Ever had an encounter with the Brass Police?

[Eldraque]

So today i went to the local indoor range with my dad, pretty much the best range in the area because its air conditioned (in Florida this is a big deal) we were there for 4 hours, we paid for rental and tried out 8 guns or so, and paid about $100 in ammo for the rentals.

Now, I am a new reloader, ive been to this range 7 times in the last 10 months and i always ask other shooters if i can sweep up their brass for them when their done and keep it to reload, and most of the time they are happy to agree.

Today after spending 2 hrs on the pistol range, we went to the rifle range to shoot ak and ar, i asked the nice old gentleman shooting an ar next to us if i could sweep up his brass for him because i reload, and he said yes, about 10 seconds later a female employee comes in and immediately sweeps up all the guys brass, as she was about to dump it all in the brass barrel i told her "can i have that? He said i could have it" and she said "no it goes in here" and then dumped it in the barrel.

Now, the ranges policy is "you can pick up your own brass" so whats the difference of me sweeping up other peoples brass for them after asking if they want it or not, versus them picking it up and giving it to me? Im a poor college student, is the range really losing that much money that they have to harass people about a few dozen cases?

Irony was the nice old guy saw what happened, and after the employee left and he finished shooting, he swept it up himself and gave it to me.

So on our way out the employee gave me dirty looks as i lugged my fat bag of brass

Have any of you had similar experiences? Did you change your behavior somehow? Or switch ranges? I wouldnt have minded so much if the employee had simply stated the rule that i could not pick up other peoples brass, even with their permission. Instead they had a very poor attitude and reaction about it.

[DoddRod]

Depends on the range. Out here Field Time in Stanton has people sweeping up brass pretty regularly. I've never had any trouble with collecting my own or even the brass of people who have told me they don't want it.

Probably they don't care if you argue that he let you have his brass, they just see money walking out of their door

[AAShooter]

Happens all the time. Gun ranges start focusing on the wrong things for minor money. They are far better off making you a happy customer and getting your return business rather than a few dollars in brass.

Our local range got in a big push about target frames. Don't shoot the target frames. Yet most people can't keep on a 25 yard target with a handgun. It is all part of the cost of doing business.

I really like the ranges that claim if your brass hits the ground it is their property. Oh well.

[Bigedski]

The one time I had an issue at a range I was picking up my brass and an employee told me I could not do that, so I asked why he said if it hits the floor its belongs to them, I told him B.S. its mine and im going to take it.
He took a step in my direction I told him it would not be worth a trip to the hospital. I told him if he feels that strongly about it to go call a cop.
I picked up all my brass and left.

[The War Wagon]

I've never belonged to a range/club, where I COULDN'T pick up my own brass (or any other brass I found), nor would I.

[Just-in]

The one time I had an issue at a range I was picking up my brass and an employee told me I could not do that, so I asked why he said if it hits the floor its belongs to them, I told him B.S. its mine and im going to take it.
.

I'd come back with a brass catcher
I wish I bought one a long time ago now I do not have to worry about my brass getting stepped on and bent up.

[hermosabeach]

It completely depends on the range....

I know the guys at one of the local ranges and they know me.

One mentioned that if I wanted brass they would sell me one or two of the 5 gallon buckets at $20 each

I just needed to return the bucket.


So find a local range, get to know the folks, enjoy the benefits of supporting and being supported by the local business.

[71MUSTY]

An indoor range I go to doesn't allow brass collecting but they do allow brass catchers. All brass on the floor is given to their reloader who then in turn gives then a deal on reloads which they pass on to the customers.

Ok deal unless your a reloader in which case you need a brass catcher.

[beretta929mm]

brass is money nowadays

[nephrodoc]

The ranges I frequent allow you to pick up your own brass. This does not entitle you to everyone's brass. I mark my cases to simplify the matter. Don't ruin it for everyone else.

[bajadan]

Never been to a range that doesn't allow it. But with spent Brass going for close to $2.00lb at recycler you can see why. Some of the nicer ranges in OC take in over 100k year from the recycler on top of there reloading sells. Its big business in U.S.

[L84CABO]

Here's the difference...your brass...you own it, you can collect it. Other people's brass...well...if the original owner doesn't want it, the range views it as THEIRS. Forget that the owner of said brass should be able to designate who he wants to give it to. The range, however, makes money on the brass. So they're going to get a bit territorial if the original owner doesn't want it.

And I'm not making any judgments on what is right or wrong here. Just explaining it. Consider too, that the range could easily implement a NO BRASS COLLECTION policy across the board in the name of safety. Can't have a bunch of people adding turmoil to the firing line by sweeping and picking up brass. It's a hazard after all. So you aren't even allowed to pick up your own brass. Don't like it? Don't shoot here. Again, I'm just saying what could happen.

In the end, it's up to you. The range can implement whatever policies they want. You can decide where to spend your money if you don't like their policies.

[vintagearms]

Happens all the time. Gun ranges start focusing on the wrong things for minor money. They are far better off making you a happy customer and getting your return business rather than a few dollars in brass.

Our local range got in a big push about target frames. Don't shoot the target frames. Yet most people can't keep on a 25 yard target with a handgun. It is all part of the cost of doing business.

I really like the ranges that claim if your brass hits the ground it is their property. Oh well.

Run a gun range and come back and tell us that your opinion hasn't changed. Owning a gun range isn't as cheap as people might expect and that "minor money" adds up.

[Eldraque]

The ranges I frequent allow you to pick up your own brass. This does not entitle you to everyone's brass. I mark my cases to simplify the matter. Don't ruin it for everyone else.

I agree, i dont shoot one magazine and then spend ten minutes sweeping up all the brass in the range like some people i know lol. Just when i go to sweep my own brass ill just make a friendly inquiry to the people next to me. Ive seen very few reloaders at this particular range, the range still gets lots and lots and lots of brass, and the more i reload the more i will come back and pay to shoot.

But the rules are the rules, and ive been a few times before without them saying anything, if they had simply told me "im sorry, the rule is you can only take your own brass" i wouldve been okay with that rather than the snarky, bad attitude employee. But ultimately i think i will be looking for country friends and/or another range i guess.

[AAShooter]

Run a gun range and come back and tell us that your opinion hasn't changed. Owning a gun range isn't as cheap as people might expect and that "minor money" adds up.

I understand but many ranges lose track of common sense in these areas. Driving your long-term customers away nickel and diming them of things to the point of frustration isn't good business either. Like many things, it is a balance.

Certainly using a little more customer friendly approach with new customers that don't know/understand your rules is a good investment.