Mcarso1
Well-Known Member
Debating on an upgrade from my Hornady classic, really had my heart set on Forester but nobody has one or knows when they will. MEC was second choice, should I go with it or wait it out? Thoughts?
Forester coax or MEC
- Thread starter Mcarso1
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User4302021
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I have a Forster and have had it for about 15 years now. I bought a MEC a few months ago.
I have been using the MEC exclusively since I got it to see if I still need my Co-ax. I got the stand to use with the MEC and wouldn't want to be without it. I haven't found anything that the MEC won't do yet.
I have been using the MEC exclusively since I got it to see if I still need my Co-ax. I got the stand to use with the MEC and wouldn't want to be without it. I haven't found anything that the MEC won't do yet.
Mcarso1
Well-Known Member
Glad to hear that, thanks for the feedback.
Patriot007
Well-Known Member
I use a Forster Co-Ax. And yes, I know the pain of acquiring one. It was a pain getting one when the demand wasn't so demanding. It's still the best $275.00 I've ever spent on a press. If you can wait, wait it out. Your call.
Kansaswoodguy
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- Aug 26, 2014
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- 773
I have a Forster Co-ax and it is a good press. I have no experience with a MEC
Savage 12BVSS
Well-Known Member
I would be interested to know how many reloader's in the market for a Co-Ax press wait and look and wait and look........eventually buy another press and move on. I waited almost a year and never could find a new one to buy, maybe it works for being able to sell them for retail and have a line waiting to order when they finally appear. For me I just went ahead and bought one of the other two of my choice's and didn't look back. The mec and summit were the other two and with the quality straight cartridges they produce and features, I would say I made a good choice. Good Luck with your press search 
Kmccord
Well-Known Member
I got tired of waiting for Forster CO-AX to come back in stock, I went with the Frankford Arsenal M Press, since it was the closest thing to a Forster, I love the speed to switch out dies and no shell holder needed. I never owned the Mec, but if you want to see it unboxed and put to use, Ultimate Reloader has a video on it, Gavin breaks it down pretty good to show you everything you would need to know.
Mcarso1
Well-Known Member
I considered the Frankford but was concerned with quality , what's your thoughts on materials and such?
I have used several presses and when it became time to replace I bought a MEC and have never looked back. I have reloaded for 50 years and imho its one of the best for concentricity and ease of use. So what if it is a single stage, well built and so smoooooth, keep it clean and it will last for as long as u need it to.
Kmccord
Well-Known Member
I like it a lot, it is very good quality, heavier than the Forster press, nothing but great for me. The dies and shell holder floats, changing dies is as fast as moving a Turret head, the primer catch is very clean and I have heard will hold around 100 spent primers. The only thing is it doesn't have a primer seater, I purchased the Frankford Hand primer and glad I did, it is adjustable for seating depth. The only issue you will have is with Hornady Match grade adjustable seating die hitting the handle, Redding adjustable Micro seating dies fit fine, the Forster Ultra Micro Seating die is fatter than normal dies and require some adjustments to make it work. That is the only bad thing I can say about the press. Others do not like having to purchase the die blocks, bit with the Forster you will need to purchase the Forster rings to make it work as designed.
Kmccord
Well-Known Member
@Mcarso1 if you are serious about the Frankford Arsenal M Press, they are on sale at Midway for 149.00, this is over half the cost of the Forster. Forgot to ad the Light that comes with it is very nice.
www.midwayusa.com
Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Press
The Frankford Arsenal Single Stage reloading press was designed from the ground up to provide years of heavy duty service. The center mounted handle on...
www.midwayusa.com
SavageHunter11
Well-Known Member
From what I've read here, and other places as well, the Frankford Arsenal might look visually similar to the Co-Ax but functionally they are completely different in how the ram is used. Whether that means the Frankford is inferior or not to the Co-Ax, I am not sure but it appears the two work differently@Mcarso1 if you are serious about the Frankford Arsenal M Press, they are on sale at Midway for 149.00, this is over half the cost of the Forster. Forgot to ad the Light that comes with it is very nice.
Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Press
The Frankford Arsenal Single Stage reloading press was designed from the ground up to provide years of heavy duty service. The center mounted handle on...
