MEC 600's ID

[cheese1566]

After all is said and done; doing my homework and being educated by everyone here, I went to the gunshop today and found the Mec press to be a 20 gauge! Bummer!! I did however come home with an old Pacific DL-105 with 6 assorted powder/shot bushings.


I know of a Mec reloader at a local gunshop which I now think is pretty reasonable. The foil nameplate was ripped off and I didn't take pics last week like I should have. I think it is a 600 or maybe a VersaMec.

How do I distinguish it from being a:
600 Jr (Pre 1982)
600 Jr (1982-1985)
600 Jr Mark Five (1985- present) which I doubt at this price
VersaMec (1982-1985)
700 VersaMec (Pre 1982)

They all look the same to me. I have printed parts diagrams to compare, but what are the differences and what to look for?

[oneokie]

Not a lot of difference between the 600 and the 700. My Versa Mec had the remnants of a primer feed on it. There is a difference in the decap assy's and the priming punch. But have no idea of which time period the changes were made. Parts will interchange between the 600 and 700.

[cheese1566]

Studying the parts listings and manuals, it looks like the VersaMec was a step up from the 600 during the 80's then was dropped into the 600 Mark 5. Only thing I see is maybe a different "ejector" for removing the shell from the sizer.
It looks like the difference in years (pre-1982 vs 1982-1985) in the 600 and VersaMec is the base assembly construction and how the finger wad guide is attached.

I am really only looking for a basic unit so I guess any of these will work for me.

Is there a Mec unit to shy away from in the 600's or VersaMec?

[klcarroll]

The Pre-1982 600s had metal crimp dies and a metal, multi-piece wad finger holder.

Personally, I prefer these older models; .....but all of the 600s were good, solid presses.

Kent

[oneokie]

The early models did not have the spindex crimp starter. One had to turn the hull to align the petals with the folds.