I'd like to buy an auto-reset steel target. For certain types of shooting that I do, it would be ideal practice. I need something that is portable, durable, and can be fitted with a tall "lollipop" to give me a round target to shoot at. Targets that can only be equipped with a head-and-shoulders silhouette are unsuitable. Portability is also important since I can't leave it at my club.
Who makes them and which do you recommend? In my research, I've only turned up three portable units.
Everybody knows about LaRue ( LaRue Tactical Sniper Target RTG1 | LaRue Tactical ). I see three problems with the LaRue.
There are the various ATS targets, like the ST-71 ( ST-71 Heavy Duty Power Target Lifter by Advanced Training Systems ).
I intend to buy one of these but I'd love some input from people who use them. I'd especially like input from people who have broken them.
TIA
Who makes them and which do you recommend? In my research, I've only turned up three portable units.
Everybody knows about LaRue ( LaRue Tactical Sniper Target RTG1 | LaRue Tactical ). I see three problems with the LaRue.
- It's expensive.
- It's reported to break if it gets shot while it's resetting. If true, that's a fatal design flaw.
- LaRue stopped selling them to "civilians" some years ago.
There are the various ATS targets, like the ST-71 ( ST-71 Heavy Duty Power Target Lifter by Advanced Training Systems ).
- On the plus side -
- There's an online order page, so it seems available to civvies. (Yes, I need to verify.)
- It's relatively affordable at half the price of the LaRue, the cheapest of the three I list.
- "Lollipop" targets are available.
- On the minus side -
- It's electric like the LaRue. I have seen vague comments that all targets of this type can break if struck in the middle of a reset cycle. However, I don't know for certain.
- I'm a little in the dark because I can't find any online reviews or comments on these targets.
- On the plus side -
- It would be easy to carry replacements if the target were being shot so much during a day that replacement was needed.
- The target does not break if it's shot during the reset cycle. That's a big deal.
- On the minus side -
- The total shot-count before needing more air is less than half what the two targets above offer on a single battery charge.
- Recharging the paintball air bottle requires some sort of pump (from a glorified tire pump on up) or a scuba tank, plus fittings. That's a good deal of bother.
- This target is clearly designed to take just one type of target, a head and shoulders silhouette. That's not necessarily a deal-killer since I could get a custom plate made. It is, however, another bother.
I intend to buy one of these but I'd love some input from people who use them. I'd especially like input from people who have broken them.
TIA