shell catcher for the AR 15 ?

rebs · April 27, 2012, 07:26 AM

I have seen a couple different ones advertised, do any of them actually work or are they more bother than they are worth ? As a reloader it sure would be easier than hunting for your spent casings.

kraigwy · April 27, 2012, 08:18 AM

I have a hard plastic one (forgot the Brand, its out in the shop). It goes under the carrying handle and pops down on the ridge above the action.

It works great. You never know its there when you're shooting (assuming you're right handed because it hangs on the right side of the rifle).

It doesn't interfere with your positions (I shoot NRA/CMP positions, Standing, and using the sling in sitting and prone).

I've had this since the mid 80s and have never had empty brass causing a jam.

When practicing I normally empty it between strings (meaning 10-20 rounds) but it will hold 50+. I don't know the + part, but I have shot a full 50 round HP course (10 standing 10 setting rapid, 10 prone rapid, 20 slow fire) without emptying it.

I don't know about the bag types, haven't used them but mine works great. Don't know if I would want a bag of brass swinging around under the rifle while I'm shooting, mine is ridged.

Later I'll get a picture of it hanging on the rifle.

Sure is nice when shooting in the snow.

I use it on both my SP1 (M16a1 style) and my White Oak Upper (M16a2 style).

Don't know how it would work on a flat top, I don't have one.

rebs · April 27, 2012, 08:56 AM

Kraig
I sure would appreciate the name of your shell catcher if possible. It sounds like you have a good one.

TMD · April 27, 2012, 09:00 AM

I picked up a cheap net type one from a gunshow for like $10 or so. It works great and as a left handed shooter it doesn't get in the way.

kraigwy · April 27, 2012, 11:42 AM

Rebs I found it, apparently they still make them:

http://elmfg.com/store/brasscatcher.html

Well worth the money.

Here it is. Notice the clip on the left side that slides down on the ridge above the reciever below the carrying handle.

The second picture is it on my Service Rifle. When you're shooting the rifle you never see it or even know its there. (Except when you go to hunting up brass). Main thing, unlike the net brass catchers you don't have it swinging underneith you, screwing up your "steady hold".

chrisflhtc · April 27, 2012, 02:32 PM

Here is a good place for them also the country shed

Toolman · April 27, 2012, 07:52 PM

Had a mesh bag for 8yrs & never noticed it until I got 40 rnds in the catcher, then it got slightly heavy on the side. Mesh catcher is easy to unload, easy to attach & won't mark my rifle.
The hard case catchers advertise they can hold 60 rnds...I think you'd notice that weight. Do they mark the rifles finish?

kraigwy · April 27, 2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Do they mark the rifles finish?

I've been using mine since the 80s and they haven't marked up my gun yet.

The plastic is a lot softer then the rifle.

My Match AR weights 13 pounds, I don't normally get enough brass to notice the weight. I have tried the bag and did notice it swinging back and forth.

Kind of distracting, especially in the off hand position.

rebs · April 28, 2012, 06:24 AM

My Match AR weights 13 pounds,

and I thought 8.5 pounds was heavy..........lol

Ronbo1 · April 28, 2012, 07:17 AM

This is the one I have with metal mounting pins they no longer make the clamp on over the top AR catcher. I really like it for PD shooting, model for 223 or 308 caliber AR15

http://elmfg.com/store/univbc.html

**4V50 Gary** · April 28, 2012, 11:56 AM

I shot prone from inside my 4x4 yesterday. I used a huge cardboard box to keep the shells from bouncing into the glass.

Toolman · April 28, 2012, 09:43 PM

Here's my varmint rifle. 24" Wilson bull barrel. Yeah, it's heavy but shoots great off stix or bipod. It weighs 14.0 lbs without the bipod.

rebs · April 29, 2012, 05:50 AM

Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate it. Now all I have to do is decide which one. The hard plastic one seems to be the better setup

rbernie · May 1, 2012, 01:51 PM

I have been told that the E&L model with the Picatinny-mounted tabs can interfere with optic mounting. Dunno for sure, and it would be helpful (to me) to hear folk with first hand experience with the rigid ones talk about any mounting limitations...

Right now, I use a $8 Caldwell mesh bag that straps around the handguard delta ring/float tube, and it works, eh, well enough during casual offhand shooting. It can cause the occasionally stoppage if it's not over the ejection port 'just so', due to brass bouncing back into the receiver.

Lemmon · May 1, 2012, 03:12 PM

Thumbs Up kraigwy,

I bought two of these a year ago and have not regretted it. Good product and it does the job it is intended to do with no trouble.

Well worth the money........

http://elmfg.com/store/brasscatcher.html

Lemmon

Ronbo1 · May 2, 2012, 06:48 AM

rbernie, I use the EL rigid flat top model with the two metal mounting studs on the picanny flat top. The mounting studs fit between the extra high scope rings I use with a Weaver V16 riflescope. A one piece scope mount or long riser would not work but two extra high rings work great with the catcher.

http://elmfg.com/store/univbc.html

Picture of the catcher in a dog town

rebs · June 21, 2012, 09:58 AM

I have a removable carry handle that I sometimes have on and sometimes off. Does anyone know if this plastic catcher work both ways ?

a7mmnut · June 21, 2012, 12:46 PM

I cut the handle off of a trout net and mounted it through a heavy 3" block of channel iron with one screw. It sits beside the autos and works well, handguns too!

-7-

gearchecker · June 21, 2012, 02:17 PM

I just lay out an 8' x 12' tarp to catch all my brass.
It cost me $2.00 on sale at Harbor freight. you can get them anywhere, even Kmart and WalMart
I don't concern myself with messing with any brass till I'm done. I just fold it in half and dump the spent casings into a cardboard box for the drive home.

zippy13 · June 29, 2012, 09:16 PM

As Murphy's Law would have it, I spotted this tread just after I'd ordered a UTG mesh bag catcher.

Perviously I'd used a simple fabric bag that I draped through the carry handle of my Colt Match HBAR. It worked great, but would cause stove pipes about 5% of the time.

I like gearchecker's idea of a big tarp; but, it would cover several adjacent shooting position, and the club's rangemasters frown on such things.

Getting back to the UTG bag -- it had great reviews; but, some shooters said it had to be properly adjusted. Of course, following Murphy's Law, there were no instructions included. I've tried it twice and both times it's been a dismal failure. If set on the high side, the brass is dropped out the gap at the bottom. If set low, it tosses the brass over the top.

It seems the bag wants to be tighter against the action; but, before I put a dog-leg in the mounting wire I thought I see if y'alls have any other ideas. Perhaps there's something obvious that I'm missing.

In hindsight, I should have got one of those boxes like Cap'n Kraig has.

rebs · June 30, 2012, 07:33 AM

A friend gave me one of the caldwell bags because he couldn't get it to work. I cut a section out of a plastic milk jug and taped it in the mouth of the bag to keep the bag from folding down and closing the mouth. It has been working great. I gave it back to him and now he loves it. It catches every case with no problems.

April 27, 2012, 07:26 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	shell catcher for the AR 15 ? I have seen a couple different ones advertised, do any of them actually work or are they more bother than they are worth ? As a reloader it sure would be easier than hunting for your spent casings.

April 27, 2012, 08:18 AM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I have a hard plastic one (forgot the Brand, its out in the shop). It goes under the carrying handle and pops down on the ridge above the action. It works great. You never know its there when you're shooting (assuming you're right handed because it hangs on the right side of the rifle). It doesn't interfere with your positions (I shoot NRA/CMP positions, Standing, and using the sling in sitting and prone). I've had this since the mid 80s and have never had empty brass causing a jam. When practicing I normally empty it between strings (meaning 10-20 rounds) but it will hold 50+. I don't know the + part, but I have shot a full 50 round HP course (10 standing 10 setting rapid, 10 prone rapid, 20 slow fire) without emptying it. I don't know about the bag types, haven't used them but mine works great. Don't know if I would want a bag of brass swinging around under the rifle while I'm shooting, mine is ridged. Later I'll get a picture of it hanging on the rifle. Sure is nice when shooting in the snow. I use it on both my SP1 (M16a1 style) and my White Oak Upper (M16a2 style). Don't know how it would work on a flat top, I don't have one. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

April 27, 2012, 11:42 AM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Rebs I found it, apparently they still make them: http://elmfg.com/store/brasscatcher.html Well worth the money. Here it is. Notice the clip on the left side that slides down on the ridge above the reciever below the carrying handle. The second picture is it on my Service Rifle. When you're shooting the rifle you never see it or even know its there. (Except when you go to hunting up brass). Main thing, unlike the net brass catchers you don't have it swinging underneith you, screwing up your "steady hold". __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

April 27, 2012, 07:52 PM	#7
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	Had a mesh bag for 8yrs & never noticed it until I got 40 rnds in the catcher, then it got slightly heavy on the side. Mesh catcher is easy to unload, easy to attach & won't mark my rifle. The hard case catchers advertise they can hold 60 rnds...I think you'd notice that weight. Do they mark the rifles finish? __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

April 28, 2012, 07:17 AM	#10
Ronbo1 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Location: MN Posts: 136	This is the one I have with metal mounting pins they no longer make the clamp on over the top AR catcher. I really like it for PD shooting, model for 223 or 308 caliber AR15 http://elmfg.com/store/univbc.html __________________ When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves Abraham Lincoln

April 27, 2012, 08:56 AM	#3
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Kraig I sure would appreciate the name of your shell catcher if possible. It sounds like you have a good one.

April 27, 2012, 09:00 AM	#4
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	I picked up a cheap net type one from a gunshow for like $10 or so. It works great and as a left handed shooter it doesn't get in the way.

April 27, 2012, 02:32 PM	#6
chrisflhtc Member Join Date: December 7, 2010 Posts: 20	Here is a good place for them also the country shed

April 28, 2012, 06:24 AM	#9
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	My Match AR weights 13 pounds, and I thought 8.5 pounds was heavy..........lol

April 28, 2012, 11:56 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Somewhat relevant improvisation I shot prone from inside my 4x4 yesterday. I used a huge cardboard box to keep the shells from bouncing into the glass. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 29, 2012, 05:50 AM	#13
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate it. Now all I have to do is decide which one. The hard plastic one seems to be the better setup

May 1, 2012, 01:51 PM	#14
rbernie Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2004 Location: Plain Ol', TX Posts: 713	I have been told that the E&L model with the Picatinny-mounted tabs can interfere with optic mounting. Dunno for sure, and it would be helpful (to me) to hear folk with first hand experience with the rigid ones talk about any mounting limitations... Right now, I use a $8 Caldwell mesh bag that straps around the handguard delta ring/float tube, and it works, eh, well enough during casual offhand shooting. It can cause the occasionally stoppage if it's not over the ejection port 'just so', due to brass bouncing back into the receiver. __________________ -A conclusion is not a destination, it's simply a convenient place to stop thinking.- -Reading a thing doesn't automatically make it so; repeating it doesn't necessarily make it any truer.- -Every Texan should be a member of the Texas State Rifle Association.

May 1, 2012, 03:12 PM	#15
Lemmon Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2009 Location: Rural South Carolina Posts: 445	elmfg.com Thumbs Up kraigwy, I bought two of these a year ago and have not regretted it. Good product and it does the job it is intended to do with no trouble. Well worth the money........ http://elmfg.com/store/brasscatcher.html Lemmon

May 2, 2012, 06:48 AM	#16
Ronbo1 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Location: MN Posts: 136	rbernie, I use the EL rigid flat top model with the two metal mounting studs on the picanny flat top. The mounting studs fit between the extra high scope rings I use with a Weaver V16 riflescope. A one piece scope mount or long riser would not work but two extra high rings work great with the catcher. http://elmfg.com/store/univbc.html Picture of the catcher in a dog town __________________ When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves Abraham Lincoln Last edited by Ronbo1; May 2, 2012 at 06:59 AM.

June 21, 2012, 09:58 AM	#17
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I have a removable carry handle that I sometimes have on and sometimes off. Does anyone know if this plastic catcher work both ways ?

June 21, 2012, 12:46 PM	#18
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	I cut the handle off of a trout net and mounted it through a heavy 3" block of channel iron with one screw. It sits beside the autos and works well, handguns too! -7-

June 21, 2012, 02:17 PM	#19
gearchecker Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: North IDAHO, Big Bear Country Posts: 466	Tarps work well too. I just lay out an 8' x 12' tarp to catch all my brass. It cost me $2.00 on sale at Harbor freight. you can get them anywhere, even Kmart and WalMart I don't concern myself with messing with any brass till I'm done. I just fold it in half and dump the spent casings into a cardboard box for the drive home. __________________ When the time comes that I don't want a new gun, Call the undertaker! My firearm is an investment on my life. http://www.takdriver.com http://www.corneredcat.com

June 29, 2012, 09:16 PM	#20
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Any ideas? As Murphy's Law would have it, I spotted this tread just after I'd ordered a UTG mesh bag catcher. Perviously I'd used a simple fabric bag that I draped through the carry handle of my Colt Match HBAR. It worked great, but would cause stove pipes about 5% of the time. I like gearchecker's idea of a big tarp; but, it would cover several adjacent shooting position, and the club's rangemasters frown on such things. Getting back to the UTG bag -- it had great reviews; but, some shooters said it had to be properly adjusted. Of course, following Murphy's Law, there were no instructions included. I've tried it twice and both times it's been a dismal failure. If set on the high side, the brass is dropped out the gap at the bottom. If set low, it tosses the brass over the top. It seems the bag wants to be tighter against the action; but, before I put a dog-leg in the mounting wire I thought I see if y'alls have any other ideas. Perhaps there's something obvious that I'm missing. In hindsight, I should have got one of those boxes like Cap'n Kraig has.

June 30, 2012, 07:33 AM	#21
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	A friend gave me one of the caldwell bags because he couldn't get it to work. I cut a section out of a plastic milk jug and taped it in the mouth of the bag to keep the bag from folding down and closing the mouth. It has been working great. I gave it back to him and now he loves it. It catches every case with no problems.