How to KILL Disable a Primer

[bis534]

I need to disable some primers to put into Dummy Cartridges that We are going to make from some Brass 12ga Shotgun Shells from WWII. We want to Clean the Cases up put a disabled primer in, A Lead Slug and Laser Engrave the Case to make a display 12 ga Cartridge.
Thanks

 

[Matt5266]

Soak them in oil for a day then clean it off with brake cleaner

 

[sz28]

Soak them in water or oil, remove the anvil, and scrape out the compound while still wet.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just use some used primers. I mean seriously, wtf are you even thinking?

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

WD 40

 

[ODB]

Just use some used primers. I mean seriously, wtf are you even thinking?

Yup. maybe even pull the anvil and peen the primer from the inside - may give an unused look

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Yup. maybe even pull the anvil and peen the primer from the inside - may give an unused look

That’s a little much.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Yeah bro, just soak your primers with wd40 or soak theme oil.

lol is this fo real?

 

[rayporter]

i have put primer in a cup of water and they still fired that day.
i have sprayed them with wd 40 and loaded them and shot them.

test carefully.

 

[Milestone522]

Knock out the primers with a removal tool.

Fill the hole in the base of the shell with epoxy or hot glue. Allow to dry.

Paint over the filler with a dab of brass colored paint, available at most hardware stores and at hobby shops.

No worries that way about old primer corrosion or still having a charge.

 

[ODB]

That’s a little much.

I mean, it worked. Took a whopping 2 minutes.

 

[Wrench]

i have put primer in a cup of water and they still fired that day.
i have sprayed them with wd 40 and loaded them and shot them.

test carefully.

Me too.

The primers are sealed after they're filled. There's no way short of pulling the anvil and removing the compound.

 

[rearnakedchoke]

Safest would be spent primer

 

[Marble]

Safest would be spent primer

Thats what I was thinking. Just install, insert and fire. Then everyone would also know they are spent when they look at them. No confusion.

Or pop a spent primer in. Not sure how well a spent primer would stay in after coming out of one shell and going into another.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Mtns2hunt]

If you are poking at primers be sure to use eye and ear protection. Not real sure your project is advisable.

 

[def90]

Just use spent primers, or place primer in the brass and fire it by itself then load the rest of the shell.

 

[RyanT26]

Let them soak in Kroil.

 

[2buffalo]

Just put a live one in there if it's just for display. What do you think is going to happen.

 

[RockAndSage]

Let them soak in Kroil.

OP, as some have mentioned, some primers are sealed during manufacture, and some oils won't penetrate that. If you absolutely require using an unfired primer, letting it soak for a few days in a penetrating oil is the way to go. Kroil, PB Blaster, and Marvel Mystery Oil would all be ones I'd consider, starting with Kroil.

After that, pull the anvil and gently scrape out the insides, remembering that the lead azide or lead styphnate the primer uses is a contact explosive. Be gentle and use appropriate safety gear.

 

[2531usmc]

Safest would be spent primer

Since it’s a display piece, might be best not to have any primer in there. Spent or disabled