CAREFUL CAREFUL CAREFUL

[Jack]

Today (about an hour ago), I was dreaming of getting my new Diana 34. Don't know what came over me, but decided to plink a few with my Crosman 1377. Well, being too lazy to set up my pellet trap, decided to put a target on a 2x4 which was old and pressure treated. Pumped her up 10 times, aimed and pulled the trigger.

Heard the pellet hit - TWICE. Once behind my head. Didn't think much of it, went into the house to get a cup of coffee and returned to the garage. Looked down and there was the fired pellet.



Well I was curious as to what trajectory this pellet took. Turned around and to my horror noticed a piece of recently painted trim molding and knew there were no gouges on either side. After inspecting this piece, realized that the pellet missed my left eye by about two inches. Pellet diameter matched up perfectly with the large end of the gouge.



Moral of the story:

You BETTER THINK before you pull the trigger.

(copy and paste apparently)
NOTE: EDITED ONLY TO FIX THE PICTURE LINKS AND MAKE THEM VIEWABLE. NO EDITING OF CONTENT.

[RedFeather]

And better wear some shooting glasses!  Surgeon's fees - $30,000.....Operating theater - $30,000.........Stoney Point Shooting Glasses - $15.........Keeping your eyesight - PRICELESS!  (And, yes, my surgeon cost about that if the 10% I paid amounting to $3,000 is any indication.)

[Muzzzy]

Well boy' s I lost an eye in an accident 30 years ago when I was 10. Not AG related but still go through life missing my right eye. I sometimes get lazy myself and don't put on glasses. Thanks for the reminder. We have a AG league here at work with up to 15 shooter per night and I want to make it mandatory to where glasses.
 Do you any of you think I am stepping over my boundries by reqesting this?
Note: The  "One Eyed Bandit" on my signature.

[SmilinKev]

Thanks for the forceful reminder, Jack!  I'm currently recovering from surgery for a detached retina in my left eye (not AG-related), so I have been extra diligent about safety when I'm shooting.

If I were in your club, Muzzy, I would have no objection to your suggestion.  In fact, I would be seconding the motion!  You'll probably be able to overcome any resistance if (1) you calmly point out the lesson that Jack shared with us and (2) arrange with your club to buy some extra pairs of safety glasses for use by members who might have forgotten theirs.  Good luck!

Keep shootin' and keep smilin',
Kev

[RedFeather]

It's only common sense.  And there are ranges that require same, I'm sure.  Anyone who argues over safety doesn't belong on a range, IMHO.  "If you can't see it, you can't hit it" - makes a nice sign.

[RedFeather]

SmilenKev, you were the one who asked about surgery over on the Yellow?  Hope your recovery is going smoothly.

[a1Bogey]

Well here we go again.  The old should wearing safety glasses but not.   No debate necessary.  Wear safety glasses to protect yourself from serious injury.    I too have lost an eye.   People that have both eyes do not know the problems involved with being 1/2 blind.

And MUZZY,  If it was a club that I was running there would be no debate.  Either wear the safety glasses or go home.

A young person losing an eye will effect them for the rest of thier lives.  A lot of companies will not take the risk of hiring a person with only limited vision.     Wear the glasses when shooting .

Bogey

[GrizzlyMan]

A while back I read on a machine shop wall something like:

"It may take time to get comfortable using safety glasses, but you will never get used to a glass eye"

Thanks for sharing!

[bwana]

Glad that you were not injured. A friend and me were shooting in his yard a couple of years ago at some cans placed on top of an old log, about 25 yards away. I was trying to sight in my gun and I made a shot that was too low. We heard the pellet strike and then the sound of a ricochet right past our heads. The pellet landed against the wall of the his house. It was safety glasses from then on, and no more targets placed on any kind of wood.

[Jay]

Thank's for the reminder Jack!!! Muzzy without any question your club should make it RULE #1 for all member's.

[gamo2hammerli]

I was lazy when I re-started the airgun shooting hobby 2 years back.  A riccochet flew by from my head one time....and now I wear glasses.

I've even read here at GTA that one time a scope exploded on a shooter.  Lucky he was wearing glasses at that time.

[DMikeM]

You are very lucky not to have been hit. I recently learned a lesson about pellets and hard wood and posted it here. Even though I was hit I was also lucky.
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,7978.0.html

[RedFeather]

Pellets follow more than the laws of aerodynamics.  Many adhere to Murphy's Law which, in their case, means if it can at all hit you in the eye, it will.

My father lost his eye in an accident when he was nineteen and for much of his life wore a glass eye which was really glass.  It eventually wore out and he got a new one made from some form of plastic.  (It was fascinating to watch the fellow make it.)  Once he had it, he remarked that it was so much more comfortable in the winter.  The glass eye just pulled the cold straight into his head.  I never knew it hurt him like that.  Yes, you don't get used to one of those, glass or plastic.

[Muzzzy]

Well Red your right. I am 40 years old and have had the new style plastic eye and it still draws the cold just not as bad.
 Hey guys thanks for the support and yes the new rule will read
Safety Glasses of go home.

[chronic]

Jack, Its funny you post this, because on sunday I wanted to try some close (10y) shooting... first shot my pellet bounced back and hit my cheek.
I dont normally wear safety glasses... I never think too because I always shoot at 45 yards and pellets never make it half way back. But I tell you, that opened up my eyes! Cheek still hurts and my eye almost turned black from it. I'll be changing my habbits.

[aack73]

my mrod .177 almost shoots completely through a 2x10 i have for a back stop. i have 2 of them for when it does after about 5 or 6 stacked in same hole. on the other hand the c9a silver streak .20 will not penetrate the 2x10 at 10yds and 5 pumps. thats how i shoot the 10yd multipump online match. it will wizz'em back by ya. had to set up card board boxes in front of 2x10 to stop the ricochets. 

[Progun]

Never underestimate ricochets. Once, while shooting .22 shorts at a vertical facing flat rock that was my backstop at 75 yds from my muzzle, I heard the distinct pop sound of the bullet hitting the tail gate of my pick up truck which was a mere 10 feet from my shooting position. Thinking at the time that it was a fluke, I fired again. "pop" into the truck  AGAIN. I picked up the mangled chunk of lead and had a "moment of clarity". Bullets and pellets really can bounce off hard objects. Get very good shooting gasses and use them. The eye you save may be your own. Shoot safely my friends.

[JakePtehSniper]

check this out. this guy better wear safety glasses a foot thick.

[aack73]

how far away was his target?

[RedFeather]

Chronic, I wear eye protection no matter the ranges I am shooting.  It's just a good habit to reinforce.  And, if you are shooting with others, that's when their bad habits will get YOU.