Revolvers are great, but how can you stand the gun powder debris hitting your face?

[Deanimator]

If you're getting gas, powder or bullet material in your face, you're guns out of time or the forcing cone is out of whack.

Take the gun to a competent gunsmith or send it back to the manufacturer.

I shot a whole box of .38Special wadcutters out of my S&W Model 65 tonight without even a hint of spitting.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Oh, one piece of advice: I always hold my revolvers out at arm's length.
One must keep one's face away from that cylinder-barrel gap to avoid
getting hit with debris. If you hold a Glock next to your face, you will
not only be hit with powder residue, but with the ejected casing as well.

And never grip a revolver around the front of the frame
(SciFi channel Snakehead Terror); off hand around grip
hand only.

 

[SJshooter]

It is my opinion that if you are getting debris hitting you in the face, your revolver is out of time or the cylinder gap is too large. I shoot revolvers all the time and never get hit in the face with debris.

Still, it is better than hot brass ejecting down into your button-up shirt! Not good, especially when holding a single action semi! Now I always sweatshirts when shooting semis!

 

[glockman19]

Sounds like a well worn range gun. I have not experienced this with any of my S&W revolvers.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

from my gp100.....not at all. I'm guessing the revolver you rented is an old warhorse that's seen better days

 

[foghornl]

I had a <brand-name with-held to prevent embarrasment to the now-former owner> revolver that threw ALMOST as much lead down-range as is sent sideways and back toward the shooter....

 

[Action_Can_Do]

I've had a 1911 shoot dirt in my face. The ammo was Wolf though. I believe a compensated revolver will shoot gas in one's face.

 

[Schwebel]

I've never been spit on by a wheelie. My Beretta on the other hand spits out tons of crap, I think it has something to do with the "open" barrel design. I do however shoot much better ammo out of my wheelies than out of the bottom-feeders.

 

[Beatnik]

I bought a GP100 used at the beginning of summer and finally got it to the range on Sunday.

We shot all three types of ammo, since I wanted to see what the wife could handle.
The +p's and magnums were bought that day and were 125 grain Remington semi-jacketed hollow points.
The specials were an old box of lead wadcutters that had been kicking around for over a year. I don't remember what brand, but I'm confident they were reloads.

The +p's and magnums were fine. But the specials were totally Yosemite Sam. Wa-hoo, partner! Made me wonder how much less time I have to live now.

So given what happened to me, I'd say you need to have a gunsmith say whether or not it's out of time, or at least shoot a different (read: better) brand of ammo through it before saying the gun is done for.

 

[christcorp]

Being someone who loves semi-autos and happens to be left handed, I have been hit by a lot of brass in my life. I have yet however ever had residue from a bullet/shell/powder ever come back at me from a revolver. If this is happening, then the other's comments about out of time and gap are probably dead on accurate. Can't think of any other reason. Later... Mike....

 

[armoredman]

The only thing that ever hit me in the face at the range was an ejected .40SW WinClean case that disintegrated in air. Left huge gouges in my polycarbonate eyewear. Needless to say, that was a semi-auto...
My Smith 10 doesn't even leave all that much residue with cast loads. Fired 100 last week at an indoor range, no issues beyond normal washing.

 

[Cosmoline]

It happens sometimes. I've noticed it most with very worn out revolvers and very new revolvers. It only seems to happen most with copper jackets, when some of the jacket gets shaved in the forcing cone. With a new revolver the fix is simply to fire it until the rough edges are smoothed. With a worn out revolver the solution is to get it tightened up again. With a SA it could be a sign of bad timing.

I just wear amber plastic over my glasses. The little stings on the side of my face aren't a big deal. I have yet to see any broken skin. It also happens with worn semis, though I'm not sure what's causing it in that case.

 

[DrLaw]

You know how sometimes you cannot see the forest for the trees? I checked out this thread because I have the same thing happening to me at our indoor range. Bits of powder hitting me in the face.

IT'S THE CLOSE-IN WALLS!!!!! DUH!!!!!!

I shoot outside and do not have a problem like that. I always thought it was the gun spitting stuff back.

See, even old guys can learn new tricks!

The Doc is out and happier now!

 

[antediluvianist]

too much lube around the forcing cone.

 

[Citroen]

No

I shoot my revolvers using the same grip and modified Weaver stance that I use with semi-autos - left elbow touching my chest; left index finger hooked in front of the trigger guard. Two of my revolvers are ported.

I have never had any residue on my face, indoor or out but on occasion I will get some grime on my left index finger. I did, recently have my Glock 30 cough ejected brass that landed behind my glasses and burned a circle under my left eye. Proves the point that guns can be dangerous!

I think everyone else told you correctly, too - worn or mis-timed gun.

John
Charlotte, NC

 

[texas bulldog]

just once, i have had a hot piece of something come back and hit me in the face while shooting a .357 magnum. reminds you why eye protection is important. but i've never ended up with a soot-blackened face after shooting any wheelgun. sounds like something is up with that gun...

 

[Beatnik]

Uh, yeah, in case EVERYONE missed it, I already related a story about how on Sunday, 26 August 2007, I had this exact thing happen with one brand of reloads and not happen with new name-brand ammo - all shot through the same gun.

I even went back-and-forth between ammo - and it always happened with the reloads. Put 6 crappy reloads in, and each one made a powder cloud. Put 6 Remingtons in afterward, and nothing.

 

[Glockafella]

moral of the story is shot quality ammo you cheapos!