Used MEC 9000 12GA value and advice

[joseywales]

A club member is selling a MEC 9000 12GA, with some accessories, some powder, etc. I'm new to reloading, and have tried to track prices, the condition of the units, etc., varies widely. There's definitely a value to buying on in person. The unit is in very good condition, but I won't see it in person, until the weekend.

Cabela's (not known for being inexpensive) has them for $650, but I can use point, etc. and it would be knew and I would pick it up at the store.

What would be a reasonable price for a used MEC 9000 in very good shape?

Other than looking for wear on the red paint, are there other ways to detect usage?

The unit was disassembled, so anything in particular that "vaporize" when these units are disassembled? You know, that "damn spring" or clip!

thanks

 

[HTSmith]

Josey, it is a buyers market right now for 12 Ga shotgun reloaders. The reason is fairly simple--if you shop smart you can buy new shells for about what the components cost. If you include a cost for your time, hulls, and the machine it gets even worse. Now if you are a member of a club and can buy components in bulk at wholesale prices, this changes the equation but not by a whole lot.

I just bought a MEC Grabber (one step cheaper than the 9000 because it is manually advanced), 8 lb Red Dot, and 1000 wads for $150 from a gentleman that was quitting reloading (because of the above). He'd been trying to sell it for a while.

The good news is they are generally rugged machines. Two areas to check are the resizing collet that can wear or break and the automatic priming mechanism.

I gotta run but feel free to PM me.

 

[TrapperBR549]

If all you plan to load are target loads you won't save much as mentioned.
That said, I have pulled the handle on a 9000 many, many times. They are a decent machine once adjusted and kept somewhat clean.
It might be a bit of a challenge to get it put back together and adjusted properly but it is doable if you have the required patience. I haven't logged in for awhile but shotgunworld had some great info on their forums about just about anything mec loader related.

If you are planning to load field loads you can save significantly. With the proper wad/hull selection I have load everything from 3/4oz up to 1 5/8 oz without having to adjust anything other than the shot and powder charges.

As far as value, I doubt if the fellow could get $100 for a disassembled 9000 on ebay. There are some small parts and springs but easily replaced if missing. Unless something else is broken the only thing I have heard can wear is the sizing collet although I haven't worn one out after over 20 years.

 

[drano38]

Agree, factory shells are about the cost of reloading.
But I load for my over/under because I shoot 12 gauge 7/8 oz 1200 fps, and those generally are not a cheap factory load.
$300-325 over at Shotgun World right now.
$300 12 ga face to face. $325 + ship for a 20 ga.
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=73

Hopefully the owner knows how to put it back together. If not, like Trapper said above, go to the reloading section of shotgunworld. Guys there repair them, and can walk you thru everything.

If you're new to shotgun reloading, buying from him, and then he mentors you would be great. A progressive MEC has a LOT going on each pull of the handle. The powder/shot bar does not have shell sensors - it will drop powder and shot all over the shell plate if you don't keep track of things as you fill the plate at startup and empty it at the end (or skip a shell because you want to check/adjust something). The sizing collet filled with powder is a mess - don't ask why I know.

But learn, get it set up, and they will crank out great shells. I had a Hustler (not auto indexing), and now have a 9000 hydraulic. 100 rounds in ~ 10 minutes, fill primer tray, rinse and repeat.

 

[Gun Smith]

Great machines! Cranked out a ton of 12ga. 1oz. loads over the years, but the price of shot killed my shotshell reloading a few years back Best of luck!

 

[jackson1]

Something not mentioned is you can make loads different from the discount store offerings. I load many 1 ounce loads for trap and skeet. Don't know your age or time constraints, but it can be a rewarding hobby. Once you get your foot in the door, sub gauge loads are where the savings is currently. I own a 9000G, but enjoy my 600 junior's more. But I am not in a hurry. In troubling times, components have been known to disappear (Clays powder).

 

[Rsadams]

Good machines... I load for skeet myself... It's true you can buy cheap shotshells but if you want hard lead shot and good components then reloading will save you money because store bought shells with hard shot etc are not $5.00 a box , more like $8.00+.... Kinda like you can buy rifle rounds but the ones you reload always shoot better... Plus you can get a round custom tailored to your needs... 7/8--1 or even 1-1/8 oz loads and you can adjust the power behind them to reduce recoil to exactly what you like... If you're going to shoot alot of 12ga this is very helpful...

As stated above right now shotgun reloading equipment is drawing a good price because people are buying everything up... If your wanting to know what used prices are check eBay... I still load AA hulls but the rest of the world is loading Remington hulls... Just in case you're new to loading for shotgun remember the pressure you're dealing with is ALOT lower than rifle or even pistol... Stick with published data for safety... Even using the wrong primer can get you in trouble... The difference between a federal 209 and a federal 209A is huge and can add an extra 1000 psi...

Just a side thing... If you're going to reload and reuse the boxes the shells originally came in , get the MEC shell stacker... That thing makes life alot easier when it comes to putting the shells back in the boxes... I use it all the time , it's so much easier and saves a ton of time when reloading multiple boxes... Also try and find a store that only deals in shotgun reloading... You can get components soooo much cheaper than a big box store... Their out there just ask and look around.... If you start shooting skeet or trap at a club someone will let you know...

Edit... Just a tip here... Get a wooden cutting board with a groove all the way around it to mount the press to... You will get loose powder and shot and this helps keep it contained... When you spill even 1oz of shot it's not fun picking up 350 BBs... It will happen...lol

 

[TrapperBR549]

Good tip from Rsadams. It will happen. I use a cookie sheet but about anything will work.

 

[joseywales]

thanks guys. I picked up a MEC 650 20GA from a friend, so my daughters a can learn to roll their own. I had a cookie sheet for years, planning on reloading, then finally tossed. Actually, it might be in the attic. I did, however, hang on that cutting board with groove, so I'll use that for the 650.

I was planning on mounting it to a bench (found that in the trash last week!). Perfect homemade bench, probably 30 years old, from a house down the road being sold. Even came with a switch wired and ready to go! Then I thought, why not mount the 650 to the cutting board.

The cutting board it about 1" thick. Will be that be heavy enough, without securing the board to the bench? Or do I need to secure the board?

Also, I might have misled folks on the "disassembled" part. This guy packed it away, but sent me pictures and it's not disassembled, other than the bar and bottles being removed. Still, he wants ~ $500, so he'd really have to have a lot of accessories to go with it. $325-350 seems much closer, if it's really clean.

 

[std7mag]

Saw one at an "outdoor market" last year.
The guy actually had 2 of them.
Asking price was $65 each.
I KNEW i should have bought them!!