Has anyone tried using a small rifle primer in a small pistol case? If so what were the results? I was thinking of using a small rifle in a 38 special load because i have an abundant supply of primers.

Most likely they will have to hard of a cup and will cause miss fires.

I am shooting 6 1/2 Remingtons in 9mm, no issues with 4 pistols Russ

I tried using them in a 357 load with a Smith model 66 and shot 50 rounds with any issues
Dave

I have always used small rifle primers in my 38 Super with high pressure loads. They work just fine.

SR primers typically have a harder or thicker cup than SP primers, but that varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Depending on the firing pin/hammer of your particular handgun, the resistance to deformation of the cup may or may not be an issue. As several have noted, they've had no problems with ignition, and you likely won't, either.

From an internal ballistics perspective, they may be "different" (either apparently "hotter" or "milder") than SP primers, but you are unlikely to see significant difference in the performance of your ammunition.

Take a look at this Thread.

I loaded two rounds with 6.5gr of universal with 140g xtp, shot fine without any issues. I will use these if I run out of Small Pistol primers.

I work up all my 40 S&W loads with small rifle primers.....as long as the slightly harder cup is able to be consistently crushed by the hammer all is good. I've had no problems with either Ruger P94 or Sig 226 use in this manner...not sure how a striker-fired gun would do.

My concern was not to get small pistol primers if I didn't need them, because accidentally getting those into a small rifle case would be asking for pierced primers due to the higher pressures.....

Cheers,

Dan

Have used small rifle primers in pistol cartridges for many years ... do not have a gun with a light firing pin fall and they have worked fine.