Problem with Lee Turret primer arm

editingfx, it sounds like your priming arm is too wide. If the zip tie quits working for you try grinding that booger thinner. That way it'll take a lot more gunk to bind it up.

ST

editingfx: about the zip tie--

now I understand; it's an ingenious solution.

But, I admit I am perplexed about the continued gunking up of the arm, particularly after the work you've done on it. Does this happen with the alternative primer arm? which cartridge are you loading? etc., etc.

Jim H.

The zip tie solution seems brilliant.

Having the same press, I can attest to the fact that it is a fault of the equipment, not the reloader in this instance. I have the same problem, even when the ram is clean, I am using the correct shellholder for the cartridge I am loading, etc.

I even tried it without a shellholder, casing, or anything in place. Both the large and small primer arms fall out when raised.

The problem he's describing is the primer arm sticking in the ram housing when the ram is lowered under normal operation. When the ram is raised, the primer arm is stuck at the top of the ram housing, rather than resting on the pivot as it should. It then falls down, bounces off the pivot pin and falls to the floor. IMO it is a very annoying flaw with this press.

I agree, the zip is a good idea. I don't doubt that it is an equipment malfunction (poor design, whatever). What I am curious about is why this doesn't routinely occur for all of us turret users. when I clean mine, the hangup problem simply goes away, but that solution doesn't work for some of us--as editingfx and John Wayne can attest to.

I've never had to polish / break edges, whatever--just keep it clean. When it starts sticking in the shellholder head, it is because of grunge buildup on the back of the arm--which thrusts it "forward," so it binds against the side of the shell holder primer insertion hole. Occasionally, I get brass slivers and fine debris from the PTED die operation on new cases, and it builds up a bit on the shell holder (like you can see in the latest pictures by editingfx). Cleaning it off with GunScrubber and carefully cleaning the slot (for cartridge insertion) in the shellholder and maybe the primer arm hole in the holder does it.

Today I loaded 100 rounds off my turret it had been cleaned about 25 rounds, maybe 50, before that. Since cleaning, it hasn't hung up. Those 100 rounds were uneventful.

I'm wondering about Lee's machined tolerances in the ram slot, the position of the pivot pin, and the finish on the primer arm. Whatever the cause is, it's good to see multiple solutions availble for application as needed.

added on edit: I agree, the primer arm will fall out when the ram is raised, if there is no shell holder in place. With my workflow, there is always a shellholder in place, so that's not an issue. Of course, on the occasions when I am loading pre-primed cases (like for by novice .223 work), I remove the primer arm before I ever start.

Jim H.

I also use #5 a lot, and currently a lot of True Blue. Both these leak at the measure activation bar slot in the measure base, and from there the powder drops down, or spatters around. I don't see any way it makes it to the ram / primer arm. So, it definitely is mostly the case-burnt-powder / primer grunge.

(FWIW, the "pro" version, with its elastomer wiper, does a better job of sealing the base of the hopper to the top of the disk / charge bar. The wiper does wear, but it slows wear on the hopper base and the wear on the disk / charge bar. When the leakage gets severe at that location, it's time for new parts.) But that's another discussion.

Jim H.

I just got a Lee 50th anniversary kit for Xmas and It had the same problem right out of the box. I found that if I push the shell holder slightly to the right the primer arm will drop. I also found that if i push the shell holder to the right when seating the primer the primer goes in much smoother. Its like the shell holder is being held too far to the left. Going to call Lee Monday.

wrig456:
I have the same kit. If you look at the priming arm, you can see how it was stamped out, leaving a small burr on one side.
If you take a file (or even fine sandpaper if that's what you have available)
and clean that burr off, it might help.
For two minutes work, it might save you from sitting on hold

I just slapped your contraption on my press and it looks like a winner. Last night I was crankng away and got gunked and the thing was driving me crazy. Of course it is working great now, after a good cleaning and a couple of there it goes again, but your system may keep me from a busted arm.

Nice work. Everyone should try this one.

The arm slips past the zip tie on the down stroke and it just adds a little pressure to the arm on the up stroke before it slips past it again.

I solved all my minor primer 'woes' just self-sticking a tiny rectangle of felt to the press where the primer arm makes contact. Just that little bit of lift cures it for me, though the zip tie is another good option.

I have been using the zip tie trick for over 2 years now and have not had the priming arm drop out since.

I use Lee's on-press priming system for handgun loads, and yes, the priming arm does occasionally get hung up in its slot in the ram. My small primer arm also fell out, hit the concrete floor and broke. Lee, of course, sent a free replacement, but in my conversation with the CS agent, I mentioned that while the design works, it is essentially flawed in that the arm itself is made not from steel, but cast iron, and that it hangs when too much gunk gets between it and the slot it sits in, and subsequently falls out of the arm. I suggested they take another look at the design and start making the arm out of milled steel. She said shed' pass my comments on.

Very strange! I deprime & prime on the press & the only time the priming arm falls off is when it gets stuck cuz of a primer gunk build up.
I just wipe it off & I'm good for another 1000 rounds or so.

But, anyway editingfx, I'm glad you fixed the problem

While dirt and gunk can make it worse, the reason the primer arm is dropping out is because the shell holder is not properly lined up with the primer cup. So the primer cup sticks in the hole of the shell holder, lifts off the perch, and then falls out of the slot.

I tried everything. Then I pulled the shell holder slightly out in the seat and voila, the primer cup cleared the hole. The milling of the shell holder seat was apparently a few hundreds of an inch too deep.

I called Lee support to get it replaced. The new unit does the same thing. So I guess I'll just insert something into the rear of the groove of the shell holder seat to keep the shell holder from going in too far. I'm thinking the handy man's secret weapon... duct tape.

Odd about the falling out thing

I have never been able to get my priming arm out of the ram while the shell holder was in place.

Lift, wiggle, pull, push, nothing will get the priming arm out of the ram when there is a shell holder in place (at least, on my machine).

How do you manage it by accident?

Lost Sheep

If I go fast enough, 'inertia' will lift the arm off the pivot point and sometimes it'll fall out.

I've started depriming my range brass on another press. My Lee primer works great for 100's of rds now.

Originally posted by Lost Sheep

I have never been able to get my priming arm out of the ram while the shell holder was in place.

Lift, wiggle, pull, push, nothing will get the priming arm out of the ram when there is a shell holder in place (at least, on my machine).

Click to expand...

+1 Same here.
Strange.

Seedtick

I have never been able to get my priming arm out of the ram while the shell holder was in place.

Lift, wiggle, pull, push, nothing will get the priming arm out of the ram when there is a shell holder in place (at least, on my machine).

Click to expand...

Me too. There is no way I could get the primer arm out with the shell holder in place. I have the Classic Turret.

I can never get the priming arm out when the shellholder is in place either.

I did have a major breakthrough last night through, apperently I had installed the little spacer thing for some reason on top of the black plastic mounting spot of the primer holder. I looked at it for a second and it dawned on me finally that is why i could never really have any luck... Pulled it all apart, put the spacer below and primed 300 40S&W in a row without issue

My Solution

I had the same problem with my "deluxe" lee turret. I removed the shell holder that came with my Lee 9mm die set and cycled the press, the arm stayed in place the way it should. Upon closer inspection it looked like the primer seat on the priming arm was getting snagged in the shell holder, I probably could have taken a dremel to the shell holder and opened it up a bit but I found a 9mm Hornady shell holder on amazon for a few bucks with free shipping. Once I received it in the mail I put it on the press, adjusted my dies for the difference in height and the priming arm hasn't fallen off since.

I had the same problem too. The correction was to replace both primer arms. Lee miss-drilled the pin holes and thus they sat crooked. I could of had them warranted but I modded them looking for a cure. Haven't had a single problem since they were replaced.

Sorry to resurrect this thread yet again but its so good, it deserves it! lol

I've got the DELUXE press and also have primer arm issues. I've had it replaced twice now but it still happens occasionally. It wouldn't be so big of a deal if the damn primer cup didn't get dented out of spec EVERY TIME it hits my concrete floor. Once that happens, I can't prime cases at ALL since primers won't fit in the cup anymore. I have to wait DAYS before I can start reloading again. QUITE FRUSTRATING.

I'm gonna try the zip-tie trick but might actually try and sell my Deluxe press and get a Classic Cast since ITS design prevents the primer arm from falling out (so long as the shellholder is in place). Fixing this issue would be worth the trouble of the exchange.

Next up: 1) zip-tie trick and 2) reminder to clean primer arm groove and shellholder on a CONSTANT schedule.

Thanks for the great thread, all!

You are correct about the Classic Cast. As long as you have a shell holder in the ram, the priming arm WILL NOT come out!

Could I ask... how exactly does the Classic Cast's design enable this? I can't tell from pics I've seen...??

The pin that the primer lever rest on is higher in the ram and the cut in the ram is a tad higher. Thus you cant lift the lever out without pulling the shell holder.

My single stage Lee press's allow for the lever to be removed with the shell holder in place. They use to drop out here and there and hang now and then. Took some 600 grit paper to them to detail and slick them up a tad. No problems at all in the single stage press's now.