The Problem of collecting Your Brass at Indoor Ranges

[dbarnhart]

It's hot here in Arizona and so I've switched to shooting at an indoor range. While I can certainly collect my own brass, the area in front of the firing line is off-limits and that's where most of my brass falls.

I've been experimenting with brass catchers but I am curious how others have dealt with this problem.

 

[GLOOB]

I've never owned a firearm that threw brass forward. If it's bouncing forward after hitting the wall, maybe you can tape something to the wall that will kick the brass down.

There are also stock-mounted as well as grip/hand held brass catchers out there. You could probably design your own.

 

[armoredman]

The range I worked at had a push broom available on the line for just that. Customers could use it to pull back what they could that fell forwward of the bench,, but anything beyond that was ours. On the other hand, we had a 55 gallon drum on the range full of brass that anyone could dip out from. Never could get rid of enough, had 12 more drums like it in the back by the time I left there.

 

[ohioshooter]

i second that on the broom....at the range I go to there is a makeshift wooden contraption that you can use to reach your brass that goes beyond the firing line. (indoors)

 

[J_McLeod]

The range I worked at had a push broom available on the line for just that. Customers could use it to pull back what they could that fell forwward of the bench,, but anything beyond that was ours. On the other hand, we had a 55 gallon drum on the range full of brass that anyone could dip out from. Never could get rid of enough, had 12 more drums like it in the back by the time I left there.

Where was this range? I need to shoot there.

 

[jcwit]

On the other hand, we had a 55 gallon drum on the range full of brass that anyone could dip out from. Never could get rid of enough, had 12 more drums like it in the back by the time I left there.
__________________

Man alive theyre setting on a bundle even of the scrap price. I turned spent .22 rimfire brass from our range last year and boosted our treasury by $1,000. That was only for 20 5 gal buckets full of .22 brass.

 

[redneck2]

I had two different 10mms, a Delta Elite and a G20. Brass kicked all over the place. Since it was Starline fired the first time, I was distressed to say the least. Ended up spending more time chasing brass than shooting.

Finally switched over to a Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt. More accurate (for me), and the brass goes right back into the box it came out of.

I did see one guy that had a contraption that kinda looked like a small butterfly net with legs on the end of the handle. Caught the brass. A little goofy but it worked since he was always shooting from the same spot.

 

[dihnen]

The indoor range that I shoot at won't let us retrieve brass in front of the firing line. I've found that by standing a bit back in the booth most of my brass will bounce off the sidewalls and go behind me. That means I can sweep it up. However, at least once or twice each shooting session, either the range staff or some over-eager shooter will sweep ALL the brass up and push it forward of the firing line. #$%&*!!!!!! So, I come away with less brass than I brought, unless I can ask someone if I can sweep up their brass. The range also sells the used brass, for instance $20 for 300 45 auto cases, and so I buy a bag every once in a while to stock up.

I also feel self-conscious because I'm usually the only one picking up brass. The range is in an affluent area and I've caught people staring at me with curious looks on their faces while I kneel down and scoop my pile of brass into a bag

 

[armoredman]

McLeod, (there can be only one!), you probably shot there - that was Jensens on Prince/Flowing Wells, many years ago. The Marksman bought and and rebuilt it MUCH nicer. I have no idea what happened to all the brass - that was 10 years ago.

 

[dbarnhart]

>> I've found that by standing a bit back in the booth most of my brass will bounce off the sidewalls and go behind me. That means I can sweep it up. However, at least once or twice each shooting session, either the range staff or some over-eager shooter will sweep ALL the brass up and push it forward of the firing line. #$%&*!!!!!! So, I come away with less brass than I brought <<

Thanks for the tip, I will try that tomorrow. I pick up my brass each time I reload magazines (and with a 1911 thats pretty often) so I don't give the renegade sweepers a chance.

 

[Kendal Black]

Revolver. Coffee can. Problem solved.

 

[Cherokee]

The indoor range I go to in the winter has push brooms you can use to get your brass from in front. I've told people to let me pick up my brass before they start sweeping up everything; usually it "oh, OK" and I get my brass.

 

[hAkron]

I like to clean up under my feet as I go so that I don't crush my brass, and one of the ranges where I shoot is frequented by other reloaders who pick the place clean (they are always courteous if they know you want your brass though). Most times there is a mountain of brass on the floor where other shooters have pushed it with the broom when they were done shooting. I take the big push broom and dag it all over my way where I have a small hand broom and a dust pan. I keep a couple of Zip Loc freezer bags in my shooting bag to fill with brass.

 

[TH3180]

Like already posted. I have found with my G17 if I step back 2 steps most of my brass bouces behind me. There is one lane I have found where to stand and where to put my shooting bag. About 50% of my brass bounces off the wall and into my open shooting bag.

 

[dbarnhart]

I tried that and it works pretty well. My 1911 ejects the brass upward so it hits the wall of my lane about 3 feet above gun level. If I step back about 2 paces and also move against the left wall of my lane, it provides just enough angle so most of the brass bounces back instead of forward. I brought home about 85 percent of my brass today by doing this.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When shooting at an indoor range I've round if you don't lean up against the rail and extend your gun past the barrier your brass won't fall out in front of that barrier. Just take a big step backwards and your brass will stay behind the barrier. At least that works for me...

 

[Cop Bob]

No kiddin that could be a lot of money.. for 70-30 Cartridge brass, we paying are up to $2.25 across the scale in quantity.. and a 55 Gallon drum, fills that bill... long as there are no Blazer or Wolf.. (alum and steel) cases mixed in... I've seen barrels of brass run anywhere from 12-1500 lbs...

 

[Blue68f100]

The indoor range I use allows us to use a brass catcher if you want. I built my own and it has worked great catches 99% of my 9mm. There is also a broom available too, but due to the way the benches/tables are setup you can not retrieve the brass that goes forward out of the booth.

 

[Fishslayer]

I also feel self-conscious because I'm usually the only one picking up brass. The range is in an affluent area and I've caught people staring at me with curious looks on their faces while I kneel down and scoop my pile of brass into a bag

I've been asked what I do with the brass. "Sell it for scrap?"

I'm a shameless brass rat. If my wife's shooting I'm picking her 9mm as it hits the deck. If I'm shooting I police my .45 after a couple of magazines. If it's not crowded I'm crawling around (like a rat ) policing my brass.

1. My light target loads don't usually toss the brass very far
2. I usually try to get a lane next to the wall on my right.

If the next lane is shooting .38/.357 I ask if they're saving their brass. Like I said. I'm shameless....

 

[battman4312]

its amazing how something as simple as "taking a step or two back" is a completely non-existent thought until someone else mentions it. Thats GENIUS.

 

[BBDartCA]

Revolver. Coffee can. Problem solved.

+1!!

 

[TigerBight]

The one step back works well. The only problem is when you have a range master coming over and telling you to step forward. I'm well within the box and the brass bounces inside the box. I'm not sure why he/ they feel you must crowd the box forward.

 

[mdi]

I would sweep when I first arrived at the indoor range I frequented. I swept everything forward, across the line. That became the range's brass. When I was done, I swept again and everything swept up was mine. Occationally I'd lose some 45 ACP, but I usually gained a bunch of 9mm, 10mm, and .40, depending on what neighboring booths were shooting. Rangemaster didn't mind 'cause I didn't try to take all the brass, just what was in my area, and I bought reloading components and ammo there sometimes.

 

[Stormin.40]

+1 on taking a step back.

The range I typically shoot at allows me to pick up range brass, others must do the same thing as the box is usually pretty close to empty when I get there. I also use the broom to reach for my own, but some goes foreward beyond my reach even when I step back.

When I took my CCW course I shot at a different range and the range staff, who wasn't involved in the class, paced behind all of us shooters and swept the brass forward I made it clear to him that I was trying to pick up my brass but had to wait for the instructor to finish talking and he kept on sweeping. I was using factory new ammo too:banghead:

 

[Dr_B]

This is all way too complicated. Thank goodness I go to an outdoor range. I just drag an old piece of carpet over to catch the brass and then funnel it into a can.