Arsenal Molds Experience

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Arsenal Molds Experience - Good/Bad/Ugly... Looking at a 5 cav aluminum .32 caliber 98 Gr. SWC RCBS CLONE BULLET to the feed the (soon) to be 4 32 revolvers (2x 32 L an 32 WCFs). $16 less than NOE, which almost covers the handles. Arsenal vs NOE?
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
My understanding is that Arsenal was the original manufacturer for NOE until Al got his own shop set up.
I haven’t seen any bad reviews on them.

That bullet from an NOE mould shoots very well for me in my Ruger 32 H&R.
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Thanx Brad. Just picked up a S&W HE 5" 32 WCF. added to the 4" Colt PPS 32 WCF and S&W Reg Police 32 L. Prob going to spring for a mint Colt PPS 4" in 32 L as well. Figure this is the one best mold/bullet for all. And a 5 cav will DEF help the feeding issues!
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
My son-in-law bought one. Without the makers' logos doubt I could tell the difference between Arsenal and NOE. Selection is limited, but pricing is certainly attractive. If they had a design I needed, I wouldn't hesitate to buy.
 

gman

Well-Known Member
Like Brad my Ruger loves that bullet and it’s from NOE’s mold. I do have an Arsenal mold and it cast very well. I’ve had zero issues with it.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
The RCBS-32-98-SWC works in any 32 caliber handgun that will fit and feed it. You might find that your 32/20 fixed-sight revolvers will hit closer to where the sights look with 115-120 grain bullets, but they won't be far off shooting the 100 grainers.
 

Maven

Well-Known Member
Late to the thread, but I ordered an Arsenal mold last winter (http://arsenalmolds.com/products?product_id=88) and was very impressed by the speed of deliver and its casting quality: It is easily the equal of an LBT or NOE mold. Yesterday, I shot twenty rounds from each of my .357mag. revolvers (Ruger BH & DW Mod. ?) @ 10 yd. for "record" at an indoor range and was quite happy with that CB's performance.
 

mattw

Active Member
I have one, the 9mm 124 TC in a 5 cavity. I like it, but like all other aluminum moulds... I wish it was steel. It casts well, but I have to run it frosty. It is not the best a letting go of bullets, couple of light wacks on the handle bolt is required to get them all out.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I bought an aluminum Arsenal Mould last winter, looking for a light(er) 44 RFN with a wider meplat than what I saw at NOE. Or maybe what I wanted wasn't in stock at NOE, anyway, I was looking for something like the LEE 200 grain RFN but wasn't in the mood to gamble on whether it would be big enough. I'm shooting a couple 44 Specials with .433"+ throats.

No waiting - it was made and ready to go. Excellent mould all the way 'round. The price made me suspicious - $78 for a 4C, but it's a solid, no-fuss mould which casts easily and big enough around with any alloy of questionable lineage I've poured into it. This is one of the least particular moulds I have owned and is very forgiving of alloy or mould temp, which I don't understand but I don't question either.

I didn't get all the oil off with real brake cleaner before the first casting session and had to try that again, but a good scrub in the sink with Dawn and a boiling water rinse did the trick. I think his site says they're ready to cast with, or "no cleaning needed" but what effort it took wasn't enough to warrant an actual complaint.

I'd buy another without hesitation.
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
If I could borrow the thread for a moment; this mold caught my attention
http://arsenalmolds.com/products?product_id=193

The description says it is a boat tail- design, but the illustration seems to show a gas check design (which is what I would be interested in). Have sent mail by the contact form, ny response yet (they’re probably busy, I don’t blame them :)).
Could anyone enlighten me here; could I just specify in my order I want a conventional gas check design?
 

Ian

Notorious member
Stooooopid tapered gas check shanks. Why that's still a thing boggles my mind.
 

Reloader762

Active Member
I usually buy NOE when Al has what I want in stock but after waiting about a year the mold I wanted pretty much went out of production for the new and improved versions of the Ranch Dog .311" 170 gr. FN bullet, I like the old version better. I picked up a 4 cavity at Arsenal with two plain base and two gas check cavities http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=84

I've had no problems with the mold and it cast great bullet and you can beat the price even after shipping for a 4 cavity. Here are some of the plain base bullets I cast and powder coated for my 30-30 and 30-06 plinker loads. I will buy again.
eW3tsYB.jpg
 

HHD WV

Member
I agree with all of these favorable comments about Arsenal molds. You can design your own mold there also, I believe. Haven’t done that yet, but will soon. Quality is the same as NOE or Accurate as far as I can tell. Harles
 
I have 3 arsenals, quality is same as NOE. Now has 20% off thru today but I don't see that bullet on NOE. c51c9f55 is the code but sale ends today and had to be in stock.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I have 3 arsenals, quality is same as NOE. Now has 20% off thru today but I don't see that bullet on NOE. c51c9f55 is the code but sale ends today and had to be in stock.

Gee, thanks a lot, redrider.

I literally JUST finished unsubscribing to to several vendors' promotional e-mails before logging on here.

The temptation was getting to me and I was trying to not know about things like this.

However, 20% off an Arsenal mould, on top of already really good prices - should make for a Merry Christmas for someone!:D
 
I have 3 arsenals, quality is same as NOE. Now has 20% off thru today but I don't see that bullet on NOE. c51c9f55 is the code but sale ends today and had to be in stock.
Gee, thanks a lot, redrider.

I literally JUST finished unsubscribing to to several vendors' promotional e-mails before logging on here.

The temptation was getting to me and I was trying to not know about things like this.

However, 20% off an Arsenal mould, on top of already really good prices - should make for a Merry Christmas for someone!:D
The 20% was on NOE molds, spell check changed NOE to now! I haven't ever seen a discount code for arsenal.