Best way to catch brass indoors?

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Shrinkmd

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I am going to a new indoor range, and they have the nice barriers between lanes to deflect the brass from hitting your neighbor. It then scatters everywhere, however.

I know outside people can use the Nut Wizard or the big brass catcher mesh blanket, but those wont work indoors. I have the big net from Midway http://www.midwayusa.com/product/942827/ctk-precision-universal-brass-catcher

942827.jpg

but it needs to be mounted on a tripod and I haven't had the best luck setting it up so that all the brass goes in there.

Has anyone tried anything else? Do I just need to work on my net/tripod setup, or is there another way? I want to shoot my 1911, but I don't want to lose all my brass!
 
I don't normally shoot indoors as I hate losing brass that goes in front of the barrier. It has been previously suggested that you take a step or two back (but still within your shooting area) and that should help keep the brass behind the barrier.

I saw a guy try to use a brass catcher indoor once and while it was somewhat effective (read 50% or less), you don't normally have a lot of room and the brass catcher just got in the way.
 
I shoot at a indoor range and made a brass catcher 3 yrs ago. It has been 99% effective on my Sig 229 but only about 70% when if come to my Kimber Ultra Carry II. On it, it shoots/launches the brass over it bouncing off the sealing. At the indoor range I have to drop the left front support for the target to return to me. Other wise I would put the top netting on.

brasscatcher2.jpg

My shooting partner has one similar to the one you show. I made a custom mount for his to clamp to the shooting bench. I used parts left over from my build to build his. Which was the camera mount and vertical post of the tripod. Sorry I don't have a picture. I basicly took a piece of Al and bored a hole for the tripod tube to go through and 2 other holes tapped for the clamp. Since there were several place to clamp both holes were threaded so it worked like a 2 handle wood clamp. Works good if it positions the gun in the right spot.
 
I've been reading the other threads, and it looks like there are 4 main types:
1) Net on the gun (attaches to gun, clips on light rail, etc)
2) Attaches to your wrist, glove
3) Some sort of net in a box (like the Bubca)
4) Freestanding net, needs a tripod or stand

I didn't do too well with a tripod and the CMK net that Midway sells. The Bubca looks good, although the glove one looks promising as well. I don't like the idea of wearing a glove if I normally don't shoot with one on, though.
 
We shoot outdoors and use a cheap tarp. Harbor freight has a lot of sizes and coupons too! use metal tent stakes to hold it down. When done fold up yer brass and pour in the can or bucket. Fold up the tarp and reuse over and over. Saves a lot of time. We also throw all scrounged brass on it. We kinda like the camo tarps. Takes maybe 3 minutes at most to set up. PS: Blue68f100 that is a really nice setup for indoors. You might post materials needed for construction.
 
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I use it indoor and outdoors. I have a top that is secured using Velcro. Real handy when you have a gun the launches the brass at a 45 deg angle. At the indoor range I have to lower the front left support to allow for the target to come close enough to change.Does not hurt any thing since the brass hits the back and near side. I use an old shop mate to hold the catcher when I shoot outdoors. I would like to get a good heavy duty projector stand for outdoor use. But I don't want to spend $100+ for a good one. The cheap ones are really light duty and flimsy. Tried one and sent it back.

Materials: I found a cheap source of tripods ($10 ea, need 2) for the legs up right supports, from Micro Center. These were Samsonite tripods from china. I figured out, how to take them apart without tearing every things up. The box is a 50 cal plastic ammo box from Cabella's, 3 yrs ago. They have not had any since like these, I wish they would ge some more back in. I have wood blocks secured to the bottom to hold them in place. The netting is mosquito netting from the local fabric store, around $3/yrd 60" wide. I used a heavy cotton cloth to cover the edges. I did all of the sewing my self. I used 1x3 wood blocks around the inner top to hold the legs to the corners w/velcro. I used a few snaps to hold the netting to the supports along the side where I have pockets for the top. Velcro can be used here too. At the time it only cost me about $50 to build. The only thing I wish is that the legs would fit into the 50 cal box but they don't. I wanted strength so they would last. Not the cheap telescoping legs like they use for antennas. What you don't see is that I have 2 small weight bags to hold the netting taught, held on by Velcro. All of the Velcro is iron on, so it's easy to put on.

If you need some detail photos let me know and I will take some.
 
I was shooting in my pasture and losing about four cases per hundred of .45 ACP. Couldn't stand that so I built an 8' x 9' frame of pvc pipe and covered it with bird netting. I stood it alongside my Mule, that I shoot from, and attached it with bungee cords.
Still lost about the same amount. I computed that if I had saved 100% it would have only taken 1350 boxes to pay for the materials!:D
 
Get a 2-foot or 3-foot length of 1x6, 2x6, whatever (doesn't matter as long as it'll lay flat and not tip easily), drill a 1/8-inch hole toward each end, use 2 lengths of 1/8-inch rod and string some mesh or light cloth between them. I drilled 2 holes in the top of my shooting bench for the same purpose. It catches most of my brass...If your net setup from Midway works okay, you could just bring a couple extra boxes of ammo and use it as weight to keep it from tipping over.
 
E & L Manufacturing makes gun-spefific brass catchers that attach you your rifle or pistol:

http://www.elmfg.com/store/brasscatcher.html

I have three, one for each weapon and they all work well. The model for the 1911 is the only one I've used that actually captures all the brass from my Colt Combat Commander.

I'm really tempted to try one of these:

http://www.bubca.com/

I have this one and it does not work with my 1911 or my HK rifles:

http://www.grabsomebrass.com/
 
Tilt the gun sideways, shoot it, then catch the brass. No need for some fancy catcher and you get these cool scars on your hand. After all, chicks dig scars.
 
All I have is a vague plan---so far.

You know those cheap kid-size pop-up tents?

I was going to make two arcs, one up and one flat with a prop-rod between them. Cover it in the cheap plastic mesh groundcover from Home Depot. Put the flexible rods in seams like on a tent. Pop it open and throw a weight in. Sort of like an outdoor orchestra shell. Mine is for outdoors, so I was thinking maybe 3' high x 4' wide x 2' deep for pistol.

May work. May need refinement. Haven't got a round tuit yet.
 
1SOW said:
All I have is a vague plan---so far.

You know those cheap kid-size pop-up tents?

I was going to make two arcs, one up and one flat with a prop-rod between them. Cover it in the cheap plastic mesh groundcover from Home Depot. Put the flexible rods in seams like on a tent. Pop it open and throw a weight in. Sort of like an outdoor orchestra shell. Mine is for outdoors, so I was thinking maybe 3' high x 4' wide x 2' deep for pistol.

May work. May need refinement. Haven't got a round tuit yet.
Click to expand...
I have tried those pop-up clothes hampers. The 24" diameter x 36" tall ones are barely OK if you have it at the right height. But if you want to stand up or sit down, changing the height can be a challenge. Barely large enough, though.

I just got a pop-up dome tent (about 4' high and 3' square) at a flea market with images of Buzz lightyear on it. I may get funny looks at the range next time out, but the price was right ($3). I have high hopes for it. Too cold in Alaska right now to shoot, though.

I got a roll of "bird netting" 4 squares to the inch this past Summer to try. Did not look at it closely enough. It was 4 squares to the inch, which meant the holes were one-half inch by one-half inch, not one quarter inch. My .357 brass (fired from a Coonan) flew right through it. But the concept would have worked, hanging the netting from the cover over the firing bench and enclosing the entire rear and right side and a portion of the front of the firing position. (Some of my guns throw brass straight up, and even a little forward at times.)

My advice: If you think the tent you are contemplating is just the right size, get one twice as large.

Lost Sheep
 
The model for the 1911 is the only one I've used that actually captures all the brass from my Colt Combat Commander.
Click to expand...

Have you had any problems with getting it on and off the pistol, or marring the finish? I was trying to find reviews for the 1911 model on the net, and the few mentions I found said it either scratched the pistol's finish, caused the ejected shells to bounce back into the ejection port and jam, or just plain fell off after a few shots.

I see Brownell's sells them as well, so I guess returning wouldn't be a problem, but I don't want to mess up my pistol.
 
>>>Have you had any problems with getting it on and off the pistol, or marring the finish?<<<

My Combat Commander is stainless and so I've not noticed any marred finish. Getting it on and off the gun is a little fiddly, and yes the front of it wants to slide down. (I would not call it 'falling off' but it certainly is headed that way. I need to reposition it after 4-5 rounds.)

I've not had any instances where it caused cases to bounce back into the ejection port.

It's not a perfect solution but so far it is the best solution I've found.
 
Sometimes I use a modified cardboard box to catch my brass and it works great when I'm shooting off a bench.

I use a good size box and cut an opening in one end that is big enough to stick my arms and gun into. I cut an opening in the other end that's big enough to get a good sight picture. I also leave a lip around the openings that is tall enough to keep the brass from rolling out.

Depending on what I'm doing I use sand bags to rest my wrists on or even a pistol rest. I've been meaning to rig up a way to mount it to my chrony tripod so I can use it while standing but I haven't tried that yet.

I just got a pop-up dome tent (about 4' high and 3' square) at a flea market with images of Buzz lightyear on it. I may get funny looks at the range next time out...
Click to expand...

Lost Sheep, Don't let the funny looks or the pointing and snickering get to you.

Hmm.....you know, I have an idea..

Just before the first shot after each reload point to the heavens and bawl out,

To infinity ... and beyond!

Folks might leave in such a hurry that you could gather up their brass too.

Seedtick

:)
 
It is so much easier than all this. Shoot a Revolver.
 
>>>It is so much easier than all this. Shoot a Revolver.<<<

That would work for me but I bet the Glock guys would want a cylinder that holds 17 rounds. ;-)
 
I just got a pop-up dome tent (about 4' high and 3' square) at a flea market with images of Buzz lightyear on it. I may get funny looks at the range next time out, but the price was right ($3). I have high hopes for it. Too cold in Alaska right now to shoot, though.
Click to expand...

COOL!!

I'd have paid double for "that" one.
1.gif


I primarily just want to use mine as a "stop" about 3-4' to my right, not so much as a "catch".
 
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