The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Conference Center > General Discussion Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old September 2, 2013, 06:03 AM   #1
Hillbilly66
Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2012
Posts: 39
My 'What the ...?' moment for the day...

Also known as 'Always...ALWAYS, wear eye protection...'

I was shooting steel at my local range about two weeks ago, when I got beaned just at the upper inside edge of my left brow. Hard. I thought I'd been hit by the entire bullet from the force, and the nice 'thwack!' I felt (heard?)... To say I was relieved that I was wearing glasses is an understatement.

I thought it was the entire bullet. Felt like it, anyway. I was wrong. I know I was wrong because I just used a pair of needle nose tweezers to pull this out of my head!



Definitely served to reinforce my belief in protecting my vision. A little lower, sans eyewear, and well...you know. Hello ER, goodbye eye...

Just thought I'd share in case anyone needed a reminder...
Hillbilly66 is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 06:15 AM   #2
Gster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 2, 2012
Location: N.central Pa.
Posts: 302
You are lucky. It surely could have been worse. Glad you're alright.
__________________
Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at.
Gster is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 06:47 AM   #3
Hillbilly66
Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2012
Posts: 39
My 'What the ...?' moment for the day...

Gster

Me too. That was a ricochet from 7 yards, off a free swinging torso target with a center mass cutout 'flapper' plate, shooting 9mm FMJ.

I had to have hit the edge of the cutout I suspect, for that fragment to come back at me like that. Hit it just right, I guess...or just wrong depending on your point of view.

If what I felt was even the tiniest fraction of what it must feel like to actually be shot.......oh, man. No thank you. That tiny little sliver carried enough velocity and force to actually stun me for a brief moment. Not to mention I bled like the proverbial stuck pig.

Once again, ever so thankful I wear Eyepro...
Hillbilly66 is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 07:35 AM   #4
TheNatureBoy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 6, 2007
Posts: 1,204
Quote:
"Just thought I'd share in case anyone needed a reminder....."
Thanks
TheNatureBoy is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 08:03 AM   #5
Salmoneye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,076
Thanks for the reminder!

Just curious...

Why did you wait two weeks to remove it?
Salmoneye is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 03:36 PM   #6
FrankenMauser
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 25, 2008
Location: In the valley above the plain
Posts: 13,400
Note to self: Do not go shooting with Hillbilly66.

I am a ricochet magnet. If there are bullet fragments flying anywhere within 50 miles of me... they'll find a way to hit me. I should probably wear a bomb suit when shooting.

I once had a ruptured steel shell casing curve around and between 2 other people (that I was hiding behind), before slamming into and tearing my wrist open. On that day alone, I was hit by 7 substantial bullet fragments... But no one I was with was doing anything unsafe, and I was hiding behind the truck half the time.

It's one of the bigger reasons I avoid public ranges, and try to go shooting in very small groups (2 or 3 people, max). Bullet fragments love me.
__________________
Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.
FrankenMauser is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 04:40 PM   #7
Hillbilly66
Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2012
Posts: 39
My 'What the ...?' moment for the day...

Salmoneye,

I had no clue it was there. None. Nada. Zip. I thought the swelling was just from the impact, cut and healing process. There was very little if any pain, other than the initial incident until a couple of days ago. What I think now is that it was deep, just above the bone, and slowly worked out as the wound closed up.

So, this morning I rubbed it and noticed a sharp pain, at which point I got up close in the mirror to take a look. The scab was pushed up, which puzzled me, so I sterilized a needle and removed it, exposing the end of the sliver. Still did not realize what it was, until I took the tweezers and got ahold if it. That's when I got my 'What the ...?' moment, and that 15 watt bulb on a dimmer switch in my head flickered on.

I'm still just a tad freaked out.
Hillbilly66 is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 07:46 PM   #8
MattShlock
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2013
Posts: 251
Thanks for the reminder!

Glad u r OK, and didn't try to fly since it happened...
MattShlock is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 07:53 PM   #9
MattShlock
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2013
Posts: 251
Thanks for the reminder!

Glad u r OK, and didn't try to fly since it happened...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Bonnie Fwank.jpg (96.5 KB, 81 views)
MattShlock is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 07:55 PM   #10
Tucker 1371
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 29, 2008
Location: East TN
Posts: 2,649
If you look at the warnings for most companies who sell steel plates for personal use most will say not to shoot within 25yds
__________________
Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250
Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!!
If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging.
OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe
Tucker 1371 is offline  
Old September 2, 2013, 07:55 PM   #11
Armed_Chicagoan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 18, 2013
Location: Albany Park, Chicago
Posts: 776
Well the penny has a 2013 mint mark so it couldn't have been in your head very long.
Armed_Chicagoan is offline  
Old September 3, 2013, 06:07 AM   #12
Salmoneye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,076
Thanks for the explanation...

makes sense, and I have had similar experiences with metal fragments working their way out...

Mine were not from shooting, though...
Salmoneye is offline  
Old September 3, 2013, 09:05 AM   #13
Hillbilly66
Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2012
Posts: 39
My 'What the ...?' moment for the day...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tucker 1371 View Post
If you look at the warnings for most companies who sell steel plates for personal use most will say not to shoot within 25yds
The range I shoot at has an elevated, covered shooting deck. Since we shoot at a downward angle, the likelihood of ricochets coming back up is minimized. Minimized...
Hillbilly66 is offline  
Old September 3, 2013, 10:31 AM   #14
spacecoast
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 14, 2009
Location: Sunshine and Keystone States
Posts: 4,461
Quote:
If you look at the warnings for most companies who sell steel plates for personal use most will say not to shoot within 25yds
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... 7 yards is really close (too close) for steel. I think I'd want to be wearing a full helmet.
spacecoast is offline  
Old September 3, 2013, 10:43 AM   #15
FlyFish
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2009
Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley
Posts: 1,723
I've seen at least two members of my Bullseye team hit hard enough with a ricochet .22LR bullet fragment to draw blood. And that's with the target at 50', the steel backstop at about a 45-degree angle sloping downward some several feet behind that, and with Homasote-type panels in front of it, with only a relatively small hole behind the target. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would have claimed it to be impossible.

I didn't need any more incentive to always wear my shooting glasses, but if I had, that would have done it.
__________________
NRA Benefactor Life Member
NRA Certified Instructor: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, PPIH, Metallic & Shotgun Shell Reloading; RSO
Pemigewasset Valley Fish & Game Club
FlyFish is offline  
Old September 3, 2013, 04:43 PM   #16
SHE3PDOG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 27, 2013
Posts: 988
That is terrifying. I must admit that I frequently skip over eye protection when shooting, but I think I'll keep my shooting glasses on from now on.
__________________
Semper Fi

Marine, NRA member, SAF Defender's Club member, and constitutionally protected keeper and bearer of firearms
SHE3PDOG is offline  
Old September 3, 2013, 09:20 PM   #17
Hillbilly66
Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2012
Posts: 39
My 'What the ...?' moment for the day...

Quote:
Originally Posted by SHE3PDOG View Post
That is terrifying. I must admit that I frequently skip over eye protection when shooting, but I think I'll keep my shooting glasses on from now on.
I know that most, if not all of us at some point or another have been complacent about one thing or another at some point in our lives.

It's not worth it to be lax on safety. Not in this sport. I don't step out of the truck at the range without eye or earpro on. Ever. I don't remove it until I get back in my truck to leave. This little incident served only to validate my OCD!
Hillbilly66 is offline  
Old September 4, 2013, 05:52 AM   #18
kozak6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 16, 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 3,113
What the heck kind of gun are you shooting pennies out of?!?!?!?

Seriously, though, I'm glad you are ok. Sometimes I feel like safety doesn't get enough attention on these message boards.
kozak6 is offline  
Old September 4, 2013, 06:47 AM   #19
Hillbilly66
Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2012
Posts: 39
My 'What the ...?' moment for the day...

Quote:
Originally Posted by kozak6 View Post
What the heck kind of gun are you shooting pennies out of?!?!?!?

Seriously, though, I'm glad you are ok. Sometimes I feel like safety doesn't get enough attention on these message boards.
Sig Sauer P226...1989 vintage. It has feeding problems with the newer pennies, though. 8-/

Gawds, my sense of humor is lame...
Hillbilly66 is offline  
Old September 6, 2013, 07:28 AM   #20
Qtiphky
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 11, 2008
Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge
Posts: 568
Yep-it happens

Two weekends ago I was shooting my 1911 in 10mm at about 40 feet and right after a shot it felt like I got stung by a bee on my left forearm. Yep, nice big piece of steel was dug out by my wife with her fingers. Last summer I was shooting my 45 and she was sitting behind me on the deck at camp and all of the sudden she starts yelling to stop shooting. One had ricocheted off the berm, over the garage and flew 70 yards backwards and to the right and hit the fascia on the house right above her head. She was not happy.
Qtiphky is offline  
Old September 7, 2013, 12:03 AM   #21
mrray13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 26, 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 911
At least you were just shooting medium caliber pennies, and not large caliber quarters or magnum caliber half dollars. That could've been really messy. By the way, what's that little piece of lead in your hand for? Size comparison?

Those small caliber dimes really zing, and can hurt too!

Now, we've got some really cheap & lame jokes, harhar. Penny for your thoughts?

Ok, I'll quit now....
mrray13 is offline  
Old September 9, 2013, 08:13 AM   #22
vito
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 20, 2004
Location: IL
Posts: 853
I've never encountered steel coming back at me, but I always have glasses on anyway. Without my glasses I probably could not tell which direction I should be shooting. I also wear a baseball cap, but that's just to protect myself from shell casings. And more recently I started making sure that I button up my shirt all the way to the top button after a 40S&W case went down the front of my open shirt and burned me slightly on the chest. Its enough to make me want to stick to only shooting revolvers.
__________________
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
― George Orwell
vito is offline  
Old September 9, 2013, 08:57 AM   #23
shortwave
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 17, 2007
Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO
Posts: 5,970
I posted about this before but worth another...I guess.

Brother had my 38 'airweight' shooting JRN into some paper target having railroad ties for backstop. Don't remember the distance but thinkin it was about 5-7yds.
He fired and immediately grabbed his throat.
Projectile came straight back hitting him square in the adams-apple.

Luckily did not break the skin but sure put a nice whelp on him.

Surprisingly, the projectile was flattened a bit but still intact.
Upon further inspection of the railroad tie, they found a piece of flat steel embedded about 1/4" just under the wood surface.

Thanks OP for the reminder.
shortwave is offline  
Old September 9, 2013, 09:09 AM   #24
Dashunde
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 22, 2004
Posts: 2,018
Shooting at steel from about 15 yards... the jacket from my 45acp ball came back and chewed up my right forearm a little bit.

Dont shoot at 1/8" thick sheetmetal thats dinged up and rippled. Weird stuff can happen.
Dashunde is offline  
Old September 9, 2013, 09:21 AM   #25
Glenn E. Meyer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 17, 2000
Posts: 20,064
I had a fragment off steel slit my chin open. Yuk. Another time, a little lead snow flake particle landed on my tongue while I was talking behind the line -

I've seen a rifle round from across the range come back and crack someone hard in the noggin. Another bounced off the tin roof of the sun shade.

As far as eye protection - I've decided always to wear glasses - no lasik or corrected cataract implants so I don't have to wear them. I was mowing the lawn and a rock I never saw in the grass socked me hard in the mouth.
__________________
NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens
Glenn E. Meyer is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07519 seconds with 11 queries