Chrony question

[legi0n]

I've only used a chrony the past three seasons, but I have yet to understand how one can shoot it.

I set it up in line with the target, I set my scope to the lowest setting, I make sure it clears, zoom back in and fire away.

When I do it with pistol I put the target right behind where the chrony will go. Shoot first to get a point of impact, set up chrony and maintain original point of aim.

But I could just be lucky.

Let me see, my new chrony got shot first time by a kid at the left side bench who was probably curious as of what was I doing. I was not at the bench when that happened but the bend in the rod left no other explanation.
Next, only a couple of months later, I was testing pistol loads and I did shoot one rod. Not as bad as above but the diffusers decided to leave the danger zone.
I can't expect my chrony to last very long, just wish it to be long enough to get enough loads tested.