If you are interested in reloading but need to save some money along the way, it’s worth trying out a Lee Pro 1000 progressive press. This is because while they’re not perfect by any means and certain trade-offs have been made for them to be at their price point of roughly half that of other similar items on the market today like Dillon Square Deal Bs.
Quick review
Despite our problems, the Pro 1000 is a great budget-buy reloading press that we honestly have no idea how they can offer it at such a low price. My advice is to buy one of these in each caliber you need and set them up once because this will save time when loading .38 Special rounds compared with other presses on the market.
- Pro 1000 Reloading Kit
- Cast Aluminum
- N/A
Last update on 2024-01-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When considering the price and value of the Lee Pro 1000, it’s important to consider that other progressive presses cost more than $600 (more than three times as much). For many people, this becomes an easy decision. We feel like setting up a single-stage press is good enough for those who want to experiment with their first reloads after they have some experience on one already.
This press includes:
Lee Precision 9mm Pro 1000 Luger is a 3-stage item that allows you to attach three different dies at once. It helps you by shortening the process of reloading and takes less effort in having to pull the lever so many times and adjusting different dies every time.
The barrel will last approximately 800 rounds, and as such Lee’s tool is worth every penny.
Lee Pro 1000 Review
Features
The most important features of getting the Pro 1000 luger for 9mm are the following: This progressive reloading press includes 3 types of dies (powder charge through full-length size powder, expanding and bullet seating) 19 shell plates the appropriate size for reloading, a Pro Auto-Disk powder measure, case feeder and priming system.
| Product | Lee Cast Aluminum Pro 1000 Reloading Kit For 380 Auto Md: 90641 |
| Press type | Progressive press |
| Speed | 140 rounds per hour |
| Made of | Steel, Die Cast Aluminum |
| Manufacturer | ACK, LLC, USA |
| Warning | Only CCI or Remington brand primers are safe to use with this press |
| Handle location | Ambidextrous |
| Number of mounting holes | 3 |
| Die size accepted | standard 7/8″-14 threaded dies |
| Ram stroke | 3.5″ |
Pro 1000 luger includes the necessary accessories with the press, so you don’t have to purchase more unless you want to reload bullets aside from the 9mm Luger.
Offered for these cartridges:
At the pull of the lever, a shell plate with 3 spaces for cartridges is pushed up into the dies and then turned. One cartridge is pushed out while an empty one is pushed in. The tube is similar to Lee Load master’s, except that it’s smaller. The basic feature of this item is similar to the Load master’s; it’s just smaller in terms of size and scale.
Lee Pro 1000 review: pros
So, let`s talk about the pros of Lee Pro 1000!
1. Convenience
It’s the mid-choice for those who consider a 5-stage progressive reloading press too expensive. The function is still the same and you still get to do 3 things at the same time with the Pro 1000 luger. A single turret press wouldn’t be able to provide anything near to the convenience of a progressive turret press.
2. Everything for work with 9 mm caliber
Pro 1000 luger comes as a complete kit with the shell plate and 3 dies. You don’t have to purchase separate accessories unless you need a different size. That’s very affordable for a functional and smooth 3-stage press.
3. Pro 1000 saves time!
Since it is a progressive press, it has a case bullet feeder, priming system, and 3 dials working at once, so a single pull of the lever gets you a lot of things done. Time is the most important resource we can never purchase and this thing lets you save it.
Only CCI or Remington brand primers are safe to use with this press
4. It is cheap!
Finally, this is a budget progressive reloading press for anyone who wants to reload quickly without spending 3 or 4 times the price. At no more than $300, you can reload 3 to 4 times faster.
5. Pro-Auto Disk
Lee Precision has developed a unique tool that makes reloading your brass easier and more precise. The Pro-Auto Disk exclusive to Lee Precision tools measures the amount of powder needed for each type of bullet, then fills it with gunpowder while making sure there are no spills or messes. In addition, this Pro-Auto Disk can hold half a pound of enough gunpowder to produce lots at once without running out too quickly!
6. Size
The Pro 1000 luger is great for those with limited space. It’s small in size, so it won’t take up much room on your countertop or shelf.
7. Easy to change a caliber
Changing calibers can be a pain, but investing in an extra turret makes it easy to switch between different loads.
Cons of Lee Pro 1000
You must know the cons! So, let`s talk about it too.
1. You are not able to seat the primer in place at random
The priming system of this particular piece of Pro 1000 is of concern. While everything else works well, we find ours were not able to seat the primer in place at random. It can be dangerous if you did not get to check every cartridge visually and takes your time instead of saving it. We would just suggest people prime separately to be completely sure of it.
The dies still need to be screwed in, unlike the bushings that exist in other reloading presses. Considering the price, this might be quite obvious to see. The shell plates are also specific to the type of bullet that you are processing. If you want to reload something else, you may need to buy a different shell plate for it. The case feeder should make the unit faster.
2. The case feeder does not make the press faster
We’ll start here since it’s also listed as a “pro”. The case feeder should make the unit faster, but this is not always true. There are two ways to load the case feeder: use up all of your time using or painstakingly loading each tube one by one with fewer possibilities for error.
After much thought and deliberation, we don’t have a good solution for the other issue. The primer feed holder sits at 45 degrees behind the press and feeds primers down the chute which turns horizontal before reaching the setting mechanism. If there isn’t enough in the chute to provide pressure, you will experience misfeeds with an array of errors that raise your blood pressure even more so than it already is!
3. Some problem with the type of gunpowder used
The powder measure is suitable. The only issue we had with it was related to the type of gunpowder used, as some types work better than others do. For its price range, you can’t expect much more from this product though!
Tips for reloading with the Lee Precision 1000
Customer Reviews
Most handgun enthusiasts have opted for Lee Precision reloading kits because they are easy to use and produce high-quality products.
Some customers have a few problems with the Lee Precision 9-mm Pro 1000 Luger, such as “Instructions are sparse and poorly written”. But they can easily be solved by looking at additional instruction videos on how to set it up which are available online.
Positive reviews for this press have been rolling in. One user says, “The press is great and produces quality bullets!” Another reviewer adds that it’s a “great 1000 progressive reloading item for the money.” Finally, someone else loves their purchase saying they love this loader.
Conclusion
The Lee Precision 9mm Pro 1000 Luger is a budget 3-stage progressive press that performs well aside from its priming system. The construction is solid and operating it is easy once you’ve got all the dies set up. As long as you follow the manual, you will be fine and be able to fine-tune it and use it soon.
While Lee is also not recommended for beginners, in the long run, you can get one and help yourself increase your reloading speed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
I’m a beginner. Should I get this equipment?
The Pro 1000 press is very convenient to use once you’ve got everything set up. It’s still more expensive compared to a single-stage press and harder to assemble in comparison. Depending on your purpose as well, a progressive press may not be suitable for you. You still need to understand how each die works and setting them up can take a lot of your time.
However, if you want to hate having to purchase a single stage and then a progressive, later on, you can get Lee. The risk is that you will take a lot of time understanding the dies and won’t be able to use them to their full potential immediately.
What’s wrong with the Lee priming system?
There are lots of other customers who have complained about the same thing. The priming system is not as accurate as we expected and with quite a high margin of error. You risk spilling the powder and even triggering an explosion.
If you wish to use it, make sure to visually check it often and clean it up once you notice that powder is spilling out of the system.
Do you lube each case as you run them on the press?
As long as you use carbide dies, there is no need to lube the cases.
Is it possible to load different calibers with this press by substituting the dies and shell press?
A bigger primer feeder may be needed to accommodate different sizes of ammo.
Does this reloading press prime during the 3 stage process?
The second stroke expands the case mouth and does the priming.
Well it’s true the priming system has to be looked at very carefully that’s why I’m going to illuminate it and get the auto priming System. But bullet seating is fine!
The priming system on the Lee 1000 doesn’t work right I am going to get the lee auto prime and not use the priming system on the lee 1000 But all in all it’s a nice Press
Regardless of which brand he unboxes, I find myself wanting every single press he demonstrates for us…
Love the workshop with the rail mount for press storage, knee mill, lathe, and integrated firing range from the reloading table. Slick AF
I’m hooked on reloading on. I want to buy and start reloading for my hobby, now can’t find now supplies due to pandemic. The hell with you Covid-19!!
I started with this press too. Im looking into getting something a little better now though. I’m just waiting for your massive progressive press shootout video haha. I’m pretty much gonna get what you like haha. A single stage press is not for me…
Is it really 140 rounds per hour? It is nice!
Great reloading dies with great way working with powder charge!