Ruger 10/22 Brass Shell Catcher 100

***************Notice***************

This design is intended to be printed with PA6-CF Nylon and may be subject to failure after extended use without using a material with similar shock-resistance.

Introduction

This 100% 3D-printable design specifically mounts to a Ruger 10/22 with Picatinny rails and should be compatible with most scopes.  Although it may mount to other firearms, the dimensions may not allow the shells to properly eject in them or allow the firearm to properly cycle.  

I printed my shell catchers out of PA6 CF, which is very durable, has high temperature resistance and is able to survive the repeated shock of firing a firearm.  I highly recommend you also make yours out of PA6 CF or another type of Nylon plastic.  Other types of plastic, such as PETG, may be too difficult to install on the Picatinny rail under a scope, while TPU or TPE may be too soft and fall off the Picatinny rail.

I have included the CAD files as well, so you can edit the design to fit your specific rifle, if you have a non-typical use case.

 When installing the shell catcher to the Picatinny rail, guide the catcher, gently pressing on the right side of the catcher above the rail, to roughly the position it is installed in in the attached picture, until you can feel it catch in its locking channel forward/backward.  Then press the left side of the catcher down to latch it into place on the rail.

There is a sliding cover installed on the shell catcher that serves three functions:

• When installed, it directs ejected brass downwards into the bottom of the shell catcher

• When removed, it allows you to cycle the bolt with a single finger without removing the shell catcher

• When removed, it allows you to rotate the firearm clockwise until it is upside down to dump empty shells without needing to remove the shell catcher.

There is a built-in wall inside the shell catcher to prevent brass from bouncing or rolling up back into the bolt of the firearm.  This greatly prevents jamming compared to other brass-catchers.

If you are sufficiently happy with how this design has worked out for you or you have had success commercially selling these, please consider sending a donation my way if you are able: https://buy.stripe.com/bIY4i488N84rcCY3cc 

Notable Printing Considerations

• This part is subject to repeated shock forces from a firearm and it is highly recommended to print this out of a Nylon filament, as well as have several perimeters, 100% infill, and excellent layer adhesion.

• If printing with a carbon fiber-filled filament, ensure layer heights do not go below 0.2mm and try to keep a 0.25mm+ layer height where you can to prevent clogged nozzles.