I got shot today by a .44 Magnum

[alfsauve]

Yup.  By a guy standing not 3 feet away from me!

Indoor 75' range.  I'm in my lane and have just fired a shot (9mm FMJ), when something hits my right bicep.  At first I think it is my shell casing, but it was much too long after I fired my shot and the hit was definitely something big and heavy.

I looked down and found a large, very mis-shapened lead bullet.  Actually there was one large piece (~75%) and several smaller charades.    Evidently, a bullet from the guy next to me had bounced off the floor, hit the backstop at just the right angle and bounced into my arm.

I use small NRA D-2 (tombstone 8"hx5"w) targets at eye level so my shots go into the trap pretty much dead center.  But most people use 5' tall life size targets the range sells.  Problem is many of their shots actually go into the floor, especially when they're shooting a close range, before skipping into the backstop (trap).   Occasionaly one takes off a just the right angle and hits just the right place on the backstop to bounce back.

No bruise or anything, which surprises me that it didn't come back with more energy.  (I'm glad it didn't).   Left the souvenir with the range to remind people.....ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.
 

[shooter32]

alf glad you are alright.

[Rob10ring]

I've seen this a few times even at our indoor range. During a pistol match last year, my brother and I were observing while someone else shot and my brother caught a shard in the cheek. It cut and actually stuck, but was very , very minor. The worst that could have happened could only have happened if he hadn't worn eye protection. Always a good lesson and we get a reminder occasionally. It's nice when the reminders can be laughed at.

Glad you're OK!

[Hazcat]

Sounds like a serious design flaw!  Thay need to take steps to eliminate that.  For the time being maybe smaller targets and no magnum rounds?

[Big Frank]

Sounds like a serious design flaw!  Thay need to take steps to eliminate that.  For the time being maybe smaller targets and no magnum rounds?

+1.

Glad you're okay Alf. I've only been hit by my own ricochets with .22s. I think I'd be a little freaked out if someone else shot me.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Sounds like a simple fix (range rules, not your bruise) to require all shots go into the backstop.

Oh, wait a minute ... isn't one of the basic rules of firearm safety to know your target and What's Beyond 

[Fatman]

Here's a site with an explanation of range traps. This link goes to a total containment system.

http://www.actarg.com/mil_bt_tct.html

Bottom of the page has a flash presentation.


Getting hit with anything bullet is never pleasant. Very unnerving.

[Big Frank]

Even #12 shot is enough to get your attention.

[m25operator]

Alf, glad your OK, I too have seen and experienced this many times, been there, done that and still have the tee shirt, actually a polo shirt that I wore over a long sleeve tee shirt, that still has the semi circle cut in it from a 185 grn, .45 semi wadcutter base that caught me in the shoulder 200 yards away, but hard enough I still bled.   I learned and I teach at ranger officer school, you look at where the good shots go after hitting the target and where the bad shots go if missed. Fuzzdaddy is right, about large targets like b27's up close and you hit the groin area  perhaps, valid hit, but the angle of the bullet is going to impact the floor, not the backstop, bad enough in the dirt, I'd say unpredictable when hitting hard surfaces like concrete and then the backstop or wall, kind of like being in the middle of a pool table on the break. In class I use sticks at angle through a cardboard target to show the students where bullets will go after hitting the target from standing, crouching and prone, but all hitting the A zone, gets their attention. Still glad your good to go.

[Neon Knight Anubis]

Talk about a lucky break there! I'd be scared ****less!
I'm glad you got out of that one alright!