Learning to shoot is undeniably a thrilling experience. Still, this learning curve can get expensive unless you have a high quality loading press to reload your own cartridges or shells. The 9-mm Lee Load Master is a class leading reloading pistol kit with a few design flaws, which we will highlight in this unbiased Lee Loadmaster review. It is made of heavy duty cast aluminum and boasts several advanced features for long service life.
The Lee Loadmaster Package
This Lee reloading press is made with the same precision and dependability as all the other Lee products, comes with a very fair price tag, and includes the following components inside the kit:
- Removable turrets
- Bullet seating die
- Powder measure
- Easy change shell plate
- Loader round ejector and case catcher
- Primer feed
- Four automatic tube case feeders (pistol calibers)
- Complete length sizer die
- Powder through expanding die
If you’re looking for a loading kit that can load both 9-mm rifles and handguns, the Lee Loader pistol kit will not disappoint. The Lee Loader is designed to make bullet case loading an enjoyable, cost efficient, accessible, direct, and therapeutic experience. It allows you to load singly or progressively without mess, such as spilling powder or components. This massive press is outfitted with five stations, making factory crimp and post size easier.
In addition, the 9-mm Lee Load Master is compatible with all major brands of dies, which are secured by a removable turret, which makes it easy to remove and reinsert them without any adjustments. Its hard chrome plated ram (1 3/4″) and grease fittings ensure it will last for years, making it ideally suited for significant magnum rifle cases.
Features of the 9-mm Lee Loadmaster
- Removable turrets
- Primer catcher is easy to empty, making it easy to catch every primer
- Compatible with popular brands of dies
- Positive & foolproof priming system
- Wedge lock and automatic indexing
- Ram is 1 3/4″ in diameter
What do we like about the 9-mm Lee Loader?
For starters, the priming system isn’t perfect, but it’s unlikely you’ll have an issue. Be sure to use only Winchester and CCI reloading primers and avoid softer ones such as Federal. This 9-mm press is easy to operate once you get acquainted with the presses workings. After proper setup, you should spit out high quality rounds in no time. Furthermore, several videos on YouTube help you with the assembly process. Adding to this, the Lee Loader arrives with a Lee Precision Pro Auto Disk, and a three die set, namely de-prime/resize, powder through expander, and a bullet seating die.
The warranty of this press is arguably one of its most prominent features. It covers the product against everyday wear and tear for two years and will be repaired or replaced at no cost. Lee also offers reconditioning of the 9-mm lee loadmaster regardless of age or condition, including a new guarantee upon receipt of payment of half its current retail price.
What could be improved?
The 9-mm Lee Loadmaster doesn’t have a cartridge chamber, which can be bought separately. However, this may not be a significant concern for those used to loading the cartridge chamber by hand. The package instructions may seem vague and overwhelming, considering that there’s a fair bit about ammunition loading safety. But this is excellent advice that shouldn’t be ignored regardless of whether you’re a newbie or an experienced re-loader. Another peeve is that the machine ships with all the dyes, but none of them are calibrated, which must be done by referring to the user manual.
Final Thoughts
The 9-mm Lee Load Master is an excellent machine for a beginner and seasoned gunners. However, it has room for improvement, but no device is perfect, so issues are bound to crop up. Still, it is highly recommended that you read the instructions carefully and understand the hazards before using the unit. Additionally, it is built of high quality and ships with everything you need to get started. If you’re looking for an absolute beginner single-stage reloading press, you should check out the Lee 50th Anniversary model here.