[gandog56]

Anybody know a US source. I thought this would be easy, but it isnn't. Somebody gave me a pile of empties for an M1895 Nagant revolver, but they are Berdan primed.

 

[longtooth]

Not I. Sorry.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I am not sure where to get berdan primers.

When I was looking into buying a K31 I found this site for converting berdan to boxer http://users.ameritech.net/mchandler/primer.html

I think old west scroungers had primers back then but I don't see them on their site anymore http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/

Good Luck!

 

[gandog56]

Nope, OWS quit selling them. PMC stopped importing them. Bummer.

 

[gandog56]

Pretty much going to give up on this one. All I hear is that "sometime soon" Wolf will be selling Berdan primers. But they've been saying that for over a year.

 

[Snagglepuss]

Sorry, No idea. Tough to reload. I heard that somewhere but cannot remember.

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

My question is a basic one: How do you get the old primer out?

 

[Pappy]

Hold case head in a padded vise and with a hammer and sharp awl, punch at about a 45 degree angle and pry out.

I have reloaded many Berdans and have a few hundred I keep as historical value.

 

[nicholas]

They do sell Berdan depriming tools, but there is an old hydraulic method for removing Berdan caps. Find a rod, or dowel or something nearly the same ID as your case mouth. You can always use a slightly smaller rod and wrap plastic electrical tape around it to fit the case mouth. Fill the case 2/3 with water, place the case in a shellholder so the primer can eject, insert the rod to water level, and whack with a mallet.

It sounds stupid, but it is a standard handloader's technique for depriming Berdan caps. I did it on 9mm Steyr surplus cases in the 1970's until Fiocchi started selling factory ammo. Do it in a sink or outside, because it squirts a little water out the two flash holes each time.

By the way, a Fiocchi press release many years ago said they were importing Berdan primers and shotshell primers, but I only see the 209 shotshell primer today. I don't know if they still distribute Berdan today or not.

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

Nicholas, that's the method I heard of a very long time ago. Once I read your post it all came back. Thanks for the info.

 

[gandog56]

My question is a basic one: How do you get the old primer out?

I got a hydraulic remover. One hammer swing and primer is gone.

 

[El Pistolero]

IF you go to this website:

http://mil-spec-industries.com/

Then search for berdan you will see a button for quote. You click on it and it has a form to fill out for a "various" caliber berdan primer quote. You might try it and see what they say, they are supposed to carry them.