Question about smoke from firearm discharge

DeadEyedShooter

DeadEyedShooter

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I tried doing a search on this in this Newbie section, but found nothing.

Anyway,

My first time shooting was at an indoor range (Target Sports Canada to be exact), and while they claim to have an excellent ventilation system, there was still plenty of smoke. Now, that didn't bother me none, but what bothered me a bit was the metallic taste I had in the back of the throat. After shooting, the range supervisor directed me to the washroom and advised me to wash my hands with their special soap because he said there would be lead on my heads. This made me think about the metallic taste in the back of my throat. I asked the staff if it's bad for my health to be breathing the smoke in the range. He said that like any smoke, prolonged exposure would of course be bad, but a day of shooting at the range shouldn't be a problem.

What do you guys think? Do you guys get the same metallic taste in your throat when shooting at an indoor range? Just looking for a 2nd opinion as I'm very much a newbie.

Thanks in advance!
 
A few of the guys I shoot with reload, and some of them have some pretty smokey powder charges. I end up just walking through as it makes GREAT bug repellant! :D

But as for the metallic taste, never experienced that. I wouldn't be too concerned with inhaling the smoke...it's just like any other. Hell, I smoke cigarettes and they are probably way worse than inhaling gun powder smoke...
 
The metallic taste in the back of your throat is very common and yes, its the result of inhaling the smoke from the burnt powder. Although the smoke does contain trace amounts of lead, its not the lead that you taste. The ventilation system significantly improves the air quality, but its not perfect. If you're concerned wear a mask and try to shoot when its not too busy. When you go for your annual physical, ask to be tested for lead exposure.
 
"...wear a mask..." Those inexpensive surgical type masks found in industrial supply/paint shops(Crappy Tire carries 'em too) will do nicely. Keeps the inside of your snout from being filled with black crappola.
 
No it's not good for you. Shouldn't kill you though.

If you're worried about the long term effects consider shooting outdoors. Personally I would rather shoot outdoors in the sun, rain or snow any day of the year than indoors when I have the choice.
 
My understanding is that the gases off the primer are the worst part of the smoke mix at the firearm end, and yes, I get that taste too.
 
That sweet or metallic taste in the back of your throat is from lead, most of which comes from the lead styphnate in primers. It would probably require prolonged exposure to actually do any harm, but if you're worried, some things you can do are:

-Wear a mask
-Have your blood lead levels tested
-Take Vitamin C supplements
 
Good to know, thanks for the information. I'm not overly worried as I won't be shooting too often, nor would I spend hours in the range. I think I'll keep a couple of those white masks handy in the car just in case. Thanks again.
 
If you help cleaning the indoor range, be careful about using a broom, that kicks up a lot of dust. I wash all my range brass before thowing it in the tumbler to reduce dust and lead issues.
 
my reloads +cast bullet make allllllot of smoke and my nostrils get covered with jet black residue, I have asked over here not long ago, everyone said it's OKAY
lol, seriously, I'm sure it's not
 
667 said:
A dust mask won't help guard against fumes... You need a proper resperator for that...
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However, as the smoke and dust are both particulate matter and any gaseous substances or fumes are relatively minute in quantity, any P100 rated mask will do you better than fine..... Secondary contamination can happen if you do not seperate and wash articles of clothing before wearing them again. (Huh, lookit' that, my NBCW training actually has a use on civvy street!)

Unless you have the rather odious habit of licking the firearm after use... or the walls ...or the floors...
 
You had to be at Target Sports on Glock Day. On that day, almost every lane was busy and the shooting was continuous. This was a very unusual situation.

On regular days, the ventilation system is excellent.

You would have to attend Glock Day type events often before your lead levels got dangerous.
 
Captain Paul said:
The smell makes me so hungry
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Me too, oddly

TPK said:
My understanding is that the gases off the primer are the worst part of the smoke mix at the firearm end, and yes, I get that taste too.
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tjhaile said:
That sweet or metallic taste in the back of your throat is from lead, most of which comes from the lead styphnate in primers. It would probably require prolonged exposure to actually do any harm, but if you're worried, some things you can do are:
Click to expand...
Yes and yes, but there is also antimony from the antimony sulfide in the primers which while toxic, is of minor concern relative to lead.

There is a paper around somewhere that on an FBI firing range workers had 10x the safe blood level.

There are a few brands of ammo floating around (whether on the improved import list I do not know) that use lead free SINTOX based primer mixes as opposed to the lead-containing SINOXID-type primers.

Calum said:
If your using milsurp ammo of the former Soviet states then you will be dealing with Mercury as well.
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I am unsure about this, what is the source for this info?

I could do a half-assed analysis of M43 ball to see if Hg is present if anyone cares.
 
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