What happened to Forster Co-Ax?

It's very popular. I imagine it's just sold out right now, as is often the case.

I love mine.

Forster website isn't saying much of anything that would be any different than what we've seen before:

https://www.forsterproducts.com/pro...seating/co-ax-reloading-press-bullet-seating/

And:

https://www.forsterproducts.com/product/co-ax-reloading-press-with-s-jaws/

Unclear where 'what ever it is that's on backorder', be it parts, assemblies, or ??, are being sourced from, but apparently demand is currently outpacing supply.

That sounds good if Sales are increasing,,, Not so good if it's because they can't get what they normally need/use/sell.

Earlier thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/forster-co-ax-press.813298/

sequins said:

It's very popular..

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Please don't take this the wrong way, but it's very popular with a select group of people.

I have nothing against Forester, a Co-Ax, or anyone else who has/likes/uses/wants one. More power to both Forster and the Folks who like/use/buy their Products.

As far as the Co-Ax, I've never owned, used, or much less even seen one in person. Read quite a few positive reviews and I thought I wanted one for my first press, but ended up going a different direction with a more readily available (and accessible) Single Stage. (RC IV)

The aspect of availability / accessibility played a big part in that decision.

I guess I wish there were more of them to see 'up close and personal' as then we could all see for ourselves and decide what we wanted.

I believe remains pick up a mec marksman seen some video were it seatted bullets better the the forster did.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it's very popular with a select group of people....

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I agree but I could say this about any reloading press.

…I've never owned, used, or much less even seen one in person.

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That is pretty common with people that talk bad about things in general. It’s the “I don’t own one or ever have but I know mine is better” thing known as an unfounded opinion, we all do it though at some point.

I am more guilty than most, why I made it a point to try different things lately, in order to base my opinions upon actual experience with something vs a guess or assumption.

The co-ax does have its pros and cons, like every other.

For concentric ammunition, components and dies matter much more than what press they are used in or assembled with.

When Midway USA doesn't have a delivery date for a backordered item they don't allow ordering on backorder. If you look on Midsouth Shooters they list it as backorder OK. They will be available.

One of those things that have parts sourced in China and their last order was just poor timing/luck?? I think we will be seing more of this type of problem for the foreseeable future. Some of these companies might want to rethink their supply stratagies for the future.

This is only a theory on my part. Even RCBS gets some parts/items from China now I understand. Remember when Fords were made (assembled) in USA and actually built from a majority of parts imported from Canada and Mexico. Just sayin.

I had an RCBS single stage press and loved it. When I got deployed I loaned my equipment to my brother as he wanted to learn. It got stolen and decided to try the Co-ax, I ordered mine from Brownells which was not in stock but had a block you could check to be informed when they got it. I waited a loooooooooong time, at least a couple of years and one day I got an email that they had them in stock and jumped on it immediately. I like it more than the RCBS. While waiting for it I would buy accessories that I would need for it and my reloading a little at a time so that when I got it I had everything I needed and bought everything over a 2 year period so I did not feel financially strapped as all items were bought over a 2 year period. Funny thing , Brownells was out of stock a couple of days later.

I don't 'bout parts or other things. I have a Rockchucker, I do know that Redding advertises everything made in US of US steel, etc.

sequins said:

I love mine.

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I guess I am one of those folks that looks at a co-ax press and thinks- why, what is the point?

I am not badmouthing your press. You say you love yours. What do you love about this press over what ever you had before it?

CoAx is a great press and honestly money/availability wasnt the issue.

For me it was ease of use and speed/efficiency of workflow is why I bought a MEC press. My MEC makes better ammo than I can shoot, in fact, alot of decent single stage presses fall into that. Its hardly a limiting factor. Buy what you want. Dont look down on those that dont use the same thing as you.

rskent said:

I guess I am one of those folks that looks at a co-ax press and thinks- why, what is the point?

I am not badmouthing your press. You say you love yours. What do you love about this press over what ever you had before it?

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It's the only press I've used to date besides demo models in stores. No shell plate or screwing in dies though is the main feature. Depriming is excellent too. Priming is slow but does every caliber and I don't mind the pace.

I'll be getting a 750 at some point for bulk auto rounds.

Valid reasons for sure. Having the handle in the middle seems like it would be awkward. Yes or no?

jmorris said:

That is pretty common with people that talk bad about things in general. It’s the “I don’t own one or ever have but I know mine is better” thing known as an unfounded opinion

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OMG. Thank you for saying that.

jmorris said:

... why I made it a point to try different things lately, in order to base my opinions upon actual experience with something vs a guess or assumption

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It was your comments why I now use 10 shot groups instead of 5 shot groups for accuracy assessment of load development and ammunition testing (As 5 is simply a subset of 10 and BTW, which 5? ) and I too subscribe the formation of opinions based on "actual experience" hence why I conduct various "myth busting" threads based on measurable/repeatable facts.

forty_caliber said:

Hmmm what? Chinese parts? This is advertised as a US made product.

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Quick side note:

A decade or so ago, I rode (and read a lot more) about Motorcycles. A couple Manufacturer's made it a big part their Marketing that their Product was "Made in America".
I've since learned "Made in America" doesn't necessarily mean "100% Made in America" nor does "Once Fired Brass" means it's only been fired once.

BOT:

Supply disruption, (it that's a factor in this case), can really slow things down, more than some may assume. Again, would have loved to see a Co-Ax 'back when I was looking'. Heck, even today, I'd like to see one on the display next to the row of other presses for sale, but dang,, I'm in Houston and 'it still ain't happened yet"

Funny thing about people always mentioning made in China or Taiwan or whatever and that it is cheaply made. The truth is that there are many many many more people that would never buy only American made products because the cost of said products are 2 to 3 times the cost because the labor cost of American worker has to be factored in. Given two identical products one made in America and one made in China and you inspect said products without any type of labels as to where it was manufactured but one costs 40% less most people will select the item costing 40% less. Sometimes it is very difficult to have your cake and eat it too.

ms6852 said:

The truth is that there are many many many more people that would never buy only American made products because the cost of sad products are 2 to 3 times the cost because the labor cost of American worker has to be factored in.

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FYI, all Lee products are still made in the USA.

And now I readily recommend the Auto Breech Lock Pro (Pro 4000) to new reloaders regardless of their budget because caliber change is easiest, bar none.

LiveLife said:

FYI, all Lee products are still made in the USA.

And now I readily recommend the Auto Breech Lock Pro (Pro 4000) to new reloaders regardless of their budget because caliber change is easiest, bar none.

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I own a handloader and a second one that is set up in the garage strictly used for depriming.

I guess I am one of those folks that looks at a co-ax press and thinks- why, what is the point?

I am not badmouthing your press. You say you love yours. What do you love about this press over what ever you had before it?

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No special bushings needed, although you want locking rings and very fast swap from one caliber to another.



The only way I can change calibers faster is to move the chair from one already setup press to another one ready to go, in another caliber.