Who likes & uses the Original Lee Auto Prime tool?

[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?

 

[rustychip]

I have an Auto Prime that I brought 20 plus years ago, I have primed literally thousands of .45acp and .45 colt cases without any issues. I used to put just a drop of oil on the pivot points every now and then, what I didn't like was on my progressive re-loader was sometimes powder would get on the primer seating anvil and actually dent the primers plus once in a while it wouldn't feed a primer which was irritating if you didn't catch it quick enough. I also like that you have a good sense of feel seating the primers with the auto prime.

 

[colt_saa]

I have no idea how many decades I have been using the Auto Prime and Auto Prime II for. Or how many tens of thousands of primers they have seated

I have broken a lever. No big deal I ordered the replacement part.

On any day you can find a few of these available used on eBay and the various other auction sites

I suspect there will be a way to get parts for years to come

 

[BC38]

I have no idea how many decades I have been using the Autoprime II or how many tens of thousands of primers it has seated

I have broken a lever. No big deal I ordered the replacement part.

On any day you can find a few of these available used on eBay and the various other auction sites

I suspect there will be a way to get parts for years to come

Yeah, as I understand it they are still making parts for the AutoPrime II - the one with the square primer trays.

But from what I understand the AutoPrime II parts aren't compatible with the ORIGINAL AutoPrime - the one with the round primer trays.

That is the one I'm talking about.

 

[biku324]

I liked mine, and broke a couple. About '90-something I got the RCBS hand primer and it's still rolling tens of thousands of rounds later.

 

[colt_saa]

Yeah, as I understand it they are still making parts for the AutoPrime II - the one with the square primer trays.

But from what I understand the AutoPrime II parts aren't compatible with the ORIGINAL AutoPrime - the one with the round primer trays.

That is the one I'm talking about.

Typo on my part. I meant Auto Prime.

The Auto Prime is a hand held device and the Auto Prime II is a press mounted device.

The Auto Prime and Auto Prime II both use round trays.

The Auto Prime XR uses the square trays and is very similar to the Auto Prime with the exception of a reshaped handle

The NEW Auto Prime and Ergo Auto Prime use the Triangular trays and have the lift/feed mechanism for "greater safety"

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have 3. Been using them forever. Tip.....If the aluminum cam that rides on the steel priming rod grows short from wear(steel against aluminum). You can remove the cam and peen it on both sides to get back to the original spec. Or you can cut a small piece of the primer carton. Grease it and insert it between the cam and primer rod.

 

[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.

 

[BC38]

Typo on my part. I meant Auto Prime.

The Auto Prime is a hand held device and the Auto Prime II is a press mounted device.

The Auto Prime and Auto Prime II both use round trays.

The Auto Prime XR uses the square trays and is very similar to the Auto Prime with the exception of a reshaped handle

The NEW Auto Prime and Ergo Auto Prime use the Triangular trays and have the lift/feed mechanism for "greater safety"

So you meant to say that you have a source for replacement handles/parts for the original AutoPrime - like the one below?
If so, there are a lot of people who will be very pleased to hear it, because from what I've read/understood after several thousands of rounds, the lever handle eventually breaks - and replacements aren't available.

 

[colt_saa]

So you meant to say that you have a source for replacement handles/parts for the original AutoPrime - like the one below?
If so, there are a lot of people who will be very pleased to hear it, because from what I've read/understood after several thousands of rounds, the lever handle eventually breaks - and replacements aren't available.

I said exactly what I meant to say.

Did you not read post #3, these tools and their parts are available on the secondary market.

Heck we even have somebody looking to sell two of these right here in our own classifieds section

 

[BC38]

I said exactly what I meant to say.

Did you not read post #3, these tools and their parts are available on the secondary market.

Heck we even have somebody looking to sell two of these right here in our own classifieds section

OK, I'm following you now. Used parts, and complete used AutoPrime tools are available from eBay and other sources.

FWIW, the point I was making is that the part that most commonly breaks is the handle and it isn't available as a replacement part by itself - either new or used.

That doesn't make your point invalid for the other parts or whole units. I've seen both complete AutoPrime tools and broken ones WITHOUT the squeeze handle for sale. I just haven't seen replacement handles for sale anywhere.

If you know a source where you can still order replacement handles, I'm sure there are people around here who would appreciate that info. Because Lee doesn't sell them on their website.

 

[Westie1]

Reportedly, as the Q&A at Uncle Larry's goes, the thumb bar that Lee makes now will work with the older tool. Got one on order to see as I prefer it to the Lyman I'm now using.

 

[Cdog]

Several years back I bought every original auto prime I could find.

I have two that I use, one large one small primer.

I have the extras for parts. So far I haven't had to cannibalize any of them.

I use white lithium grease to keep them moving freely.

 

[kenjen]

I have 2 Lee hand primers that I got in the mid 80's one I use for small and the other for large primers, have primed thousands of cases with them and have never broken or had to replace any parts...

 

[duman444]

I also have 2 Lee Auto primes, set up for small and large primers. Broke 2 handles on the small set priming milsurp that had not had the pockets swaged.

Bought (4) replacement handles back when Lee still sold them, installed (2) and have 2 left in bags.

Have switched to a different manufacturer and don't use the primer tools or spare handles. Could sell or trade if someone needs.

 

[schutzen-jager]

been using one since they came out - one breakage of main body 20 years ago when Lee was still selling parts - now have 3 complete spares that i found at estate + yard sales - my preferred priming tool ! -

 

[gwpercle]

I have one with the round plastic primer tray's , (if memory serves me right the very first model had no tray, you picked up and placed each primer , with your fingers , and placed it in the tool )...mine have clear plastic tops and so old I don't remember when I got it .
I love it , take care of it , treat it gently when using it...if a primer doesn't want to seat I stop and find out why... I DON"T go all Magilla Gorilla on it and keep applying more and more pressure on the little pot metal handle ...the reason being is pot metal isn't strong.. a little TLC goes a long way in keeping it unbroken .

Don't forget to lube them... makes a big difference in operation and life span .
Gary

 

[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.

 

[AJ]

I used the Auto Prime Tool from when they first came out until a few years ago. I have two complete setups (one setup for large primers & the other setup for small primers). Arthritis in the hands is why I have switched to the RCBS Bench Mounted Priming Tool. So now both of the Auto Prime Tools are back ups I guess.

 

[Rule3]

I still have mine. Do not use it anymore but it works fine. Handles broke if you did not grease the pivot point regularly as indicated in the instructions.



I got tired of hand priming and now only prime on the press, turret and LnL AP.
The whole "feel" thing is a bunch of nonsense, A primer is seated or its not.