Primer Feed Issues and Click at the end of stroke

#1 · June 13, 2009, 7:53 am

I have been reloading with a square Deal B for the last 10 years and it's been a reliable unit. I purchased it as a 40S&W and recalibred to 9mm about 6 years ago. Over the last 18 months I have been shooting 9mm and 38 special and have a complete top end and shell plate which I change when changing calibres.

Recently I have had issues when reloading (especially the 9mm) where I get a "click" at the end of the stroke (leaver going up), which can dislodge some powder out of the 9mm casing. I am also getting primers which come through either sideways or upside down (probably 1 in 10). This is frustrating and slowing down my loading.

I have removed the primer feed mechanism and wiped it clean of dirt. I have removed the shell plate and ensured it is clean and the area below it on the machine is clean. I can not work out where the problems are coming from.

When I cycle the machine with no cases or primers it gives the click, and It also looks like the primer feed is not lining up with the shell case 100%. It looks like this might be causing the "click", but I am not sure.

Can someone please proved be some advice on how to diagnose the real issue and how to fix it?

Cheers,

James.

#2 · June 13, 2009, 2:48 pm

I suspect the primer cup on the end of the primer slide is either no longer bottomed out in the primer slide, or else the set screw that aligns the primer cup to come up through the hole in the shellplate is out of adjustment. Check the primer slide first! Remove the primer feed from the frame of the machine, then detach the primer slide from the primer feed. Using calipers, measure from the underside of the primer slide to the top of the primer cup. It should measure 1.410" tall, +/- .003". If too tall, use a clamp or vise to reseat.

If that is not the problem, then readjust the set screw located in the primer feed body, immeadiately below the primer slide. Remove the powder measure and powder funnel, look down through the empty powder die to visually check the alignment. The pin the slide return spring hooks onto stops agianst this set screw, aligning the primer cup to come up through the hole in the primer slide. Adjust the set screw in 1/8 turn increments to align the cup to come up smoothly.

#3 · June 27, 2009, 2:31 am

Thanks for your reply.

I have removed the primer feed and checked the measurement recommended and it is 1.384" which is less than what you mentioned. Given your remediation was to shorten this if it was too long, I accepted the length and moved to the next option.

I found the set screw on the outside of the primer assembly above the spring, but can not adjust it as it's too tight.

However, with the primer assembly out of the machine I cycled it, and the "click" remains, so it may be coming from below the shell plate.

Any ideas on what might be causing this in that area?

Cheers,

James.

#4 · June 29, 2009, 5:20 pm

With the primer feed off the machine, does the click occur when the shellplate begins to rotate, or when the shellplate comes to a stop?

#5 · June 29, 2009, 11:23 pm

The click occurs as at the end of the strock as the shellplate finishes it's movement.

#6 · June 30, 2009, 9:54 am

The click occurs as at the end of the strock as the shellplate finishes it's movement.

#7 · June 30, 2009, 4:01 pm

With that information, it sounds like the index lever is not moving the shellplate quite far enough, and the pressure from the detent ball is finishing the shellplate movement. This is adjustable on most machines. Pull the handle down, exposing the upper part of the shaft. On the right side of the shaft, towards the rear, there is a set screw. Back this screw out 1/4- 1/2 turn, then cycle the handle while applying light pressure with your thumb onto the edge of the shellplate. BY the end of the normal upstroke, the shellplate should be rotated to where the detent ball is lined up with the detent hole in the shellplate. Backing out the set screw allows the index lever to move the shellplate further.

If your machine lacks the sset screw, then the index lever is worn to a point where it must be replaced.

#8 · July 9, 2009, 6:09 am

Thanks for the great advice, adjusting the set screw worked a charm.

Cheers,

James.

#9 · August 19, 2009, 4:41 am

I am having a similar problem (not fully indexing) but it appears that my SDB doesn't have the part you are referring to. Are you referring to part 13789, set screw? My SDB is older and doesn't have that. Is there a similar adjustment for older SDB? How can you adjust the indexing on an older SDB? Thanks,

#10 · August 19, 2009, 6:10 pm

On the older Square Deals, there was no overtravel stop set screw. If the shellplate fails to fully rotate with the primer system off, then the index lever is worn to a point where it needs replacement. Phone or email with your address information and we'll mail a replacement to you.