2018 Lee 1000 questions

I am considering a new press for loading indoors. A big consideration is how messy the press is. My old 1000 gets a fair amount of powder mess mainly because of how the shell plate snaps into position which jars some of the powder out of the brass. My question is whether the newer version of the 1000 still does this. I noticed it has a pin that protrudes through the shell plate. Also, does the shell plate still need to be indexed like the older 1000?
From reading posts about the Lee Auto Breech Lock press, neither of these issues exist with the Breech Lock Pro, which would be a consideration. It seems like the safety prime would be less prone to making a mess with primers too. If it drops one on the floor that’s ok. With the 1000, sometimes several primers hit the floor when I have to dig a flipped primer out of the chute.

tightgroup tiger said:

I have a pro 1000 and an ABLP press and the pro 1000 does spill more powder than the ABLP. I think it is because the Pro1000 has to travel farther then the ABLP for the speed your using it because the Pro 1000 is only 3 stations and the ABLP is 4 stations. The shell plate on the 4 station press doesn't travel as far and doesn't generate the same speed as the three station press does because the shell plate are the same diameter.
Both snap into place but the 4 station press doesn't get up to the same speed as the 3 station does per handle stroke because it doesn't have as far to go.

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Does the shell plate indexing on the ABLP have to be adjusted like on the 1000?

Tilos said:

All the ABLP literature states:

• Easy to use with no adjustments.
• Modular construction allows as much or as little automation as the operator desires with no adjustments.
• Cartridge changeover in seconds, including primer size with no adjustments.
• Breech Lock quick change feature in all four positions with no adjustments.
• Exclusive auto case placer with no adjustments.

I don't own one (yet) but have to think there's probably no index adjustment.
That and the "new" for 2018 Pro 1000 has: "a positive index locating pin that eliminates indexing problems."

Edit: I have found that replacing the spring and ball in most all presses that use them, greatly reduces that powder spillage due to the shell plate snap from the index ball seating into the shell plate socket.
A lighter spring and nylon ball does the trick/works for me.

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The price sure is attractive for the ABLP. For 100 bucks, (depending on the accessories that you may already have) you get a new 4 station progressive press that doesn’t require all the adjustments. However, if I don’t have to monitor all the adjustments anymore, would that make me weak and lazy?