Military crimped brass is the stubborn workhorse of the reloading world. Its built to last, but that extra security featurethe crimped primerturns a simple depriming step into a potential bench-grinding chore. If youve ever felt a standard decapping pin bend or snap against that reinforced primer pocket, you know the frustration. A dedicated hand deprimer built for this task isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for processing bulk 5.56 or 7.62×51 NATO brass efficiently and saving your press-mounted dies for less punishing work.
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool enters this arena with a specific promise: to handle crimped primers without complaint. From my honest perspective, a tool that claims versatility across calibers and the toughness for military crimps needs to prove itself in the hand, not just on the spec sheet. Does it live up to the demands of high-volume shooters looking to salvage once-fired military brass? Lets find out.
What is a Military Crimped Primer and Why is it Different?
Commercial brass and military brass are fundamentally different animals. A standard commercial cartridge has a primer seated in a simple cylindrical primer pocket. After firing, a universal decapping pin pushes it out with relative ease. Military-spec ammunition, like common 5.56 NATO or 7.62×51 NATO, adds a critical security step. Once the primer is seated, the brass at the mouth of the pocket is staked inward, creating a crimp ring that locks the primer in place.
This crimp prevents primer movement under the extreme conditions of full-auto fire, a vital reliability feature. For reloaders, however, that crimp acts like a welded lock. A standard depriming die will often struggle, leading to bent pins, stuck cases, and sheer frustration. The process requires either cutting away the crimp (reaming) or reshaping the pocket by force (swaging) before a new primer can be seated. Honestly speaking, the very first steppunching that spent primer outis where a specialized tool like a hand deprimer earns its keep, separating the crimped brass from the commercial stuff in your workflow.
How a Hand Deprimer Works on Crimped Primers
A robust hand deprimer tackles the crimped primer problem through superior mechanical advantage and dedicated engineering. Unlike a press-mounted reloading depriming die that relies on your press’s leverage, a hand tool is designed to focus immense, direct force onto a single point: the primer’s anvil.
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum uses a patented Universal Collet System. This collet grips the case rim securely, aligning it perfectly with a spring-loaded, full-diameter punch. When you squeeze the ergonomic handle, the punch drives straight through the spent primer, shearing it through the crimp ring. The spring return then resets the tool and an assisted-ejection case holder pops the brass free. This dedicated action, isolated from your press, protects your more delicate sizing dies and allows you to deprime anywhereat the range, at your bench, or in front of the TV. My honest take is that this separation of duties is a game-changer for workflow efficiency and tool longevity.
Key Advantages Over Press-Mounted Decapping
- Preserves Your Dies: Saves your expensive sizing/depriming dies from the brutal forces of crimped primers.
- Portability: Process brass anywhere with a simple, self-contained unit.
- Ergonomics: The spring-loaded return and full-length grip combat hand fatigue during high-volume sessions.
- Focused Force: All the tool’s strength is dedicated to one job, making it more effective against stubborn primers.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer: A Close Review
Built around that innovative collet system, this tool is marketed for depriming brass from .20 cal up to .338 Lapua, explicitly including military crimped primers. The construction feels solid, with the assisted-ejection case holder and removable spent primer catch tube being standout practical features. The catch tube is a simple but brilliant addition for containing lead-contaminated primers, a nod to the environmental/lead exposure safety aspect that many overlook.
In my honest opinion, the true test of any military brass deprimer is durability and consistency. The material science of the decapping pins is crucial here. While the product data doesn’t specify the steel type, the design integrates the punch directly into the mechanism, suggesting a robust build meant to withstand repeated impacts against crimps. For the shooter processing hundreds of pieces of 5.56 brass, this resilience is non-negotiable.
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Deprimes .20 cal to .338 Lapua, including pistol, rifle, and military crimped primers. |
| Key Mechanism | Patented Universal Collet System for secure case holding and alignment. |
| Ergonomics | Spring-loaded handle return; full-length, ergonomic grip to reduce fatigue. |
| Case Ejection | Assisted-ejection case holder for easy removal of processed brass. |
| Primer Management | Removable spent primer catch tube for contained, clean operation. |
| Use Case | Portable depriming for standard and crimped primers, away from the main press. |
| Check current price on Amazon |
Top Hand Deprimer Tools for Military Brass: A Comparison
While the Frankford Arsenal Platinum is a strong contender, it exists in a field with other respected names. The RCBS military crimp remover hand tool is often a benchmark for brute strength. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.Lyman also offers dedicated hand depriming solutions. The comparison often boils down to design philosophy: collet-based holding versus shell-holder style, and the method of primer disposal.
When considering the best hand deprimer for 5.56 brass, you must evaluate the entire case preparation pipeline. Depriming is just step one. Next, you’ll need a primer pocket swager or a crimp removal tool (like a primer pocket reamer) to remove the crimp itself. Some reloaders prefer a hand deprimer vs. press mounted approach specifically to keep crimped brass segregated before it reaches their reloading bench tool station, which might include a powerful frankford arsenal case prep center for swaging or reaming. Honestly, integrating a hand deprimer into a streamlined process with tools like the frankford arsenal universal case trimmer can create a highly efficient workflow for converting military brass into reloadable components.
Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Deprime Military Brass
Safety is paramount, especially when dealing with the higher forces involved and potential lead dust. Heres a reliable method:
- Inspect & Sort: Visually inspect all brass for cracks, severe corrosion, or Berdan primer flash holes (which require a different tool). Separate military crimped brass from commercial.
- Set Up Your Workspace: Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear safety glasses and consider disposable gloves. Attach the primer catch tube to the hand deprimer.
- Operate the Tool: Insert a case into the collet until it seats. Squeeze the handle firmly and completely until you feel and hear the primer pop free. The spring will return the handle; remove the deprimed case.
- Post-Process Management: Empty the primer catch tube regularly into a sealed container for hazardous waste. The deprimed, crimped brass is now ready for the swaging or reaming stage.
This approach, recommended by Honest Opinion, ensures a safe, clean, and effective depriming process that protects both you and your equipment.
Maintenance, Tips, and Common Problems to Avoid
Like any precision tool, a hand deprimer needs occasional care. Wipe it down after use to remove residual carbon and lead dust. A drop of oil on the pivot point and spring mechanism every few thousand rounds will keep the action smooth. The most common issue is a stuck case, often due to an overly tight collet or a severely deformed case rim. If a case sticks, don’t force it. Loosen the collet adjustment (if available) or gently tap the case out with a non-marring punch.
Avoid using this tool on aluminum or steel cases, as they can damage the collet and punch. always confirm you’re dealing with Boxer-primed cases (one central flash hole) and not Berdan-primed (two off-center holes), which will destroy your decapping pin. For deep discussions on tool longevity and troubleshooting, the collective wisdom on forums like the reloading subreddit or specialized Frankford Arsenal forums is invaluable.
Integrating into Your Reloading Setup
The hand deprimer isn’t an island. It’s the first station in a case prep line. After depriming, your crimped brass will move to a swaging station, perhaps on a frankford arsenal m press using a dedicated swage die, or to a reaming station on a case prep center. Then, it’s on to trimming, chamfering, and cleaning. Viewing the hand deprimer as the specialized entry point into this system justifies its place on your bench, especially if you run a progressive press like a dillon precision rl550c where you want to feed it only fully pre-processed, decrimped brass.
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool presents a compelling solution for a specific, tough problem. Its collet system works as advertised, its primer containment is thoughtful, and its ergonomics support volume work. It successfully bridges the gap between picking up range brass and the detailed prep work at your bench. For the reloader who regularly encounters 5.56, .223 Remington, or 7.62×51 NATO brass, this tool removes a significant bottleneck. It protects your primary press and dies, adds flexibility to your process, and tackles crimped primers with authoritative ease. In the end, it turns a chore into a simple, almost meditative step, getting you that much closer to a fresh batch of reloaded ammunition.