Should something hit my face while shooting?

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lfurr

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Hey folks, so I was at the range about two weeks ago, and I've been meaning to ask about this. I was shooting my 686P revolver (4" barrel) using some .38 special rounds. On one of the shots, something hit me in the face. Didn't hurt, didn't leave a mark, but definitely felt it. I guess if I had to explain, it kind of felt like a spark perhaps?? I do where shooting glasses; this hit me on the left cheek, just below my eye.

Normal????
 
It's quite possible that it was a piece of a bullet that bounced back. I've had that happen in indoor ranges before. It's also possible that your gun is shaving which can happen when it gets out of time. I've had both of these types of incidents happen to me. It's a good reason to be wearing shooting glasses. It doesn't take a whole lot to really mess up your eyes.

Were you shooting lead or jacketed?

Others will be along to offer different solutions. :D
 
Sometimes unburned powder will blow back into your face, not all the powder burns all the time. Winchester USA .357 110 JHPs are notorious for that as well.
 
I agree it's probably powder which isn't a problem or lead shavings from being out of time which is a problem.
 
Hit in face

Should something hit my face while shooting?

Only if someone is shooting back at you...;)
 
hit in face

A gunsmith gold me that a symtom severe end shakep us when you get "spit in the face". If it happens again have it checked out. sonora
 
If it happens once in a huge number of rounds, fuggedaboudit, it's no big deal, it's probably unburned powder. If it happens more frequently, then it could be a big deal. The first inkling that I had that my 27-3 was out of time was a series of "ouches" every 6 rounds or so, when something really hot hit my face or my upper arms.

Fortunately, fixing the problem was not a big deal, a local smith charged me $40 to set things right.
 
if you were shooting at steel targets bounce back can be a real possibility definitely always wear eye protection!
my club has a rule when we are shooting steel targets we can use lead bullets only which decreases bounce back of jacket material
 
This may sound silly but shoot a full cylinder while holding the gun between two sheets of white paper. Someone may have to stand behind you and hold the paper for you. This will give an indication if it is shaving lead and how often. I had a 8 3/8" model 29 once that did what you describe and this is how I diagnosed the problem.
 
I had this happen twice out of 75 rounds fired through my 686 SSR. It was a indoor range, only 15 yards deep. Same thing though, just felt something graze my face. Did not hurt, left no marks and the gun is brand new so I wouldn't think it is out of timing. The range is use alot so I kind of suspect some of the old rounds and parts of rounds are what came back on me. I was shooting fully jacketed .38 special rounds. Could that be shavings from the rounds still? I honestly didn't think anything of it because with my 642 I had the same thing happen a few times out of about 250 rounds fired at the same range. Both brand new guns.
 
If you look at a highspeed film of a revolver firing, you will see a bunch of particles, mostly unburned or still-burnig powder, flying off in many directions. It is not unusual at all for one to hit you in the face once in a while, no concern unless it happens more often than not.
 
It is a WARNING to stop shooting!!
Give all your weapons and shooting accessories to Forum Members and take up knitting.
 
Same problem with .327 magnum

I've got a model 632-1 with the 3" barrel and chambered for .327 Federal Magnum. It's ported and has the expansion chamber. Frequently, (5% of the rounds fired), I get hit in the left cheek, well below the eye.

I, and others who experienced this from my gun, concluded that it might be a ricochet of powder from the front edge of the power port. The front sight could be shielding the centerline, and the right ricochet (if there is one) misses the shooter's right cheek because he's sighting with his right eye. It's our best guess.

I had planned to shorten the barrel back to the front of the sight, thus removing the port and expansion chamber. Now, from earlier suggestions, I'm going to first check alignment, timing, lockup, gap, etc. to be sure they aren't contributing to the problem. Then, I'll probably go ahead with the shortening anyway.

Fred
 
A lot of flame and smoke come out between the cylinder and barrel, including unburned powder and lead fragments. Some of that can come back at you, especially if it bounces off the walls of a shooting booth. Wind can blow lighter stuff back in your face too. This happens even with well-timed revolvers, and occasionally with pistols.

I've had that happen a lot, which is why I wear safety glasses when shooting.
 
This happens even with well-timed revolvers, and occasionally with pistols.
Click to expand...
Yup, I used to think it was just a revolver thing until I had it happen with a custom 7" .357 Contender barrel. Winchester USA 110 JHP were particularly bad.
 
The range I shoot at is 25 yards deep. We routinely get hit from the knees down with bounceback. A guy in the next lane was shooting 30/06 & a chunk hit my wife in the shin hard enough to draw blood through a pair of sweatpants.

I have a pretty good collection of chunks I've picked up policing brass.

Eye protection. ALWAYS!
 
Fred_P said:
I've got a model 632-1 with the 3" barrel and chambered for .327 Federal Magnum. It's ported and has the expansion chamber. Frequently, (5% of the rounds fired), I get hit in the left cheek, well below the eye.

I, and others who experienced this from my gun, concluded that it might be a ricochet of powder from the front edge of the power port. The front sight could be shielding the centerline, and the right ricochet (if there is one) misses the shooter's right cheek because he's sighting with his right eye. It's our best guess.

I had planned to shorten the barrel back to the front of the sight, thus removing the port and expansion chamber. Now, from earlier suggestions, I'm going to first check alignment, timing, lockup, gap, etc. to be sure they aren't contributing to the problem. Then, I'll probably go ahead with the shortening anyway.

Fred
Click to expand...

Fred, I get the same from my 632-1 and I like your theory on what might be happening. The condition seems to be more prevalent when firing the .327's after using .32 Longs so I thought it might be some of the shorter cartridge fouling ring in the chambers that was being "blown-out" by the more powerful .327's..........

Based on your post above I'll be re-thinking my theory....
 
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