Ear and eye protection when hand priming...paranoid or smart

[Kenk]

I hand prime with an RCBS hand priming unit. Is it silly to use eye and ear protection when doing this?, plus, I really hate being startled unless it's completely unavoidable

[tommac919]

Do what works for you...  that is your choice

Can say that in 38+ yrs of priming on single, multi and progressive presses, have never worn eye/ear protection.... can not remember a setting off of a primer

[Kenk]

Yea, probably just paranoid 😂

[5pins]

It's not as paranoid as you think.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?29830-What-Could-Go-Wrong-Primer-Detonation

[Pablo]

Eye protection for sure

I use a Lee bench primer and just enough primers. Pretty sure I would only poop my pants, not lose an appendage.

[Kenk]

Absolutely, not concerned with losing anything just the startling / poop part : )

[CrawldaBeast]

I had an old Cougar & Hunter progressive press that I was able to simply modify for 40 S&W from 38 Spl and 357 Mag. It had a setup were the pimers traveled horizontally to where they would get seated. One day the pimer to be seated got sideways and it popped. It created a chain reaction down the line. Needless to say, it was loud and got my undivided attention. It was enough energy to strip the eight #8 fine thread screws that hold the access plate and total the press.


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[Kenk]

Yea, weird stuff can happen regardless of how careful you are. I've decided I'm ok with the ear / eye protection while priming, plus I have a more relaxing time doing it
Thanks man!

[sparkyv]

According to the RCBS website, this unit has this: "safety mechanism separates the seating operation from the primer supply to reduce the risk of tray detonation."  So worst case is a popping a single primer with this tool.  I use the Lyman, but this and the Lee and others also have this safety feature.  I've intentionally set off a primer before, and it's not deafening.  So for me, eye protection yes, ear protection no.

[sqlbullet]

Eye protection is never silly.  Same goes for ears.

I have developed mild intermittent tinnitus in both ears, and I am just shy of 50.  If I could go back in time I would choose very differently about hearing protection.

[The_Shadow]

Eye protection is never silly.  Same goes for ears.

I have developed mild intermittent tinnitus in both ears, and I am just shy of 50.  If I could go back in time I would choose very differently about hearing protection.

I hear you!    I too suffer with tinnitus in both ears, and being in a space where plenty people are communicating can make for difficulty understanding certain sounds because if their frequencies.  I was tested and showed I had about 70 db loss, There are sounds I can't hear! 
I attribute this to many things in my life, FD sirens and revving engines while pumping, lawn mowers, chain saws, machinery, loud music and yes shooting/hunting adventures.  It all adds up!

My word of advice on hear loss, "Deafness is usually painless!"  Protect your hearing!

Eye protection is a must...    Yes you have two eyes, don't get cockeyed about them! 

[Kenk]

My thoughts as well, Thanks!

[CurtisM]

I too hand prime and I wear reading glasses while doing so, not safety glasses.  I also make sure that no portion of my hand putting the case into the priming tool is directly in front of the case mouth.  Not sure how bad of a burn or damage a primer would cause and I'm in no hurry to find out.

[Kenk]

That's a good idea regarding the hand  / case mouth positioning

[Yardbird]

Safety glasses, yes mine have "readers" and help these 55+ year old eyes examine brass better but do not wear hearing protection.