Gluemanz28
Grandmaster
I had a set of what I thought was RCBS 45 ACP dies that I got with a Lee Progressive press. After I out grew the press and upgraded to a Dillon XL 650 I sold the Lee but kept the dies.
Fast forward to a year later to last Saturday night. I switched over the press from 9MM to 45 ACP to feed my new Springfield RO and Glock 41. I was setting up everything and realized that the dies were not RCBS but they seemed like good quality so I move forward with setup.
I purchased a 45 ACP carbide factory crimp die months ago from a shop in MN for the final stage as I do for all my pistol loads. I was having a buckling issue that I couldn't figure out, so I drove 70 miles to Bass Pro in Portage, IN on Sunday to purchase a new set of LEE Carbide 45 Dies. I checked to make sure that all three dies were indeed 45 and not packaged wrong due to the long drive to return them.
I get home and removed the used dies from the press and start setting up the New Lee dies that I purchased from Bass Pro. When I got to the bullet seat die it got rough to turn by hand so I removed it only to see that there were two places that had the threads marred or smashed.
I had not much choice at that time but to repair the threads so that it would be usable. After making the repair to the bullet seat die and getting everything all setup I was still getting buckled cases.
On Monday I called two different reloading shops that sell components and teach reloading (One in Northern Indiana and one in Indy). I even called Lee Precision and talked to a Tech about the issue with buckling and the damaged threads. The Lee tech and place in Northern Indiana were a let down and not much help. The shop in Indy was a huge help. I wish it wasn't a three hour drive for me to do more business with them than I already do.
Monday evening I go back to the dungeon (aka the basement) to try to figure out the mystery to bulging cases. I decided to take apart the Carbide Factory Crimp Die to see whats going on. Wha La the issue is plain and simple. The insert under the Aluminum adjusting stem was put in upside down. One side is tapered and the other is NOT. The aluminum stem has already started to get a grove in it from the taper on the sleeve that puts a crimp on the loaded round. I reversed it and loaded about 100 rounds with no Issue.
So not I am really not happy with Lee Precision by now. I call them today to see what they are going to do to correct the two mistakes. We all make mistakes, but how you take care of the customer says a lot about the company.
This is now my second talk with a Tech and not only did he not apologize either (the tech on monday never apologized) but he put the blame on dealer where I bought it. He said that somebody at the dealer must have taken it out and put it back in wrong. The dealer was a small shop in MN and I doubt that happened. I also called the shop in Indy to let them know what the issue was and I was told that they have received factory crimp dies with the wrong inserts in them. For instance a 40 might have a 9mm insert.
The final resolution from Lee was to send me a new aluminum stem. I requested the insert as well because I felt it could have been compromised. He agreed to send both but hedged on the bullet seat die. He said that I would have to send it back to Lee and they would repair if possible. If it was deemed unrepairable then they would replace it.
I happened to notice their return and warranty policy. They will warranty their products for life but it has limitations. You will have to send in the item and pay 50% of retail plus shipping. When you figure in shipping both ways and 50% Lee's retail (25% higher than dealers) you are higher than the cost of new from a local Lee dealer.
I would suggest taking apart even new dies to check and make sure they weren't made on Monday or Friday
Fast forward to a year later to last Saturday night. I switched over the press from 9MM to 45 ACP to feed my new Springfield RO and Glock 41. I was setting up everything and realized that the dies were not RCBS but they seemed like good quality so I move forward with setup.
I purchased a 45 ACP carbide factory crimp die months ago from a shop in MN for the final stage as I do for all my pistol loads. I was having a buckling issue that I couldn't figure out, so I drove 70 miles to Bass Pro in Portage, IN on Sunday to purchase a new set of LEE Carbide 45 Dies. I checked to make sure that all three dies were indeed 45 and not packaged wrong due to the long drive to return them.
I get home and removed the used dies from the press and start setting up the New Lee dies that I purchased from Bass Pro. When I got to the bullet seat die it got rough to turn by hand so I removed it only to see that there were two places that had the threads marred or smashed.
I had not much choice at that time but to repair the threads so that it would be usable. After making the repair to the bullet seat die and getting everything all setup I was still getting buckled cases.
On Monday I called two different reloading shops that sell components and teach reloading (One in Northern Indiana and one in Indy). I even called Lee Precision and talked to a Tech about the issue with buckling and the damaged threads. The Lee tech and place in Northern Indiana were a let down and not much help. The shop in Indy was a huge help. I wish it wasn't a three hour drive for me to do more business with them than I already do.
Monday evening I go back to the dungeon (aka the basement) to try to figure out the mystery to bulging cases. I decided to take apart the Carbide Factory Crimp Die to see whats going on. Wha La the issue is plain and simple. The insert under the Aluminum adjusting stem was put in upside down. One side is tapered and the other is NOT. The aluminum stem has already started to get a grove in it from the taper on the sleeve that puts a crimp on the loaded round. I reversed it and loaded about 100 rounds with no Issue.
So not I am really not happy with Lee Precision by now. I call them today to see what they are going to do to correct the two mistakes. We all make mistakes, but how you take care of the customer says a lot about the company.
This is now my second talk with a Tech and not only did he not apologize either (the tech on monday never apologized) but he put the blame on dealer where I bought it. He said that somebody at the dealer must have taken it out and put it back in wrong. The dealer was a small shop in MN and I doubt that happened. I also called the shop in Indy to let them know what the issue was and I was told that they have received factory crimp dies with the wrong inserts in them. For instance a 40 might have a 9mm insert.
The final resolution from Lee was to send me a new aluminum stem. I requested the insert as well because I felt it could have been compromised. He agreed to send both but hedged on the bullet seat die. He said that I would have to send it back to Lee and they would repair if possible. If it was deemed unrepairable then they would replace it.
I happened to notice their return and warranty policy. They will warranty their products for life but it has limitations. You will have to send in the item and pay 50% of retail plus shipping. When you figure in shipping both ways and 50% Lee's retail (25% higher than dealers) you are higher than the cost of new from a local Lee dealer.
I would suggest taking apart even new dies to check and make sure they weren't made on Monday or Friday