Saturday morning John and I were in the car at 7:45 AM. We were on our way to the range for a steel match. (If you tuned in to the Gun Nuts: TNG podcast you know how much I enjoy shooting steel.) This conversation happened before we had our morning caffeine.
Me: After my sucky performance on Thursday night I am going to go super slow so I can work on my trigger jerking problem. I am also going to concentrate on locking my left arm. I need you to watch and give me feedback. Starbucks, please.
John: Is that what you are wearing to shoot?
Me: Yes. Tank tops are my summer uniform. You know, I think I'm doing too much IDPA and USPSA shooting on the move stuff. I am losing focus on the upper body basics. There is too much for me to think about when I have to move or get behind cover. I need to work on that right vs left hand grip ratio thingy, too.
John: Tracy, you need to wear a t-shirt of some sort. The brass can burn you (voice escalating).
Me: I've been hit with brass before and I was fine. I hate t-shirts, they don't fit me, they're too heavy, and I struggle with the tuck thing.
John: I thought you bought some new Under Armor shirts so we could stop having this conversation.
Me: They're in the hamper. Starbucks, please.
Pop quiz!
Guess what happens when stubborn girl wearing tank top/sports bra combo focuses on upper body form and locks her left arm while shooting?
A. Her hits are better.
B. Tank top/sports bra combo makes perfect basket for hot brass.
C. There is laughter on video.*
D. All of the above.
Correct answer: D.
*Please note stubborn girl yells a synonym for "poop" at the end of the video. Cover the kiddie's ears.
The same thing happened to my wife when we last went shooting, however the way it went down her shirt it did this weird deflection off her bar and missed any skin, she said that is probably the only time she will get that lucky so she plans on wearing different clothing next time.
Posted by: Doug | July 21, 2008 at 01:44 PM
First, I hope you are alright, and did not suffer too much damage (apart from your pride). Second, I need to make sure, if I can ever drag her to a range, Better Half wears a t-shirt.
That all said, there are times I am quite thankful I am a guy... ;)
Posted by: Linoge | July 21, 2008 at 01:48 PM
If normal shirts bother you or are too hot, the underarmor shirts in the hamper are great, or try some techwear shirts. Don't worry everyone gets a bit of brass somewhere unpleasent sooner or later.
Posted by: Vlad | July 21, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Vlad - thanks for the techwear suggestion. John is looking to order a couple for himself. I will check it out!
Posted by: Tracy | July 21, 2008 at 02:57 PM
For us, I'd say keep wearing the tank-tops.
For you, I'd say start wearing t-shirts.
Posted by: thebronze | July 21, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Aloe, STAT!
Posted by: Breda | July 21, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I remember wearing a loose short sleeve shirt once while shooting; I had hot brass fly into it and stop right against my armpit. It is more painful than it sounds.
Posted by: BobG | July 21, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I hate hot brass hitting me. I have had bounce off my glasses, go down inside my shirt stuck where it tucks in and sometimes that is brass from the guy next door. That nevers happens with 22 or with a shotgun.
Posted by: Tasha | July 21, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Tank-top solution: old (not synthetic!) scarf or large bandanna, worn as a neckerchief. It works for me.
.22 brass is the worst. Totally.
Posted by: Roberta X | July 21, 2008 at 08:40 PM
You just added a new definition to the term "hottie."
Posted by: Chad | July 22, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Pretty much everyone has been there.
[...]Breda and Tracy bring back memories[...]
Posted by: Ride Fast | July 23, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Writing as a man who has never worn a tank top to a gun range, I will admit to having gotten a piece of my very own hot brass wedged between my shooting glasses and my eyebrow. I think I may be the first person ever to perform a "tap, rack, bang" drill on their own face, getting the brass out, while still holding a Glock in one hand pointed safely downrange.
Similarly, I was once stung in the arm by a very large, very irate wasp from the (unobserved previously) overhead nest at an outdoor range, just as I was triggering off my second round of .357 Magnum from a revolver. I thought I'd had a case explode, or something similar, as it felt like burning shrapnel had hit me. When I stopped jumping around from the pain and figured out what was happening, I realized I'd put my revolver down pointing at the other shooters' stations, with the hammer at full cock, without realizing it. Very embarrassing, and had I dropped the gun any quicker, possibly tragic. I commend you on your gun control under the duress of the hot shell.
Posted by: Mikee | July 24, 2008 at 03:42 PM
I remember when my wife learned that lesson. She had a .22 LR shaped blister on her chest for a week. Most fellas don't know about the tanktop thing because we don't wear them.
Posted by: CTone | July 25, 2008 at 05:28 AM