Serial Numbers On Hornady LNL AP Presses

[David Wile]

Hey folks,

On another thread about LNL AP presses, I mentioned that I bought my press back in 1997 when they first came out and that the serial number on my press was something less than 1500. I am away for the winter, so I cannot check the exact number now, but I am pretty sure it is between 1200 and 1500.

It seems that a few changes have been made to the LNL AP since I first bought mine, and I started to wonder how many of these things have been sold in the last 12 or 13 years. I was hoping folks would post their press serial number and the year they think they purchased it.

I would tell you where to look for the serial number, but without seeing mine, I can't remember exactly where it is. I think mine was on a little retangular placard pasted somewhere that is not so visible when loading. For all I know, maybe they are not putting serial numbers on them anymore.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[The Hat]

I got mine in Dec.09 serial no. 23,300

 

[David Wile]

Hey Hat,

Holy smokes, 23,300! I am assuming their serial numbers indicate the number of units they produced, and since you got yours last month, it would seem Hornady has produced well over 23,000 of these machines. I know they didn't start numbering their serial numbers at 10,000 or anything like that since my serial number is somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 and was purchased in 1997. If I were at home, I could even tell you what date I bought it since I know I still have the printed receipt.

Prior to the LNL AP, Hornady had been making their progressive Pro-Jector press for some years, and I was about to buy one of them when I heard Hornady was stopping the Pro-Jector and coming out with a new progressive called the LNL AP. While I could not see any of the new LNL APs yet, a Hornady saleman friend gave me a set of instructions for the new press, and I could tell from the drawings the new LNL AP was more or less the old Pro-Jector with the LNL bushing system. That was good enough for me, and I ordered one from the local distributor. It wasn't long till the salesman called and said he had one of the LNL APs sitting there waiting for me.

I don't know how many Pro-Jectors they made, but I be it wasn't any where near as many as the LNL APs. I suspect they added the LNL bushing feature to the Pro-Jector to meet the competition of the Dillon 650 tool head change feature. In any case, over 23,000 units seems like a lot of machines to me.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Walkalong]

I could tell from the drawings the new LNL AP was more or less the old Pro-Jector with the LNL bushing system.

There were other significant improvements. I have a Projector which served me well for over 20 years, as well as a newer LNL.

I can check serial numbers later this afternoon.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Walk,

Seeing that you are from Alabama, I would guess that if they gave you electricity, you would consider that a significant improvement. Sorry, but I can't resist poking you at times. You can take your shot at me.

You said you used your Projector for over 20 years, and I immediately thought that Hornady never made the Projector for 20 years. Then I thought that maybe your 20 years of service overlapped the LNL AP? I am pretty sure they stopped making Projectors early in 1997, but I don't know when they first started making them. Do you have any idea? I am pretty sure I remember seeing a Projector in the early to mid 1980s, but I can't be sure. I know I sure liked it but did not have the bucks to spend on one back then.

I also do not remember the other significant improvements between the Projector and the LNL, but I am sure you will enlighten me. I seem to remember something about the primer system changing, but I can't remember what the changes were. Heck, the primer system on your LNL is probably different than the one on mine, and the new LNLs have new base plates and shell kickers that mine does not have.

I look forward to seeing your serial number for your LNL, and while your are at it, can you check to see if the Projector had serial numbers?

Best wishes,
Dave Wile


Hey Walk,

I just thought of another significant improvement - I think. Wasn't the Case Activated Powder mechanism new to the LNL? I also remember the case kicker was different, but the case kicker on mine is a simple spring steel wire. Now the LNL got rid of the wire and has something new, but my old spring steel wire is still working just fine for me.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Mine is 13,xxx range. Probably 2 years old or so.

 

[Walkalong]

I would guess that if they gave you electricity, you would consider that a significant improvement.

Dang sure was.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Projector: Ser # 18396

LNL: Ser # 11885

My LNL was pre EZ-Ject, but I converted it. I like the EZ-Ject system a lot more. Ejection is great, and the wire is not in the way to change plates.

The ejection on my Projector was powered by a cam of sorts attached to the front leg of the press. It made the ejector arm sweep across the shell plate as the shell plate turned to the next spot. It worked better for me than the wire. The 9MM plate was a problem with the Projector until I solved it, but then it was fine. The mod to the 9MM plate worked with the wire system as well, but the wire system overall was not as good as the old Projector ejector the rotated across the plate.

The EZ-Ject is the best IMHO.

The priming system and the sub plate design as well as how the shell plates attach are the biggest improvements in the LNL vs the Projector, in my opinion.

I still don't prime on my LNL. I hand prime everything, and will continue to do so. I don't mind the extra step, and it makes things run so smoothly loading without sizing going on. You can really feel the other operations.

 

[Randy1911]

I got mine in Feb. of '08. The serial number is 13,050. It had the wire ejector, but like Walkalong, I upgraded it to the EZ-ject. The only problem I am having now is that it doesn't like to eject 223 Rem too well. A lot of times instead of going in the bin, they just fall over and land on the shellplate. It's still better than the old wire system.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Walk,

You said, "Dang sure was." Does that mean you do have electricity now? You're OK Walk. I poke at you, and you don't even yell at me.

Now down to the press business.

Do you remember when you got your Projector? With Serial Number 18,396, that means they made a lot more of them than I thought.

And how about your LNL with Serial Number 11,885. Do you remember when it was bought?

I used to know a Hornady salesman in our area, and he could tell me some of these things, but I'm afraid he's toes up now and can't help much.

I can't remember exactly how the case kicker worked, but I do remember it was a lot more complicated than the wire on mine. OK, you changed to the EZ-Ject system. Tell me about it. Did you have to pay for the change? Also, if I am satisfied with my wire case kicker, is there any real reason to change to the EZ-Ject? I don't mind moving it to change plates, but then I don't mind changing dies either and really do not like the LNL bushings. How is that for ornery?

Well, I don't remember anything significant about the subplate and the change in how the shell plates attach. I thought they were the same. I know the priming system is different somehow, but I could not explain the differences.

You can pick on me for not liking the LNL bushing system (I also don't like the Dillon tool head system), but I at least use the priming system on my machine. And don't give me any crap about you hand prime so you can feel the primers seat better. You need to work on adjusting the primer system so it work right for you.

You know, I was going to get a Projector back in 1996/1997, but I waited for the new LNL when I heard it was soon going to be out. Now that I have seen what you have said about the Projector, I am all the happier I did get the LNL even if I don't like the bushings.

Can you believe I used to use a friends Projector fairly often back then, and now I have forgotten so much about it.

Best wishes and keep warm in Alabama,
Dave Wile

 

[David Wile]

Hey folks,

Randy just reported he got Number 13,050 in February of 2008, and Hat said he got Number 23,300 in December of 2009. Mine was something under 1,500 in 1997. That would seem to mean they made about 11,500 units between 1997 and 2008, but they then made about 10,000 units between 2008 the present time. It would seem that about half of their total production runthus far was made in the past two years.

That may have something to do with why they have been having problems filling orders in the last year or so. While I was not an Industrial Engineer, I did work on studying industrial production problems for operations which I suspect may have been a lot like Hornady's operation. As much as I like retirement since 1997, I sure would jump at the chance to see Hornady's operation to analyze what they are doing and see if I could find some improvements. I think they make a great product, but they must be having production problems now.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Randy1911]

David

Here is a link to the conversion kit.

http://www.hornady.com/store/LNL-AP-Conversion-Kit/

You also have to send in your shellplates and have them modified, $10 each IIRC. You have to call and get a "Aurthorization Number" before sending them in. It is well worth it in my opinion. The kit is easy to install. It even comes with a tool to remove the spent primer tube and reinstalli it without damage.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Randy,

Something tells me I am not a good candidate for this conversion kit. I went to the link, and in the details it describes it as "Optional EZ-JECT conversion kit for Lock-N-Load AP presses with a serial number of 7000 or greater." My Serial Number is less than 1500, so that doesn't fit, and I'm not too sure I really need the new thing. I have no interest in using a case feeder, and my wire case kicker work fine for everything I load. Then the whole idea of paying to modify my shell plates is a real deal breaker for me. Thanks for your consideration, and please do not take my remarks as being anything less than appreciative.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Wilburt]

Yep, bought mine late 07/early 08 I think. S/N:11027.

I still don't prime on my LNL. I hand prime everything, and will continue to do so. I don't mind the extra step, and it makes things run so smoothly loading without sizing going on. You can really feel the other operations.

+1, got the idea from you and been doing it ever since.

It had the wire ejector, but like Walkalong, I upgraded it to the EZ-ject.

Same here.

 

[mongoose33]

I got my LnL AP in December 2008; my serial number is 165xx.

Based on Hat's number, then, they've done 7000 units in the last year or so.

 

[Walkalong]

Does that mean you do have electricity now?

Yep.

Wasn't the Case Activated Powder mechanism new to the LNL?

Yes

I don't mind changing dies either and really do not like the LNL bushings. How is that for ornery?

At first I thought the bushings were baloney, but now I like them. Yea, one more expense, but changing dies is a snap now, and I'm lazy.

And don't give me any crap about you hand prime so you can feel the primers seat better.

OK, I won't.

I have no interest in using a case feeder

I concur. In my link, notice I cut off the arm to attach the case feeder to.

the whole idea of paying to modify my shell plates is a real deal breaker for me.

It does bite, but I sucked it up, got over it, and I am glad I did.


I bought my Projector around 1985 or 86, maybe 87. Shortly after I got married, which was 84. I still have the box in the attic. I thought there may be a receipt in it, but there wasn't.

I bought the LNL a few months ago, but I bought it from a fellow who bought it and did not like it. I am not sure how long he had had it. No free bullets, but a good deal just the same.

Follow the Link to my account of converting to the E-Zject.

$30 from Hornady for the sub plate.

I was like you at first. I did not want to go through the expense of having to have all my shell plates converted, but I was having trouble with the wire eject (There seem to be a couple different wire eject types. Hornady evidently made some changes along the way.), so I decided to go ahead and do it, despite having about a dozen plates to convert. Hornady did the first 4 for free. I had to buy a #45 plate for .45 ACP as well. #1 would not work.

.

 

[Crashbox]

Hornady must indeed have been cranking these out! I just bought mine about two months ago, S/N 224xx.

No wonder it's so bleep-double-blank-censored hard to get primers, et cetera!!!!! Lotsa people are taking up this extremely addicting hobby...

 

[Wilburt]

Shortly after I got married, which was 84.

I might have been born around then......

At first I thought the bushings were baloney, but now I like them. Yea, one more expense, but changing dies is a snap now, and I'm lazy.

touché, I even bought the adapter for my Rockchucker.

I have no interest in using a case feeder

I like it. Laziness I guess but it does bring some problems so I understand those that don't use it.

 

[Dodge DeBoulet]

Another data point to add . . . My LnL AP was purchased from MidwayUSA at the end of November (not sure of the exact date, it was a Christmas present). Serial number 22295.

 

[David Wile]

Information is in my post below.

 

[BrokenWheel]

Received May '09
#18930

I assume just before reloading equipment companies started to crank them out.

 

[BrokenWheel]

deleted double post.

 

[Canuck-IL]

May 2005 - #8866
The primer system upgrade was at number 7000.
/Bryan

 

[David Wile]

Hey Folks,

Here are the serial numbers and related information reported thus far.

---------------------------------Original Type-------------------
---Serial #-----When Bought------Case Kicker-----Member Reporting
----1,500-----June?----1997------Wire eject-------Dave Wile
----8,866-----May-----2005-----------------------Canuck IL
---11,027-----Jan------2008------Wire eject-------Wilburt
---11,885--------------2008?-----Wire eject-------Walkalong
---13,xxx--------------2008?----------------------KY Jelly
---13,050-----Feb-----2008-------Wire eject-------Randy
---16,5xx-----Dec-----2008------------------------Mongoose
---17,410-----Feb-----2009------------------------Jeff Brown
---18,930-----May-----2009-----------------------Broken Wheel
---22,295-----Nov-----2009------------------------Dodge DeBoulet
---22,4xx-----Nov-----2009------------------------Crashbox
---23,300-----Dec-----2009------------------------The Hat

The stretch goes from something under 1,500 in 1997 to 23,300 in December 2009. Wilburt wasn’t sure if he bought his in late 2007 or early 2008, so I noted it as January 2008. Ky Jelly reported he thought he bought his two years or so ago, but not knowing the last three numbers of his serial number, maybe it was 2008? Mine and Canuck IL are the only ones reported purchased before 2008 thus far.

It would also seem like Hornady was making them with the Wire eject case kickers as late as February 2008, and from that I would conclude the EZ Ject system was not standard until after that time. I know they changed the priming system from what came with mine in 1997, but I really am not sure what the new system is or when it started. Canuck IL reported the primer system upgrade was at number 7000.

That’s it for now. It’s not much so far, but let’s see if more LNL owners will come in with their serial numbers and any specifics on what changes were made on their presses.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Dodge DeBoulet]

What's really amazing is that it took them 10+ years to sell their first 13,000 presses, but less than 2 years to sell another 13,000.

I'll bet they're hoping Obama sees a 2nd term

 

[David Wile]

Hey folks,

I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of serial numbers and dates when the LNL were purchased. So far I have 12 numbers reported, and I would be happy if more folks would be willing to check their numbers and dates purchased, and I will add them to my list. I am maintaining a simple spreadsheet on M-Soft Excel, and if anyone would like a copy of the file as it may grow, I would be happy to attach it to an E-Mail.

Thanks to all who have provided the information in this thread.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile