Lee Challenger Toggle Swap

garybritt · June 11, 2016, 03:58 AM

Got around and changed the toggle on the old press with the new steel linkage. Mine never broke, but I figured it'd be better to replace it in case it would. Most people probably already know you can do this, but perhaps there's a few that don't. In any event, here's some pics.

Parts list:
OF3221 - Ram Pin Step
OF3609 - 1 3/16 Steel Washer
FO2113 - 1 1/4 5/16-18 Bolt
OF3613 - Lever Clamp
OF2853 - BL Challenger Toggle

Not Needed (but pictured):
TP2117 - Link Bolt 3/8X24
FB1181 - Nut 3/8X24

m&p45acp10+1 · June 11, 2016, 04:53 AM

I bought a brand new one that the toggle was broken right out of the box. Upon getting ahold of Lee cutomer service was told I had pay to ship the broken part to them, or pay a $15 fee to have it shipped to me. I took it back to the store. Was given a refund. Will not buy any of their presses ever again. I refuse to do business with any company that makes the consumers pay for their QC mistakes.

Though that is nice. I would put it on my old Challenger press if I had not given it to a friend to get him started with reloading.

Mobuck · June 11, 2016, 07:24 AM

I've been through 1/2 dozen Challenger presses and really don't see the need to replace the formed/welded toggle. The early linkages were poor and wore quickly but the later ones wear out other places before the toggle. In fact,I bought a couple of the early presses that the owner was selling due to a broken cast toggle and replaced the broken parts with take-offs(formed/welded) from presses that had other problems. In these cases, the toggle outlasted one press and is still working well on another.

mdemetz · June 11, 2016, 07:25 AM

Does part OF2853 - BL Challenger Toggle include both halves or do you need to order 2?

June 11, 2016, 03:58 AM	#1
garybritt Junior Member Join Date: June 10, 2016 Posts: 5	Lee Challenger Toggle Swap Got around and changed the toggle on the old press with the new steel linkage. Mine never broke, but I figured it'd be better to replace it in case it would. Most people probably already know you can do this, but perhaps there's a few that don't. In any event, here's some pics. Parts list: OF3221 - Ram Pin Step OF3609 - 1 3/16 Steel Washer FO2113 - 1 1/4 5/16-18 Bolt OF3613 - Lever Clamp OF2853 - BL Challenger Toggle Not Needed (but pictured): TP2117 - Link Bolt 3/8X24 FB1181 - Nut 3/8X24

June 11, 2016, 04:53 AM	#2
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I bought a brand new one that the toggle was broken right out of the box. Upon getting ahold of Lee cutomer service was told I had pay to ship the broken part to them, or pay a $15 fee to have it shipped to me. I took it back to the store. Was given a refund. Will not buy any of their presses ever again. I refuse to do business with any company that makes the consumers pay for their QC mistakes. Though that is nice. I would put it on my old Challenger press if I had not given it to a friend to get him started with reloading. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

June 11, 2016, 07:24 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I've been through 1/2 dozen Challenger presses and really don't see the need to replace the formed/welded toggle. The early linkages were poor and wore quickly but the later ones wear out other places before the toggle. In fact,I bought a couple of the early presses that the owner was selling due to a broken cast toggle and replaced the broken parts with take-offs(formed/welded) from presses that had other problems. In these cases, the toggle outlasted one press and is still working well on another.

June 11, 2016, 07:25 AM	#4
mdemetz Member Join Date: September 23, 2009 Posts: 73	Does part OF2853 - BL Challenger Toggle include both halves or do you need to order 2?