When I was running a DCM rifle program I was faced with the target stand problem. I had built stands using dimension lumber only to eventually have them shot apart by people who could not keep their shots in side of a 40 inch square target stand at 100 yards. (Kids, new shooters, oops & oh no's)
I solved the problem by using pieces of 3/4-inch plywood. I used a 4ft X 4ft piece on which to place the target. On one edge (the bottom edge) of this 4X4 target board I cut 2 notches about 1 inch wide and 6 inches deep. One notch is located at each corner of the bottom edge of this 4X4 piece of plywood about 6 inches from the outside edge.
I next cut 2 pieces of the same type of 3/4-inch plywood 1 ft. X 4 ft.
In the center, on one 4 ft edge of each of these 1X4 pieces, I cut the same 1 inch X 6 inch notch as I had cut on the bottom edge of the 4X4 target board.
The three pieces can now be assembled into a self-standing target board by simple placing the notched out 1X4 into the notches cut into the 4X4.
When finished the 1X4s will be on edge 3 feet apart and parallel, the notches facing upwards. The 4X4 section of plywood will be standing vertical with its notches mated (slipped together) with the notches cut into the 1ftX4ft pieces.
In this way the target is self standing and easy to put up and take down. No nails, wire or other hardware to be concerned with. It will not be blown over by the wind, it will stand on reasonable level ground and most importantly It will not be put out of service by a few misplaced rounds.
The biggest draw back is the size, 4 ft X 4ft. No problem if you own a pickup or trailer to move it or maybe store it at the range if possible.
I actually made 16 of these and kept them in a designated target trailer.
A base coat of light colored paint was applied to protect from the elements and 200 yd short range targets were glued to the target face. New target centers were either pasted or stapled to the target.
Eventually heavy cardboard had to be stapled onto the front and changed from time to time as the center of the plywood was shot out.
These were built for rifle practice but I think that the 4X4 piece could be substituted with a 4ft X 6ft piece and thus be taller for handgun shooters. This would also allow for one complete target holder to be constructed from one 4'X8' piece of plywood.
I hope that this verbal description and explanation of procedures is understandable.
Vern
But they're short and sometimes it can be a bit of a pain to pound them into hard dirt or sand.
