Good Target Stands

[Drakejake]

I made a practical target stand from PVC but would now like to purchase some sort of metal base that can be used with standard lumber to hold targets. Does anyone have suggestions on good, commercially produced, inexpensive stands?

Thanks,

Drakejake

 

[Ian]

I really like MTM's 'Jammit' target stands. They're light, compact, and quite functional. In stores, they usually seem to go for abour $15 or $16.

http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/jmts.html

 

[Drakejake]

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked at their site. Their stands tend to be short and at one of the places where I shoot, all rounds must go into the berm. So stands have to allow shots around chest or head level.

Drakejake

 

[Thrash1982]

I recently bought a Jammit stand (I believe for around $8 from Midwayusa I think). Yes it is short but if you put a big enough piece of cardboard in you can increas the height quite a bit. My only problem with it is that it is kind of useless in wind. Then again I imagine most things probably would be. Other than that it's great.

 

[VaughnT]

Dillon sells a metal stand for a good price and they're good people to deal with. I bought a metal base from Brownells ($50) and certainly don't think I got my money's worth. It's a good stand, but Dillon has something similar for $30!

Be careful with those MTM stands that you have to jamb into the ground. I bought one from Oshman's and though it worked well, it could only be used on soft ground. The ground at my gun club is full of gravel and penetration was impossible. It's a good stand, though.

Look for a metal stand that breaks down so it's easier to store only if you really need that feature. Also, measure your targets to see how far apart you need the uprights to be. The one I bought isn't wide enough and the wood passes through the body of a standard IDPA target. That means the wood gets shot up a lot and need replaced often.

 

[Drakejake]

Thanks for the responses. since I believe in overkill, I have ordered a Beast stand ($40) and a Walker Machine stand ($45) from Brownell's. These were the kinds I had mind--metal base into which you put lumber.

Drakejake

 

[Gunfyter]

You can also make a very good stand out of a single 2 X 4 X 8. Cut into four pieces. 2 - 30" and 2 - 18". You'll need 2 - 1" X 2" X 6' as well. Cut these to 5'. Place the 2 30"pieces parallel and then take the 2 18" pieces and butt them in between centered. Use the scrap pieces of 1" X 2" as spacers in between the 18" pieces of 2 X 4. Hold these pieces tight together with "C" clamps. Use 3"drywall screw and attach the two 18" pieces to the 30" pieces. Looks like an H. Your 5' 1" X 2" pieces will be your uprights. Totally portable and for a cost of about six bucks.

 

[Fudgie Ghost]

I've come up with a low cost target holder. Here' what you need:

Commercial size compound bucket w/ top (free from jobsites!)
1-1/2" dia. pvc piping (approx cost $3--$4 for 10' piece)
bundle of lath (approx. cost $6 for about 20--25 pcs)

Drill 1-1/2" hole in lid of bucket, centered.

Cut PVC pipe into (3) 36" pieces (You'll have a 1' piece leftover--give to your kids to play with, Home Repo cut them for me gratis)

Drive screw into pvc pipe 11-1/2" down from one end.

Place pvc pipe into hole in lid, place lath into pvc pipe on top of screw. Top of lath should now be 6' from the ground. Take another piece of lath and attach as a cross piece at top of upright lath, with battery screw gun. You now have a "T" shaped "frame" that will stand as 6'. You can vary height by breaking upright lath pieces off at shorter heights. Staple target across top and down center lath piece. If it's windy or unsteady, put rocks, dirt, or sand in bucket at range location.

PVC piping should last awhile even with several hits. Lath can be replaced easily and cheaply. You can break this all down, and take 5-6 targets in car to range for set up.

Whaddya think?

 

[Drakejake]

I got the two target stands from Brownell's today. I give credit to Brownell for prompt handling and shipping and reasonable shipping cost ($7.50) for items weighing a total of 20 pounds plus the boxes. The Beast stand ($40)weighs about five pounds and is in three parts--the two legs and the middle piece into which you insert 1 by 2 lumber. They are assembled with bolts and wing nuts. The workmanship is pretty crude but it looks like it will work fine. The Walker Machine stand ($45) is much more massive, in one piece, and weighs about 15 pounds, according to Brownell's. The workmanship is very good. The Beast stand will be more convenient to lug around; the Walker Machine product is more rugged and probably indestructible. Both stands can be staked to prevent blowing over in the wind, a real problem with portable target stands. I need to get some lumber and then I will be off to the range to try these out. One will need cardboard to attack to the lumber and hold the targets, which can be stuck on with masking tape, staples, or thumb pins.

I like having target stands because at my outdoor range the target boards are often blown to smithereens (by shotguns) and set 25 yards out. For personal defense practice with pistols, I prefer seven yards (eight paces).

Thanks for the help on this.

Drakejake