John Wright
Small Bullet Catch
Item 088-470
The shallowest brass option. Suits flat trim and tight reveals.
- Standoff1 1/2"
- Size2 1/2" x 1" x 1"
- FinishBrass bullet, copper catch
- ScrewsIncluded
Hidden holdbacks
Bullet Catches: All Seven, Side by Side
A bullet catch holds a shutter flat against the wall with nothing showing from the street. We stock seven, across John Wright and Lynn Cove. The one that fits your house is decided by a single measurement — standoff — so that is the column to read first.
Compare every catch
| Catch | Brand | Material & finish | Standoff | Overall size | Holding force | Screws | Sold as | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bullet Catch088-470 | John Wright | Brass bullet, copper catch | 1 1/2" | 2 1/2" x 1" x 1" | approx. 25 lb | Included | Pair | View |
| Large Bullet Catch088-475 | John Wright | Brass bullet, copper catch | 2" | 3 1/4" x 1" x 1" | approx. 25 lb | Included | Pair | View |
| Small Bullet Catch88-471B | John Wright | Black anodized aluminum | 1 3/8" | 2 1/2" x 1" x 1" | approx. 25 lb | Included | Pair | View |
| Large Bullet Catch88-475B | John Wright | Black anodized aluminum | 2" | 3 1/4" x 1" x 1" | approx. 25 lb | Included | Pair | View |
| Copper Catch OnlyJW88-476 | John Wright | Copper catch, no bullet | — | 1 15/16" x 1 1/4" | — | — | Single catch | View |
| Hidden Stay, StainlessESS58 | Lynn Cove | Polished stainless steel | 1 1/4" | 3" long, bracket 1" x 7/8" | — | Included | Pair | View |
| Hidden Stay, RubberRB774 | Lynn Cove | Moulded rubber | — | 1 1/2" diameter | — | NOT included | Pair | View |
Standoff is the gap the catch holds between shutter and wall. Holding force is the manufacturer’s figure per catch; Lynn Cove does not publish one for the ESS58. Mounting screws come with every catch except the rubber hidden stay (RB774), which is supplied without them. On a phone the table shows standoff and size; the rest is on each card below.
Each one up close
John Wright
Large Bullet Catch
Item 088-475
Same catch on a longer hex body, for deeper trim or thicker siding. Photo shows the brass and copper finish.
- Standoff2"
- Size3 1/4" x 1" x 1"
- FinishBrass bullet, copper catch
- ScrewsIncluded
John Wright
Small Bullet Catch
Item 88-471B
A wrap-around bracket rather than a flat clip. Disappears against dark shutters.
- Standoff1 3/8"
- Size2 1/2" x 1" x 1"
- FinishBlack anodized aluminum
- ScrewsIncluded
John Wright
Large Bullet Catch
Item 88-475B
The black equivalent of the 2" brass catch.
- Standoff2"
- Size3 1/4" x 1" x 1"
- FinishBlack anodized aluminum
- ScrewsIncluded
John Wright
Copper Catch Only
Item JW88-476
A spare catch for a shutter that already has its bullet fitted. Shown above fitted to a bullet — this item is the catch alone.
- Standoff—
- Size1 15/16" x 1 1/4"
- FinishCopper catch, no bullet
- Screws—
Lynn Cove
Hidden Stay, Stainless
Item ESS58
Stainless throughout, so it is the one to pick on the coast.
- Standoff1 1/4"
- Size3" long, bracket 1" x 7/8"
- FinishPolished stainless steel
- ScrewsIncluded
Lynn Cove
Hidden Stay, Rubber
Item RB774
A rubber sleeve and plug that grip by friction rather than a spring. Nothing to corrode and it lands quietly. Mounting screws are not included.
- Standoff—
- Size1 1/2" diameter
- FinishMoulded rubber
- ScrewsNOT included
How a bullet catch works
1
Catch goes on the shutter
The catch screws to the outer corner of the shutter, on the edge nearest the building, with its longer side horizontal. It is the half that does the gripping.
2
Bullet goes on the house
The bullet screws into the wall where it lines up with the centre of the catch. Its length sets the standoff — how far the open shutter sits off the siding — which is why that measurement matters more than the finish.
3
Push to hold, pull to release
Swinging the shutter back springs the catch open over the bullet and it grips. A firm pull releases it. Nothing is visible from the front of the shutter.
What it looks like installed
The catch is on the shutter and the bullet is screwed into the wall behind it, so from the street there is nothing to see.
How to install a bullet catch
The sequence is the same for every catch on this page. The drill sizes quoted are John Wright’s, from their own instruction sheet; for the Lynn Cove catches, size the pilot hole to the screws you are using.
Before you start
- Drill, a 1/16" and a 1/8" bit, screwdriver, pencil and tape measure.
- Into brick, block or stucco: plastic or lead conical anchors sized for a No. 10 to 12 screw. These are not supplied with any of the catches.
- Rubber hidden stay (RB774): no mounting screws are supplied. Have your own ready.
1
Offer the shutter up and check the fit
Open the shutter most of the way. The catch goes on the outer corner of the shutter, on the edge closest to the building, with its longer side horizontal. Check that the standoff suits the gap, and that the bullet will land somewhere flat — not across a lap edge, a mortar joint or a trim return.
2
Mark and fit the catch
Mark both screw holes. Drill 1/16" pilot holes and screw the catch to the shutter. John Wright supplies two Phillips and two flat-head No. 4 screws; use whichever head you prefer.
3
Find where the bullet goes
Drop the bullet into the centre of the fitted catch, then swing the shutter gently closed until the bullet’s screw touches the wall. That contact point is the bullet’s position. Mark it.
4
Drill and fit the bullet
Drill a 1/8" pilot hole and screw the bullet home. In masonry, drill for a conical anchor, tap it in and drive the bullet into that. The John Wright screw is 1" long, so set the anchor depth accordingly.
5
Test it, then adjust
Swing the shutter onto the catch several times. It should snap on and come off with a firm pull. Too tight or too slack, back the bullet out or in by a turn and test again.
A trick for fixed shutters
Non-functional shutters can be hung on four catches, one at each corner, instead of being screwed through the face. Nothing shows from the front and the shutter lifts off without tools — useful before a storm or a repaint.
In the box, and what it is made of
John Wright 88-470 / 88-475
- 1 bullet with its screw attached
- 1 catch
- 2 No. 4 x 3/4" Phillips screws
- 2 No. 4 x 3/4" flat-head screws
Sunbelt sells these by the pair, so an order contains two complete sets — enough for one pair of shutters.
Materials and finish
- Brass bullet with a plated steel screw
- Copper alloy catch with brass screws
- Screw length 1"
- Finish is plain — these metals resist corrosion on their own
- John Wright warranty: 1-year replacement
Figures above are John Wright’s, for the brass and copper catches. The black anodized catches share the same dimensions and holding force.
Choosing a standoff
Open the shutter flat against the wall and measure from the siding to the back face of the shutter. That gap is the standoff you need. On flat trim or smooth siding it is usually close to 1 1/4" to 1 1/2"; over lap siding, a mounting block or thick casing it is nearer 2".
- About 1 1/4" — Lynn Cove ESS58 stainless.
- About 1 3/8" — John Wright 88-471B, black anodized.
- About 1 1/2" — John Wright 088-470, brass and copper.
- About 2" — John Wright 088-475 in brass and copper, or 88-475B in black.
- Not published — the rubber RB774. Its grip comes from how far the plug seats into the sleeve, so it suits a range of depths rather than one.
If you are between sizes, go to the longer standoff. A catch that is slightly proud still holds; one that is too short never reaches.
Lynn Cove ESS58 dimensions
The stainless hidden stay is the only one of the seven with a published drawing. Overall length is 3", the bracket is 1" x 7/8", and both mounting holes are 1/4" on 5/8" centres.
Questions
What is a bullet catch?
A bullet catch is a two-part spring holdback. The catch screws to the shutter and a tapered bullet screws into the wall. Push the shutter back and the catch snaps over the bullet, holding it open without a visible shutter dog.
What does standoff mean, and which do I need?
Standoff is the distance the catch holds the shutter off the wall. Measure how far your shutter sits proud of the siding when it is open, then pick the catch that matches. Too short and the shutter will not reach the catch; too long and it will rattle.
Are these sold singly or in pairs?
Every catch on this page is sold by the pair except the copper catch only (JW88-476), which is a single replacement catch. Mounting screws are included with every one except the rubber hidden stay (RB774) — that one is supplied without screws, so add your own.
Will a bullet catch hold in high wind?
The John Wright catches hold at roughly 25 lb each, which is enough to keep a shutter tidy in normal weather. They are a holdback, not a storm fastening. If you need the shutter to stay put in a storm, use a slide bolt or a shutter locking bolt as well.
What is the difference between the stainless and the rubber hidden stay?
The stainless ESS58 is a sprung metal bracket that clicks onto a bullet and holds firmly. The rubber RB774 is a moulded sleeve and plug that grip by friction: softer, quieter, and with nothing to rust, but a gentler hold. The rubber stay does not come with mounting screws.
Ready to order
Prices, finishes and quantities live on the two order pages.
John Wright Bullet Catches Lynn Cove Hidden Stays
Not sure which fits? Call 1‑888‑778‑4774 with a photo of your trim and we will match it for you.