Primer tool

jeb111 · 03-09-2022, 02:23 PM

For years I used a Lee Auto primer and it worked great but after many years and countless rounds it finally wore out. I bought a new one last year and according to many reviews the new ones are junk compared to the original. Well those reviews are right. I spend a lot of time fighting feeding problems and would smash it to the floor but first need to find a decent replacement. Any recommendations?
Jim

rhuff · 03-09-2022, 03:28 PM

I have been using the Hornady Hand Held primer tool for a number of years now. I only use it for brass that I do not run through my Dillon 650 press. Like all tools, it takes a bit of time to become accustomed to how it works, but it does a nice job for me.

schutzen-jager · 03-09-2022, 04:24 PM

totally agree about the new model ones - got these at yard + estate sales for 2 or 3 dollars - will last me till i,m gone + then wife + kids will get to sell what's left at yard sale -

Major Tom · 03-10-2022, 09:27 AM

I use the Lee bench mount primer. Works flawlessly and is fast and saves the hand muscle aches.

jeb111 · 03-10-2022, 09:52 AM

Wow schutzen-jager that's some forward thinking, smart. I loved the old style auto prime worked perfect and yes Major Tom your hands get a workout that's for sure. Just saw a couple of old style for sale on ebay, none to be had when I needed them though as usual. I might put a bid on one.
Jim

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2022, 12:34 PM

I use the lee and the problem with them is the quality of the metal. It is cast junk. It wears quickly or breaks or both. The roller that pushes up the primer ram is so soft it wears a groove in it that has to be ground away. When a primer turned crossways once I broke off a lever. It's pot metal with a pretty chrome coating.

I manage by keeping a tube of white lithium grease handy but it's IS cheap crap. If I were younger I might change to another system but as it is ..it's working if I baby it.

jeb111 · 03-10-2022, 12:54 PM

Your right Jerry, but my first one lasted for years through thousands of reloads. Maybe I got lucky the first time.
Jim

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2022, 01:09 PM

Jim, I have nursed my pile of Lee primer tools through thousands of loads as well. If Lee could make ONE change it would be to make the roller that pushes up the ram arm out of machined steel..It's just too soft to work without abnormal wear. Once you wear a groove in it..it's hard to make it work. I think earlier sets may have been a higher quality? Maybe not too..Frequent white lithium grease..

schutzen-jager · 03-10-2022, 02:12 PM

only problem i've had with old style after over decades of use is the body cracked at shell holder groove - lee stopped selling any replacement parts for old style as soon as they came out with new model - ebay prices are crrently very high now on the old models -

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2022, 03:45 PM

the body cracked at shell holder groove J. B. WELD?

schutzen-jager · 03-10-2022, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

the body cracked at shell holder groove J. B. WELD?

j-b weld , several types of epoxy , + crazy glue would not hold at all - lots of pressure on top edge when pressing in a primer -

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2022, 07:01 PM

Lee says if you send them the broken part with 1/2 the price/payment of a new one they will replace it?

gunbugs · 03-10-2022, 08:22 PM

I just prime on the press. I don't care for the hand priming tools.

schutzen-jager · 03-11-2022, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Lee says if you send them the broken part with 1/2 the price/payment of a new one they will replace it?

that only applies to current production items - they were out of any replacement parts for old model shortly after new model came out - i tried back then + they offered a small discount on new model -

Fla.Mallard · 03-11-2022, 02:02 PM

Parts shouldn't break .. plain and simple. I bought a cheap "C" press from them about 20 years ago. The pot-metal handle broke in half after 4 or 5 months of limited use. I threw it away and have not bought any more Lee cheap stuff except a 7.63 Mauser die set because I couldn't find one from Redding or RCBS. I use it sparingly and it functions OK.

Buyer beware of cheap crap.

Lyman seems to be forgetting how to use quality control and their customer service is the pits. They won't even respond to emails I have sent.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-11-2022, 04:55 PM

I recently had to call RCBS to find the rubber 0 rings for a bullet extractor collett/hammer. They immediately sent me a dozen no charge.

Ruger treated me the same too when I inquired about tiny screws to mount a pickatinny rail to my 10/22 rifle. Sent em for free.

Fla.Mallard · 03-11-2022, 05:52 PM

Good companies stand behind their products.

sheepherder · 03-11-2022, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

I recently had to call RCBS to find the rubber 0 rings for a bullet extractor collett/hammer. They immediately sent me a dozen no charge.

I had similar experience with RCBS. I had purchased their 'backpack reloading tool' and the tapped hole for the die was off-center. They exchanged the whole tool for free. Great tool!

Kiwi · 03-11-2022, 07:45 PM

I had great experience with Ruger.
The dry firing plastic disc for my revolver cracked
Wrote and asked availability and cost for replacement
Ruger sent two - free

Edward Tinker · 03-11-2022, 11:08 PM

I haven't reloaded in many years, although I have my reloading gear, and right now primers and powder are not available for a decent price (yes, Inknow, but I have lots of rounds already). I deprime and prime using my older 3 stage set - do you actually deprime or prime by hand?

Did you try a WTB for an older part? Or ebay or gunbroker? Can you tell by looking at it, if its older or newer?

03-09-2022, 02:23 PM	#1
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 711 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Primer tool For years I used a Lee Auto primer and it worked great but after many years and countless rounds it finally wore out. I bought a new one last year and according to many reviews the new ones are junk compared to the original. Well those reviews are right. I spend a lot of time fighting feeding problems and would smash it to the floor but first need to find a decent replacement. Any recommendations? Jim

03-09-2022, 03:28 PM	#2
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,707 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I have been using the Hornady Hand Held primer tool for a number of years now. I only use it for brass that I do not run through my Dillon 650 press. Like all tools, it takes a bit of time to become accustomed to how it works, but it does a nice job for me. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

03-09-2022, 04:24 PM	#3
schutzen-jager User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: peoples republic of New Jersey Posts: 187 Thanks: 208 Thanked 187 Times in 86 Posts	like most lee products but , totally agree about the new model ones - got these at yard + estate sales for 2 or 3 dollars - will last me till i,m gone + then wife + kids will get to sell what's left at yard sale - Attached Thumbnails

03-10-2022, 09:27 AM	#4
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	I use the Lee bench mount primer. Works flawlessly and is fast and saves the hand muscle aches. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

03-10-2022, 12:34 PM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,925 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	I use the lee and the problem with them is the quality of the metal. It is cast junk. It wears quickly or breaks or both. The roller that pushes up the primer ram is so soft it wears a groove in it that has to be ground away. When a primer turned crossways once I broke off a lever. It's pot metal with a pretty chrome coating. I manage by keeping a tube of white lithium grease handy but it's IS cheap crap. If I were younger I might change to another system but as it is ..it's working if I baby it. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-10-2022, 09:52 AM	#5
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 711 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Wow schutzen-jager that's some forward thinking, smart. I loved the old style auto prime worked perfect and yes Major Tom your hands get a workout that's for sure. Just saw a couple of old style for sale on ebay, none to be had when I needed them though as usual. I might put a bid on one. Jim

03-10-2022, 12:54 PM	#7
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 711 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Your right Jerry, but my first one lasted for years through thousands of reloads. Maybe I got lucky the first time. Jim

03-10-2022, 01:09 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,925 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	Jim, I have nursed my pile of Lee primer tools through thousands of loads as well. If Lee could make ONE change it would be to make the roller that pushes up the ram arm out of machined steel..It's just too soft to work without abnormal wear. Once you wear a groove in it..it's hard to make it work. I think earlier sets may have been a higher quality? Maybe not too..Frequent white lithium grease.. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-10-2022, 02:12 PM	#9
schutzen-jager User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: peoples republic of New Jersey Posts: 187 Thanks: 208 Thanked 187 Times in 86 Posts	only problem i've had with old style after over decades of use is the body cracked at shell holder groove - lee stopped selling any replacement parts for old style as soon as they came out with new model - ebay prices are crrently very high now on the old models -

03-10-2022, 03:45 PM	#10
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,925 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	the body cracked at shell holder groove J. B. WELD? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-10-2022, 07:01 PM	#12
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,925 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	Lee says if you send them the broken part with 1/2 the price/payment of a new one they will replace it? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-10-2022, 08:22 PM	#13
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 657 Thanks: 361 Thanked 1,175 Times in 393 Posts	I just prime on the press. I don't care for the hand priming tools.

03-11-2022, 02:02 PM	#15
Fla.Mallard User Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 99 Thanks: 244 Thanked 95 Times in 37 Posts	Parts shouldn't break .. plain and simple. I bought a cheap "C" press from them about 20 years ago. The pot-metal handle broke in half after 4 or 5 months of limited use. I threw it away and have not bought any more Lee cheap stuff except a 7.63 Mauser die set because I couldn't find one from Redding or RCBS. I use it sparingly and it functions OK. Buyer beware of cheap crap. Lyman seems to be forgetting how to use quality control and their customer service is the pits. They won't even respond to emails I have sent.

03-11-2022, 04:55 PM	#16
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,925 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	I recently had to call RCBS to find the rubber 0 rings for a bullet extractor collett/hammer. They immediately sent me a dozen no charge. Ruger treated me the same too when I inquired about tiny screws to mount a pickatinny rail to my 10/22 rifle. Sent em for free. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-11-2022, 05:52 PM	#17
Fla.Mallard User Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 99 Thanks: 244 Thanked 95 Times in 37 Posts	Good companies stand behind their products.

03-11-2022, 07:45 PM	#19
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 303 Thanks: 213 Thanked 434 Times in 171 Posts	I had great experience with Ruger. The dry firing plastic disc for my revolver cracked Wrote and asked availability and cost for replacement Ruger sent two - free

03-11-2022, 11:08 PM	#20
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,929 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	I haven't reloaded in many years, although I have my reloading gear, and right now primers and powder are not available for a decent price (yes, Inknow, but I have lots of rounds already). I deprime and prime using my older 3 stage set - do you actually deprime or prime by hand? Did you try a WTB for an older part? Or ebay or gunbroker? Can you tell by looking at it, if its older or newer?