Dangerous Product, use at your own risk
The fact that this product is even for sale is beyond comprehension. The user guide that accompanies this product (Download it from Lee's site, and read it for yourself) warns, and I quote: "all type of FEDERAL BRAND LARGE PRIMERS frequently caused the entire tray to explode.." This product should be removed from Sinclair's catalogue, I have always counted on Sinclair to make absolutely outstanding products available to the shooting community. This product is, in Lee's very own words, dangerous. I have been loading my own ammunition for over 50 years, and never seen anything like what Lee states on the user guide for this product. Unbelievable!
Poor design and materials
I used the old style Lee hand priming tool for 20 years and it served me well but when it finally failed I tried the newer version. I bet they made this thing for 25 cents(total garbage)! I will now throw away my Lee shell holders and move to another brand.
Garbage!!
The round version was bad, the square version was worse and this folding square model is near worthless. In the first 100 primers I attempted to seat, I has nearly TWENTY that were tossed in the trash. Primers jump around in the tray and get stuck sideways, or are upside down. LEE needs to hire some engineers who know how to read and write, apparently. I Emailed LEE with my complaint, and their reply was "Sorry your not happy."...........
Save your money
What a letdown and it's too light for use as a boat anchor. Primers fall in loading position sideways sometimes and handle sticks down after seating a primer, every time. Tried two. Both the same. Never again. So sad that Lee ruined a decent product by going cheap.
If it ain't broke, don't fix i
Had no issues with the old (round) version. I use it for small pistol primers mainly. New version (square) is a disaster: primers fall out of 1st stage, primers turn sideways or upside down, handle is sticky and does not return to normal position, angle of usage is critical.
Lee Auto Prime Tool Review
I use the tool to prime all my rifle/pistol cases. The old round lee I had was passable but the handle broke. Made to a price. The Square Shaped tool was given to me by a friend as he was not happy with its performance and had purchased another make. Again the tool is cheaply made. The plastic cases are susceptible to the lugs breaking of. The double ram is useless as it is open and allows the primer to fall out if not held upright at all times. The primer feed allows the primers to turn side on and you end up pushing in some primers sideways. I am so disappointed with the product I am assigning it to the rubbish bin. I have all Lee gear and am happy with their products over all.
Save your money
I used the original Lee AutoPrime on my press for decades before deciding to try the handheld variety. What a waste. The primers don't feed well, sometimes turning upside down, or even sideways. The cover to the primer tray breaks off the tabs that secure it to the base, so now you have to tape it down for every use. I had some small rifle primers flip upside down with the cover IN PLACE. I'm sticking with my original Auto-prime. 20 years and still going strong.
Do not buy this tool
If I could give it zero stars I would. I had the old version and it was the best hand primer tool I had used. But, the handle broke and they do not make that tool anymore (the positive reviews of this tool here are likely the old one and not the new version that has only been out for about a year). The feed system is not good on the XR. A primer has to pop up into the open area on the tool before it slides onto the seating rod. When it's in the exposed position, it can fall out of the tool and it happens to me frequently enough that it's a problem. With small primers they get turned over in the tray and you have to stop and correct the problem. The tray cover is week and others say it's broken in short use. The new tool is a solution to a non-problem. It seems that the old tool was only recommend with a couple of brands of primers. Why I have no idea. It worked great with every primer I put in it. As well, I have never talked to or read of anyone have one blow up on them. I am sure it's happened, I have just never heard of it. Avoid this product. Lee, I beg you please oh please bring back your old tool with a handle that is stronger!
