Unlocking Precision and Performance: The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager

For dedicated handloaders and reloading enthusiasts, the pursuit of perfection in ammunition crafting is an ongoing journey. A critical, yet often overlooked, step in this journey is meticulous brass preparation. Specifically, dealing with crimped primer pockets, commonly found on military and some commercial brass, can be a major hurdle. Without proper preparation, seating new primers becomes frustratingly difficult, inconsistent, and potentially unsafe. This challenge is precisely where the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager (UPC: 661120100072) emerges as an indispensable tool, transforming a tedious chore into a streamlined, highly efficient process.

This innovative on-press swager is engineered to remove the military crimp from primer pockets with unparalleled ease and consistency. If you've ever wrestled with primers that refuse to seat fully, or felt the disconcerting crunch of a primer being forced into an unprepared pocket, you understand the problem this tool solves. It’s designed for anyone seeking to maximize reloading efficiency, enhance the safety of their ammunition, and achieve superior consistency in their handloads.

Why Is Primer Pocket Swaging Essential for Handloaders?

The concept of swaging a primer pocket might seem obscure to a novice, but for experienced reloaders, it's a non-negotiable step when processing certain types of brass. But what exactly is a crimped primer pocket, and why does it matter?

Many factory-loaded ammunition cases, particularly those destined for military or duty use, feature a crimp around the primer pocket. This crimp is a manufacturing technique designed to securely hold the primer in place under extreme conditions, preventing it from backing out due to recoil or vigorous handling. While beneficial for factory ammunition, it presents a significant obstacle for reloaders. The crimp essentially creates an interference fit, narrowing the primer pocket opening and making it impossible to seat a new primer without first removing this obstruction.

Attempting to force a new primer into a crimped pocket can lead to several undesirable outcomes:

• Damaged Primers: The primer cup can be deformed or crushed, leading to misfires or hangfires.
• Damaged Primer Pockets: The brass itself can be compromised, leading to cracks or splits, rendering the case unusable.
• Inconsistent Primer Seating Depth: Even if a primer does seat, it might not be seated consistently or to the proper depth, impacting ignition and ultimately, accuracy.
• Safety Concerns: A damaged primer or case can create a hazardous situation during the firing process.

This is why swaging is so crucial. It reforms the primer pocket internally, gently pushing the crimp material outward and away from the primer pocket mouth. This creates a smooth, uniform pocket perfectly sized for receiving a new primer, ensuring consistent seating depth, optimal ignition, and extended brass life.

Who Benefits Most from the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager?

This tool is a game-changer for a wide array of reloading enthusiasts:

• High-Volume Reloaders: If you frequently process large quantities of military surplus brass, such as .223/5.56 NATO or .308/7.62 NATO, this swager will dramatically cut down your case preparation time. Its on-press design makes it exceptionally fast.
• Precision Shooters: Consistent primer seating is paramount for achieving tight groups and minimal standard deviation. The uniform pockets created by the Frankford Arsenal swager contribute directly to this consistency, making it ideal for competitive shooters and those who demand the utmost accuracy from their ammunition.
• Cost-Conscious Reloaders: Military brass is often inexpensive or even free, making it an attractive option for high-volume shooting. This swager makes processing that brass practical and efficient, saving you money on new brass.
• Safety-Minded Individuals: By ensuring primers are seated correctly and consistently, this tool enhances the overall safety of your handloads.
• Reloaders Seeking Efficiency: Ditch the tedious hand tools and time-consuming reamers. The Frankford Arsenal swager integrates seamlessly into your reloading workflow, speeding up the entire process.

Distinguished Features of the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager

The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager is not just another reloading accessory; it's a thoughtfully designed, precision-engineered piece of equipment built for performance and durability. Its standout features directly address the common pain points associated with primer pocket preparation:

• On-Press Operation: This is arguably its most significant advantage. Unlike standalone swaging tools or hand reamers, this unit mounts directly into your reloading press. This leverages the mechanical advantage of your press, making the swaging process incredibly easy and requiring minimal effort. Simply run cases through the swager on your press, just like you would a resizing die.
• Interchangeable Swaging Rods: The system includes both small and large primer pocket swaging rods. This versatility means you can effortlessly switch between preparing brass for small pistol or rifle primers (e.g., .223 Rem, 9mm) and large pistol or rifle primers (e.g., .308 Win, .45 ACP), ensuring compatibility with your entire brass collection.
• Self-Centering Design: The intelligently designed floating die system automatically centers the brass with the swaging rod. This eliminates the need for precise alignment by the user, ensuring consistent, perfectly concentric primer pockets every time. This self-centering capability prevents off-center swaging, which can lead to uneven primer seating and reduced brass life.
• Adjustable Swaging Depth: Precision is key in reloading, and the Frankford Arsenal swager delivers. It features an adjustable swaging depth, allowing you to fine-tune the amount of swage to perfectly accommodate different brass manufacturers and primer types. This ensures you remove just enough material for proper primer seating without overworking the brass.
• Durable Hardened Steel Construction: Built to withstand the rigors of high-volume reloading, the swaging rods and dies are crafted from hardened steel. This robust construction ensures longevity and consistent performance, even after processing thousands of cases. You can rely on this tool for years of trouble-free operation.
• Integrated Case Ejector: A thoughtful design detail, the built-in case ejector makes high-volume processing even faster. Once swaged, the case is automatically ejected from the die, ready for the next piece of brass, minimizing downtime.

How the Frankford Arsenal Swager Works: A Step-by-Step Overview

Utilizing the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager is straightforward, even for those new to swaging. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:

1. Mount the Die: Install the swager die into a station on your reloading press, just like any other die.
2. Select Swaging Rod: Choose the appropriate small or large primer swaging rod based on the brass you are processing and insert it into the die.
3. Adjust Depth: Follow the instructions to adjust the swaging depth. This typically involves running a piece of brass through the die and checking the primer pocket with a primer to ensure a snug, but not overly tight, fit.
4. Insert Brass: Place a decapped brass case onto your press's shell holder.
5. Swage: Raise the press ram, pushing the brass into the swaging die. The swaging rod will enter the primer pocket, gently reforming the crimp.
6. Eject: Lower the ram, and the swaged case will be automatically ejected, ready for the next step in your reloading process.

The entire operation is smooth, efficient, and consistent, making quick work of even the most stubborn crimps.

Tangible Benefits and Measurable Outcomes for Reloaders

Investing in the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager translates into numerous tangible benefits for your reloading efforts and final ammunition quality:

• Enhanced Safety: Eliminates the risk of crushed primers, inconsistent ignition, or damaged cases due to forcefully seating primers into crimped pockets. A properly swaged pocket ensures secure and correct primer seating.
• Superior Consistency: Achieves uniform primer pocket dimensions across all cases. This consistency is vital for repeatable primer seating depth, leading to more uniform powder ignition and ultimately, tighter groups on target.
• Increased Efficiency and Speed: Dramatically reduces the time and effort required for brass preparation, especially for high-volume processing of crimped brass. The on-press operation is significantly faster than hand tools or most reaming methods.
• Extended Brass Life: By gently reforming the brass rather than cutting it away (as reaming does), swaging helps preserve the integrity and longevity of your cases. This means your expensive brass can be reloaded more times, providing greater value.
• Reduced Fatigue: The mechanical advantage of your reloading press means you expend very little effort, even when processing hundreds of cases. This is a stark contrast to hand tools that can quickly lead to hand fatigue.
• Professional Quality Ammunition: Produces a final product that looks and performs like professionally manufactured ammunition, meeting the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Swaging vs. Reaming: Understanding the Advantage

When addressing crimped primer pockets, reloaders typically choose between two methods: swaging or reaming. While both remove the crimp, they do so differently, with distinct implications for your brass.

• Primer Pocket Reaming: This method involves using a cutting tool to literally ream out or cut away the crimped material from the primer pocket. While effective at removing the crimp, it removes brass material. Over time, repeated reaming can lead to an oversized primer pocket, making primers loose or prone to falling out, effectively shortening the useful life of the brass. It can also be more prone to creating inconsistent pocket depths if not done meticulously.
• Primer Pocket Swaging: As performed by the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Swager, this method reforms the brass by pushing the crimp material outward. No brass is removed, preserving the original material thickness and strength of the primer pocket. This means your brass maintains its integrity and can be reloaded more times without the risk of loose primers. Swaging is generally considered the superior method for long-term brass life and consistent results.

The Frankford Arsenal swager’s design specifically focuses on the swaging method, reinforcing its commitment to optimal brass preparation and extended case longevity.

Real-World Applications and Scenarios

Consider these common scenarios where the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager proves invaluable:

• Processing Military Surplus Brass: You've just acquired a large batch of once-fired 5.56 NATO or 7.62 NATO brass from a military range. Almost every piece will have a crimped primer pocket. The Frankford Arsenal swager allows you to quickly and efficiently prepare hundreds, if not thousands, of these cases for reloading, turning what could be a multi-day chore into a manageable task.
• Competitive Shooting Preparation: For precision rifle shooters competing in disciplines like F-Class or PRS, every detail matters. The consistent primer seating achieved by swaging contributes to minimal velocity standard deviations, translating directly into tighter groups and higher scores.
• Bulk Pistol Ammunition Production: Many pistol calibers (e.g., 9mm, .45 ACP) also feature crimped primer pockets, particularly from duty or military ammunition sources. If you're reloading thousands of rounds for practice or competition, the speed and ease of on-press swaging become invaluable.
• Reloading for Self-Defense: When crafting ammunition for critical applications, reliability is paramount. Ensuring every primer is perfectly seated, without deforming or compromising the primer or case, is a key component of building reliable defensive loads.

Maintaining Your Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Swager

Like all precision reloading tools, a little care ensures years of reliable performance from your Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager.

• Keep it Clean: Periodically wipe down the die and swaging rods to remove any brass dust or residue. A light coat of gun oil can protect against corrosion, especially if stored in a humid environment.
• Proper Storage: Store the swager and its components in a clean, dry place to prevent rust and damage. The included storage case or packaging is ideal.
• Inspect for Wear: Though made of hardened steel, inspect the swaging rods periodically for any signs of wear or deformation, especially after very high-volume use. While rare, replacement parts are typically available.

By following these simple guidelines, your Frankford Arsenal swager will remain a cornerstone of your reloading setup for a very long time.

Why Choose Frankford Arsenal for Your Reloading Needs?

Frankford Arsenal has established itself as a reputable and innovative brand in the reloading industry. Their commitment to quality, precision, and user-centric design is evident in their entire product line, and the Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager is a prime example. When you choose Frankford Arsenal, you're not just buying a tool; you're investing in:

• Reliability: Products built to perform consistently and dependably.
• Innovation: Solutions that address real-world reloading challenges with intelligent design.
• Durability: Tools crafted from high-quality materials to withstand rigorous use.
• Support: A brand known for standing behind its products.

The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager is more than just a convenience; it's an essential upgrade for any serious reloader processing crimped brass. It streamlines your workflow, enhances safety, improves consistency, and ultimately helps you produce higher-quality ammunition with less effort. Experience the difference that precision and efficiency can make in your reloading bench.

All Frankford Arsenal products, including the Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager, are available at DEGuns and deguns.com.

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Primer Pocket Swager Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model Number	110007
UPC	661120100072
Type	On-Press Primer Pocket Swager
Primer Sizes	Small and Large (interchangeable rods included)
Operation	Manual (leveraging reloading press)
Material	Hardened Steel
Design	Self-Centering Floating Die
Adjustability	Adjustable Swaging Depth
Ejection	Integrated Case Ejector
Compatibility	Works with most standard reloading presses (7/8"-14 threaded dies)
Primary Function	Removes military crimps from brass primer pockets
Benefits	Enhances primer seating, improves safety, increases brass life, boosts efficiency