Dillon $85 Refurb Service

[TriggerMan]

I have an old Dillon 550B that I've been reloading on for the past 20+ years. I can only guess at the number of rounds it has reloaded over the years but I'm sure it's in the 100,000+ range somewhere. A few parts were replaced over the years due to wear and tear under Dillon's no BS lifetime warranty but I recently took advantage of their $85 refurb service and I'm glad I did.

I paid $50 to ship the press and several other oddball parts back to Dillon. I also paid $85 for the service itself. Once the service was complete Dillon paid for the return shipping back to me. Total time to get the press back was about 15 days and that included a week to get to Arizona from SC and a week back from AZ to SC.

As far as the service goes they either replaced every part on my press and re-powder coated it or they gave me a new press all together. The replaced every part of both my large and small priming systems. I have a new powder measure. They replaced every bolt and allen screw on the press as well as the old primer collection chute and collection bin. The press is entirely lubed and clean from top to bottom. It is so clean and new looking I'm honestly questioning if this is my press or a completely new one. They also included a bag of extra parts like two extra primer actuation bars, an extra spent primer collection chute, large and small primer pickup and dispensing tubes as well as an assortment of primer tube tips. An extra powder measure return arm was also included with the extra parts.

If you have a Dillon press and have been considering this service do it. My only regret is not sending more powder measures. If I had known they would replace them with new ones I would have sent all 8 of mine. My press is cleaned and lubed and runs slick as glass again. Looking forward to the next 100,000+ rounds.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

That looks great!

I had a similar experience. When I went off to school, my press stayed at home in my parents garage and rusted pretty badly. When I moved out after school the press went with me and I called up Dillon and sent it in. A few weeks later, what looked like a brand new press showed up. I don’t recall paying a dime, but this was 15 years ago or more. $85 is still well worth it.

 

[flhtci06]

My 550 is 34 years old and their customer service and support is the gold standard. Wish all companies followed their example…

 

[nbkky71]

I too took advantage of that refurbished a while back, but I figured the price would have been higher than $85 nowadays.

 

[JohnFreeman]

That's great to hear and I'm glad to see it continues with Mike Dillon having died.

It's a great press.

 

[TriggerMan]

That's great to hear and I'm glad to see it continues with Mike Dillon having died.

It's a great press.

I had issues initially with the CS rep I spoke with on the phone when requesting the RMA for the return service. Steve Dillon called me from his own non company cell phone number and told me to address my press to his attention and that he would take care of it personally. We messaged each other back and forth a few times and I returned his call once on his private line. Now that's customer service. 🙂

 

[John Z]

Thanks for posting this, I have been using 550's for well over 30 years. I sent one back about 15 years ago and they returned it perfect, they would not take a dime back then, but really the $85.00 fee is worth it. Thanks Dillon for being a GREAT AMERICAN company.

 

[TriggerMan]

Thanks for posting this, I have been using 550's for well over 30 years. I sent one back about 15 years ago and they returned it perfect, they would not take a dime back then, but really the $85.00 fee is worth it. Thanks Dillon for being a GREAT AMERICAN company.

They will still fix or replace any broken or defective part free of charge. I've even used the no BS warranty in the past to replace parts that were just plain lost. This is more of a tune up service where a tech tests/checks everything at once and cleans and lubes all the parts etc. I still think this is a brand new press. Even the blue powder coating on the frame is fresh and new and brighter blue looking. I can't find a single part on this press that has not been replaced even down to the allen screws and bolts.

 

[Tim]

I haven't had my 550b out of a box since I moved 3 years ago. And probably wasn't actually used for a couple years before that. Have decided I need to start loading 9mm again, so I think I'll send it in for a tune up before going through the learning curve again. Great post, thanks.

 

[Les White]

I wish MEC did this. I checked, they'll refurb a press, but it's $65/hr plus parts.

 

[Snoopz]

I wish MEC did this. I checked, they'll refurb a press, but it's $65/hr plus parts.

You and me both...have a few grabbers and 650's

But yeah Dillon CS is top notch

-Snoopz

 

[Etruett]

I’ve got a 650 that’s about 15 years old and I’m guessing 100k rounds through it. It’s been blown up by me. Stupid mistake and 100 primers went off at once and destroyed the entire priming system. (Completely covered by warranty even though it was my fuck up). But it runs too good to send back.

 

[TriggerMan]

I’ve got a 650 that’s about 15 years old and I’m guessing 100k rounds through it. It’s been blown up by me. Stupid mistake and 100 primers went off at once and destroyed the entire priming system. (Completely covered by warranty even though it was my fuck up). But it runs too good to send back.

They will replace that priming system and pretty much everything else. You should give it a shot.

 

[Jerzsubbie]

Note to self: never sell the 650 unless it’s for another Dillon press.

Good to know. That’s an incredible value! I’ve seen some old SDB’s that would benefit from a refresh and even for a lower priced press, the $85 is still well worth it IMO.

 

[Etruett]

They will replace that priming system and pretty much everything else. You should give it a shot.

They already did. I called them the next day and told them about my mistake and how the steel sleeve probably saved my life. i sent some pictures and a parts list I thought I’d need to rebuild everything. The tec added about 15-20 parts that he thought I might need but wasn’t sure if were damaged or not. I had my card out to pay and he refused payment. Said it was under warranty. Hell it was my fault But he insisted. When the parts came a few days later, he was on the phonevwith me over an hour making sure everything was adjusted correctly and back to normal. You can’t beat their service.

 

[AR-180]

I got an old 650 from an estate sale. I loaded 10s of thousands of rounds on it. Finally, it was worn enough to be loose. I sent it in the Dillon. It came back like new. They’re a great company.

 

[Sasquatch]

Is it worth the $50 box and shipping label option to send it there?

 

[Just Tripp]

@Etruett , care to share what caused the primers to go off? I only ask because I’ve heard of this happening before and wondered what I should look out to avoid. There have been a couple times where I’ve pushed a bit seating a primer into a tight pocket and been nervous.

 

[falconew]

Note to self: never sell the 650 unless it’s for another Dillon press.

Good to know. That’s an incredible value! I’ve seen some old SDB’s that would benefit from a refresh and even for a lower priced press, the $85 is still well worth it IMO.

I definitely like my 650. I have a 750 I might sell purchased it just to process brass. But I got a pistol build that will cost a bunch of $$$

 

[Etruett]

@Etruett , care to share what caused the primers to go off? I only ask because I’ve heard of this happening before and wondered what I should look out to avoid. There have been a couple times where I’ve pushed a bit seating a primer into a tight pocket and been nervous.

I had a jam where the primers dropped from the tube into the the “wheel”’ is my best guess. it happened once before when a primer went in sideways. Like an idiot, I slammed the handle and boom about 100 went off at once. Of course it would only happen just after refilling. Wasn’t my bright move of the day

 

[falconew]

I had a friend have that on his 1050. He got his hearing back the next day. Primer rod went through the ceiling. Worst part is the 1050 does not carry the lifetime warranty so he was out that on his own.

 

[Sasquatch]

The whole primer issue has a section in the Lee reloading manual. "stacked primers" mean if one goes, you have marks on the ceiling. This is why the lee stuff doesn't stack them vertically.

 

[Sasquatch]

Is it worth the $50 box and shipping label option to send it there?

Anyone? Honestly, it doesn't seem like a bad price- shipping would be close to that and I'd have to finda good box. Only reason I might not do it is that it sounds like I should send my powder drops at the same time and don't know if their box would hold them.

 

[rodell]

I just love my Dillon stuff. Once tuned up, I can load 1,000 rounds for a prairie dog shoot pretty quickly. I picked up the primer filler, too. I didn't know that I'd like it but once adjusted it really pushes the output to not have to stop to fill tubes and do it in parallel.

The refurb service is one of the best bargains. They were going to offer a 650->750 service but I don't know that they got around to it. That would be a tough choice, as the only thing I've struggled with is the 650's priming system and the 750's uses a different method. I don't know that it is any better, reading the comments on Enos' site.

 

[Toprudder]

I just love my Dillon stuff. Once tuned up, I can load 1,000 rounds for a prairie dog shoot pretty quickly. I picked up the primer filler, too. I didn't know that I'd like it but once adjusted it really pushes the output to not have to stop to fill tubes and do it in parallel.

The refurb service is one of the best bargains. They were going to offer a 650->750 service but I don't know that they got around to it. That would be a tough choice, as the only thing I've struggled with is the 650's priming system and the 750's uses a different method. I don't know that it is any better, reading the comments on Enos' site.

The 750 uses the 550 primer system. I have no complaints with the primer system on my 550.

 

[Sasquatch]

Ok- just got my 550 back from the refurb. HUGELY happy. Simply beautiful. I can't believe it's the same press I sent them. I have my old strong mount tray and it is sad the difference in shade of blue (the press is 'happy' blue, while it was sad before).

The Shipping service was nice- I sent two powder drops in the box, and they sent it back to me in the one box and drop for the press and a second box for the other drop. Great work. Great price. Great company.

 

[TriggerMan]

Ok- just got my 550 back from the refurb. HUGELY happy. Simply beautiful. I can't believe it's the same press I sent them. I have my old strong mount tray and it is sad the difference in shade of blue (the press is 'happy' blue, while it was sad before).

The Shipping service was nice- I sent two powder drops in the box, and they sent it back to me in the one box and drop for the press and a second box for the other drop. Great work. Great price. Great company.

My press color seemed brighter also. Don't know if it was cleaned, re-finished, or swapped with a new one but it was definitely brighter blue.

 

[Amanda4461]

Thanks for the OP!
My 550B was shipped in the nice Dillon box, came back looking brand new and feeling it too. They sent an itemized list of all the replaced parts. The parts alone cost $278.50, and they shot blasted and re-powder coated the press, to boot. I did not send a powder measure, since I know a couple had been replaced a couple of years ago.
This press was given to me on my birthday back in 1995. Several hundred thousand rounds, made it slow down from wear. Each primer install required a small nudge of the shell plate to line up the primer ram with the primer pocket. The Alignment Tool that Dillon sent me for free, did help for a year or two.
The box was a good idea. The whole process was painless. Now the press appears as new, and functions as new.
Too bad Ford and Chevy won’t do this🤭

 

[2AFriend]

Anyone? Honestly, it doesn't seem like a bad price- shipping would be close to that and I'd have to finda good box. Only reason I might not do it is that it sounds like I should send my powder drops at the same time and don't know if their box would hold them.

I realize this is an old question given you replied to it back on 8/31/2023, but I'm posting this for you and others to see. IMHO, yes, it's worth the $50. Why? Well, a couple of reasons, it's the box with the padding Dillon itself uses so everything is molded "just right" for all of the main components which makes it easier to pack and send back. Also, this includes return postage AND the box with the molding has enough open spaces for other things you might want to send back to Dillon for the folks at the factory to review & examine. After you pack it, you simply drop off at your local FedEx and away she goes to the "spa in the desert" and she'll come back good as new!

 

[NC Gun Lover]

I read on another gun forum where a members house burned down and his press was ruined in the fire. He called Dillon about an estimate to rebuild it and was told he needed to send it in to be inspected. A few weeks later he received a new press free of charge as his was not fixable.

 

[vaskeet]

I had a jam where the primers dropped from the tube into the the “wheel”’ is my best guess. it happened once before when a primer went in sideways. Like an idiot, I slammed the handle and boom about 100 went off at once. Of course it would only happen just after refilling. Wasn’t my bright move of the day

My primer kaboom was a spp 45acp case mixed in when loading LPP 45acp

 

[Toprudder]

My primer kaboom was a spp 45acp case mixed in when loading LPP 45acp

I have always felt the resistance when that has happened, and backed off to find the problem.

This is one reason why I like using small primer 45acp. When I am seating small primers and a large primer case gets mixed in accidentally, no way it will go kaboom. The worst that will happen is I just end up with a round with no primer.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

My primer kaboom was a spp 45acp case mixed in when loading LPP 45acp

SPP 45 is so dumb man.

Edit: didn’t mean to imply anything @Toprudder

I just have a ton of LPP 45 brass and would hate to try to convert to SPP only.

 

[vaskeet]

I have always felt the resistance when that has happened, and backed off to find the problem.

This is one reason why I like using small primer 45acp. When I am seating small primers and a large primer case gets mixed in accidentally, no way it will go kaboom. The worst that will happen is I just end up with a round with no primer.

At the time i was loading on a lee loadmaster which prime at station 2 at the same time as it is resizing and decapping on station 1 so feel is nonexistent

 

[JRHawkeye]

Thank you for this post. Mine is 20 years old and has some rust and loose parts. I'll be sending mine in. I had no idea they offered this. I had a similar experience with Gerber on a Mark II knife...they sent me a new one!

 

[49erRider]

How did our OP get banned?

 

[Windini]

How did our OP get banned?

Something triggered him.