I like to shoot, it is relaxing and fun and something I just enjoy. I have never been a fan of strict range environments. I grew up shooting bottles off fence posts and watching cans bounce along the ground as shot them with a 22 rifle. In the military range days were OK but the military has a knack of sucking the fun out of any activity......I mean who ever goes camping and doesn't build a camp fire?Many gun ranges are run like a Marine Corp range, some even worse. You have to shoot paper targets and stand in certain locations and shoot when you are told you can. This is all well and good for some training but it is not real world training and it treats everyone like they are so stupid they have to be instructed every move. I am all for range safety but I like to have common sense as well applied to the range, if I want to rapid fire or quick draw etc I don't want to not be yelled at like a two year old.
For this reason my friends and I maintain a private shooting range where we can develop our own skills without over restrictive rules, we are constantly finding new targets to practice with.I was contacted recently by Jeremy with Grizzly Targets about trying out one of their targets. Before I replied I went to their web site and looked at what they offered, I have always been a fan of moving or pop-up targets so I was keen to try them out, I wrote back and soon received this target in the mail.
My first impression was it is sturdy. I have tried a lot of different targets which seem OK at first but then deteriorate with use. This one is different, it is heavy gauge steel and is hot-dipped galvanized. All the bolts are grade 8 and the spring is stainless steel.Having many years experience in construction and engineering I know many times welds are galvanized with a cold application but not this, it is hot dipped after welding, a far better method and ensures it will not rust.
I have seen targets which require re-welding if broken up over time but on this target the welded areas are not subject to direct hits from bullets so if there was any damage to the striking surface repairs would be easy to make by simply replacing a bolt, obliviously a well thought out design.
This is a close up view of the hinge area. Notice quality of construction and ease of maintenance. The target itself resembles the "Dog Targets" the Marine Corp uses which is designed to be a head and shoulders silhouette. The target itself is 3/8" plate and is 14" high and the circle area is 4" across which is a good size for close range pistol while also excellent for up to 100 yards with a rifle.
I am anxious to give it a full work out, we have a range day planned later this month and I will be sure to give a full report later.
For full Range report click here.
