FA Hand Held Depriming Tool – More Useful Than You Imagined
Introduction:
The die cast aluminum Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Depriming Tool is an instrument I didn’t think was necessary… until I used it. It is very solid feeling and features their 3 piece Universal Collet System. Operated by hand, you can deprime your spent brass in just 4 easy steps. No need to set up your press and reset your dies, just to deprime a few (or a few hundred) pieces of brass!
Everything to get the job done with this sturdy handheld depriming system is fully included. It will even collect the spent primers in a catch tube to help keep your work space clean and tidy. The catch tube is detachable, so you can empty it when appropriate and dispose of the contaminants properly!
You will want to dump the catch tube when it is around half full. This will prevent them from starting to fall back and out of the tool when orientated in certain directions.
Frankford Arsenal’s Universal Collet System handles brass cases as small as .20 caliber, and all the way up to .338 Lapua Magnum sized cases. I was even able to get some cases as large as 450 Nitro Express to fit – once having taken the collets out completely!
The Platinum Series Hand Deprimer makes quick work of pistol brass, and military crimped primers are somewhat easily removed. By that, I mean, it has plenty of leverage to remove the crimped primers.
I will admit, however, after several dozen crimped 7.62×51 NATO cases, my wrists will start to hurt. That is most likely due to the sudden shock-wave sent through the handle after the crimped primers finally pop loose. Conversely, you can deprime 38 Special or other low pressure rounds all day long and not know the difference.
Features:
- Works for pistol and rifle cases
- Handles small 20 caliber cases, as well as 338 Lapua Magnum and similar
- Spring-loaded handle automatically returns depriming collet to starting position
- Easily remove deprimed cases with Auto-Ejecting Case Holder
- Detachable spent primer catch tube helps keep work space neat and orderly
Handiness:
What can’t be overstate here, is the handiness of the FA Platinum Series Hand Depriming Tool. It is ultra portable – you won’t be tethered to your bench while doing the simple task of depriming. You can work from the couch, coffee table, office, etc., and still get to watch the game, or binge watch something on YouTube.
I always keep mine near the bench while working on just about any reloading project. You never know when an unfired primer might need saved from questionable reloads, brass of unknown origin or condition, or pulled ammunition. You can find some weird things at gun shows during times of shortage!
If you’re ever uncertain, just pull it, and start over with known components. Your rifle and limbs aren’t worth a 10 cent primer and 25 cents worth of Varget smashed underneath the also questionable, de-milled, out of spec, distorted, inconsistently shaped Full Metal Jackets you also got from Gun Show Bob for “A REALLY SWEET DEAL” during the last election cycle.
Anyways, another thing I really enjoy about the Hand Depriming Tool, but didn’t actually notice it until months into using it, I only had been using one collet the entire time, and never had a single issue with the cases I reload. You might have a difference experience if you’re switching between 25 ACP and 450 NE (no collet installed, as stated above). But, all of my boring NATO / mainstream / long-action hunting and plinking cartridges have never required me to change from the only collet that actually came with the package – that’s right, I only received one of three!
Initial Review:
Final Thoughs:
Long story short, you’ll end up using the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Depriming Tool more than you think you would. It is handy, durable, and portable. I have done thousands more cases with this device than I ever imagined possible. Some of the paint has chipped off, and there are other indications of having been heavily relied on for a few years of constant use, but the cast aluminum is still holding up strong.
Mine is always near the reloading bench when I’m working on a project. Mixed range brass can sometimes lead to questionable situations where it is best to just remove the primer and toss the brass.
If you prefer wet tumbling, this perfectly compliments that brass prep operation. It allows you to deprime before tumbling, thus getting pristine and clean primer pockets, as well as helping them dry more quickly with enhanced air flow through your cases. That also helps to prevents water droplets from hiding inside your bottleneck cases and causing an issue further down the reloading process if not allowed to completely dry.
So, whether you’re just starting out on your reloading journey, or a 40 year pro, you’re bound to find many uses for the robust Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Depriming Tool.
