Abstract: A bullet trap with a passageway defined between flat upper and lower boundary walls extending convergingly, at opposite angles of inclination of between 0.degree. and about 15.degree. to the horizontal, from an entrance opening to an exit opening or throat, and a deceleration chamber having a generally spirally curved circumferential boundary wall and provided in its upper region with an inlet opening and in its lower region with a discharge opening leading to a collecting vessel. The circumferential boundary wall of the chamber is constituted by two oppositely concave channel-shaped members the respective upper end regions of which are spaced from each other to define the inlet opening, and the respective lower end regions of which are spaced from each other to define the discharge opening.

Abstract: A bullet trap for a horizontally fired bullet includes a passageway bounded by upper and lower flat plates which may be inclined to the horizontal at an angle of between 0.degree. and 7.degree.. The passageway has an entrance opening and a shallow exit opening or throat, and a generally spiral-walled spent bullet energy-dissipating chamber having a horizontal axis communicates substantially tangentially with the passageway through the throat. A white water lubricant is sprayed against the circumferential boundary wall of the chamber and engulfs any lead dust, spent bullets, and other particles, the lubricant then flowing down through the throat into the passageway and along the lower plate into a collecting vessel, flushing the lead dust, spent bullets, etc. into the vessel without possibility of escape into the environment. The self-cleaned lubricant is continuously recirculated from the collecting vessel to the spray head in the chamber.

Abstract: A bullet trap, for catching a projectile fired from a firearm not more powerful than a .44 Magnum handgun, includes a passageway which has an entrance opening and a shallow exit opening or throat, bounded by upper and lower flat plates inclined to the horizontal at an angle of between 0.degree. and about 15.degree., and a generally spiral-walled spent projectile energy-dissipating chamber which has a horizontal axis and communicates substantially tangentially with the passageway through the throat. The chamber wall has an initial part which is an upwardly curving extension of the lower plate and a terminal part which is located at the rear end of the upper plate, and the angle of inclination of the plates ensures that the projectile enters the chamber at a relatively low angle to the initial part of the chamber wall and moves along the latter without being shattered or damaging the wall.

Abstract: A bullet trap for a horizontally fired bullet includes a passageway bounded by upper and lower flat metal plates which may be inclined to the horizontal at an angle of between 0.degree. and 7.degree.. The passageway has an entrance opening and a shallow exit opening or throat, and a generally spiral-walled spent bullet energy-dissipating chamber having a horizontal axis communicates substantially tangentially with the passageway through the throat. The chamber wall, no part of which has a radius or curvature smaller than 28 inches, has an initial part which is an upwardly curving extension of the lower plate and a terminal part which is located at the rear end of the upper plate. A white water lubricant may be sprayed against the initial part of the chamber wall and, upon flowing down the same into the passageway and along the lower plate into a collecting vessel, may be recirculated to the spray head in the chamber.