Like the title says I have an old 12 gauge Mec 400 Super Speeder. It is missing part number 448-12, the crimping sleeve. I am well aware that these were designed for the old paper shotgun shells but Mec came out with an add on piece that was a crimp starter so you could use the plastic hulls. I have that part so I'm good there. But I'm missing the crimping sleeve to finish the crimp. A quick google search leads me to believe that the crimping sleeve is a common missing part with these old reloaders and Mec no longer makes them. If no one knows where I could find one, does anyone know where I would find the specs on this part so I could try to have one made? Anyone have one that I could borrow to have the local machine shop copy?

If not anyone know where I could find a used 12 gauge Mec that isn't missing parts for under $50.

Sounds like you need to haunt the local gunstores and places that supply trap&skeet shooters.

Here is a link to a local store out here, they have piles of spare parts and older machines that folks have traded in.
Maybe worth a shot :)

http://www.phillipswholesale.net/

Well I called MEC and they no longer offer any support or parts for that reloader.  They also do not have design specs on how to make one.  I find it kind of odd that they do not have the dimensions of a part, even an old one.  But they did refer me to a company in Missouri that keeps old parts.  I'll check with them.  

I did have another thought,  Could the final crimp die from a different model of reloader or even a different brand of reloader be used to replace the one on my current press (one that doesn't need an extra sleeve to support the shell)?

Not knowing that specific model, I wonder if you could use one from the MEC 600, or possibly modify it to fit?

Good luck with your search.


Crimp Assembly