Ways to Minimize Brass Loss: Indoor Range

Go to the indoor range near closing time. The one I go to, the people manning it really love it when I sweep up the range brass.
Picking up the range brass off the floor from just that day as opposed to digging in the brass bin I usually end up with mostly one head stamp per caliber, what ever is cheapest for sale at the range that day.

I step back so the muzzle of whatever I am shooting is even with the firing line. Most of the brass bounces off the lane enclosure and bounces behind me. Using the far left lane helps too.

1. Shoot a revolver
2. I see handheld brass catchers listed on the internet, I have several, they take some getting used to, but when you find your comfortable spot
they are pretty effective and not distracting.
3. I have seen plans over the years of various home-built standing units. Installing the basket at an angle keeps brass from bouncing out.

Take a step back so your gun is behind the firing line. I’ve noticed a lot of people try and stick the gun down range so your as close to the target as possible I guess. With guns that fling brass forward I’ve even taken another step back…. I’ve never told that I’m too far back and one of the ranges I frequent has a guy that enjoys pointing out any infraction.

Stand on the left side of the booth and aim for the middle or right hand side of the target stand. If you’re holding the gun at a slight angle the brass should be more likely to fling at an angle and end up behind the firing line.

Obviously do this using common sense and nothing to the extreme that will cause a risk to others.

I have a net that goes onto my hand, works pretty well.

Not too $$ and very portable. Doesn't catch all of the brass, but most of it and if it doesn't catch it at least it will stop it from flying far when it bounces off of it. Think I got it off of ebay a while back for $20 or so.

BLACKHAWKNJ said:

1. Shoot a revolver
2. I see handheld brass catchers listed on the internet, I have several, they take some getting used to, but when you find your comfortable spot
they are pretty effective and not distracting.
3. I have seen plans over the years of various home-built standing units. Installing the basket at an angle keeps brass from bouncing out.

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I do all these. This is my latest version...

sparkyv said:

I do all these. This is my latest version...

View attachment 1103931

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Did you buy that or make it?
When I read this thread earlier this was what I thought of but, for the life of me, couldn't remember where I saw it.

Graco Models Catch It Mk II
https://gracomodels.com/picatinny.html

Y-T71 said:

Did you buy that or make it?
When I read this thread earlier this was what I thought of but, for the life of me, couldn't remember where I saw it.

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I simply pick up what didn't go over the firing line, and I ask other fellow range dewlers in lines next to me if I can have the brass that they plan on dumping. That, or I usually offer to sweep their brass up if they don't plan on keeping it they're done shooting.

I typically get more than or just about what what I loss over the firing line, and sometimes I get other calibers I did not shoot like 380, .40, 45acp, etc. It all works itself out.

I guess it depends on the range too. I always ask beforehand if I can pick up my brass. Haven't asked about picking up others' brass but sometimes the guy next to me will ask if I want his too. I imagine 5 gal. buckets of spent brass brings in a pretty penny. I also stand at the firing line, and not in front of it.

Bennj said:

I guess it depends on the range too. I always ask beforehand if I can pick up my brass. Haven't asked about picking up others' brass but sometimes the guy next to me will ask if I want his too. I imagine 5 gal. buckets of spent brass brings in a pretty penny. I also stand at the firing line, and not in front of it.

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I never had to get permission to pick up my own brass at any range, and if I was told I couldn't, I'd pick up MY brass and would never come back. Has anyone ever told you that you couldn't?

I know some competition shooting sports don't allow it. I am fine with that because it takes up time away from other shooers, and from what I heard, the guys that volunteer to set everything up and take everything down usually gets to keep it.

The indoor range that I frequent does keep brass swept forward of the line but doesn’t mind folks picking up their own. Those that do collect their brass do stand back a bit so it bounces off the divider and (sort of) stays in their lane.

I once noticed I was standing pretty far forward so my brass was flying into the lane to my right, annoying that shooter. I apologized and stepped back a foot and it hit the divider. (I also have been peppered by brass from a neighboring lane while shooting so I realized what I was doing.)

(I also shoot a lot of rimfire and revolvers, so I am not as worried about where my brass ends up.)

At outdoor ranges with more room (or no dividing walls) I have seen some guys make a pvc frame and use a canvas tarp and bungee cords to stop brass from sailing away. One guy said he tried both a mesh net and a plastic tarp, but both ended up melting to hot brass that was caught so he switched to canvas.

Stay safe.

I usually go first thing in the morning, middle of the week so only one or two others shooting. On the times it's been crowded, some don't like people chasing brass behind them. Only one range has a habit of going to each lane and sweeping the brass into the target area before you can pick it up. Only went there once. Another place will push it over to me if it's what I'm shooting, so it depends. My cousin is a locksmith and even collects the shavings from making keys.

I have shot on several ranges that state that all brass that falls on the floor is their property, so I shoot only revolvers or 22s there.
A good point on how hot brass can melt plastic tarps or mesh.

When I started reloading, I quickly tired of the brass-chasing, and I developed a taste for revolvers. They tend to be more accurate, don't throw brass, and shoot harder for barrel length. (since they don't include the chamber in the barrel length figure, like autos do)

After playing some real-life self-defense scenarios in my head, revolver capacity or reloading time is not likely to be an issue, but being too close to an attacker might be, and that's one area where revolvers shine.

When I shoot autos now, I notice they throw the brass back and to my right, so I just move left so it hits the wall and falls down right behind me. I go back and pick up my brass right after a mag or two, before someone steps on or kicks it. If I moved back, like some here say they do, it would be WAY behind me and right. (thinking of my Springer XD-45 Tactial) I shoot probably 75% revolvers now, with the other 25% being split between rifles and auto pistols.

I've used the heavy duty "pet proof" window/sliding door screen to rig up catchers...no melting...I think it may contain fiberglass or something like that. I had a bit of it 'cause I replaced a screen door size panel when a squirrel chewed through the original...that was also the "pet proof' stuff. That squirrel isn't around anymore.

I only pick up .45 brass and everything behind the line within reasonable distance to my stall is mine. Not many shooting .45s these days with the less recoil movement. I do shoot a lot of revolvers so no worries there...

I don’t do indoor ranges anymore but I do have a fold up laundry bag in the mail box of supplies on the bench at the farm, that’s simple and works.



Folds up pretty small and I put it in a zip lock bag, along with extra zip locks to bag the dirty brass for the trip back home.



I just set it on the bench and put a box of ammo in it so it doesn’t blow around, if it’s windy.

At home I generally just use a pool net but I keep the tripod setup by the back door of the shop.

I have never been to an indoor range. Much too far to one to even consider going for me. I do know that I would not use a range that would steal my brass as that is what they are doing when you can't pickup what you paid for. I know, it's their range and their rules but my rule is if I paid for it it's mine and mine alone unless I offer it to you as a gift.

Revolvers are no problem.
My 2 Glock 34’s deposit brass nicely on the floor right next to me slightly back. My Glock 45 really launches the brass like crazy. I usually only get about 1/4 of my brass back from shooting that one. It used to bother me. Now I get what I can and move on.

Years ago I tried a net made by Caldwell for catching the brass from my 1911’s. It worked okay but I noticed my aim was off at 10 yards when I used the net. To hit the bullseye I was compensating for the net when I was aiming. Something to keep in mind.

I built one from window screen also. I made a wood frame with wing nuts to block above as well. The main purpose was saving Makarov brass which flies like a woodcock, goes straight up then into the next county. It catches 95% of the brass and drops it on the table or floor near me.

My local pistol range I would describe as either covered outdoor or open air indoor. They have a “pick up your brass only” rule, but with 9 mm luger I consider it a “take a penny, leave a penny” affair. If I shoot 50 I usually pick up 60 of which 40 are mine and somehow despite my best efforts one is a 380 and one is a 40.

Of course if it’s a slow day and you’re friendly with the range staff, they might just sweep whatever’s lying around for you.

A lot of the bullseye guys at my range use this thing or something homemade that looks like it.
https://www.cm-machine.com/Ultimate-Brass-Catcher-optional-20-stem-_p_50.html

Not cheap but if your ejection pattern is fairly consistent and you a shoot regularly it will pay for itself.

I shoot off my 12 x 12 foot deck which has 3 walls so all my brass falls to the deck. I use a dust pan and a broom to sweep it up.