[357mag357]

What do you think Police agencies do with there used brass? You would think there would be a fair amount of it. I don’t know for sure but don’t police officers have to shoot a certain amount of ammo a month to stay qualified? If I went up to the front desk at my local PD and ask if I could have your once fired brass do you think they would give it to me or pull there guns on me?

[345 DeSoto]

When I was a Firearms Instructor for my Department, at first it went into the can...at least until I started reloading. After a few years, we collected it up and traded it in/sold to the place that sold us ammunition. At the Range now a days, I see Police cases all over the ground...they don't even bother picking up after themselves. Who knows...give it a try...

[WNTFW]

Once fired brass at local Police Department?
Can I have some?

357mag357,
If you don't ask you already have a no. I get a lot of brass by asking for it. It may take me offering to clean up after the other shooter or something along those lines. I have a pretty high close rate. Timing & method help. Trick is not to bother the person but get it before they sweep it forward. If they need something from you you're in. You may need to do something for the PD or range in return. Do they need target backers, cardboard or wood . . . . Always take care of the goose that lays the brass egg.

My steps are like this.
Pick up what is there if range allows
ask other shooters for their brass out right
clean up after them
do something for them
trade something for it.
If it is hot out have something cold to drink for those who give you the brass.
I give some to other reloaders locally - it always come back to you somehow.

I have way over 5 gallons of 9mm & .40

Let us know how you fare out.
Good Luck,
WNTFW

[ReloaderFred]

A lot of departments collect it and trade it in when they buy new ammunition. It depends on the department.

When I was rangemaster for our department, I loaded all the .38 practice ammunition on an Ammo Load automatic machine, but bought all the 9mm practice ammunition. I loaded an average of about 60,000 rounds of .38 a year. We bought all our duty ammunition from Winchester. The guy who took over after I got promoted didn't want to load, so he talked the department into buying all their practice ammunition and they traded the brass in.

Each department has their own policy concerning brass, and it may change with administrations, or even who is running the firearms training.

Our local department, which is a small one, used to collect all their brass and trade it, but then they got a new chief who didn't want to bother with it, so all they had on hand was given to me.

You won't know until you ask. The worst they can do is say no.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[nambu1]

At least two departments in my area have one of their own reload it.
The others are like the military, if you shoot 200 rounds, you turn in 200 empties. They trade it in for loaded ammo

[JDGray]

My local dept, sells it for scrap. They use the procedes to buy equipment:)

[Bush Pilot]

My local PD trades it back to the company that sells them their practice ammo. Someone told me they get trustees from jail to clean-up around the range (mowing lawns, brass pick-up etc...) That's what I need, some flunky to load my magazines and pick-up the brass behind me.

[Bullet]

At the range I go to there is a part for the cops. They leave their brass, I pick it up. 223 & 40S&W

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/Bullet94_2008/DSC01801.jpg

[midnights]

our department sells the brass- then that money goes for new cleaning supplies

[Halo]

How have you managed to fight off the temptation to roll around in that pile of brass?

[Code3GT]

i'd toss it all around like gold dubloons shouting "we found it!!"...but of course I wouldnt touch One Eyed Willie's share ;)

oh and to stay on topic, I dont think our PD goes to the range once out of the academy :)

[FM12]

I'm the only one in my department that reloads...when we're thru qualifying, EVERYONE has to help police up the empties, and I get them all. Usually we have between 10 and 20 shooters worth of empties, at a minimum of 50 rounds/shooter. The only trouble is that it's mostly 40S&W, and I'm into 45ACP right now, but can always swap. Sweet!

[Wildfire]

Hey there ;
I have over 10,000 rounds of .45 acp brass. Guess where I got it. Got to have freinds.
One is a purchase agent for the US Army.
One is an Instructer for the State Police.
All was once fired from fairly new guns.

[rondog]

There's just something about a 5-gallon bucket full of freshly polished brass!:cool:

[loplop]

Wildfire, can I tell you how jealous I am?? I saved my 45ACP brass for YEARS when I wasn't a reloader... Then I got into 9mm, figured I'd never handload at all, and forgot about it. I had it tied up in plastic grocery bags, in a spare bedroom.

Then I decided to get into handloading after all, and went up to get my brass. Couldn't find it? My wife had seen it sitting in the closet for 4 years and decided I didn't need it...!!!!!!!!!!! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I started fresh again this summer, but since no one around here that shoots 45 DOESN'T handload (or pick up for someone who does), it has been slim pickins. I'm up to about 500 or so now, and thought that was good.

10,000??? WOWZA!!!

[pistolero6869]

LopLop You are a good man for not being madd at you better half!!!!

[Sheldon]

Quote "How have you managed to fight off the temptation to roll around in that pile of brass?"

How do you think he lubes those cases......pour lube and roll around naked!!

[chipperi]

I asked our local sheriffs office a while back what they did with their brass. It turn out they sell it at auction a couple times a year along with seized cars etc to fund new stuff.

[loplop]

Well, pistolero, I'm sure I have done a few things here and there she could be mad at ;)

Life's too short, and I'm back to trying to find 45ACP brass!

As an aside, I saw some at a gun show yesterday for $15/250. Not a terrible price, but I really didn't know the provenance so I skipped it.

Guess I'll just be a scrounger for awhile... For shame :)

[RustyFN]

The local Sheriff and Swat team use the outdoor range that belongs to our club. They just leave the brass behind. I have picked up after them a couple of times.
Rusty

[Bitswap]

The swat teams at my range do a very good job placing the bullets in their original cases (federal match) and throwing them out. Once thrown, they don't care. But ask first.

[Walkalong]

That pic makes me jealous bullet. :evil: