catching brass - auto pistol

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kellyj00

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I've seen some crazy gizmo's that catch your brass for pistols, but I don't find them too practical.
I've tried laying out a 8' x 20' tarp and it still doesn't seem to catch about 80% of the brass.

We spend a lot of time picking up the brass after we're done shooting, and I'm curious if anyone has found a better way? Maybe something really simple that I'm missing?

Seriously, it took us over an hour to pick up *most* of the 1300 or so 9mm, 45acp and .223 that we shot on Saturday.
 
the tarp is the best way--

but whatever you do, don't use plastic sheeting, or a cheap poly tarp, or something like that. When I was a contractor, I used to have rolls of poly around all the time--you know, the 12' wide stuff for vapor barriers. So, one day the lightbulb went on, and I cut off a piece--

The hot brass landing on the poly melts in--and it is about impossible to remove, or at least too much effort to remove on range pickups.

The long-term solution occurred when I finally did two things:

1. I finished tuning up the 1911, and
2. sorted out the 'sweet spot' reloads for it.

Now the brass from that pistol and that load all lands in about a 3' diameter and is easy to find.

Jim H.
 
cypherninja: too expensive, and impractical for use outside in my opinion.
I may just have to buy a revolver. ;-)
 
I use a CMM brass catcher. It is a little expensive but highly adjustable and works great. After buying 5000 new Win brass cases, I didn't want to lose them on the first firing.

www.cm-machine.bigstep.com

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
I built this from scrap I had around.

DSCF0005.jpg


DSCF0004.jpg


DSCF0003.jpg


It doesn't look like much but it works. I made 2 sets of legs, one for tall folks and one for short folks. If you take the legs off all together you can fire from a sitting position.
 
At one of our local outdoor range they have a simple frame with screening material attached that slides in between benches. There, the benches hold it up.

For personal use, away from a range a similar setup could probably be made to be self-standing. Make it tall enough to catch brass from a standing position, maybe six-seven feet. On hinged legs would allow a person to fold the legs down when seated, or flip it over to use from a prone position.

Now I'm gonna have to see about making one . . . .
 
I agree with jfh - load so that your brass retrieves itself.

I was shooting some powder puff 9mm loads off a bench this afternoon. When I finished a magazine there was a neat pile of brass on the bench a foot to my right. Now that's well-trained brass.
 
Use your pickup

Back your pickup in on a slight angle and use the rear corner for a rest. Your brass will fall in the bed or switch to a revolver!
 
The only advantage of an autoloader over a revolver is the exercise you get chasing brass. Per Cliph's advice, either learn to enjoy shagging empties, or join a gym and get a revolver.
 
I hang up a blanket or piece of sheet plastic from the rafters at the range between the bays. This will allow the brass to hit and fall to the ground. At least it will be all in the same area. I don't usually lose any this way. Be advised, some autos throw brass to the right and some will throw the brass straight out the back. Adjust your blanket or plastic accordingly.

Also, I bought one of those plastic brass catchers for my AR-15. That was the best thing I have bought in along time. It is out of the way, and does not interfere with my vision or shooting. I clips on under the carry handle. Greatest thing around. they make them for pistols also, but not sure how well they work. Any body have any experience with these on a pistol? I would like to hear some thoughts.
 
Brass Trap

WARNING: Blatant Commercial!

My dad is the developer of the Brass Trap mentioned by CypherNinja. He's been working on various designs for the past two years. I can assure you that it's not a simple task to just throw one together (but certainly possible). And when you are done, you probably wouldn't be proud to bring it to the range with you.

The Fired Brass Trap has a number of features that make it worth buying, including:

  • A pouch to catch the brass
  • Multiple mounting options
  • Portable versions
  • Range proven

You could use a butterfly net to catch your brass or an old shower curtain to deflect them, but why reinvent the wheel...my dad's been working on that for you. I'd encourage you to take a look at the website and see if any of the designs are of interest...and then buy one! They are really not that expensive and I bet he would give you a deal. Write him at mike <at> brasstrap.com.
 
It won't hold more than a mags worth of cases, the there is a catcher that you wear on your hand that does a fairly good job. I can capture about 98% of my 9mm and about 95% of my 380 brass which gets thrown all over by the ejector. If I have some time later I'll poke around and find a picture.
 
http://www.brasstrap.com/
here's some feedback, it's too small. For fellas who shoot outdoors it just won't cut the mustard.

I'm going to see if I can't get a bunch of netting somewhere, like that bird netting that some folks use on their fruit trees.... maybe that will work.

Tarps just blow all over the place here in kansas, you've got to have a net if you're going vertical rather than laying something on the ground.
 
Back your pickup in on a slight angle and use the rear corner for a rest. Your brass will fall in the bed or switch to a revolver!
Click to expand...

Alright, that made me smack my forhead. That's bloody genius.
 
I wrap a towel around my hand and the the handgun when I am capturing a single piece of brass in a load work up.

The brass is hot, and can burn the hand, if pressed against the hand by the towel.

After a while, the towel gets shot up, and needs replacing.
 
Every large bosomed lady shooter knows that hot brass is inexplicably attracted to her cleavage. So the trick is to either find a willing large bosomed volunteer who will show lots of cleavage, or find a large bosomed manikin with a blouse that shows ample cleavage.

The manikin is the more practical tool, since it not only will gather a large percentage of the brass, but you eliminate a huge bill from the plastic surgeon. If you use a “live catcher”, you are then guaranteed to have a higher capture percentage of brass and you will be the envy of the range.
 
I've seen more than one shooter use an old sheet or blanket that's tucked into a 5-gallon bucket at the bottom, but you need a spot to hang the blanket from, and many ranges won't let you do this.
 
Kellyj00, http://www.brasstrap.com/
"here's some feedback, it's too small. For fellas who shoot outdoors it just won't cut the mustard."

The small personal size "Tristan" is large enough for most shooters unless you or your gun throw brass all over. I find that when I shoot one handed, I tend to tilt my hand to the left and throw the brass higher. Two handed is more upright but if I'm too close, the shells bounce and miss the pocket but fall in a small area below. If your not comfortable with the 24 x 26 inch screen, then the Basic 36 x 40 can be hung from a clothes line or use your imagination. I've mounted these Brass Traps on a patio umbrella pole and shot in the shade with with table and chairs for comfort. Good luck and I will answer any questions I can. Contact me at [email protected]
 
now that's customer service!
I'm going to try out this bird netting idea, if it doesn't work I'll consider your smaller alternative.

Thanks for the tip on the umbrella.
 
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