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Another lesson learned
Funny thing happened while cleaning the 3300 9mm casings I bought. I simply tossed them into the tumbler until the last few loads using a soup ladle I "borrowed" from the kitchen. Then I punched them in similar fashion. I did notice along the way an occasional casing that was exceptionally shiny inside, like copper. I was proud that my little tumbler could do such a wonderful job.
A couple days ago one of those flashed at me just before I punched it, and gasp, the primer hadn't fired! In fact it was never struck, but perfectly in tact. It occurred to me that I must have punched more than a dozen without even knowing it.
I started setting them aside and now have 15. If the distribution was fairly equal, and I recall seeing them from the start so I assume it was, I had 50 or more live primers in brand new casings. The headstamp top shows "R - P" with "9m/m LUGER" on the bottom. Unless you all tell me different, I'll charge & shoot them.
The interesting thing is how the prevailing wisdom is to soak the primers in oil and don spacewalk type clothing then very carefully punch the primer, or just shoot it. Other forums have said wear a safety shield and do it slow & smooth, yet here I was yanking on the handle punching them like a video game.
I don't say no sweat, but I will say they slide out very easily (yeah I did one just to feel it). I may be lucky, they may be duds, or it may just be the way things are. I don't claim to know but can tell you I no longer yank the handle but work it smoothly now. Also, I look at the primer to see that it has fired before I punch it.
Funny thing happened while cleaning the 3300 9mm casings I bought. I simply tossed them into the tumbler until the last few loads using a soup ladle I "borrowed" from the kitchen. Then I punched them in similar fashion. I did notice along the way an occasional casing that was exceptionally shiny inside, like copper. I was proud that my little tumbler could do such a wonderful job.
A couple days ago one of those flashed at me just before I punched it, and gasp, the primer hadn't fired! In fact it was never struck, but perfectly in tact. It occurred to me that I must have punched more than a dozen without even knowing it.
I started setting them aside and now have 15. If the distribution was fairly equal, and I recall seeing them from the start so I assume it was, I had 50 or more live primers in brand new casings. The headstamp top shows "R - P" with "9m/m LUGER" on the bottom. Unless you all tell me different, I'll charge & shoot them.
The interesting thing is how the prevailing wisdom is to soak the primers in oil and don spacewalk type clothing then very carefully punch the primer, or just shoot it. Other forums have said wear a safety shield and do it slow & smooth, yet here I was yanking on the handle punching them like a video game.
I don't say no sweat, but I will say they slide out very easily (yeah I did one just to feel it). I may be lucky, they may be duds, or it may just be the way things are. I don't claim to know but can tell you I no longer yank the handle but work it smoothly now. Also, I look at the primer to see that it has fired before I punch it.
Other than that precaution, I just push them out after emptying my spent primer tube so I can collect and reuse the live primer. In my case, I knew my primers were fine, so I reused them. Also, on my Lee Classic Turret press, the primers were removed with the decapping rod. They weren't smacked out with a hammer and punch. 
Also, luckily, the MEC 9000 drops the powder a split second after the primer seating is complete, so the live powder dropped after the primer exploded. 
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