MEC 9000G -- Still a piece of junk

[Questor]

I made the changes recommended by JBMI, which include not tightening the powder and shot bottles too much, and using the aftermarket powder baffle. This helped significantly, but the press is still not reliable. I still need to remove each shell to examine it to see whether powder was dropped or the bar has jammed. I had no jams for about 175 rounds, then the bar jammed for the first time. Then in the next hundred rounds the bar jammed twice more.

I can't recommend this press to anyone. Mine has been nothing but trouble. I prefer my Sizemaster because it's a reliable press.

[SHOOTIST TOO]

I have Mec 9000G,s in 12,20,16 and 28. I loaded about 75,000 rounds thru my 12 ga. untill it started screwing up and I can,t get it working good again. The others are a little touchy at times. I bought 12 and 20 Ponsness Warren and there is no comparison. The 12 ga. has a auto casefeed and is very fast. I like the Mec,s for the money. You might consider calling the company for advise and possibly send it back for adjusting. I know it is always a pain to have to send something like that back.

[SHOOTIST TOO]

Do you have the rubber and thin brass washer under the bottle ? I never had the problem you discribed with mine.

[JoeG52]

The only time I had trouble like that is when I used a powder like 296 / 110. I use the brass & rubber washers under both bottles & screw them down tight, no powder baffle. That seems to have cured it for me. Also, when I am done loading for the day I leave the press with no tension on the charge bar return spring. Put an empty case under the shot drop tube because you’ll forget that and dump shot when you start up again.

[.45 COLT]

A lot of guys that had problems with the 9000 (and Grabber) have solved it by adding a little tension to the return spring. It just involves adding a couple of washers at the charge bar. Was written up on ShotgunWorld.com.

DC

[Questor]

Well, I'm quite dissatisfied and will have to try the added-tension-with-washers option. I had a batch of about 500 rounds, and things started off good with the new powder baffle, and slightly loosening the bottles. But by the time I got to about round 300, it was as bad as ever. I'm using Red Dot and #8 magnum shot. Could hardly be more standard than that.

I'm determined to get this thing reliable, so I guess I'll have to write it up when it all starts to work out for me.

[JoeG52]

Some people prefer the baffles and loosen the bottles. I prefer no baffles and tighten the bottles really tight with the brass and rubber washers under both bottles. I also use a little more spring tension using washers. One last thing is to release the tension on the spring when done loading for the day by placing an empty shell under the powder drop and working the handle, then dumping the powder back in the bottle. Then put the empty shell under the shot drop. The first time you don’t do that and forget to do it when you start up will show you why that is important.

[wild willy]

Are you watching to make sure the bar lock is not hanging up I have a older 9000 got it when they first came out worked fine.I didn't use it for a couple years when I started using it again did about the same as yours the auto cycle had got out of adjustment

[Questor]

It's actually the bar itself, the lock is fine.

[perrytrails]

I don't know if I can help you but here goes! Ha.

When I have a bar jamming its always been shot, for me anyway. Again these have been my issues, but the shot will get stuck or pinched between the bar and chome housing and it will actually shave lead. The key here for me was the rubber ring, leave it in on the shot side, no brass ring on the shot side either. DO NOT REMOVE the rubber insert on you charge bar, leave it there. That is if your charge bar has one!

That red powder baffle is great for powder trouble, use it by its self only, without the rubber ring and without the brass ring. Also I had no luck with the metal powder baffle, some do, I didn't. That red one is 6 bucks well spent. No leaking powder with even the finest grains, for me anyway.

Again leave the rubber ring in on the shot side, screw bottles in until you feel it touching, thats tight enough.

Last but not least call mec and talk to a tech. There is alot going on with each pull of the handle, and at first its hard to know what to do to adjust and fine tune if you have trouble. Mec helped me a bunch when I purchased my 9000, it was my first shotshell press going progressive from the get go!!! No regrets here. I do have a 600 jr now also for hunting loads, I like it alot too.

Once my 9000g dialed in I was crankin, shell, wad, pull handle and watch primer drop. Shell, wad, pull handle and watch primer drop, etc etc..... I like to reload as much as I like to shoot, and I like to tinker with stuff but it can be frustrating at times, you'll get it dialed in.

My 2 cents, take it or leave it.  

[rbwillnj]

I agree, call MEC and talk to a Tech.  They are excellent.   When you call them, make sure you are standing in front of your machine and everything is ready to start loading.