So I have several cases with live primers in them. A couple of the cases I would to de-primed them for various reasons. I have a frankford arsenal hand tool and the standard die. However, my sizing dies not currently have the de-capping pin. I prefer the hand tool.

Is it safe to remove these live primers? If yes, which tool seems safer to do it with?

Finally, what can I do with these primers?

I have pushed out live primers on my single stage press. None of them ignited, just out of courosity I used one to prime another case and it worked fine.

KR, I have used the de-capping pin in my sizing die to remove them, (I had to put it back in as I had removed it). Your die should have come with one. Unsure what else you would use. Also, after close inspection I reloaded the primers and they worked fine.

I have in my press, I went slow without any issues. I reused them. Almost all of them worked. Some didn't. Wear safety glasses and gloves just in case.

Might want to add ear plugs also.

Yup.

The beauty of the Co-Ax press, your primers go into a jar.

I have pushed out live primers with a single stage and a Lee universal de-capper die but I don't think I would do it by hand.

What to do? RE-USE THEM! If you're easy on them they should be fine to use again.

I would not trust them on a hunting round.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I will try it on my press, just have reinstall the decapping pin.

I'm more worried about simply throwing away live primers. I'm cheap but not that cheap. I want to dispose them properly. I was also interested in making some "whatever" rounds with them. I think I'll give it try.

Thanks as always to all for the replies.

The co-ax is on my list but a little lower in priority right now. Besides that, I like to de-prime usually with s hand tool. I feel I get more consistent sizing without the primers.

Removing live primers is done everyday. Just go easy and don't jam into them. As far as reusing them, I wouldn't. If properly seated the first time, you pushed the anvil into the compound and stressed the pellet and chances are it could misfire when reseated in a different case. It might fire but why take the chance for a few pennies on another primer.

I reuse them but they are foulers. I can’t remember one ever not going off but not worth the chance.

Foulers or some just range time ammo

I've de-capped many live primers. I use a RCBS De-cap die in a rock chucker press primarily but have also de-capped on my Dillon 650 (primers went into a jar). Never had a problem de-capping or shooting them.

They'll break down and resell every component of factory ammo except for the primers. It's like reusing a head gasket on an engine rebuild.