Why the hate on the flying brass?

[JohnM]

Good lord, a perfect example why some people shouldn't be around guns.
If I saw something like that going on, I think I'd be looking for a bunker

As far as flying brass goes, I don't like it either.
I got burned by enough hot brass and shrapnel in the service.
I like my range in my front yard.

 

[P5 Guy]

I thought that the Golden Rule applies to this issue. I try not to pelt the people next to me and I prefer not to be pelted. But the range is a place where brass is flying, accept that.
My semi-auto 22lr are shot at the pistol range which has grey dividers. Same for my Glocks except they throw brass back at me.
at the rifle range my SKS bounces, well it's not brass, but it goes all over. My freshly greased M1 put brass out in the grass between 1 and 2 o'clock. And the en-bloc bounces out to the right with the last of the spent brass.
I'm sorry if I disturbed your shooting, but like bowling you shouldn't be throwing your ball the same time the guy next to you is.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I like to shoot with manly men, 'cause they never complain about flying brass.

 

[EddieNFL]

If flying brass bothers you, don't take up HP competition.

 

[scythefwd]

I've learned to shoot on the left side of auto loaders. Nothing like a piece of 22lr down the back of your shirt when you've got a projectile half way down the barrel to make you question if you finished ramming it into place as you pull the trigger.

 

[Strykervet]

Well, as a reloader and handloader of some oddballs, I hate having my brass go far enough to lose sight off --10mm, Grendel, Beowulf, .300BLK, etc., losing those gets expensive. And I always come back with less than I left with.

I also do a lot of tuning and work on some of my weapons and going in with a too weak spring for the load I'm working up is common. My 10mm's can sling brass 20' or better in that condition.

So not only do I have a problem keeping track of brass, I also have the opportunity of being a bad neighbor. Nobody likes those. I try not to give, but I have been on the receiving end.

However, instead of complaining, griping, I like to solve problems instead.

What I suggest ALL of you do at a public range that has those picnic gun benches is to take a cardboard box and a rock or sandbag with you (the sandbag works better). A good size box and a good size rock, whatever works for your range and what you are shooting. Set the box up next to you and use it as a brass catcher. You can cut vertical slots in it for use on windy days, and it is good for all but the windiest.

Cuts down on lost brass, makes you a good neighbor, and gives you a little shade and/or privacy to boot. That never hurt anyone's shooting.

 

[sniper5]

Manners or no, it's a fact of life that it is going to happen. My wife learned really quick why to wear a baseball cap and a t-shirt with a tight neck and leave it untucked. Shooting through "hot brass rain" tests your concentration. We just look at it as another curve the sport can throw at you. As for us, we shoot revolvers and bolts and I cover the action on the bolt guns with my hand so the brass doesn't hit the ground. I don't like to hunt for brass or take a chance of it getting stepped on. I'm fussy that way.

 

[HOOfan_1]

When I first read this, I thought it said frying brass, made me think of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ac1I7Eq7w

hmmm when at the range I usually stand behind my dad and catch the brass before it hits the ground...he does the same when I shoot. Sure it's hot but not unbearable. Maybe the palms of ones hands are just not so easily burned. Sometimes he picks up a piece of brass and presses it to his lips to see if it is still hot (meaning it is ours and not something what was already sitting there)

 

[Fishslayer]

Sometimes he picks up a piece of brass and presses it to his lips to see if it is still hot (meaning it is ours and not something what was already sitting there)

I've been known to kiss brass... especially if it is found .357.

 

[Zach S]

Its a courtesy thing IMO. It may annoy me, but I'm not going to get mad about it.

The thing that bothers me is when someone is complaining about it after the fact, when they could have moved to another lane, or asked me to.

If I'm hitting you with my brass, say something. I'll move to another lane, or stand closer to the divider so that my brass hits it instead of going over it. I know there are plenty of jerks in the world, but I do my best not to be one.

 

[oneounceload]

Also I hate shooting 5 stand when the person to my left has an autoloader that keeps hitting me with shells but I know it isn't their goal so I just smile and laugh it off.

Which is why we put mesh fabric between our 5-stand stations - however, some folks llleeeaaaannnnn wwwwwaaaaayyyyy out there, and their empties still make it around the mesh

 

[W.E.G.]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1d3_1216586666

 

[Black_Sheep]

I always ask for the left most lane at the range, that way I only have to keep tabs on whats happening on one side of me. An added benefit is not being pelted by another shooters brass.

 

[Curator]

Its more that manners, you (we) are responsible for what comes out of the gun, hot brass included. Inconsiderate jerks need to bring their dad, mom or wife along to make sure they behave. I am often amazed at the stupidity of supposed adults at the range when they position themselves back too far to increase the effect of their muzzle blast then are oblivious as to where their ejected brass lands. They often have the audacity to be offended when asked to move. Use of a shooting range does not imply that anyone accepts injuries caused by the carelessness of others. One of our club members was blinded in one eye by a red-hot case finding its way into the side opening of his shooting glasses. The guy who caused his injury could have posted on this board judging by the responses.

 

[oldfool]

Curator said it well

It's not 'hate' of flying brass. It's the annoyance factor resulting from rude and arrogant behavior. Brass does fly, yes, no big deal in itself.

The prime offenders are those who show up and promptly indulge themselves with an exhibition of deliberate rudeness in a multitude of ways, sometimes bordering on unsafe. An overabundance of brass showers simply being one too common symptom of total disregard for others present.

Symptom, not cause.

Most people understand that they are responsible and accountable for their behavior with a gun "on the street". Some people think that because "it's a gun range" they are somehow exempt from same. Not most people, but some people.

 

[JohnM]

The last 2 replies reflect the feelings of most I think.
I've shot at various ranges since in the 50s and I think we've all seen the type, the guy who showers his neighbor with spent brass without even so much as a "whoops, sorry about that".

 

[JohnBT]

"can I ask why some people feel it's ok to go to a public range and insist it ought to be their own personal range designed exclusively for their own enjoyment?"

They want to do what they want to do. You want to do what you want to do.

What precisely is the difference? Are they ranting about you like you are about them?

 

[CraigC]

Its more that manners, you (we) are responsible for what comes out of the gun, hot brass included. Inconsiderate jerks need to bring their dad, mom or wife along to make sure they behave. I am often amazed at the stupidity of supposed adults at the range when they position themselves back too far to increase the effect of their muzzle blast then are oblivious as to where their ejected brass lands. They often have the audacity to be offended when asked to move. Use of a shooting range does not imply that anyone accepts injuries caused by the carelessness of others. One of our club members was blinded in one eye by a red-hot case finding its way into the side opening of his shooting glasses. The guy who caused his injury could have posted on this board judging by the responses.

Yep, what he said! YOU are responsible for YOUR brass. Bottom line is that I don't care if it bounces off me but I don't want your brass dinging up my guns.

 

[Nushif]

They want to do what they want to do. You want to do what you want to do.

Let's not assume that simply because I don't share every bit of a point of view that I am the exact opposite.
I don't like hitting people with brass, and in my original post I very much stated that I understand some minor frustration.
What I do not understand is this frothing Range Rage and name calling that seems to be directed at anyone whose gun dares kick brass. We have people putting a piece of brass exiting the gun on the same accountability level as a bullet leaving it.
I wanted to start a conversation about why there is such a strong feeling attached to a very, very common occurrence when shooting modern guns.

What precisely is the difference? Are they ranting about you like you are about them?

You will notice that my post (or rather my posts) is neither a rant, nor do I call anyone names, nor do I insinuate that anyone who doesn't agree with me is "inconsiderate," not an "adult," "disrespectful," "has no manners" and the like.
What I am trying to do, let me reiterate this ...
How does this very natural function of a modern centerloading firearm cause so much anger in people?
Why does a piece of brass flying for instance gets compared to a bullet flying in terms of negligence?
Why do people think a brass hit is a sure sign of an utterly inconsiderate, rude, scum of the earth, unsafe and overall anti-social shooter, when it is a built in function of the gun to kick brass and the range is a shared place, so there is by default a lowered expectation of one's own desires getting perfectly fulfilled for a all involved.
Why does anyone who asks "Hey, what's the big deal?" instantly get called names, for all intents and purposes?

In short, why is there oftentimes* a lack of any kindness, acceptance or slowness to judge from normally jovial and friendly people ... because someone's firearm performed a design function and caused a very minor irritation?

*(maybe sometimes, where I shoot, we talk to each other, act like social types and are accepting and supporting of pretty much any kind shooter and act pretty darned rationally towards each other)

 

[Jeff F]

There was one time at a public range in Carson City where a couple pricks with semi-automatic rifles were purposely showering people with brass. Myself and 4 or 5 other shooters moved away from them 3 times and they moved after us. A Marine on leave had enough of it and went up to the mouthy one and they had some words. In a flash prick #1 was disarmed and sitting on the deck leaking blood out of his nose. We all kind of smiled a little smile but no one had seen a thing.

 

[JohnM]

Hoo rah !
Anyone dumb enough to get crossthreaded with a Marine deserves all he gets.

 

[Robert]

Anything that lands on me, my gear or in my area is mine. Thanks for the free brass!

 

[vellocet]

Last time I was at the range, the guy to my left, despite the dividers. kept disturbing me with casings from his girly .380. I snugged up to his side with the cz52 and popped off a magazine(he was wearing those rubber plugs) and he moved at the next cold-call. Well, I didn't want to bother the range-master, you know. Oh, and Jeff F, nice story but if it's true sounds like a good reason to stay away from Carson City. Like,where are the police?

 

[Ledgehammer]

s it to his lips to see if it is still hot (meaning it is ours and not something what was already sitting there)

Why??? What if it is hot? Couldnt you tell with a hand or even arm or soemthing other than you face? Lol That's just not necessary.

 

[langenc]

Maybe the 'public range' operators could help with placement of hot brass throwers so that damage is minimal. Nay, probably too complicated.