Spent primers and Dillon 550

Has anyone else experienced an issue where the 'split ramp' which is supposed to catch the spent primer decides not to open up on the upstroke (dropping the spent primer on the floor - which is an irritation) or worse, decides to open up late/not all the way (which tends to drop the spent one into the machine - to be found a few operations later when somethings stops working). It seems that the split pin that acts as the pivot gets moved around with the opening/closing and sometime just locks into place.

I love my Dillon but this really seems like a poor design.

Have one of the Steve Bathj's of the world devised an alternate and more reliable mechanism?

Funny, after three years and 15,000 plus rounds mine just started doing the same thing.

eventually I think the little hole that the cotter key goes through get worn enough to start hanging.. my old 550 does this but my new one does not.

I may try a real solid shaft bolt and a bit larger hole on my old one to see if that fixes mine

Made my own pin.  Stopped sticking.  Occasionally still misses a primer; I guess that's what brooms are for.

I use a "safety pin" which I cut both ends.  push it through the hole and bend up both ends.  Has worked for me with NO primers missing the cup.  Read where some just use a carter pin" (very small) but cut and bend also for good results. YMMV

Well, as an interim (and possibly longer) solution a carpentry finishing nail seems to be an excellent fit and indeed did 200 rounds with no missed primers. Funny how these little things can become so annoying over time :-)

The finishing nail is a good "temporary" fix....going on about 5 years now, but I also keep a box with an old towel centered under my press for the occasional sticky ramp or stiff finger.  I can't eliminate the problems but I can control them.

I used a paper clip - had a box on hand for taking down 1911s and kept meaning to replace it with something permanent. Funny, I forgot until reading this thread.

yes, it gets gummy, wears, etc: you have many successful suggestions..

I tried replacing the cotter pin, with one I had laying around, after mine did the same thing. It was a hair larger in diameter and made the problem worse. I ordered a couple new ones from Dillon and problem solved. Works like a charm now.