New Primers; Water Damaged

[Deplorable Me]

Just got a new batch of 5000 small pistol primers. Brought inside as soon as they arrived. Outside of the box was dry. I opened the box and the inside primer paper boxes were so wet the paper came apart in my hands. The brown/grey stuff is a gritty material. Sand? Decaying primer material?

I submitted an email immediately to the supply house and called this morning. Their claim is they're waterproof and should be good. (bullshit) I pressed the grit issue for about 15 seconds and they're sending another 5000 CCI small pistol primers. Told me to hang onto these; don't return HAZMAT item. So if the next batch is clean then I'm good. (Which is why I'm not naming vendor at this time.) They agreed to pre-inspect them prior to shipping.

I am going to follow up with CCI at the manufacturer's level because I'm concerned other primers may have become contaminated somewhere in the chain of custody.

I have seen evidence of poorly stored primers and ammunition at gun shows. Garage and basement humidity decay of the paper. Heavy tarnish on the brass. I have 10+ year old primers in original boxes and they look pristine.

(Holy shit Batman.)

 

[kev74]

Damn.

It's kind of a take what you can get market, but those are rough.

If they go bang after they dry out, you might get lucky!

 

[Deplorable Me]

Not knowing what the grit is or if there was solvent in the water I'm going to burn the little bastards as soon as I get the replacements.

 

[kev74]

Not knowing what the grit is or if there was solvent in the water I'm going to burn the little bastards as soon as I get the replacements.

Be careful burning them. They explode with much more force than you would expect when they get hot.

I've melted scrap brass cases a few times. The live primers that I missed in the scrap will blow cases out of the furnace when they go off.

I've heard the primer compound is mixed in water during the manufacturing process and allowed to dry after the primers are assembled. They might work ok - at least for practice loads - after they dry out.

 

[togmaster]

I'd dry them out and keep them. I wouldn't run them in a match but no problem for range use.

 

[Varmint]

I’ve been there…assume that they were frozen while wet. Don’t waste your time trade them off… I had many that wouldn’t ignite and several hang fires Slingshot ammunition

 

[repete]

If they are from where I think they are from , you are in good hands, they will take care of you.
Dry them out and inspect them, I bet that almost all will be fine and go bang. Like said above use for range work. If they are defective and you want to burn them, build up a good fire and then dump primers in a heavy (cast iron) pan or bucket and then place in fire, depart area! The last part is very important!

 

[Deplorable Me]

The paper dried out and I attempted to open up a pack. Paper is fused to itself. Vendor saw pictures and agreed it was a mess. I'm supposed to get another case no charge.

 

[kev74]

Patiently waiting for the deep discount for sale post....

 

[repete]

If your in desperate need of primers I can front you some, just replace them when yours come in. Clean DRY boxes only!

 

[Deplorable Me]

If your in desperate need of primers I can front you some, just replace them when yours come in. Clean DRY boxes only!

Thanks, much appreciated. I'm banking on customer service to cover these.

 

[Deplorable Me]

As of 11am today. 5,000 good pristine primers delivered.

Last week I contacted CCI and exchanged detailed photos. Their assessment is that it is water damage and they advised not to use. The primer material migrated out of the cups and they advised not to attempt to dry out or attempt to salvage. I'll incinerate in a remote burner barrel.

The problem seems to have been with UPS. Vendor is not allowed to put a case of 5000 in a secondary box. Thus any exposure to the elements they may take on water. They may have been a victim of the Christmas blizzard. From other vendor (2020) when I ordered 2000 primers and a jug of 231 they did combine the Hazmat and all were shipped a box in a box, thus protected. Anyways my press and my son's press are back cranking out the brass.

No complaints with this vendor. Customer service person had a really cute voice to boot.

 

[repete]

Good to hear!