Who likes & uses the Original Lee Auto Prime tool?

AJ · #51 08-04-2020, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadhead2

It's still the best primer tool made. I have several and use them
all the time. Picked up a new in box one at a gun show for $8
dollars. Thought I'd retire them and just bought a Frankfort
Arsenal with all the shell holders. Reviews said they were the
cat's meow. It is a very well built tool and would probably last
forever, but for me it's to heavy and hard to seat primers. So,
back in the box it goes and will be on my table for sale at the
next show. My Lee's will out last me as I just turned 78.
Denny

Table at Hidden Valley?

leadhead2 · #52 08-05-2020, 08:11 AM

No.... I'm in western Pa.
Denny

AJ · #53 08-05-2020, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadhead2

No.... I'm in western Pa.
Denny

That is in Western PA. Usually go there to a gun show with a friend from Meadville when I visit. West of Grove City and north of New Castle.

prairieviper · #54 08-05-2020, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDads38

Have mine since 80-81, still use it but I have noticed it's getting worn and I hear creaks and cracks that weren't there before. I find them on Ebay once in a while, just haven't done anything...yet.

That's about how long I have been using mine. No creaks or cracks but the tray lid has gotten a bit loose.

leadhead2 · #55 08-05-2020, 08:25 AM

AJ The show I do is near Kittanning. (Pony Farm)
Just had on there on July 18th and 19th.
Denny

AJ · #56 08-05-2020, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadhead2

AJ The show I do is near Kittanning. (Pony Farm)
Just had on there on July 18th and 19th.
Denny

You ought to try the Hidden Valley Gun Club's show. Mostly members cleaning out their old stuff and a few dealers. Have found lots of good deals there.

I was stationed in Pittsburgh (Picksburg) and lived in Monroeville while there.

AJ

glenwolde · #57 08-05-2020, 08:36 AM

Not me. Kills my thumbs. If I hand prime I use and Ergo Prime. It works pretty well. But most stuff gets primed on press.

Rule3 · #58 08-05-2020, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadhead2

It's still the best primer tool made.

Now that is a bold statement!

Yes they work just fine.

Rule3 · #59 08-05-2020, 09:13 AM

Folks also need to be aware when buying an older Lee Auto Prime that they need to buy the special shell holders as well. Around $20 or so.

leadhead2 · #60 08-05-2020, 09:25 AM

The new Frankfort Arsenal tool uses the same flat Lee shell
holders and the Lee's will interchange with it.
Denny

Rule3 · #61 08-06-2020, 10:02 AM

I found this information on the LEE site.

Amazing, the tool was discontinued in 2010/ At that time if I recal it was a $20 or $25 item. Now some folks think they are worth $45??

Lee Precision, Inc. - Auto Prime with round trays

he original Auto Prime with the round primer trays was discontinued in October 2010, and service parts for the original tool have been exhausted. You may take advantage of our Lee Lifetime Guarantee, send us the original Auto Prime, and we can offer you the New Auto Prime, Ergo-Prime or Bench Prime at half price. These are priming tools that replaced the original Auto Prime. The new tools have will work with your existing Auto Primer shell holders. New Auto Prime $28.98, 1/2 price $14.49, Shipping and Handling $8.00, Total $22.49.
Ergo-Prime $49.00, 1/2 price $24.50, Shipping and Handling $8.00, Total $32.50.
Auto Bench Prime $36.98, 1/2 price $18.49, Shipping and Handling $8.00, Total $26.49.

Please send the Auto Prime to us with a note stating which tool you would like to exchange it for, your complete billing and shipping address, payment and a daytime phone number.

BC38 · #62 08-06-2020, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rule3

I found this information on the LEE site.

Amazing, the tool was discontinued in 2010/ At that time if I recal it was a $20 or $25 item. Now some folks think they are worth $45??

FWIW, I had a couple advertised for $45 including shipping, but they ended up selling locally for $40 apiece (no shipping) and the buyers didn't even bat an eye or try to haggle.

SMSgt · #63 08-06-2020, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rule3

Folks also need to be aware when buying an older Lee Auto Prime that they need to buy the special shell holders as well. Around $20 or so.

And that is the reason I abandoned the Lee hand primer--it ever changing proprietary shell holders. I opted for RCBS which used standard shell holders.

BC38 · #64 08-06-2020, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rule3

Folks also need to be aware when buying an older Lee Auto Prime that they need to buy the special shell holders as well. Around $20 or so.

Yup, $20 for the whole set or around $5-$7 each if buying singles.

KarmannGhia · #65 08-06-2020, 05:32 PM

I have two Auto Primes (old ones), but I maintain a supply of spare parts. They are painful to use for extended sessions and they do break. I also switched to the Ram Priming Unit on my extra single stage press.

M E Morrison · #66 08-06-2020, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC38

I've read several threads by people who really like this piece of gear.
In particular I recall seeing threads by those who have experienced a broken handle on theirs, lamenting its demise.
So who really likes them and/or has experienced a failure of the handle on theirs?

I like mine - nothing has broken in over 30 (?) years...

.38SuperMan · #67 08-06-2020, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleCooner

I used one until the wear caused some of the primers to flip, so I replaced it and still use the replacement about 1/2 the time. The other time I spend priming is with the Lee original primer tool that has not tray and you screw in the shell holders. Mine is probably 40 years old and has seated thousands of primers. I prime my brass in front of the TV, so going slow in not a problem. Sometimes, I still get a "hiccup" in the auto prime tool so my preference is to do it one at a time with the original.

Your original priming tool sounds like one I have. I inherited one from my dad and have no idea how old it is. I’m guessing around 50 years old. It’s complete and works great.

I also have 1 & 1/2 of the round plastic ones that my dad bought decades ago. I’d guess them to be at least 40 or more years old. They’re so old the clear plastic cover is yellowed now. I use this one frequently and it works great.

6GUNSONLY · #68 08-07-2020, 03:47 AM

98% of all the ammo I've loaded over the past 44 years has been primed with a Lee tool of some type. Started with the old Lee tool that you single loaded each primer into the tool. They had a screw-in shell holder. I still have one of those. The on to the Autoprime, which I have two in use - set up for large and small primers. I have another one new in the box if either fails. And I have one of the newer "safer" versions but don't like it as well and haven't used it in a while. As others have said, I like the feel of seating the primers by thumb pressure, and I tactilely check each case after priming out of long habit to check for high primers