?? If it is a good fit, I wonder if you can refill them with priming compound and get a second use from them.
Ohio Rusty ><>

nkbj · Oct 14, 2024

Nice to know about another technique.

Speedgoat44 · Oct 22, 2024

What about using a tap-o-cap to generate the cap and then inserting a small pistol primer into the cap?

TNGhost · Oct 23, 2024

Ohio Rusty said:
How big is the spent pistol primer if you remove the little anvil in the center ?? Is it the right size then to fit firmly over a nipple ?? If it is a good fit, I wonder if you can refill them with priming compound and get a second use from them.
Ohio Rusty ><>

Not sure the primer would detonate without the anvil, even pressed onto a nipple.

ZUG · Oct 26, 2024

I've had better luck finding percussion caps than modern primers. For me it is a hit or miss item. I buy either when I see them.

ScottK · Oct 26, 2024

What state do you live in and can you order some? If you can find musket caps they make adapter nipples.

If it were me (and it is me since I live in one of the worst states in the US for shooters), I would put my efforts into piecing together a supply of the proper caps.

Not so much trying to jury rig something that involved aquarium tubing or rigging tap o caps. These are still firearms and the idea of damaging the gun or blowing tap o cap slivers into my face does not sound too appealing.

BeardedGunsmith · Friday at 11:19 PM

Dang, all you guys forget about my diy percussion cap kit on Amazon?

Small pistol primers as percussion caps?

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