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Wash your hands after handling ammo?

Sig229

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Dec 14, 2006
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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For me, I usually do.

Unless if I just loaded a magazine or two then I dont worry about it.

But after handling ammo at the range and shooting, or loading up a lot of magazines I surely do.

It may not seem like a lot of lead one or two times a week (or whatever your shooting schedule may be), but think about how many times in a year, then how many years over a lifetime of 100% pure lead being absorbed in the skin.

If the FDA takes lead out of paint, and its not that often we touch paint) then why not be safe after handling ammo.

Just my 2 cents.
 

altajava

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Oct 31, 2008
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Occupied Virginia, USA
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Sig229 wrote:
For me, I usually do.

Unless if I just loaded a magazine or two then I dont worry about it.

But after handling ammo at the range and shooting, or loading up a lot of magazines I surely do.

It may not seem like a lot of lead one or two times a week (or whatever your shooting schedule may be), but think about how many times in a year, then how many years over a lifetime of 100% pure lead being absorbed in the skin.

If the FDA takes lead out of paint, and its not that often we touch paint) then why not be safe after handling ammo.

Just my 2 cents.
The FDA mandated the no lead paint thing because small children were ingesting paint chips, or had a chance to. There is a big difference between contact and ingestion. Especially in the very young.
 

Dreamer

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Grennsboro NC
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I keep a box of "wet wipes" in my range bag, so that I can wipe off my hands after shooting (sometimes there isn't a sink or soap handy). When I take my female friends and family members to the range, they REALLY appreciate having the wetwipes for their hands too!

It's not just lead you need to worry about. If you're using surplus ammo (especially for Eastern European rifles), the primers contain mercury compounds. Even FMJ rounds might leave lead residue in and on your gun, if the copper jacket is compromised or fractures at the base. And if you'r eusing "copper washed" rimfire cartridges, they can leave a fair amount of lead in your barrel.

And as much as we all love the smell of Hoppe's #9, and gun oil, they does have some nasty chemicals in them that you might not want on your hands for a long period of time.

Washing your hands anytime you've handled ammo or a firearm is just a good idea all around.
 

erichonda30

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May 27, 2010
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PAHRUMP, Nevada, USA
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Glock34 wrote:
KTMRIDER wrote:
Glock34 wrote:
KTMRIDER wrote:
i have had a bad habit of not washing my hands at work and im always touching metals and different chemicals that lava soap does the trick
welcome to the forum !!!:)
its me eric
why so many accounts ? it's really GAY .

you tell me

they let swine stay and he a anti
 

4angrybadgers

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Aug 24, 2009
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
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Glock34 wrote:
KTMRIDER wrote:
Glock34 wrote:
KTMRIDER wrote:
i have had a bad habit of not washing my hands at work and im always touching metals and different chemicals that lava soap does the trick
welcome to the forum !!!:)
its me eric
why so many accounts ? it's really GAY .
Apparently he wants to ignore the ban and continue to cause mischief...
 

eye95

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Jan 6, 2010
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Fairborn, Ohio, USA
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KTMRIDER wrote:
Glock34 wrote:
KTMRIDER wrote:
Glock34 wrote:
KTMRIDER wrote:
i have had a bad habit of not washing my hands at work and im always touching metals and different chemicals that lava soap does the trick
welcome to the forum !!!:)
its me eric
why so many accounts ? it's really GAY .
you tell me

they let swine stay and he a anti
It's not about point of view. It's about behavior. You keep crossing the line as set by the owners. (Incidentally, FWIW, they have been more tolerant of your behavior than I would have been.)

Opposing points of view have been always been welcome since I've been around--and that is how it should be. Reprehensible behavior has not.
 

Don Tomas

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ericfrompahrump wrote:
should i even if its fmj?

could there be lead or other heavy metal residue?

I ALWAYS scrub my hands regardless whether I'm touching cleaning chemicals,ammunition or just finished shooting. I like to use a bar of soap, warm water and a soft nail brush. Work for me.
 

Pagan

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Mar 5, 2009
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Gloucester, Virginia, USA
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Dreamer wrote:
snip..
And as much as we all love the smell of Hoppe's #9, and gun oil, they does have some nasty chemicals in them that you might not want on your hands for a long period of time.

snip..
I think Break Free CLR smells like apple cider, yum!
 

onlurker

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Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
251
Location
Everett, Washington, USA
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Dreamer wrote:
And as much as we all love the smell of Hoppe's #9, and gun oil, they does have some nasty chemicals in them that you might not want on your hands for a long period of time.

Washing your hands anytime you've handled ammo or a firearm is just a good idea all around.
Agreed. Right after I'm done shooting I stop by the restroom and wash my hands, mouth, and face, but I like your wet wipes idea.

When I'm cleaning, I'll go one step further and use latex gloves. Part of it is to avoid direct contact with the cleaning chemicals (cuts sting when the chemicals come in contact, which can't be good), but another part of it is it makes even application of oil much easier. A drop or two on the surface needing lube and wipe it down with my finger ensuring a nice even coat.
 

daddy4count

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May 11, 2010
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Seattle, Washington, USA
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I have always washed after shooting or cleaning... but just handling ammo?

I have not made that a habit...

<edit>
+1 for the latex gloves... I use them for everything... gun cleaning, computer work, etc.
 

Thoreau

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Mar 31, 2009
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Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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daddy4count wrote:
<edit>
+1 for the latex gloves... I use them for everything... gun cleaning, computer work, etc.

I think I'll be taking that idea and putting it to use as well. I just picked up a large box of them to stock up my 1st aid kits, and now I have a way to put the rest of them to use =)

I type this, of course, with hands that are stained with everything from gunpowder residue, to cleaning solvents after a weekend of shooting and cleaning. No amount of soap has managed to get it all off, and I'm too lazy and cheap to buy the lava/pumice stuff. It would definitely be nice to avoid that alltogether though.
 
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