I did want to take a moment to address one aspect of this review. You have probably read countless reviews where a person who claims to be some sort of “expert” provides you with their opinion of why one product is better than another. The truth is that you don’t know anything about this person and there really isn’t any reason for you to trust them.
The reason I bring this up is because I want you to understand I don’t have any dog in this race. I’m not paid by any company to promote a particular product. In fact, I’m not paid to write this review. I am a person who has been a gun enthusiast for almost 5 decades and I am just sharing with you my knowledge, the same kind of information friends and family asked me all the time.
7 Best Hand Priming Tools on the Market
Preview | Hand Priming Tool | Category | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | #1 RCBS 90201 Universal Hand Priming Tool | Best Universal Hand Priming Tool | ||
![]() | #2 Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool | Best Handheld Depriming Tool | ||
![]() | #3 RCBS 9460 Auto Priming Tool | Best Automatic Priming Tool | ||
![]() | #4 LEE PRECISION 90700, Auto Bench Priming Tool | Best Bench Mount Priming Tool | ||
![]() | #5 Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Primer | Most Perfect Seating Primer | ||
![]() | #6 LEE PRECISION 90230 New Auto Prime Hand Priming Tool | Best Budget Hand Priming Tool | ||
![]() | #7 LEE PRECISION Ergo Prime | Most Ergonomic Hand Priming Tool |
#7 LEE PRECISION Ergo Prime – Most Ergonomic Hand Priming Tool

- Fantastic design that is easy to hold
- The most comfortable hand primer on the market
- Long-lasting and portable, and comes at a great price
- Can handle any size cartridges
- Would be more durable if it did not use plastic
- Shell holders not included
- Some find the older version to be a better model
This primer is well designed to easily fit within your hand, no matter how big or small your hand may be, and contours to your fingers to make the lever easy to control. Plus, you can use it with either hand with the same kind of efficiency.
Included is a folding primer tray as well as a small and a large adapter. The coated metal body is made for durability and protection, and the polished chrome lever gives it a sharp look. Plus, it easily fits into your pocket so you can take it with you anywhere you need to go.
It does not require any tools for you to be able to change the primer size. All you have to do is remove the shell holder and swap your primer adapters and you are ready for the next cartridge. The shell holders required are specific to this particular tool, but they are not expensive. They are not included with the tool.
This is the most comfortable primer you could possibly use. The handle is made to be sensitive, making it so that not much pressure is needed to be able to activate the hand tool.
#6 LEE PRECISION 90230 New Priming Tool – Best Budget Hand Priming Tool

- A quality product that is built for portability and durability
- Extremely safe and reliable to use, and allows you to add primer quickly and easily
- Works with all brands of primers
- Built to provide a minimal chance of primer detonation
- Plastic parts are a little cheap in look
- You must use your thumb to operate which can become tiresome after continual use
This is a handheld model, which is easy to grip and allows you to be able to prime your cartridge with a simple push of your thumb. It is easy to grip and to take with you, making it a fantastic product. However, it is also quite durable so you can count on it to do the job for you wherever you go.
This primer has been designed to work with every brand of primer and has a patent pending on their “elevator pin” which allows you to separate a single primer safely from the tray, reducing any likelihood that the tray will have detonation.
This auto prime uses the same kind of body and shell holders that their original product contained, but every other component has been improved. This was a nice upgrade by the company, which provided a curved lever and a large triangular tray that makes it easy to use and except all brands of primer boxes. Truly a remarkable little product.