Why have I wasted so much of my life picking up brass?

[hoz53]

I’m in my 60s now and when I was 18 and decided I wanted my first handgun, I asked my dad if he would sign for it and he agreed. I had decided “the one” would be a Colt 1911 45. Looking down in the case at the gun shop there lay a brand new box stock blue Colt 1911 in 45 acp- obviously the one I had come to get. But wait right beside it layed a brand new 6” Blue Model 27. Man that was really a beautiful gun and only 50 bucks more than the 1911. I sure thought about changing my mind for a few minutes. But no I took the 1911 and proceeded to shoot the heck out of it for the next year or so. I now think how my life would have changed had I taken the wheel gun. I could of done a lot of things with the time I spent picking up brass. Now as an old man with a sore back I’ve had enough. No more brass picking for me. Still love my 1911s but I won’t be shooting them much or any other auto loading pistols except rimfires. I’ve become a wheel Gun Convert. Should of done it long ago. Was out shooting 629 today and it was nice. I’ve even got a 25-2 and a few others in safe to use for this project
Life is Good

 

[chkunz]

Try shooting XTC with an AR on the big range!

 

[hoz53]

Try shooting XTC with an AR on the big range!

I think I would really like that. Ain’t picking my brass up there either though. I get enough of picking up my AR brass at my local range. My new rule is if I can sweep it up cause it’s on the concrete OK. In the dirt or grass forgetaboutit.

 

[mensajd]

There are inexpensive brass catchers for ARs. No more chasing brass and the folks in the adjacent, right lane will thank you!

 

[jds holler]

I did just the opposite hoz. I started with revolvers, and never owned a centerfire semi-auto until probably five or six years ago. Now it irks the hell out of me to meander around picking up the brass from those new fangled things.

I've got 38 and 357 brass that I was reloading when I was a kid. That won't be the case with my autobanger stuff. jd

 

[jonbearman]

I have both 1811's and a smith wheel gun. The wheel is so minty I am afraid to shoot it anymore. LOL But I will soon. Dillon sells a gizmo for picking brass up in the gravel or grass for like 60 bucks.

 

[rr2030]

Save your Back

 

[antelopedundee]

I have both 1811's and a smith wheel gun. The wheel is so minty I am afraid to shoot it anymore. LOL But I will soon. Dillon sells a gizmo for picking brass up in the gravel or grass for like 60 bucks.

If that's the hand held thingy I'm thinking of there is and older gent who must come down to the range purt neer every day and picks up brass [or whatever] with one of those. Don't know what he does with the stuff. Must sell it to pay for his membership so he can come in to pick up brass.

 

[PatMiles]

I was a "brass whore" for close to 30 years, I picked up brass as if it was gold, many, many 5 gallon buckets in the backyard, garage and attic. After a good friend passed away I hauled a truck load of his brass to a recycler for his wife and was stunned to find out what it was worth (6 years ago). I started unloading what I had and actually paid for a ShotMarker system with the proceeds. Damn near crippled me in the process!

 

[hoz53]

There are inexpensive brass catchers for ARs. No more chasing brass and the folks in the adjacent, right lane will thank you!

I had a brass catcher for my HK —— 30 some years ago- an AR 15 one now is a good idea

 

[hoz53]

I did just the opposite hoz. I started with revolvers, and never owned a centerfire semi-auto until probably five or six years ago. Now it irks the hell out of me to meander around picking up the brass from those new fangled things.

I've got 38 and 357 brass that I was reloading when I was a kid. That won't be the case with my autobanger stuff. jd

Better take my advice JD and get rid of those autoloaders. I’ll be putting one of mine here in the classifieds in the next few days. Trade em in on some Wheel Guns and you’ll be a happier man.

 

[hoz53]

I have both 1811's and a smith wheel gun. The wheel is so minty I am afraid to shoot it anymore. LOL But I will soon. Dillon sells a gizmo for picking brass up in the gravel or grass for like 60 bucks.

Yeah those brass picker uppers don’t work so good- I have one and tried it.
I got a 86 model Smith that’s only had one round through it. I’ll be shooting it some soon like you. Guess I’ll try and sell a couple 1911s but I’ll still have a couple left

 

[hoz53]

I was a "brass whore" for close to 30 years, I picked up brass as if it was gold, many, many 5 gallon buckets in the backyard, garage and attic. After a good friend passed away I hauled a truck load of his brass to a recycler for his wife and was stunned to find out what it was worth (6 years ago). I started unloading what I had and actually paid for a ShotMarker system with the proceeds. Damn near crippled me in the process!

A good story- I haven’t done that much but enough for my lifetime

 

[Richard Coody]

There is a tool that is great for picking up brass. Called.a nut wizard. Comes I different sizes. The smallest will even pick up .22 brass. They are made for picking up nuts of course. Just pick the right size for your brass. Save that back.

 

[hoz53]

There is a tool that is great for picking up brass. Called.a nut wizard. Comes I different sizes. The smallest will even pick up .22 brass. They are made for picking up nuts of course. Just pick the right size for your brass. Save that back.

I have one of those things that looks like a cage you roll around. It doesn’t work for me. Mabie you’re talking about something different or mabie I’m doing it wrong. A lot of times I can’t see them to start with- thanks though

 

[jackson1]

Picking up your spent brass is tough enough. What really gets me is I always lose a few pieces when I shoot my ACP. As a youngster, I picked up every piece I could find. Now as a snob, I like to have all he same brand. Life just keeps getting better and better, or something like that. It only gets better, on Monday morning, I had difficulty deciding what rifle to bring. "Lazy" won out, brought my rimfire Colt Diamondback, as I was going to help a friend with his new rifle. Another story, but decency will win out on that one. Or the names will be changed to protect the guilty.

 

[Rustytigwire]

Waste not want not. Take offspring and teach them well. Nothing is free but range brass is cheaper shootin means more shootin.

 

[JFrank]

At a range with a bench I use a bait net and a 4x6 block, drill an appropriate hole to stand the net near to the ejection port then catch the brass before it hits the ground.

 

[hogpatrol]

Take a sheet and lay it down where the brass falls. When finished, pick up the four corners. I watched the guys shooting full auto do this.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I love my 1911, have done most of the shooting with it in indoor ranges. I sweep up all the brass, don't care who's as long as they don't want theirs. I always ask first. I have close to 5000 45ACP cases. Some 3000 of them are loaded right now.
Since I am shooting at a range now that is outdoors, I tend to shoot my 1911 much less. Brass goes everywhere. I use to come home with 2x what I went to range with, now I am lucky if I come back with 70%.
Still I love my 1911. But am planning on getting a 45LC wheel gun which may end up my go to hand gun.