Brass Net Cans

First topic message reminder :

I've built a few iterations of these over several years. 

The green one, based on a common MTM 50 cal plastic ammo box,  is typically what I would use for a local match - plenty of space for ammo, speed loaders, etc. I can easily carry the rest of my kit in a Bullseye Box or a small kit bag. I have extra custom brackets to stow the net and mount, but found that they are not needed since I normally just leave the can with folded net in the back of the car all the time.

The Orange one, using an extra height 50 cal box, has much bigger capacity and is intended to be used at Perry, etc., where the wind and rain can be serious on an exposed firing line. I can put ammo, rest, scoring tote, glasses, muffs, hat, etc., etc. and just drop it into a buggy to cart about, together with my scope tote and guns in a plastic carry case. Plus a beach chair, umbrella, etc.

The Orange one has built in clamps to secure it quite firmly to a bench. Both have trunk handles for attaching a bungee or tie-down if the weather is really serious. Both have double fixtures for a CMA brass net - forward position for a Pardini or similar - rear position for a typical 1911. I've thoroughly tested them and the positions are close to perfect - usually don't need to move the can, just re-position the net - easy.

Let's not get carried away overthinking this.
We're shooting guns. They're noisy and they fling brass around. It's not knitting.

Use a brass catcher if you don't want to pick up your brass. Use a screen if brass bouncing near or on you is a distraction.

I came from the land of highpower rifle matches where people wear hooded sweatshirts out in the sun to keep their neighbor's brass off their neck. Shooting infantry team (rattle battle) matches with eight guys laying shoulder to shoulder next to each other, burning through 100s of rounds in a few minutes - brass flies around.

Precision pistol may be more civilized and gentlemanly, but we're still shooting guns.

You really want new shooters without nets or tuned match guns to get DQ'd? C'mon.

dmdattner wrote:

john bickar wrote:Work your way up to HM and have the MK and SS pick up your brass for you.

(Edit: given the tone of some of the threads here lately, I should mention that the above comment is made with my tongue firmly in my cheek.)

Which is most often true, although John did go to a college that insists on calling itself “THE” Ohio State University, so there’s that…

Nope, I am not an alumnus of that distinguished institution.

RoyDean wrote:Would it be permissible to wear a mosquito net?

Only if it matches your mascara and lip gloss!

I'm hoping to get a legitimate answer to my legitimate question. When fishing in heavy bugs I wear an over-the-hat, straps under the arms fine mesh net. I'd like to build a screen as is being discussed but time flies and it'll be July soon. I could easily throw the mosquito net in my kit incase I don't get to making a screen and my neighbors happen to be ejecting brass at me. 

Thanks

Andrew, apologies, but I just could not resist. Sorry, but JB keeps egging me on to make schoolboy level humor. Sad, I know.

I don't see any reason why on "over the head" fishing hat type mosquito screen would be against any rule. Obviously you need to ensure that you have clear line of vision for the sights.

A brass screen, per se, must have mesh size no smaller than 1/4" (that means "machine cloth" in a hardware store I believe). But, if anybody asks about your "hat, it is simply protection against mosquitoes - fair enough in my book.

If you are at Cardinal, Canton, Perry, or Atterbury, I will be happy to give you two pieces of either chicken mesh or machine cloth already trimmed and taped if you just let me know the size of the back of your Bullseye box or similar required dimensions. You will then just need a couple of spring clamps to secure it to your box lid. Let me know.

pgg wrote:Let's not get carried away overthinking this.
We're shooting guns. They're noisy and they fling brass around. It's not knitting.

Use a brass catcher if you don't want to pick up your brass. Use a screen if brass bouncing near or on you is a distraction.

I came from the land of highpower rifle matches where people wear hooded sweatshirts out in the sun to keep their neighbor's brass off their neck. Shooting infantry team (rattle battle) matches with eight guys laying shoulder to shoulder next to each other, burning through 100s of rounds in a few minutes - brass flies around.

Precision pistol may be more civilized and gentlemanly, but we're still shooting guns.

You really want new shooters without nets or tuned match guns to get DQ'd? C'mon.

I'm not sure how "overthinking" is relevant. PP is NOT high-power rifle matches or a "rattle battle". It is a sporting event in which the assumption is every competitor has an equal chance. Why is is "fair" to expect some competitors to shoot through a "barrage" of brass while others don't face the same conditions?

So, let me see if I understand this right... "ECI" is required (3.21), "loud talking" and "smoking" are discouraged. Do I "...really want new shooters without nets or tuned match guns to get DQ'd?" You bethca'. Not only new but old shooters who should know better. It not only a safety issue but a fairness in competition issue.


Marvin Smith

These fishing nets are a great platform to build a brass catcher with. They fold right up to almost nothing.

https://www.fishusa.com/Frabill-KwikStow-Folding-Net/?sku=104464

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Frabill-Kwik-Stow-Folding-Fishing-Net-Black-Transparent-Mesh/19717448?fulfillmentIntent=Pickup&athbdg=L1600&from=/browse/[...seo]

Yes, my first attempt at a can mounted brass net utilised a Walmart "Trout Net" that cost about $7, but that was probably 5 years ago.

They will work, just a little more tricky to position just right and deploy/stow, but very good value.

msmith44 wrote:

pgg wrote:Let's not get carried away overthinking this.
We're shooting guns. They're noisy and they fling brass around. It's not knitting.

Use a brass catcher if you don't want to pick up your brass. Use a screen if brass bouncing near or on you is a distraction.

I came from the land of highpower rifle matches where people wear hooded sweatshirts out in the sun to keep their neighbor's brass off their neck. Shooting infantry team (rattle battle) matches with eight guys laying shoulder to shoulder next to each other, burning through 100s of rounds in a few minutes - brass flies around.

Precision pistol may be more civilized and gentlemanly, but we're still shooting guns.

You really want new shooters without nets or tuned match guns to get DQ'd? C'mon.

I'm not sure how "overthinking" is relevant. PP is NOT high-power rifle matches or a "rattle battle". It is a sporting event in which the assumption is every competitor has an equal chance. Why is is "fair" to expect some competitors to shoot through a "barrage" of brass while others don't face the same conditions?

So, let me see if I understand this right... "ECI" is required (3.21), "loud talking" and "smoking" are discouraged. Do I "...really want new shooters without nets or tuned match guns to get DQ'd?" You bethca'. Not only new but old shooters who should know better. It not only a safety issue but a fairness in competition issue.


Marvin Smith

I can't believe this conversation is happening. I'll just agree to disagree and bow out. 

Best of luck to you sir.

pgg wrote:

I can't believe this conversation is happening. I'll just agree to disagree and bow out. 

Best of luck to you sir.

There have been discussions here from time to time about "lack of participation" and how that might be remedied. So now it's being proposed a competitor be barred because his pistol throws brass erratically and hits a neighbor. How about both of those concerned moving just a bit OR maybe moving to another firing position... if available of course. Also there used to be an expression "if you can't stand the heat....."

I haven't been able to shoot for a number of yrs....Wish that I could....I think I could live w/ the brass situation!  I shot in competition for quite a few yrs and don't recall ever having a problem w/brass. Over the yrs I did hear comments about being pelted by empties but it seems guys just laughed it off and went on.

Ron Habegger

msmith44 wrote:

RoyDean wrote:A firearm that does not protect all persons on the firing line is not a safe firearm and should be disqualified.

Sounds like your looking to shoot a discipline called free pistol. 

Anything with a reciprocating slide or barrel/cylindergap has the potential to eject stuff at the neighboring firing point

It appears that there are some responders who see hot metal from a firearm hitting the shooter to your right as a bug not a feature of PP. It is unfortunate that some seem to differ from Roy Dean who noted that control of your ejected brass shows "respect" for the shooter to your right. Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone shares Mr. Dean's show of respect for a fellow shooter.

If every competitor used a brass net with an ejector tuned to have the expelled brass go into the net the problem would be solved. At the end of a 2700 point Match, a shooter would have 270 cases delivered into the bag. One hundred eighty of those center fire cases might well be used for reloading or as a gift to a fellow shooter who does reload. The rimfire cases could be collected and at the end of the season, sold.  And, of course, range policing would be easier with the corresponding relief for older shooters' backs.

There's a lot of information on the internet re: tuning handgun ejectors. Two articles are linked below:

https://www.ssusa.org/content/pistol-ejector-tuning-tips/

https://americanhandgunner.com/pistolsmithing/tuning-ejector-patterns/

There's a lot of information in this thread thanks to Mr. Dean. I hope a few will use it.


Marvin Smith

Flying brass has been part of bullseye since they started shooting semi-auto pistols.  It was always the shooters responsibility to handle any distraction on the range including the brass.  Nets are a very new innovation.

NRA Rulebook: 3.9.1 Deflecting Screens -
Shooters may use a screen fastened to their shooting kit, or similarly placed, to deflect empty cases,
provided the screen is made of material such as “Hardware Cloth,” with wires not larger than 1/16 inch in diameter and spaced not closer than 1/4 inch. Screens of solid material may not be used.

CMP Rulebook:  4.5.5 Pistol Cartridge Deflecting Screens Competitors may use a screen or net fastened to their pistol box, shooting kit or a separate stand to deflect or catch empty cases, provided the screen construction allows wind to pass through it. The competitor’s pistol, hand or arm may not contact the screen or net.

msmith44 wrote:If every competitor used a brass net with an ejector tuned to have the expelled brass go into the net the problem would be solved. At the end of a 2700 point Match, a shooter would have 270 cases delivered into the bag. One hundred eighty of those center fire cases might well be used for reloading or as a gift to a fellow shooter who does reload.

Send me $150 and I'll order a CMM Brass Catcher for your safety.  Other than that flying brass is a fact of life unless the shooter to your left has a revolver.

CMM makes a nice product that I plan on buying soon. I've made a PVC frame but the mesh was too heavy and the brass bounces off of it, not in it.

No one seems to have one for sale here, so it might be a new one.

Reminder, purple is sarcasm.  Unless you have spare CMM available.

Wobbley wrote:In theory, no limit.  However there is a practical limit in that you have to lug it around.  So most make them so they fit inside their gun box.

I recall a discussion on the old email Lava List about a phone booth size screen for a certain Pistolsmith in Hawaii.   The good old days....