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AUTO PRIME XR HAND PRIMING TOOL Reviews & Ratings

The original and world's most popular hand-held priming tool. Fast and economical hand held priming with unmatched feel and accuracy. Ships with 1 folding primer tray, 1 small and 1 large priming assembly. Includes a FREE molded storage box to keep your priming tool shell holders and tool together. Molded storage box holds up to 18 shell holders. Lee Auto Prime uses inexpensive Lee hand prime shell holders only (sold separately).

Please note: Lee Precision has tested the tool by intentionally setting off a variety of brands and types of primers. Lee testing has demonstrated that wearing safety glasses and hearing protection will prevent serious injury. However, all types of FEDERAL BRAND LARGE PRIMERS frequently caused the entire tray to explode with sufficient force to cause serious and painful injuries. These primers must be fed individually, see step 7 of product instructions, single priming option.

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Reviews Summary

The AUTO PRIME XR HAND PRIMING TOOL receives mixed reviews; while some users appreciate its ease of use and ergonomic design, many report significant issues such as jammed primers, construction quality, and unreliable feeding mechanisms. Overall, satisfaction varies greatly, with older models favored over the newer versions due to performance shortcomings.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Product Performance

70%

A significant portion of reviewers expressed frustration with the product's inconsistent performance, citing frequent jamming, misalignment of primers, and overall unreliability compared to older models. Many mentioned difficulties in using the tool effectively for a smooth priming process.

Design and Build Quality

65%

Many users criticized the construction quality of the AUTO PRIME XR, describing it as cheaply made with flimsy components. Issues such as the breaking of parts and awkward handling detracted from the overall usability of the tool.

Comparison with Previous Models

60%

Reviewers frequently compared the XR model unfavorably to previous versions of the Lee Auto Prime, highlighting that the older models had better performance and durability. Many expressed disappointment that the new version failed to maintain the quality expected from the brand.

User Experience

55%

A mix of positive and negative user experiences was noted. While some appreciated the tool's ease of use, especially for smaller loads, others found it uncomfortable and challenging to work with over extended sessions, reflecting a divided opinion on its ergonomic qualities.

Customer Support

40%

Several reviewers mentioned reaching out to customer service regarding product issues but noted unsatisfactory responses, leading to frustration and disappointment in the brand's customer support.

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Not recommended.

Not much of an improvement over the older unit, still getting misplaced primers and jams. It's in the trash.

Bring back the Original

I have used a Lee AutoPrime for 20 years and it was excellent. Unfortunately, after 5-10 years of use things do wear out. I am on my second original AutoPrime (with the round cover), but it needs a new cover and should be replaced. I purchased the newer square version and it is very different. The 2 stage primer movement is awkward and the feel of seating the primers is not as good. The small rifle primers get hung-up constantly. Either bring back the Auto Prime that worked so well for decades or I need to go and find something else; maybe a Sinclair.

Falls short on a couple of issues

This tool does an OK job if you can get it to quit squirming around in your hand as you use it. Lee plated this tool to make it look 'pretty' but in so doing made it fall short in the useability department. In order to maintain a grasp on the tool while priming I had to grind off all the "Chinese chrome" plating. After this was done it performed all right-not great. Wish I had purchased a RCBS or other brand.

Good idea, bad execution

Good idea to reduce the number of primers that can undergo sympathetic detonation. Construction is not as good as previous version. Clear cover cracks at the tabs that affix it to the primer tray. Clear cover popped off while in use. Small primers turned on side while moving through feed mechanism. Small primers flipped to wrong side in the tray. Lever falls off assembly. User has to reassemble the tool frequently while in operation. Previous Lee Auto Prime was a great piece of equipment. I have owned several and was never dissatisfied. This tool is a substantially inferior product.