# Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press (Frankford Arsenal) and Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press (Lyman) among reloading presses. Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press is the cheaper of the two at $99.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press | Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $281.99 | $99.95 |
| Brand | Frankford Arsenal | Lyman |
| Press type | single stage, co-axial | single stage |
| Number of stations | 1 | 1 |
| RAM diameter (in) | — | 1 |
| Rounds per hour | — | — |
| Priming system | off-press, not integrated (separate priming tool required) | off-press, separate priming tool required |
| Frame material | cast iron with dual guide rods | cast iron frame, other components steel |
| Shellplate turret compatibility | universal dial-adjustable shell holder (no separate shell holders needed); 3 included interchangeable die blocks; free-floating co-axial die/shellholder alignment | standard 7/8-14 threaded dies and standard shell holders; 3-7/8 in. press opening accommodates cartridges up to 3.700 in. loaded length |
| Mounting footprint | bench-mount | compact bench-mount, central ambidextrous handle position |

## Key differences

- Press type: Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press single stage, co-axial vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press single stage
- Priming system: Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press off-press, not integrated (separate priming tool required) vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press off-press, separate priming tool required
- Frame material: Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press cast iron with dual guide rods vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press cast iron frame, other components steel
- Shellplate turret compatibility: Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press universal dial-adjustable shell holder (no separate shell holders needed); 3 included interchangeable die blocks; free-floating co-axial die/shellholder alignment vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press standard 7/8-14 threaded dies and standard shell holders; 3-7/8 in. press opening accommodates cartridges up to 3.700 in. loaded length
- Mounting footprint: Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press bench-mount vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press compact bench-mount, central ambidextrous handle position

## Sources

- Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press: https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/presses-and-scales/presses/reloading-presses/m-press-coaxial-reloading-press/1097879.html (frankfordarsenal.com, verified 2026-08-11)
- Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press: https://www.lymanproducts.com/ideal-press-universal-stand (lymanproducts.com, verified 2026-08-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/reloading-presses/frankford-arsenal-m-press-vs-lyman-brass-smith-ideal/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial Single Stage Reloading Press ($281.99) vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press ($99.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/reloading-presses/frankford-arsenal-m-press-vs-lyman-brass-smith-ideal/
License: CC BY 4.0.