Warning-- Dillon Precision!!!!!!

[S&WIowegan]

Thanks to babavincent for reviving this thread.

Just a quick comment on Dillon's current situation. They are apparently overwhelmed with calls and sales during this unbelievable ammo panic. I tried to call last week to discuss my primer feeding problem on my oldest 650. I could not even get the answering machine...only a busy signal.

So if you're needing operating help, try the Enos forum. Lots of experienced reloaders to help figure it out with you.

Oh yeah...my problem was due to accumulated crud...never underestimate the value of cleanliness!!

 

[FTG-05]

Yep, they got me the first time I called with a warranty issue - I broke/stripped out the threads on the primer assembly by over tightening them, totally my fault.

I called them, started to explain what happened and got *rudely* interrupted with the tech asking for my address so he could ship out a new one to me - free!

They got me that time, but never again! Now, if I have to - very rarely - call for warranty service, I always have a few other things I need so that i can piggy back them onto the warranty order - and pay for shipping. They're not getting away with that again!!! Ha Ha, take that Dillon!!!!

 

[Marvin Gardens]

I've been reloading on a Star Universal Progressive for almost thirty-five years and haven't broken anything yet.

I also use Dillon equipment and their customer service has been nothing short of superb, even when the press needing help was a 1050.

RCBS has been at least the equal of Dillon when has come to my parts/service needs.

I think most of the reloading equipment companies will bend over backwards, even sideways, to make a reasonable customer happy.

Regards.

Bob

 

[Poodle Soup]

Guy recommended them to me. I haven't came up with the cash for a dillon press yet but his customer service story was how he found one in pieces in a box at a gun show. He slapped a shipping label on the box, told them what was going on and had a brand new press arrive after a week or two and he just paid for shipping.

 

[Ethang]

Timely update to this thread. I have not been shooting much lately due to work and the shortage of all things shooting. I did set out to reload some on Monday only to find that my case slide had stripped out the helicoil insert. It took almost an hour of redialed calls just to get on hold and over an hour on hold to talk to a rep. Of course less then a minute after that the call was done and the new part headed my way.

This is in no way a slam on Dillon, they were great as always, it just shows you how nuts this shortage has gotten. I don't think I have ever waited more then a couple minutes for any call in the last 20 years before.

 

[OldDominion]

I too am along time Dillon user.I have two 550s, one for large and one for small primer loading. One I bought as a well used 450 that Big Blue upgraded to a 550 for minimal cost. I wore out a kinetic bullet puller they replaced gratis. In these days of cutbacks and cost shaving, Dillon continues to be a testimony to what a company can and should do to for its customers. Can you please all the people all the time? Ofcourse not, but Dillon comes close.

 

[125JHP]

Well Beans that's good to hear,

how 'bout I bring my power Dillon case trimmer to Saturday's shoot and you can try and get them to replace the blown motor, maybe they know you better and will swap it out for a working model.- it failed just a couple months out of the 1 yr warrantee and they refused to do anything about it except offer to sell me another for about $200. It had hardly been used at the time (about 5 years ago).


I haven't had any problems with any of their other stuff but this one left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Nightowl]

Just read in their Blue Press a letter from a customer who sent in his Square Deal press that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Replaced at no charge. That is great customer service and a true no BS warranty.

Besides, their equipment works very well.

 

[loc n load]

Dillon Blue

I bought a 450 back in the early 80's.....nowadays I have two 550's ( one of them is the old 450 that was converted), a square D, and a 650, their big tumbler and a bunch of other stuff.....They make a great product and have excellent support....

 

[Skeet 028]

Well as far as Dillons policies..if I wear out a part..I almost always order something I have to "have" but not all that often I need a part. I dropped the priming assembly from one of my 1050s and bent it..Actually had the steel tube bend..Had an extra from somewhere. Dillon sent me a new aluminum primer mag tube and 2 ends for free..and it was my fault. So I just ordered 2 more die sets..another carbide 223 and a carbide 308 set. I have and use 4 Super 1050s 1 650 and 4 550Bs. I also have a new 650 but think I will send it down the road. I much prefer the Super 1050s. I also have 3 of their tumblers a 500 750 and a 2000 primer pocket swager and a Dillon electronic scale. Great company and great machines. Had a couple SL 900s too..but sold 'em cause i use a Spolar for most of my shotshell loading.

 

[HOPSTER]

I bought a used 550B at Orlando gun show years ago.
Somehow I cracked it where the primer tube mounts to its platform. That was caused probably by bumping the tube during transport, since there is no support for the tube at the upper end and due to the high leverage of the tube.


They had me send it in even though I told them I was not the original owner ...
Later I got it back with a brand new frame.
Can't beat that.

 

[marmax]

No complaints here either. I've owned a 550 for about 15 years and loaded tens of thousands of rounds. Over the years I've had to replace many parts and Dillon has never given me the slightest problem. They are not cheap but you get what you pay for. Quality....

 

[shil]

When I was looking for a progressive press years ago, it was a tossup between the Dillon 550 and the Hornady LNL. Comparative prices were competitive, but the LNL got the nod because of its auto-index feature. It has performed well over the years with minimal issues. I broke something at one point (don't remember exactly what) but Hornady charged me for the part, which was not unexpected but disappointing nonetheless. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd try to come up with the extra bucks for a Dillon 650. Too many people have too many good things to say about the Dillon machines and customer service!

 

[ruffbird]

Dillon

I have been thinking about upgrading to a progressive press for the last few months & I do believe all of the positive comments about Dillon has convinced me! I have been looking at some videos also of the different models, & I'm leaning towards the 550B

Now I have to find a good dealer here in Canada with a good support service....
I do believe in you only get what you pay for, so Dillon here I come!

Thanks folks for sharing your experiences with the rest of us....

 

[blujax01]

I have been thinking about upgrading to a progressive press for the last few months & I do believe all of the positive comments about Dillon has convinced me! I have been looking at some videos also of the different models, & I'm leaning towards the 550B

Now I have to find a good dealer here in Canada with a good support service....
I do believe in you only get what you pay for, so Dillon here I come!

Thanks folks for sharing your experiences with the rest of us....

What can be said except...

 

[jdickson397]

I have owned two 550's in my life and they are without a doubt the highest quality reloaders available. The few problems I have had with them after a ton of use have been worn out parts which Dillon replaced quickly. Their customer service reps are also the best I have ever seen. They will spend whatever time it takes to get you back on track. Dillon reloaders cost more but the Lifetime No BS warranty makes it more than worth the extra initial cost. Who says American workers can't make quality equipment?

A few of the responders complained about problems they have had with some of Dillon's electronic equipment, principally digital scales. A fact of life is that the standard warranty for most electronics in the US is 90 days. Dillon's warranty is for 1 year.

Final word: Anyone can make a mistake or any company can put out a defective product. It's how they respond to it that makes the difference. Almost all the problems I have heard about Dillon products concern worn rather than defective parts. What else can you ask?

 

[Big Cholla]

I bought the first Dillon 550 I ever saw in about 1980. It was soon followed by my second 550 so that I wouldn't have to change primer sizes. Over the years I have on occasion got small replacement parts on the NO BS warranty. An overlooked effect of Mike Dillon's warranty policy has been that most all of the companies in the firearm's industry have improved their warranties to almost the Dillon level. I think that all us "gunnies" owe Mike Dillon a big "THANKS". ...... Big Cholla

 

[MITCHB]

my dillon story

called dillion for a relacement blue tip for my primer feed tube,its like a 50cent part, they sent me 6 complete primer tubes with 12 replacement tips,everything free. they are truely an amazing company.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

Good to hear. A buddy has a 1050 and has had similar issues over the years. He said they quickly send replacement parts and/or replace gear. I look forward to getting a 1050XL soon

 

[tstrenuous10]

Just to bump the thread from the dead,

Bought a 550 used with 3 calibers, 2 powder measures and tool heads. The press was sticky and the back right mount hole was broken. I mailed it at the end of May and it will be here in two days. Looks like the 2 week turnaround is back.