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How 2 Identify Corrosive Primers in Case?

tr fox
I like to buy milsurp ammo but I always wonder if what is being offered is corrosive and the dealers justs "neglects" to advertise that fact. So after I buy it is there any easy and sure way to determine if I am working with corrosive ammo? On another topic I had posted one of the replys mentioned a specific smell or odor that corrosive primers give off when fired. Is this the only way to Identify the corrosive primers?

Quote "Somehow government decided that the Constitutional Bill of Rights has become the Bill of "Suggested" Rights and are to be rationed to the citizens as the power elite sees fit"
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5 comments

Date Votes
  • jonk
    there is no way to identify a corrosive primer by look, smell, caliber, etc. Assume all milsurp is corrosive unless KNOWN not to be, ie US surplus from the mid 50s on, (see dates on the web), etc. You can of course test by firing a blank primer against a clean steel plate and letting it sit, but cleaning the gun of course.

    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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  • heavyiron
    tr fox,

    Yeah, good question. I have wondered the same thing many times myself. It seems we have to rely on the honesty of the merchant who sells us the ammo because there is no way to know for certain until after the ammo is purchased!

    I have seen advertisements for the same ammo(at least it reads like it is the same ammo-Czech Silver Tip 7.62x54R)and all ads says corrosive, but one add says it isn't. I guess the situation is always caveat emptor or buyer beware. That is why I will only purchase surplus ammo from certain vendors who I feel are particularly honest and I trust.

    Regards,

    Heavyiron[8D]
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  • Mooseyard
    Heaveyiron, you don't just have to rely on what the merchant tells you, but you must trust his distributor, and the distributors importer, many times. Please don't always blame the merchant, because usually we just assume what our distributor tells us is true.

    Jess Hoffman
    Mooseyard Precision
    LE Supply & Firearms
    NRA Certified Instructor
    Shawano, WI 54166
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  • allen griggs
    The only military surplus ammo I have found to be always non corrosive is Swedish Mauser.
    Best to assume it all is corrosive, as jonk said you can pull the bullet and powder and fire the primer at a clean steel plate and see if it rusts up in a week.
    I have bought some great corrosive ammo, the stuff is so cheap and acccurate I couldn't let it go. Just learn how to clean up, not too bad with a bolt gun.
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  • tr fox
    ok thanks guys. sounds good.

    Quote "Somehow government decided that the Constitutional Bill of Rights has become the Bill of "Suggested" Rights and are to be rationed to the citizens as the power elite sees fit"
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