Where is the best priced place to buy Dillon parts? I’m trying to put my RL550 back to use after a 30 years hiatus and misplaced some parts.
Some of the factory prices seem high to me. Anywhere?

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Dillon. Their no bs warranty cover some missing parts, even if you misplaced them. I dropped the set/loch screw that holds the shell plate in place. It’s somewhere in the garage and I’ll find it one of these years. A call to Dillon and it was in the mail, no issue at all. Make your list and call them. Can’t hurt.

__________________
"Your other right........."

When in doubt, try e-Bay. Actually, most of the factory prices for Dillon parts are pretty reasonable. BTW, which (and how many) parts are missing from your 550? I have the remnants of a 550 after an upgrade to a 650, but when I counted up the cost for all The missing parts that had been transferred, it wasn’t economical to rebuild... a good used 550 would have been cheaper.

MAJOR CORRECTION: I inherited this press and the accompanying mess when Dad passed away... he started with a 450 And upgraded to a 550, but since the main difference between the 450 after full upgrades and the 550 is the frame with changeable heads, the old 450 frame would need the same parts as though it were a 550. Confused yet? So was I! Again, a lot depends on which and how many parts are missing... I’m right on the fence between trying to track down the parts I need to complete the 450 and just find a more-or-less complete 550; but that’s because of the number of parts I would need.

Froggie

To make it really easy, use the parts list / parts number that is in your Owner's Manual. Or go to the Dillon website, and down load the Manual to your computer (uses Adobe PDF file free software) and you will be an expert. I have received 20+ pieces and ordered 2 small parts kits (about $10 each) since 1983. The small parts kit was the only thing I've paid for.

Over the years, I added auto prime, auto powder, and auto eject to my original Dillon 450. I also bought a new upgraded powder measure, when the original D 450 measure cracked it's main casting. The failed powder measure was replaced for free. The purchased powder measure went on my used Dillon 550.

Dillon costs a little more, but the service, tech support, and replacement warranty are priceless.

__________________
S&WHF 366

hi folks,
i would contact dillon, i sent back a press, the body only, and they rebulit it, FREE. they have a no BS warranty. they are a great(BEST) company. contact them, i'm sure they will take care of you.....dan

I tried the factory route before. I dropped the powder measure and broke the reservoir. I called the factory and their rep asked how I broke it which I told him, honestly. No problem, $20 plus shipping IIRC.
Going by the factory price list I’m looking at about $100 in parts.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

eBay is about the only place I've seen them besides the factory.

Green Frog.
So far I can’t find the spent primer cup, bin bracket for completed cartridges, primer tubes, both magazine and pick up, and the replacement powder reservoir and lid. I bought this in 87-88(?) but never really warmed up to it. Then I met my wife and had other things on my mind . Got married, moved, and the press was in the basement for 30+ years in a box. Now I’ve just moved again and being I am nearing retirement, I’ve decided to start loading again and give the Dillon another try. Maybe I’ll like it better this time. Some factory parts seem priced OK but the primer tubes are like $12 ea. plus shipping, spent primer cup around $10+, bin bracket $11. I don’t know what the powder reservoir costs now. I still the the replacement in the box. Somewhere! It doesn’t take long to come to $100.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I had Dillon send me a replacement powder reservoir and discharge chute for my old 450 and they did it free of charge. The reservoir is the same as what they presently use with their modern powder measure, but will work with the old style base that came with the original powder measure system. But if I were you, I would go ahead and spend the money for the pugraded priming system as it will have the tubes you need and is automated and smoother than the original priming system I find. I also upgraded to the present powder measure system they sell which is also automated and I find it much better than the original, which for me had problems with some powders.

I don’t know how everyone gets free parts. I just got off the phone and was quoted about $77 plus freight for what I need to replace my parts.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

The free parts I received were replacements for broken stuff. The clear acrylic tubular container on my original powder measure cracked and the chute/hanger assembly for where the loaded rounds drop out to the catch box had also cracked. I've also had a few small springs break and they replaced those too.

I bought 2 Square Deal B’s thirty years ago. Eventually sold one to my brother (wish I had it back now) and got out of shooting until a couple of years ago. Now I’m shooting a lot again and put my Square Deal back in service. A few parts had broken and Dillon replaced each without any questions. My original electronic scale started becoming erratic and they replaced it too. They even sent an upgrade kit for my powder measure free of charge. The only parts I’ve had to pay fore were a set of brass buttons that keep my 38 super cartridges in the shell holder. I lost them somewhere over the years.

I inadvertently ran a bullet into the charging station on my 550, ruining the powder throw linkage. Dillon replaced the broken parts free of charge. I told them it was my fault and I wanted to pay for the parts but they wouldn't hear of it. Lost or missing parts, just contact them.

That’s what I’m saying. I called years ago saying I needed a new reservoir, that I told them I dropped and broke. They charged me. Called to see what they’d do for me on the parts I lost, and I was quoted around $77. What am I doing wrong?

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Acorn, I bought a SDB in the late '80s, then upgraded to a 550B in the early '90s. I used my Dillon on a weekly basis into the winter of '06. In the spring of '07 when I would have resumed reloading, I was in an accident that left me disabled. In 2017 I was able to resume reloading pistol ammo, and discovered a number of missing and damaged parts. Some damage was discovered over 3 years of use, damaged parts that provided more of an inconvenience than signalling that stuff was damaged. Once I identified the parts and the part numbers, I called Dillon. On each call I explained my dilemma. I think that I have made 4 or 5 parts calls, and each call resulted in the replacement of the missing or damaged parts, free of charge. Once I identified that the she'll plate sprocket was bent, Dillon not only sent out a replacement sprocket, they sent out a shellplate alignment tool, again free of charge. Each time I called attempting to get replacement parts with debit card in hand, the customer service representative would refuse to take the card information.

__________________
Judge control not gun control!

Sounds like Dillon is turning into S&W with the Customer Service "lottery"!

Depends on who you get on the phone if you win or lose.

Then again, so many people on this Forum claim that S&W also sends them free stuff , but I always have to pay.

John

Dillon has been great over the 20 years I have been buying from them. I have payed for parts and I have been given parts under warranty as well. I buy all my new presses direct from the factory. I have also purchased several presses used. I think having a customer number and a purchase history may affect the "helpfulness" of the customer service rep on the phone.

Your experiences just don't sound right! Make sure you are calling the factory instead of a vender! 1-800-223-4570

Ivan

Call their tech support line, NOT sales.

I replaced the Spent Primer Cup on my 550 with one of these:
550 Spent Primer Chute

Dillon offers a 450>550 upgrade kit:
RL 450 / RL 550C Upgrade Frame Change Kit (20094): Reloading: Reloader Upgrades & Updates

I considered this kit to upgrade my 20+ year old AT500, but decided to treat myself to a new BL550, swapping over the RL550 parts I had added over the years. It is a treat having a new piece of gear now and then, even if the old one was working fine

What He said. Call Dillon.

Yep did that. Cost me $117 for the parts. No freebies. No offer of a warranty. Just give them the credit card number.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Directly from Dillon. They're fantastic to deal with.

I guess you need to keep telling everyone on various forums how they made you buy warranty parts then. Because that directly contradicts their "No BS warranty" and people should know that they are crawfishing on this supposed warranty. It's pretty darned disappointing to me to hear they treated you like that and that gives the company a black eye in my book.

It also wouldn't hurt to post up in their forum why they are charging you for warranty parts too and let other folks know.

If I were in the market for a new progressive, I might want to go red next time since it looks like the blue team isn't being honest about their "No BS warranty" any more.

That’s who I dealt with!!!!
Nothing outstanding. Just gave them the part #s and CC number. 5 days later I got my parts. Not that they owe me anything.
Everybody says they’ll send you parts no charge. Me they charge $117! Maybe I just don’t know the secret password or something.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I have broken parts before on my 550 & Dillon just sent them to me. The only thing I have had to pay for were electronics. My scale started drifting badly & they sent me a new one after 5y for 1/2 price. One of my priming warning stopped working & same gi, 1/2 price for elec after 1y warranty.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

If you can't find these things they won't replace them. The No BS Warranty doesn't cover lost parts.

Now I know someone above said they lost a screw and they sent it out that's normal for a great company not to chase him a dollar plus shipping.

You've misplaced a hundred dollars worth of parts no one can stay in business replacing misplaced parts.

If I misplaced the roller ball handle should they replace it? If the roller ball handle broke I have no doubt they would take care of it.

My experience with Dillon has been good last week with a broken part on a 650 but it was broke not misplaced.

It's hard to break a spent primer cup, maybe with a big hammer thus hard to warranty it.

Dillon for my buck has been good your milage may vary.

__________________
Goal Life Member
Traveling Man

That’s the trouble. It really isn’t a warranty issue. I lost the stuff. I just keep hearing about how great they are and they send out the parts no charge but when I call it’s just another sale. No more no less.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Over the past 35 years I think they have sent me more free parts than I have paid for. Some broken and some my fault. Left old batteries in the low primer buzzer and they got corroded. My fault but they replaced it for free. A few small parts have actually broken and when I ordered them fully expecting to be billed, they put them in for free. The little flat spring steel piece on the primer system and also the little paperclip piece that holds the shell in place. They just know whet breaks and don't even ask for details. I also stored my stuff for about 10 years (the kid years) and had problems getting them (pair of 550's) back up and running. I pulled out my Dillon calipers and they broke in my hands. They questioned me on this one because I had bought them second hand and my records with them didn't show that I had bought them. I sent a picture and they replaced them.

Years ago I got my hands on a square deal that had been in a house fire. After I soaked it in kerosene and tried to clean it up I threw in the towel and stuck it away in a corner. Years later I mentioned it on the phone while placing a parts order. The guy convinced me to send it in. I think it cost me around $20 to send it. Low and behold they replaced it with no questions asked. Honestly I have no idea if they rebuilt it or send me a new one, but you can bet they will have my business for as long as I can still pull the handle.

__________________
"Tastes just like chicken"

That may be my problem. I bought mine around 1987. I don’t think their records go back that far. When I gave them my name and address I don’t think they could pull it up on their computer.
As I stated before however I dropped the powder measure and it broke. When I called to order a replacement I had to pay. That was around 1990.
I’m thinking maybe “no BS” depends on who you get on the other end of the line.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I'm from the South , years ago my Mom taught me the fine art of being nice to people , using that "talent" it amazes me of the things I can get for free just by sweet talking a lady on the phone . I'm not sure how to explain it but you first just have to be nice and then tell them I know how hard your job is and it's terrible you have to work on Saturday etc ...get them to feel like you really care about them and thus establish a bond between you and them ...then start slowly getting into what your problem is...how your dad passed away leaving this reloading tool , missing parts how you miss your dad ...crying a little at his memory... I don't know if you can pull it off but I call it turning on the Southern Charm. Can't hurt to practice for the next time .

I watched my Mom turn on her charm and then cry her way out of more than one traffic ticket and talk my Dad into doing anything she wanted him to do ... it's a art that can be used by both ladies and men .

Tip no.2 ..If the first person you talk to doesn't get the response you want...call back at another time , another day and "talk" to someone else . A No Can Do response on Saturday turned into a free replacement on Monday morning with a different rep . !!!
And always Be Nice and turn on the charm .
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I was nice and explained my problem. The guy didn’t seem to care.
Oh well!

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Like others I have broken or lost a parts to my 550 and Dillon has replaced it. My dad originally had a 450 that seized up. He lived near the coast and rust is a problem. I sent it to Dillon for a re-ferb and they sent me a new 550B.

I’m thinking things changed after Mike Dillon passed. The last time I had a broken part I had to send it in before they would replace it.

Dan

Yeah ... I think the Southern Charm thing has to be in your DNA , could be if you are born above the Mason-Dixon line the magic charm just isn't there .
Probably the reason is since Mike Dillion passed the new bean counters put an end to free parts .... and that move may come back to haunt them ! Great customer service means a lot to the customer .
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member