Brass and Copper:

You see interesting behaviours down the club range .. some affluent types bang-off their ammo and drive away in their Jeeps & BMW's without a backwards glance - while others descend like vultures, scrabbling about in the weeds, gleefully grabbing every dented and squashed fired shell they spy as treasure.

It all depends eh

Handloaders or 'Reloaders' see any lost brass as a tragic waste .. I even knew one miserly joker who salvaged other peoples used yellow foam earplugs from the trash and washed them to re-use.

So - BRASS is a variable Copper alloy .. Cartridge Brass is 70% COPPER:30% ZINC having excellent 'cold working' characteristics. I've got 9mm brass cases that have been reloaded tens of times - with just the odd one stress splitting.

I'm a bit kinky about Copper .. I love the stuff. - I love the way it looks and I love the way it lasts. I even enjoy cleaning and polishing old containers and lamps made of it.

The Swedish TRANGIA alcohol camping stoves are great - and indeed they use stainless steel and brass in their construction. - Stainless Steel and Aluminum are OK for kettles and pans .. BUT COPPER IS EVEN BETTER.

- For starters - a copper kettle uses less heat than a steel one to boil water .. and

Copper is a highly effective, natural antimicrobial agent that kills over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi within two hours of contact. It acts as a "germ-killer" by releasing copper ions that destroy microbial membranes, cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage, and degrade DNA/RNA. It is effective against superbugs (MRSA) and in hospital settings. 

Ancient Roman soldiers sprinkled wounds with filings from their bronze swords to prevent infection

- Copper bottom cladding, or copper sheathing, reduces ship fouling by creating a hostile environment for marine organisms

 through the release of copper ions, which prevents creatures like barnacles, algae, and shipworms from attaching to the hull. 

Check it out .. This could be valuable to understand if times become difficult ..

- Why use a plastic container for water that leaches chemicals into it, when you could use Copper 

that kills bugs?

• Mechanism of Action: Copper surfaces and ions destroy pathogens by causing membrane damage, which results in the leakage of cytoplasm. Inside the cell, copper ions create reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage proteins and DNA, preventing bacteria from repairing themselves.
• Rapid Inactivation: Copper is fast-acting; it can deactivate E. coli O157:H7 in as little as 10 minutes, though most high-touch surfaces are certified to kill 99.9% of bacteria within two hours.
• Broad-Spectrum Activity: It is effective against:
  • Bacteria: E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Legionella, and Clostridium difficile.
  • Viruses: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Influenza A H1N1, and Norovirus.
  • Fungi/Mold: Candida albicans.
• Key Applications: Used on high-touch surfaces in hospitals (bedrails, IV poles), public transport, and door handles to reduce healthcare-acquired infections.
• Synergy with Other Treatments: Copper ions can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics like Cephalexin and enhance the killing power of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

_______________

IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY - WE MUST INSIST THAT ALL NZ POLICE EMPLOYEES QUALIFY FOR, & OBTAIN, AND MAINTAIN THE SAME STANDARD NZ FIREARMS LICENCE in exactly the same way that we citizens are required to. - How can NZ Police claim to be SAFE & well trained without achieving a Firearms Licence?

Under the New Zealand Firearms Act (specifically the Arms Regulations 1992 and updated 2025 amendments), a holder of a B Endorsement (pistol target shooting) must actively participate in scheduled pistol shooting activities at a certified club range at least 12 times each year. 

Marty K.