Has anyone tried this Frankford Arsenal priming tool?

[DRNewcomb]

I've about had it with the lack of mechanical advantage and sensitivity of my RCBS priming tool (#90200) and looking for a replacement. I'd like a hand tool that has enough MA to work with thumb pressure (not both hands like the RCBS), can be adjusted for seating depth, auto-feeds primers and doesn't run $200 and up. I found this tool at Midway but have not heard anything about it. Has anyone tried it?

 

[brxbrad]

I've about had it with the lack of mechanical advantage and sensitivity of my RCBS priming tool (#90200) and looking for a replacement. I'd like a hand tool that has enough MA to work with thumb pressure (not both hands like the RCBS), can be adjusted for seating depth, auto-feeds primers and doesn't run $200 and up. I found this tool at Midway but have not heard anything about it. Has anyone tried it?

 

[brxbrad]

I've been using one of these for about 5yrs now. Sure does save the thumb and easy on the Arthritis. Seating pressure is easily felt. Works with any small or large primer cartridge.

RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool
Sale
$71.99
Regular Price: $84.99 Save $13.00 (15%) Out of Stock, Backorder OK

 

[Hondo64d]

I've been using one of these for about 5yrs now. Sure does save the thumb and easy on the Arthritis. Seating pressure is easily felt. Works with any small or large primer cartridge.

RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool
Sale
$71.99
Regular Price: $84.99 Save $13.00 (15%) Out of Stock, Backorder OK

After several iterations of Lee Autoprimes, I also use the RCBS bench mounted primer. I like it a lot. It is fast, and I can easily feel when the primer bottoms out in the pocket.

John

 

[DRNewcomb]

I'm sure the RCBS bench primer is a great tool but the wife might get a tad upset when I C-clamp it to the glass coffee table to prime cases while watching TV. That's why I asked about hand tools.

 

[KMart]

I'm sure the RCBS bench primer is a great tool but the wife might get a tad upset when I C-clamp it to the glass coffee table to prime cases while watching TV. That's why I asked about hand tools.

If you did that, she would probably cut your trigger finger off. Then you wouldn't need to seat primers.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Don't know of anything that meets all your criteria, but 21st Century was making a nice priming tool at one time that used Lee trays, both round & square. I think he may have discontinued them due to the quality issues of the Lee trays, particularly the square one. I have 2 of the round tray models & one of the square tray models, and use them a lot. I can say that the 21st Century BR type primer tool is a real HD type priming tool with lots of mechanical advantage, but it is also pretty heavy as priming tools go, and it is a one-at-a-time tool. From what I have read here, your best option is probably the RCBS bench mounted tool mounted on a board or something so it gets the job done and keeps your wife happy, too. Maybe one of those little reading desk things that you hold in your lap? I think I have seen something like that in the past.

 

[hunter243sgk]

I have noticed when these primer seating topics come up that noboby primes on a press. Why is that?

 

[Chief 101]

I have noticed when these primer seating topics come up that noboby primes on a press. Why is that?

I use a Rockchucker and it primes on the up stroke of the handle...hard to feel primer seat and I tend to crush and short seat a lot of primers. I used the press 40 years ago till I found the RCBS bench primer tool, no primer issues since...I'm not selling anything just relaying my experience

 

[DRNewcomb]

I have noticed when these primer seating topics come up that noboby primes on a press. Why is that?

I've done that when I didn't have the shell holder for priming tool (e.g. 6.5x54MS). The issue is that my press has very poor sensitivity. It just crams the primer into the pocket.

 

[hunter243sgk]

When I first started priming on the press it was because I didn't have the shell holder for a new caliber. And I didn't like it either at first. But after getting used to it I do like it. And yes it did take awhile to get use to it. And mine primes on the up stroke also. I could reposition the handle but I like it the way it is now.

 

[ronemus]

I modified my handheld RCBS priming tool by putting in a much weaker return spring (IIRC I used an AR15 buffer retaining pin spring). The stock spring is strong enough to fully return the handle no matter how you release it. The weaker spring requires that you release the handle quickly so it builds enough momentum to feed the strip to the next position. The benefit is greatly improved feel and reduced effort. It doesn't reach the level of my Sinclair priming tool, but it's a lot faster a sufficiently sensitive to feel primers seat.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

When using the RCBS press to seat primers, use your thumb only and place it lower on the ram handle. You will be able to detect the seating pressure much better. Once you play with it a few times with your thumb in different spots on the handle, you will find the spot that gives you the best mix of leverage and feel for seating pressure.

If you use a primer pocket uniforming tool on your brass, the seating pressure will be much more consistent and you won't have to crush the primer walls on cases with short pockets to get the cup below the rim face.

 

[alb]

I have noticed when these primer seating topics come up that noboby primes on a press. Why is that?

I used to, but I saw what a chain-fire detonation of a tube of 100 primers looked like, and, while the user was mostly uninjured, his hearing was affected. So, while I very much prefer the feel of using a 21st Century tool, handling the primers one at a time has a certain charm to it as well.

 

[1lnbrdg]

I prime all of mine on the Dillon 550. Utilizing a Lee de-priming die, I push any foreign matter out of the flash-hole if it is there at the same time.

 

[hunter243sgk]

I used to, but I saw what a chain-fire detonation of a tube of 100 primers looked like, and, while the user was mostly uninjured, his hearing was affected. So, while I very much prefer the feel of using a 21st Century tool, handling the primers one at a time has a certain charm to it as well.

I run a single feed. But I bet that was wild!!

 

[nmkid]

I've been using one of these for about 5yrs now. Sure does save the thumb and easy on the Arthritis. Seating pressure is easily felt. Works with any small or large primer cartridge.

RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool
Sale
$71.99
Regular Price: $84.99 Save $13.00 (15%) Out of Stock, Backorder OK

I use the same but with the Holland Shooting seating kit on it. Best of 2 worlds for "old" hands.

 

[mike06]

I've about had it with the lack of mechanical advantage and sensitivity of my RCBS priming tool (#90200) and looking for a replacement. I'd like a hand tool that has enough MA to work with thumb pressure (not both hands like the RCBS), can be adjusted for seating depth, auto-feeds primers and doesn't run $200 and up. I found this tool at Midway but have not heard anything about it. Has anyone tried it?

Just ordered one wondering if anyone has used it with 308 srp palma brass?

 

[topclass2017]

no one seems to have provided an answer to the OP's question. Yes, I use the FA hand primer. I replaced an RCBS hand primer with it. It is easy to use, easy to change from large to small primers, and comes in a nice case with multiple shell holders. My grandson used it and immediately replaced his RCBS hand unit with one as well.

 

[topclass2017]

should add that I've primed brass from .204 Ruger to .308, so both small and large rifle primers, and have experienced zero problems. Haven't primed pistol calibers, but don't see why there would be an issue for those case.