NEW Lee Safety Prime, updated yet again. Looks like version 3.0... So far, so good!
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- I just stumbled onto the fact that Lee has updated their safety prime design yet again. In early testing it is working really well, much better than the previous versions.
After trying all 3 versions of the Lee Safety Prime hopper over several years, I think that the original version 1.0 (round black primer hopper with a clear top cover) has fewer problems than the successive white triangular replacements (versions 2.0 or 3.0).
Version 1.0 has several advantages, and the first is that it's a lot easier to view the remaining primers in the tray while the hopper is installed on the press. Second, the original circular hopper is much easier to load. With the larger circular tray of the original, you have more surface area, so you can shake the tray a little more aggressively and rotate all the primers right-side up in the tray much faster (and without spilling half of them over the side). Third, the original hopper has a separate tray and cover, while version 2.0 and 3.0 use a folding piece of flexible plastic to connect the tray and cover, preventing the tray from lying flat flat when opened unless clamped down. Makes shaking the primers right-side up without spillage a lot more difficult. Fourth, the newer white primer feeders generally require the hopper be completely detached from the feed arm or chute to load primers. This constant detachment and re-attachment process resulted in the connection between hopper and chute becoming loose on one of my feeders (you can guess what happens when the hopper detaches on its own with a full load of primers!) Fifth, the newer 2.0 and 3.0 primer feed designs aren't well balanced. The original was designed so that the bottom dispenser and chute would automatically spring back out of the way once the primer was dropped into the seating cup of the priming arm. But the newer versions tend to hang forward, with the dispenser against the ram after dropping the primer, blocking your view and getting in the way, unless you 'fix' it with glued-on weights or washers fastened to the top of the hopper. That's not an improvement. Finally, Version 1.0 features a positive audible click when the primer is dispensed. The replacement designs have little or no audible confirmation, so you never really know if the primer has dropped from the chute until you pull the arm back to check the primer arm cup. Glen
I don't subscribe to many channels, but I do yours. I appreciate your practical, humble manner and your willingness to share what you know. Thank you for your time and effort in making these videos.
Wow, what a very nice thing to say sir, you made my day!
Lee is a great company to do business with has been my experience I been using Lee products since the 1960s.
I just got the Lee Turret press kit and that is the primer design that came with mine. I only had 1 failure and that was my fault on my first attempt at installing a primer. If you set it up correctly and have everything aligned it seems to work great. Your videos have helped me out with my press and set up a great deal. Thank you sir.
Thanks for the info! Always good to see a video from you pop up! I've got the old round version, so I'll be looking for version 3.0
That is one thing about Lee Precision, They don't advertise modifications that they do in their production runs. Thanks for putting out the information about the new priming feeder. Dave.
Thank you! I noticed the new design a few weeks ago but was afraid to order from anybody else for fear of getting the old version and I didn't want to pay Lee's price. But now that you've demonstrated just how much better this is I'll be ordering from Lee today. Like you I very much hate the "intermediate" version I have. I ended up wrapping tape around the shaft and even that didn't prevent primers from turning around. I think I'm not going to load until the new ones come.
I recieved mine today, much better!. I needed to remove the spacer from my classic turret with the original primer feed. Thank you for an excellent tip!
I like to watch your videos on all your improvements . Lee is a outstanding company . They are very friendly and customer friendly . If needed you can even speak to a tech for help. I just ordered two primer arms for free .i only paid the fright. Thanks
I have a LEE Value turret press with a Safety Prime. I had a malfunction with the large primer arm although it was almost brand new. I was reloading some .45 ACP (which had been sorted to only large primer cases) and was doing fine. After about 30 rounds the primer arm flipped out as I brought the ram down to re-prime. After that the large primer arm would usually hang up at the slot in the ram and hit the shell holder. The small primer arm worked fine though. I observed the differences between how the two arms cycled, noted where the large arm was hanging up and then examined the arm. Note that the primer arms that came with my Safety Prime have a narrow vertical leg and the “hook” faces away from the ram on that vertical leg. Anyway, on the outside surface of the primer arm "hook", that rides on the bottom of the slot in the ram, there was a small horizontal burr that would hang up on the base of the press preventing the arm from rotating fully into the vertical position. I removed the burr with some fine emery cloth, hand polished the surface with some Brasso and now the large arm works as smooth as butter!
Just ordered mine, I've been using the Lee hand primer for years and a piece finally broke inside of it and I had to finish priming my lot by manually single loading primers on the press. Liked the feel so much I ordered this kit.
I do really like the on press feel that the Lee press gives you. I have used my RCBS on press priming and I just dont like it as much.
Thanks for the heads up bro.... I usually hand prime with the Frankford Arsenal, but I am looking to get the Lee for my Classic 4 hole Turret... *(update)...ON the other hand maybe I'll wait....I just went and read over the most recent reviews on Amazon...their not looking too good... I can only assume some people got the crappy second version.*
I would either order from Lee at this stage or try to find it locally. We have a Cabelas so I was able to go and look in the box... I wouldnt have ordered either unless I could verify. You could probably call a place like Titan Reloading and have them verify stock???
I still have the old version with the round top . It has always worked well for me . I didn't realize people were having problems with them or they were upgrading them .Hmm
I got the Lee Classic Cast turret press when it first came out and it came with the 1st version of the Safety Prime. I have had no problems with it. I initially had to adjust it some, but it hasn't missed since.
I never knew Lee had any issues until I got on RUclips..... Years ago. I still don't have the issues.
50th anniversary breech lock challenger kit. Loadmaster 40 s&w.
APP.
VERY happy with all.
Very l
Looks way better than the old version that's given me nothing but problems over the past year plus nice vid my friend
Its good to see that Lee is getting their questionable plastic parts designs improved. Hopefully they revamp their hand primers next. I finally got the Frankford Arsenol Hand primer and it head and shoulders better than the Lee and RCBS one I had.
I have version 2 just bought it 1 month ago and it seems to work great on the auto breech lock pro, and on the challenger, I had the old version 1 for years and it worked great also, everyone I talk to always bash these, I have just been lucky I guess, I think everyone has there own little technique to them also. Great Vid thanks!
That looks like a more robust and better system. Caught my intention!
Great job. I have had a lot of problems with my 2.0 version. I am definitely going to have to get the new model. Thanks for the info.
I'm new to reloading and am looking for my first press, but it seems that the priming system of the Lee appears to almost be an afterthought to the design. Maybe it's also because I'm also an Engineer.
I just got the new safety primer I works really well, no dropped primers of the floor, put the primer in the cup every time it is a pleasure to use, and speeds up the reloading process.
Lee upgraded both of the springs in the "2.0" version some time in the past year, and it solves the catching/dispensing issues. I just upgraded the springs in mine. It's a $2 upgrade. I made a video about changing them, but never uploaded because the quality was crap. I may remake it for those who just want a cheap update for their old safety primers.
The "3.0" looks to be a big step forward. I definitely see an upgrade in my future. Thanks
I remade my spring upgrade video. The funny thing is that I found out about the upgrade springs from the description box of your Turret press tune up video.
Its a small world PK. I put a zip tie around the tube and that snugged it up and kept it from gaping.
REALLY appreciate the informative vid, especially regarding the crappy 2nd model. I've got the original round reservoir model and was hoping they had an improved one. I'll make sure to locate the one with the serrated plunger. Thanks for the good info.
Installed one on a challenger press, works very well
Very nice!
I started with a Lee value turret and I was feeding primer by hand. When I got the primer feeder, it was night and day different.
I like the old ones better. The new ones don't work worth a crap on Lee classic turret press. The old ones (the round ones) once you snap the plastic cover on it held the primers from turning over. the new ones are made of a soft flexible plastic and the triangle covers warp on them and all the primers get turned upside down. Also the plastic holder that mounts on your press for the new ones is too flexible. getting the dispenser to line perfectly up with the primer cup holder is a pain. I end up have any pick up primers off my garage floor all the time. And the feed arm Channel down to the dispenser flexes too much causing problems . Crappy plastic. and I am not the only one that does not like the new ones. I know a lot of other people who don't like them either
The new safety prime is hands down not even close to as good as the older version with the "U" shaped return spring and in fact the updated 'U' shape return spring with the 2 loops at the corners sucks even worse and thats all they would sell you at Lee for the last 5 years that is untill they stopped even making that and selling it . Since everyone who has owned all of the Lee saftey prime's over the last 20 years is in agreement that the old style with the round tray and the original "U" shaped return spring is the hands down best and since you can no longer get the original return springs (BP3376) the best thing to do is to make one yourself . Its really really easy. You go to the home depot and get an actual spring that is the same diameter wire as the original return spring and you come home with needle nose pliers and a set of wire cutters and you straighten out 3 inches of the spring till its straight then you bend it with the needle nose to the exact shape as the original BP3376 spring and then you cut it with the wire cutters to the exact same shape and it will work AWESOME !!!!!!!!! all you need is to start out with actual "spring steel springs" so it will spring back and forth for you . I tried to use paper clip wire and it was not spring steel and would not spring back and forth . I promise you this WILL WORK !!!!
I have the new one also, it worked for a while, it now puts more on the floor than in the loader. Now I just load the primers by hand. I am sure when I get my Dillon 650XL I wont have that primer loading issue. If I do and call them they wont be bored about my problem either.
Finally someone with some sense. Dillion for the win
Thanks for the video... I just ordered one for my value turret press.
Added zip tie to mine and a rubber band from press to the primer magazine to pull it full forward seemed to help
now October, I bought one on the recommendation of CS @ LeePrecision, I have been generally dissatisfied with its performance, I have exactly the experience you were having on the black one, prime pass tube a little flimsy, same experience as yours with the primer drop tube. quite often it jams and will not advance and sometimes when I press the device, it does not place it in the cup and then drops the primer. After seeing this with your working perfectly, I am going to call them Monday. good video! thanks
I had the same issue the older one was better than the second one, I also bought the latest version and I have no problems at all. I now have started a collection of them, great information thank you.
Only problem I have with Lee products. They don't have a primer feed for the Lee Load all 2. The primer feeds they have, will not work with 209 primers (shotshell primers) I'm working on a tube feeder at the present time
Shot shell with the lip on them is tough.
I never had a single issue with 1.0
You mentioned that they're pretty good about warranty/service. I dispute that. First, let me say I've been using Lee AND ONLY Lee products for my reloading since the very early '80's. Back then they were spot-on with responsive warranty or service questions, now, however, I've YET to receive a reply from four different emails (sent just before the lockdown) regarding a replacement decapper for my 223 die! And I also had a question on my Lee Perfect Powder Measure and the hard-to-see (for me anyway!) aluminum thimble and what to do about it. Crickets. Then I needed another decapper for my 9mm dies. Crickets. What the HELL is going on @ Lee Precision??? Is covid to blame for the NON-RESPONSE???? I'm SO disappointed with Lee and their customer service or lack thereof. And this, after touting Lee products to many of my friends and getting them to switch from the larger reloading companies. If this is their "new" way of treating long-time, LOYAL customers, I kinda feel betrayed. I hope someone @ Lee sees this and contacts me......but I won't hold my breath.
I have V2.0 and have issues getting the last 2-3 to feed and use a pipe cleaner to push them down. Do you still have to do that with V3.0?
I still have trouble getting the last one or two primers to feed.
I've got the new safety prime but it still spits out primers and some still turn over. I ended up taking it off and just prime by hand. The large safety prime works good though.
I like to prime on the press because I think the turret press makes the most sense if you can do all the functions as close to start to finish in one rotation. That said, I still loose one now and then. I have come to really slow down when engaging the primer lever, slowing down to make sure i get good engagement and a clean transfer. This is my trade off to keep using the style vs hand held.
I just got my set up, just waiting on a dies and such. I have the newer safety prime and the value turret kit. I ended up just lowering the lever so it wouldn't bump into the safety prime. I haven't made any ammo yet but thats what i've experienced at least for initial set up
Good luck!
I have the new model safety prim and I don't like it. I tried to use it but it was to flimsy and I had primers falling out of the press. I can prime faster by hand. It needs a firmer mount.
I love a lot of things about Lee, but they have one thing that drives me crazy and has zero excuse. They have 5 digit item numbers, which apply to more than one item. And as a related note they don't track version updates in these numbers. So when I looked up a shell plate for the ABLP, the same number applied to a casting mold, and IIRC part of a priming assembly. It's madness. Car parts suppliers have used unique numbers for parts since before they made cars, and if you search for a part, you will often get a list of cars which use that part, and numbers prior and subsequent generations of that part.
I got the new version when I got my breechloc pro. They work really good.
Three difference designs with the same number, what is the Lee PRECISION thinking ? precision ?
Great video TTF
I hated the original hokey black one so much I just lined up primers on my bench and loaded them by hand
None of the safety prime systems are perfect. They require some tinkering and user feel to perform well. Hand priming may be better in some circumstances. When reloading on a turret press, using the on press priming system, makes sense to the speed and function of the platform. Just my opinion
I have the same newer unit on the classic turret press and can't make it work smoothly. It hits the bottom of the turret assembly before getting to the primer arm.
Cant picture the problem but Ill take a guess. The primer lever engagement is in part influenced by the sizing die adjustment since the sizing die contacts the shell holder and stops the ram from going up any further. Backing the die out (as long as you can maintain full sizing) might let the ram come up a little higher and give better alignment.
@TreeTopFlier took me a little time to get back to the bench. I figured out that I had an issue with the led lighting strip that I installed. It was making it hang up just a hair. I removed the spacer between the mount and the turret for the priming arm, and it now works as expected. Which is good since the whole idea of the turret press is ease of operation and without the priming feature, it seemed foolish. Thanks for the insight and for your terrific videos.
@@johnthomas9204 Glad you got it worked out. Thanks for supporting the Chanel
I just installed my version 3.0 a couple of days ago on my turret press and have been having problems with dropping primers all over the place. I watched another guys video and he gave some good advice but after watching your video I noticed something - the other guy puts the case in the shell holder and then raises the ram all the way to the top and then sets it the primer in.. Looks like you raise the ram to the top without a case in the shell holder and then prime. Can you confirm thats your technique and thats why it seems to work better? I'm going to try that tonight to see if it helps.
No, I use it while sizing as intended, most of the time. The height of the priming lever vs safety prime can be adjusted some what. The normal adjustment for the fl die is shell holder to die plus plus. You can change this stopping point by raising or lowering the fl die as long as you get sized. Also, the way you apply pressure to the trigger assembly with your finger has a roll to play.
Following your path....
Lee changes design but almost always keeps the model number.
Will this work with the breech lock challenger press???
Yes, it should be a drop in fit EDIT: I may have jumped the gun a little. The challenger kit is now shipping with a hand prime so I am not sure. I would say if your press has screw holes on top then, yes it probably would work. You will need the priming levers that should have come with your press. They will not be in the safety prime kit.
having used and hated versions 1.0 and 2.0, i'll give version 3.0 a shot ... if it, too, fails, i'll literally take it outside and shoot it.
@museack installed version 3.0, built 300 rounds of 9mm and 150 rounds of 38spl and and i must concur with TTF that it works perfectly 99% of the time instead of 50% of the time. if you don't have this version, GET IT.
Dillon
Hmmm
Lee is horrible with warranty. They want you to send back your old model, pay half price for the new one and pay to get it shipped back to you. Its cheaper to buy a new one on ebay.
Ive never had that problem with them, but I have only received warranty help with small parts. Never with something like an entire unit.
I hate all the LEE primer systems used on the turret press. They are just so cheaply made. I have resorted to priming by hand. Very sad. All my LEE presses on the other hand are outstanding.
I tend to think that all the priming options ive used have their own quirks. Ive been using an old RCBS on press priming system. What I found is that I prefer the Lee on press option. Hand priming is a different animal, still can have its quirks.
Junk
They are a weak link in this reloading system. That said, Ive loaded many thousands of rounds using them.