Test fire boxes.

J Rich · Sep 5, 2012

I am in need of a "test fire box". Something like the one you see on that "American Guns" show. I can't find anyone that sells them. Does anyone know where I can buy one or what materials I need to build one? I know I would need plate steel, but what to use for the core.

My only other concern is the noise. I live in a subdivision so neighbors are kind of close. I just don't want the LEO's showing up every time I test fire something. This needs to be indoor not outdoor. It would be in the garage or basement.

Gunslinger808 · Sep 5, 2012

Google (or Bing or whatever) up "Snail Traps".

Rule3 · Sep 5, 2012

http://www.snailtraps.com/bullettraps/

I know someone that has used a large wood box with a layer of heavy material, densely packed rubber landscape mulch, backed up with several pieces of 3/4" exterior plywood.

427mach1 · Sep 5, 2012

Just remember that, prior to firing, you have to yell at the top of your lungs, "TEST FIRING (insert caliber here) IN 3, 2, 1!!!!"

Seriously, I would check the laws where you live. Make sure it is legal to discharge a firearm in your area or the police may be visiting you every time you use it.

2152hq · Sep 5, 2012

Definetly check the legal angle first. In a subdivision, no matter what you use might not be acceptable to discharge a firearm even inside your home.

The snailtrap bullet traps do work well. The smaller models do not muffle the noise at all,,at least the ones I've had experience with.
Don't know about the larger ones.

Keep the M/E below the max specs of the trap and they;ll hold up fine.
Exceed it and you'll have shots flying through it instead of spinning to a stop in the 'snail' as one employer found.
They're not cheap at $400 and up but neither is building one yourself that you can really depend on for inside use.
Even heavy angled steel plate can give way to constant pounding of rounds. One gun company I worked for found that out when the rifle rounds had made their way through the steel plate in the range,,then the block wall and were peppering the cars in the parking lot. Luckily no one was hit. That's way more use than you'd probably ever give it but it shows it can happen.

..and I think you have to yell "Fire In The Hole!" along with the "...3,2,1" thing.
The neighbors will love it.

Babalooie · Sep 5, 2012

Check out this company:

Clearing Traps

Brownell's Police Supply handles them.

http://www.policestore.com/.aspx/pid=41215/Product/CLEARING-TRAPS

They are drop shipped from the manufacturer. They're noisy and the fumes are a dead giveaway for what you're doing. Febreze works to keep the odors down.

Yes, they work.

J Rich · Sep 6, 2012

I did find the snailtraps they look way pricey. The table top "clearing trap" would would be more my speed, but I wonder if it's up to repeated use? I know some of the laws. I don't live in city limits so some of the laws are you can't discharge with in 250' of a neighbors house or 250' of a public road. My street isn't considered a public road. so I guess it's a matter of finding out about discharging in my home.

As for the neighbors, some may want to come use it.

Babalooie · Sep 6, 2012

This brand was recommended to me by a person who inspects shooting ranges for the government. They sell replacement trap material if you need it. I'm very pleased with mine. If you wish, send me an IM and I'll answer any questions you may have.

The table top version is made for handguns.

RightArm · Sep 6, 2012

Shoot at a pile of books. That's why I collect them. I've got shelves full of books just waiting to be shot. Rare hardcovers work best.

Read????? If I wanted to read I'd go back to school.

310Pilot · Sep 6, 2012

The old standby test-firing bullet trap for most gunsmiths was a 55 gallon drum filled with sand (firing into the long axis, use a fabricated wood "top" with a rubber mat backer). Usually worked well, stops most any bullet, but it won't do anything about the noise! In fact, no bullet trap is going to do anything about the noise - the only noise remedy would be a suppressor, which, of course, involves approval from the ATF and a $200 tax stamp, plus a lengthy wait for the bureaucratic wheels to turn.

Test fire boxes.

J Rich

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Gunslinger808

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Rule3

427mach1

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2152hq

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Babalooie

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J Rich

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Babalooie

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RightArm

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310Pilot

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