The .45 ACP Primer Pocket

[Swampman]

Many of us plan to use the 1911 as a bug out gun.  Most of us hate the fact that some companies have started using small pistol primers in their factory ammo.  I on the other hand hope to store up quite a few of the small pistol primer cases as my other handguns are 9mm & .38 Special and they also use small pistol primers.  I believe in a pinch small rifle primers might work too......just thinking....

[Bigeasy]

From what I have heard, the small primer .45's work fine.  When you look at the powder capacity of this round, as compared to say, a 44 mag or 45 Colt, and the powders usually used, no reason it shouldn't work.  If you load other rounds that take a small primer, then that's a plus.
 
Larry

[geezerbiker]

At the time of the first primer shortage, I started using small rifle primers in my .357 Mag because they were all I could find.  The S&W model 19 I had at the time had no problem setting them off.  I used the Models 686 and 28 that I have now both shoot up the last of those reloads and they all shot them well.

I don't know if a 1911 has as much firing pin energy as a S&W revolver but if it has less, it couldn't be much...

Tony

[Couger]

......  I believe in a pinch small rifle primers might work too ......

This is a good exercise and 'subject!'
 
I know small pistol primers are the same diameter as small rifle primers, but are they the same HEIGHT?
 
Likewise, large pistol and large rifle primers are the same diameter, but are both of those the same HEIGHT, too?
 
If the answers to those questions are a resounding YES, then Swampman is definitely onto something!
 
LOGISTICS is a huge concern whether bugging out or in, or just trying to get through a depression!
 
Gonna have to try some small mag pistol primers in my .223 bolt and Handis.  However, in an AR methinks I still like the stiffer battery [primer] cup in a semi-auto for added safety.
 
Also, it sounds like a "good idea" doing a little research and careful testing to come up with a "key" or two on how to sub CERTAIN components (within reason and at lower pressures) if those certain components became real scarce and create the necessity.

[geezerbiker]

Small rifle and pistol primers are the same depth. 

It's large rifle primers that are deeper than large pistol primers.  During the first primer shortage, I was able to shoot my revolvers but not my .45 auto because large pistol primers couldn't be found anywhere.  I lucked out and a friend sold me 400 LP primers but I only shoot 100 rounds of that until primers were on the shelf again.

Tony

[mechanic]

I use small rifle primers in all my reloads as during the shortage I came upon a lot of them, but few pistol.  It's no problem with anything I have shot them in, even a 380 auto.  Just work up loads as normal.
 
Ben

[reliquary]

Which manufacturers are using the small primer in .45 ACP?  I haven't bought anything but the steel-cased bulk stuff in the last couple of years, and haven't reloaded anything except the older brass I purchased 10-15 years ago.

[rod251]

Which manufacturers are using the small primer in .45 ACP?  I haven't bought anything but the steel-cased bulk stuff in the last couple of years, and haven't reloaded anything except the older brass I purchased 10-15 years ago.

Federal Champion at Walmart is small primer. There is also some Blazer small primer brass. When I first started reloading earlier this year, the only handgun calibers I had were 9mm, 357, and 45 ACP.  To keep things simple I only use small primer 45 brass.  I just picked up 100 more for $5 at the last gun show I went to.