Keep the Shotgun Shells from Hitting Your Neighbour: VR66 Shell Catch & Inertia Spring Explained
If you’ve been taking a VR66 out to the range for trap, you’ve probably seen it: a spent shell pops out of the side like it’s got a vendetta, and—boom—someone’s shoe, phone, or pride gets tagged. That’s the exact thing this video was made to solve. We covered two simple ways to stop ejected hulls from flying free and making a mess of your day: a clip-on shell catch, or removing the big inertial cycling spring (and why you might — or might not — choose to).
Option 1 — Clip-on shell catch (quick & reversible)
This little 3D-printed clip snaps onto the receiver and catches the spent shell rather than letting it sail out. It sits just proud of the receiver by roughly the diameter of a 12-gauge hull so the shell gets trapped and dangles safely for you to reach in and remove. It’s ideal for trap where you want semi-auto functionality but don’t want hulls flying at the people downrange. The best part: it’s quick to clip on for trap, and easy to remove when you go back to sporting clay or skeet.
Purchase link on TNA
Option 2 — Remove the inertia spring (more permanent, changes function)
Inside the carrier is a huge, heavy coil spring that’s the heart of the VR66’s inertial semi-auto system. It lets the bolt carrier compress, rebound, and rotate the bolt open for ejection. If you remove that spring, the gun stops functioning as an inertial semi-auto — the carrier won’t cycle as violently and spent shells are far less likely to be flung out. This can work for single-shot/trap-style shooting where you don’t need fast follow-up shots, but it also means you lose the semi-auto inertial function that’s essential for doubles, pairs, or sporting clays. In short: useful in limited scenarios, but not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Which should you choose?
- Use the shell catch if you want to keep semi-auto capability and simply prevent hulls from hitting people. It’s the low-effort, reversible fix that most range-goers will appreciate.
- Consider removing the inertia spring if you’re permanently converting the gun for single-shot trap use and don’t need fast follow-ups — but know what you’re doing, and be comfortable reassembling everything when you want the semi-auto back.
- Always clear the firearm and remove the magazine before installing or removing parts.
- Clip-on shell catches are designed to be non-invasive; still, check fit and function before live firing.
- If you remove internal springs, document the disassembly so you can put everything back correctly later. If you’re not confident doing internal work, ask a qualified gunsmith.
Whether you clip on a shell catch for the occasional trap day or swap parts depending on the sport, both options give you control over how your VR66 behaves at the range. The clip gives you convenience and safety without sacrificing semi-auto performance; the spring tweak is for more dedicated single-shot setups. Either way, small changes = big peace of mind for the folks standing next to you.
You can watch the full Youtube video below:
Have a great week everyone!
-Stanley and the gang
www.truenortharms.com
