Who likes & uses the Original Lee Auto Prime tool?

[BC38]

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.

That would be great news for a lot of people.
Let us know if it works please.

 

[Rule3]

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?

But what is your question about them, are you looking for a hand priming tool?? If so, there are far better ones and I am a Lee Fan Boy

 

[fredj338]

One f the few things Lee made I really liked. Yes the handle broke, twice. So I have a new one but dont like it as much. I only hand prime precision rifle so not a huge deal.

 

[rockquarry]

I like the old original "dangerous" model Auto Primes, but eventually wore out the ones I had. Subsequent "safer" versions were and are safer, but didn't work nearly as well. I junked a couple of these.

 

[BC38]

But what is your question about them, are you looking for a hand priming tool?? If so, there are far better ones and I am a Lee Fan Boy

I thought my first post (that you quoted above) ended with my questions.
Who likes/uses them, and who has experienced a broken handle?

 

[Green Frog]

When I first read your title I mistakenly thought you meant the first generation of Lee priming tool, the one-at-a-time version. I have a half dozen or so of them and it is just about my favorite design for priming pistol class cartridges. I keep one set up all the time for the 32 S&W family of cases, for instance.

I used the round reservoir Auto Prime a few times, because Dad had one, but I was really not enamored with it... I really can’t see what all the excitement was about. But then again, I also like to use the Lyman 310 tool for priming as well the Pope style, both of which lack the multi-primer reservoir, so there may be a pattern here.

Froggie

 

[BC38]

When I first read your title I mistakenly thought you meant the first generation of Lee priming tool, the one-at-a-time version. I have a half dozen or so of them and it is just about my favorite design for priming pistol class cartridges. I keep one set up all the time for the 32 S&W family of cases, for instance.

I used the round reservoir Auto Prime a few times, because Dad had one, but I was really not enamored with it... I really can’t see what all the excitement was about. But then again, I also like to use the Lyman 310 tool for priming as well the Pope style, both of which lack the multi-primer reservoir, so there may be a pattern here.

Froggie

Until I started this thread I didn't know there was a version before the model with the round trays.
Was that one-at-a-time version also called an autoprime? Seems weird to tag something with the "auto" label if it doesn't even feed the primers automatically...

 

[glowe]

Had one, hands get tired, have to hold it just right or it will not feed properly, so I tried a RCBS Ram Priming Unit and love it. Mounted on my Rock Chucker and is about a quick as the hand units and works great. It is only about $25. Video below shows it fitted into a quick change unit for what looks like a Lyman Press, but comes as a standard 7/8" screw-in unit. Very good solid feel when seating the primer and once you get used to the operationt, it is fast.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WERbCMho_E[/ame]

 

[Skeet 028]

I used to use them all the time. Yep broke a handle or 2 in the past. But I always had replacements from estates sales etc. Now days I use a RCBS Bench mounted priming tool. In fact yesterday I got another at the gun show for 10 bucks. Didn't have the primer tubes but hey I have plenty of them anyway. Yesterday I also got a NIB RCBS hand priming tool. Single priming..Paid 5 bucks for it...It'll probably go on the infamous Fleabay.... The original Lee single primer tool was of course pot metal body with a screw in shellholder. They also came in the Lee Target Model Lee Loaders...which was a very neat item and worked very well for it's intended use. I used them extensively for my 222 22-250 and 243 varmint rifles

 

[pasote]

I used the Lee autoprime for many years

Yes I used the Lee autoprime for many years until arthritis stopped me. Now I use the RCBS benchmounted priming system. I tried the RCBS hand primer after the Lee autoprimers and that was ok, but the arthritis in the thumb stopped all hand priming. I loved the feel of the Lee autoprimer, but the bench mounted RCBS has almost the same feel but is a LOT easier on my hands.

 

[stamper]

I've used it historically but upgraded to a progressive press this year, so I'm going to see how that goes. I'll probably still use it for rifle loads. I do like how it feels, for lack of a better way of saying it.

 

[smoothshooter]

I still have three and love them.
Used one of them yesterday loading .38 Specials.

 

[Rule3]

I thought my first post (that you quoted above) ended with my questions.
Who likes/uses them, and who has experienced a broken handle?

So you are doing a survey of broken handles of a tool that is no longer made?
Alex suggests posting you question as a Poll.

 

[pistolpete10]

I have 2 of them, original one broke where the shell holder slides in(made of pot metal). I bought another waiting on the new part from Lee. Both show wear on the cam now and last time I used one of them it didn't seat the primer all the way to the bottom of the case. I actually like the Lee more than the RCBS. I may try peening the cam, nothing to lose.......

 

[chief38]

I still have two calibers that I reload on my Rock Chucker and for those two calibers I DO use a Lee Auto Prime which is far and away better than the RCBS priming system on the RC.

All other calibers get reloaded on my Dillon 650 and that press does everything including perfect priming.

 

[rkrcpa]

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.

That has been my experience as well.

 

[kraynky]

I still have and use the original hand primer, without any problems. I don't use it extensively, just when I want to try a new load of about 1/2 dozen rounds. I will use it when I'm making shotshells from Speer capsules too. I know it was recalled and is supposed to be "dangerous", but nowadays, that's abut the most dangerous thing I do.

(not really, I still climb on my roof to clean out my gutters, and I drive everyday. The hand primer is likely the least of my worries. It does a really good job.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have two, one I bought new when I started reloading in the last Century. Bought another one a couple of years ago. The first one is worn until it won't seat the primer completely. I have semi retired it and use the replacement. I have always greased the pivot points with vaseline and have never broke one.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[SMSgt]

I had the original "trayless" hand primer and it worked well until the lollipop link wore down and wouldn't fully seat primers. I thought about getting the newer version with the primer tray but Lee changed all the shell holders--a habit it has--and I didn't feel like reinvesting in more proprietary shell holders. I switched to an RCBS hand primer and never looked back.

The Lee was a great tool for me, even if it only handled one primer at a time. I like to do most of my priming whil relaxing in my recliner.

 

[DWalt]

I have two Auto Prime tools, with the round primer trays. I've had them so long I don't know when I got them. A couple of years ago I got one of the Lee bench priming tools. What a mistake. Pure C-R-A-P, avoid at all costs. Lee generally has good stuff, except for that one.