Homemade Benchrest for Pistol Shooting

[Ej3]

I recently took the NRA pistol instructor course, and as part of the course learned about using a benchrest for teaching the fundamentals of pistol shooting. So I decided to build one, using mostly materials I had laying around. I am sharing this for others who may wish to build one for training purposes.

The seat is set at 18” above the ground and can slide back and forth for adjustment. It can also be shimmed to add 1”+. The bench is 14” x 18” and can be adjusted from 32”- 38” above the ground. It only weights about 28 lbs.

I used one 2x6x8, two 2x4x8, and two small pieces of 5/8” plywood (bench 14” x 18” and seat 11.5” square, cut like a stop sign). It’s held together with 2” and 3” drywall screws, Blue Hawk Sawhorse Brackets ($7) and two 3/8" x 5" machine bolts with washers and wing nuts ($5).

If I had to buy all the materials, I would estimate $50-60 total cost.

A few improvements from the original build:

I originally drilled the bench for three elevations (32” – 34” – 36”). Then I converted it to slots so the bolts could be just loosened in lieu of sliding out. Then later, I staggered the bolts by 2” and lengthened the slots again. This allows an adjustment up to 38”, and the staggered bolts better stabilize the bench from front to rear.

Also, the seat slid off too easily. So I installed a ¼” x 4” carriage bolt through the top of the seat with lock nut. There are two holes drilled in the frame to provide for two seat positions. And I can still install the elevation shims.

 

[drk1]

Looks pretty good! Thank you for sharing.

 

[il.bill]

I like it!

 

[hdwhit]

Beautiful. And really well thought-out.

I just wish the dimensional timber I could get around here was anywhere near as pretty as what you used on that bench.

 

[Varminterror]

How does it do for a heavier shooter, leaning back and sideways? I've seen a similar bench which would buck off a larger bodied student if they leaned back and sideways. Not sure on the relative dimensions compared to yours, of course, so maybe you have enough meat behind the center of mass. As an instructor myself, I try to limit my liability in homemade gear, and I try to look out for ways where a different body type than my own might run into problems. Everyone focuses on keeping folks from shooting themselves or others, but a lot more injuries are caused by every day hazards - tripping on loose gravel, slipping on wet or icy sidewalks/driveways, random every day stuff... I had a claim on my homeowner's insurance years ago - I did the classroom portion in the basement of my shop, and someone fell while coming down the stairs and buggered their shoulder falling on their elbow... It's little stuff like that a guy doesn't push to prevent because of a focus on firearms safety which makes up a majority of claims.

 

[MTNSTRYDER]

Thank You.

 

[Ej3]

How does it do for a heavier shooter, leaning back and sideways? I've seen a similar bench which would buck off a larger bodied student if they leaned back and sideways. Not sure on the relative dimensions compared to yours, of course, so maybe you have enough meat behind the center of mass. As an instructor myself, I try to limit my liability in homemade gear, and I try to look out for ways where a different body type than my own might run into problems. Everyone focuses on keeping folks from shooting themselves or others, but a lot more injuries are caused by every day hazards - tripping on loose gravel, slipping on wet or icy sidewalks/driveways, random every day stuff... I had a claim on my homeowner's insurance years ago - I did the classroom portion in the basement of my shop, and someone fell while coming down the stairs and buggered their shoulder falling on their elbow... It's little stuff like that a guy doesn't push to prevent because of a focus on firearms safety which makes up a majority of claims.

Interesting perspective. I never considered the heavier shooter and potential liability. I weigh 185 lbs and for me it is very stable both side to side and front to back, and I am on a sandy soil. But of course I am positioning my feet firmly on the ground, a little wider than shoulder width.

As far as the vertical load capacity, using the saw horse brackets, I would say it is every bit as strong or stronger than a classroom type chair.

Would it support someone standing and leaning into it for total support? Probably not. But if you are sitting on the seat, with your back straight or leaning slightly forward, and using the bench simply as a rest for your hands/wrists and the pistol, I would not envision any issues.

I have a friend who is a bit larger than me. I will have him try it out and see how it holds up.