tips for Lee safety prime on LCT?

[1KPerDay]

I've been sort of using my press as a single-stage up to now, or using the auto-index to quickly move between 2 or 3 stages. I've primed about 100 .40 cases but I had my son insert the primers into the cup individually (thank heaven for small hands).

I can't get the safety prime arm to stay lined up with the primer ram. When I hold the SP arm to the left (basically holding down the right side of the tabs on the top of the SP) it works. but it takes two hands. If I let go of the SP the right side lifts out of its recess (I guess from the "spring" tension of the little plastic spring thing).

Any ideas?

 

[Lost Sheep]

I've been sort of using my press as a single-stage up to now, or using the auto-index to quickly move between 2 or 3 stages. I've primed about 100 .40 cases but I had my son insert the primers into the cup individually (thank heaven for small hands).

I can't get the safety prime arm to stay lined up with the primer ram. When I hold the SP arm to the left (basically holding down the right side of the tabs on the top of the SP) it works. but it takes two hands. If I let go of the SP the right side lifts out of its recess (I guess from the "spring" tension of the little plastic spring thing).

Any ideas?

Thanks for asking our advice.

Sounds like you don't have the thing positioned correctly.

If you take a screwdriver and use it to swing the primer dispenser toward the primer cup (use a tool rather than your finger so you don't apply any lateral or vertical pressure inadvertently). If it doesn't line up perfectly, adjust the positioning of the mount so that it does.

I understand there are videos of how to do this properly, but the above method is how I did it and I have had no problems at all getting the primers into the cup.

Well, that is not exactly true. When I started, I needed to refine my technique of operating the little "pez dispenser" part. I had to learn to apply only forward pressure with my right thumb until the dispenser was fully engaged with the cup, and then apply only straight downward pressure with my forefinger to expel the primer. It works 100% now.

If that does not work, do a search for loading videos on how to install and adjust the LPS.

Good luck,

Lost Sheep

edit: the little black plastic spring thing in the mount is only there to prevent the device from coming out of the tray part of the mount. It should not be actively doing ANYTHING when the device is in use. In fact, if it were gone, the operation of the primer device would be affected not at all. If it is compressed, your Safety Prime device is probably not fully inserted in the mount, and if you can reach the primer cup with it like that, the mount is definitely not positioned correctly. (This is all without benefit of a visual, so take that into account.)

 

[dickttx]

Yes, the bracket that it hangs on needs to be adjusted. Had read lots about aligning them correctly before I got one, so I was extra careful setting mine up. You have to hold it in place while tightening the bolt. Mine has not missed a single primer in about 1000 I have used with it, except I will occasionally not push the clicker hard enough and one doesn't load.
It is the most rinky dink looking thing I ever saw, but also the best system I have ever used.

 

[psyshack]

Line it up and tighten it down good. (don't over tighten) One should be able to push the dispenser right up and over the primer cup with one finger. If the primer dispenser hangs up. Check the side to side adjustment again. If the side to side is good the second most common adjustment needed is to raise the holder a tad with a proper sized washer.

Once the adjustments are understood on the mechanical side. One has to understand there own body mechanics. Being right handed if I take my right hand off the ram lever to dispense a primer all went well. But I prefer to keep my right hand on the ram lever. And use my left hand to dispense primers. With my left hand I kept pushing the dispenser to far to the right and not landing on the primer pocket right. So I adjusted the unit a tad farther to the left.

It all works great now.

 

[1KPerDay]

I've primed about 30 cases now... about 1 in 8 primers drops to the ground. I've taken to removing my right hand from the handle and cupping it below the primer ram in case I miss.

I have to basically hold it to the left, then forward, otherwise the top of the unit lifts up to the right, out of its groove. I can't see how readjusting the angle will fix it, as it's the balance of the unit in the bracket that seems to be questionable. But I'll give it another go adjusting.

thanks for the ideas.

 

[jb27]

I've loaded around 1k handgun rounds on my LCT and always had problems with primers falling out while using the safety prime. I would always have to start lowering the arm a little before priming for it to work correctly. After reading this thread and seeing someone's suggestion to add washers to adjust height, I took a look at my setup. Turns out I didn't have the bracket mounted correctly. I had the plastic mount against the press instead of having the large washer in between the plastic mount and press. Fixed this and the primers have been loading like a charm. Silly mistake on my part but this fixed it for me. Doesn't sound like you have the exact same issue though.

 

[Fishslayer]

It is the most rinky dink looking thing I ever saw, but also the best system I have ever used.

LOL. I'll agree with that. I have to remember to remove mine because I tend to knock it off the press when I walk by. Hasn't broken tho. And yes, it does need to be properly positioned to work.

Some of the accessories that came with my Classic Turret kit are definitely cheesy, but they've been churning out ammo for two years now and still work fine. The indexer recently quit working. The plastic threads had given it up. I just replaced the 8x32 clamping screw with a longer one, used a nylock & a couple washers, hey presto! Back to turnin' & burnin'.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Is the device nestling properly?

It seems to me, after re-reading your description of the way you have to make the LSP work, that the horizontal bar at the top end of the LSP is not fully into the trough of the mount. Both ends of the horizontal bar must set down in the trough.

Check out these two videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRfO2YNoohU&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SufHZhIs-mc&feature=related

Good Luck

Lost Sheep

 

[1KPerDay]

That's exactly the problem, Lost Sheep. The right side moves up out of the trough unless I kind of hold the bottom mechanism to the left as I move it forward.

Meh... it seems to work as long as I do that. I've just seen vids of people just using one finger to push forward on the rear of the mechanism. If I do that the right tab/bar lifts up and everything misaligns.

 

[psyshack]

jb27

The large fitted washer is suppose to be on the top side of the primer bracket. It distributes the pressure from the mounting bolt across the primer bracket. So find a washer that is to the thickness you need and place it under the bracket to get the lift you need. That will keep the primer bracket from flexing, resulting in a broken bracket.

 

[psyshack]

1KPerDay

Does the primer assembly swing free and even if you take the primer cup and lever out of the ram? Does it otherwise get cocked in the bracket or do anything funny while moving it?

 

[1KPerDay]

No... the right tab lifts out of the 'trough' whether the ram/primer ram is there or not. It's like the entire safety prime assembly is not balanced properly. I wonder if I could figure a way to wrap a rubber band around the right side of the mounting bracket and that tab to hold it down or something.

 

[psyshack]

1KPerDay

Does it do this when empty or only when the carrier below the pivot point has primers in it? Does it behave like this when you put 100 primers in it? Does the assembly set in the holder correct when just setting there? Is the pivot bar straight? (The tabs on the sides) Is there any debris in the pockets the tabs ride in?

Sorry for so many questions. I run the system on a Classic Turret and a Standard Breech Lock Press. With multiple primer dispensers. After setup and adjustment they all interchange and run great.

I can share with you I run the primer perfect with my right hand. I never drop primers using my left hand. Just don't always get them dispensed. So I have to take a second stab at it. My breech lock is setup, left hand on ram, right hand loading consumables. Just the opposite for the LCT.

I would use the rubber band to prove theory. And if no other fix can be made get replacement units from Lee or who ever you purchased from.

Good Luck

 

[1KPerDay]

When I first installed the bracket and safety prime to check alignment, I initially thought similarly to you, and wondered if it would do it with primers in it. It does it both empty and full. No debris, it's brand new. When sitting there it appears to be in the right position but any movement begins to lift the right side out of the recess, and move the pimer insertion mechanism to the right and out of alignment (unless I hold it to the left as I said earlier).

I haven't, however, tried the small primer one to see if it does the same thing. I'll try that tonight and see what happens.

Maybe my bench is tilted enough to throw it off balance, LOL.

 

[jb27]

jb27

The large fitted washer is suppose to be on the top side of the primer bracket. It distributes the pressure from the mounting bolt across the primer bracket. So find a washer that is to the thickness you need and place it under the bracket to get the lift you need. That will keep the primer bracket from flexing, resulting in a broken bracket.

Thanks for setting me straight. I thought I would have followed the directions when I set it up, but then again, I was pretty excited to get started so I second guessed myself. At least now I know how thick of a washer(s) I need to get it to run smooth.