Priming tool: PMA or 21st Century

[Timon]

I’ve been using a trusty Lee hand priming tool for about 15+ years now and have decided to retire it and take a step up. I am trying to decide between a PMA and a 21st Century. I was hoping to get some input as too the good and bad on them. Thanks so much for whatever you might be able to offer.

Scott

 

[RustyInBend]

Neither ... I've tried both. This is the one I use because it's accurate, flexible, and built like a tank.

Hand Primer Seating Tool | Frankford Arsenal

The Perfect Seat Hand Primer seating tool works with both small and large primers and its sel-righting primer trays holds 100+ primers

www.frankfordarsenal.com

 

[jimmymac]

I’ve tried both as and they work well. I still have the PMA, but I almost always use a Lee Autoprime.

 

[Timon]

Neither ... I've tried both. This is the one I use because it's accurate, flexible, and built like a tank.

Hand Primer Seating Tool | Frankford Arsenal

The Perfect Seat Hand Primer seating tool works with both small and large primers and its sel-righting primer trays holds 100+ primers

www.frankfordarsenal.com

Thanks, I did not know this had adjustable seating depths

 

[Clancy]

Forgive me for answering the actual question here, but I like the 21st because it’s built like a tank and easy to adjust.

Somehow, it ended up being faster than working with a tray.

It is an excellent tool, although I’m not certain the PMA isn’t a hint smoother.

Buy with confidence.

 

[Timon]

Forgive me for answering the actual question here, but I like the 21st because it’s built like a tank and easy to adjust.

Somehow, it ended up being faster than working with a tray.

It is an excellent tool, although I’m not certain the PMA isn’t a hint smoother.

Buy with confidence.

Thank you very much, I was wondering how priming one at a time would compare to using a tray. That has been my chief concern about switching from the Lee, with the tray.

 

[JFrank]

I use the 21st-century, but there’s some incentive to try the PMA tool

 

[Timon]

I use the 21st-century, but there’s some incentive to try the PMA tool

I saw that last night when I was looking at them. Thanks for pointing it out though.

 

[DngBat7]

I preface this statement by saying both of these company’s are my absolute favorites for almost all my reloading gear. In this instance, I think the 21 century primer seater is the best out there for a single primer feeder. The build is solid, and the machining is so precise. It’s a beautiful tool for precise and repeatable results that does not rely on feel. The click adjustment depth is also very precise

 

[Kevin1990]

I asked the same question a month or so back. Went with a 21st century, and holy crap. The feel of it is quality. I just bottom out my primers. I don’t add crush and it’s perfect for that. Gives a great feel of when it bottoms out, and I was really surprised at how little hand strength it takes to prime. Is it worth the price tag for a hand primer? I don’t really know. That’s up to you. Heard nothing but good things about the PMA. I’m sure you won’t go wrong with either of them.

 

[bozo699]

I’ve been using a trusty Lee hand priming tool for about 15+ years now and have decided to retire it and take a step up. I am trying to decide between a PMA and a 21st Century. I was hoping to get some input as too the good and bad on them. Thanks so much for whatever you might be able to offer.

Scott

Scott,
I bought the original 21st century hand primers that took the Lee trays they are built very well my only complaint is the depth wheel can loosen and move to a different depth but as long as you keep a eye on it it works well. I do not have a single feed from 21st but I have one of Pats and it works flawlessly, very smooth and precise, when doing doing a few or enough to compete with I don’t find the single primer a issue but when doing bulk I like the tray.
Wayne

 

[Ccrider]

I sold my PMA ands kept the 21st Century. They are both quality tools. I like the click adjustment of the 21st Century better.

Don’t be put off by the single loading. You will be surprised at how fast you can set them one at a time. I will tile myself the next time I load. My guess is that you can seat about 8-10 a minute.

 

[JFrank]

I’m a little slower at 6-7 a minute although I’m not in a hurry either .

 

[Florida Wally]

Thank you very much, I was wondering how priming one at a time would compare to using a tray. That has been my chief concern about switching from the Lee, with the tray.

The single feed tool will eliminate flipped primers and sideways primers since you are touching each one. They are much easier to work with.

 

[Liven The Dream]

21st and don’t look back .

 

[jepp2]

I am trying to decide between a PMA and a 21st Century

I used the Lee for decades and finally decided I needed to go to something else. I had the frame fail on the Lee and frequent breakage of the primer seating mechanism whenever I encountered a really tight primer pocket.

I tried the Sinclair hand priming tool after not liking the RCBS hand or bench mounted. I just didn't care for the shims of the Sinclair. Seemed to be more complicated than necessary.

I bought a 21'st Century and it was so much better than anything I had ever used. I think I have 5 of them now. Can't comment on the PMA as I haven't tried that one yet.

I have never had a primer detonate during seating, and I have never seated one backwards or sideways. But I always assumed it could happen and I feel better knowing I don't have a tray that could also go off. And there have been some years when I shot 12K rounds of centerfire. I don't see a single feed tool as a limitation.

 

[boltfluter]

Neither. K@M for about $50.00. All steel construction and great feel. Just my take on it.
Paul

 

[RustyInBend]

I asked the same question a month or so back. Went with a 21st century, and holy crap. The feel of it is quality. I just bottom out my primers. I don’t add crush and it’s perfect for that. Gives a great feel of when it bottoms out, and I was really surprised at how little hand strength it takes to prime. Is it worth the price tag bd or a hand primer? I don’t really know. That’s up to you. Heard nothing but good things about the PMA. I’m sure you won’t go wrong with either of them.

The 21st Century is great ... but the Frankford Arsenal tool wins for me because I have Parkinson's, and individually manipulating every primer for placement is a non-starter for me. Aside from the great FA's ergonomics and solid design ... the 100-primer feeding tray is a must-have for me.

 

[lotech]

I don't know what a PMA is, but I've been using a 21st Century for about five or so years for priming all handgun and rifle cartridges. Good materials, good quality, and it works perfectly.

 

[Kevin1990]

The 21st Century is great ... but the Frankford Arsenal tool wins for me because I have Parkinson's, and individually manipulating every primer for placement is a non-starter for me. Aside from the great FA's ergonomics and solid design ... the 100-primer feeding tray is a must-have for me.

I wish the 21 century had a tray. It is tedious. Also, I wish I could have tried a bunch before buying one. Glad the