Apocalypse Now … Primer Pan(ic)demic of ’21

Who would’ve thought a measly little metal cup could wreak such havoc, desperation, and despair? Of course, we’re speaking about the primer pan(ic)demic of ’21. The last pan(ic)demic struck 12 years ago, following the ’09 inauguration. Before that? It was 16 years before another pan(ic)demic reared its ugly head, not unlike a locust invasion, after the ’93 inauguration. Could there be a common cause to this madness?

Of course, we know the answer — elections of gun-control-happy Presidents. Before surgical masks ever reared their ugly heads and were worn in public, Primer Pan(ic)demic’s were the first real indicator of things to come. Primer Pan(ic)demics run hand in hand with ammunition shortages. Shear panic is the number one cause of this nonsense. This is perpetuated by threats of gun control — as usual.

I still remember rumors of the Clinton plot to have manufacturers develop primers with a shelf life. This in turn would give factory ammunition a shelf life. Lordy … true, or not, it sparked mass hysteria among handloaders and the primer supply dried up. The more demand for ammo, the fewer primers there are for handloaders. Simple economics and ammunition demand are the cause for primer/powder shortages. The manufacturers will take care of their biggest clients first.

How They Work

The purpose of the primer is to ignite the propellant in a cartridge case. The primer contains a small amount of explosive inside the metal primer cup. As the gun’s firing pin strikes the primer, the priming mixture is crushed between the cup and the anvil. This causes the priming mixture to explode, sending hot gases through the flash hole, which ignites the powder in the cartridge case.

Something to think about the next time you push the plastic tray of your favorite primer brand from its cardboard sleeve and see those 10 X 10 rows of shiny cups waiting to be seated into your brass cartridge.

Why?

Primers are the necessary “spark” needed for centerfire ammunition. Without them, we’d basically be forced to use flintlock muzzleloaders for our favorite shooters. Perhaps this has been the agenda all along? Perhaps? I’d bet my final brick of primers on it! Sure, as ammunition demand goes up, the manufacturers need primers to make it. The ammo manufacturers consume over 90% of primers produced. Handloaders fittingly get whatever is left over, the scavengers we are.

Primer Time?

I have a large metal coffee can. Remember those gems? Besides being great for storing odds & ends, they make great timepieces. I keep one for spent primers from discharged handloads and factory ammo. As I refurbish fired brass into some tasty handloads, the spent primer is punched out.

Once the primer container is filled from one of my various presses, they’re emptied into the coffee can (my personal primer “clock”). Inside are the remnants of thousands of load development ideas, pet loads and factory fodder. Like grains of sand in an hourglass, each primer slowly fills the can to heaping before I take it to the scrap yard for cash.

It usually only takes a few years before it’s full. Lately, it seems to be filling up quicker, when in actuality, it’s taking longer to fill. Time is just ticking by at a faster rate — or at least seems like it. But what better way to keep track of time than by the good memories primers bring us. I’d truly hate for time to stand still with no spent primers to fill my can. Hopefully, that day never happens.

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