Target stands, what works best?

Cowboy

Cowboy

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I need to buy or build a target stand that is easily moveable. Does anybody have a suggestion to keep it cheap. I've found a couple collapsible on amazon for 24.00.
 
I have a Last Stand setup. It takes five pieces of rebar and makes basically two sets of legs with a cross bar the steel hangs from.

Also these guys make some stuff I like:

https://ar500-targets.com/

They had a sale going recently where it included the stand, the plate hanger that you put on top of a 2 x 4, and I believe a 10 inch plate for $100. Supply your own 2x4 for height desired
 
rdinatal said:
2x4 or 2x6 in the shape of an H. Uprights of 1x2, 2ft apart, cheap and replacable. Cardboard in between the uprights
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I built 8 of those a couple years ago. Pulled 2x4s from the dumpsters at a construction site. Had a box of nails at home. Only had to buy the ferring strips to use for the verticals. Staple cardboard to the verticals and then pin/staple paper targets to those.

For anything you might want to hang, find some scrap 2x4s and buy the DIY sawhorse brackets. Cheap to build, cheap to repair/replace. If you want to have some thing to shoot cans, etc off of, nail a flat board (shelving board, etc) to the 2x4 you use across the top.
 
Ive been meaning to try Hat Point Target polymer stands, they’re just on the pricey side. I used to have 2x4 stands but got tired of how heavy they were and took up too much room. They can be made really cheap though
 
Cheapest target stand is any one of the political signs that filled the roadways a few months ago. I always volunteer to help some local politician pick up the signs after the election is over. Stiff wire frame,good partical board, just staple the target to it and stand it in the ground where you shoot. Simple...
 
Chuck said:
Cheapest target stand is any one of the political signs that filled the roadways a few months ago. I always volunteer to help some local politician pick up the signs after the election is over. Stiff wire frame,good partical board, just staple the target to it and stand it in the ground where you shoot. Simple...
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We did this for a while. The problem is that they are too close to the ground. I don't find it particularly productive to consistantly shoot into the dirt.
 
Miss Lily said:
We did this for a while. The problem is that they are too close to the ground. I don't find it particularly productive to consistantly shoot into the dirt.
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I can't use these things either. We avoid groud-ish type targets..too many rocks. Pretty much have to hang everything.

BigWaylon said:
I built 8 of those a couple years ago. Pulled 2x4s from the dumpsters at a construction site. Had a box of nails at home. Only had to buy the ferring strips to use for the verticals. Staple cardboard to the verticals and then pin/staple paper targets to those..
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This is what I do also. But you need access to construction site dumpsters and most times contractors frown on you crawling around in the dumpster. All kinds of liability and what-not. But if you look like someone who can handle the abuse, usually they'll let you grab some stuff. The framers throw away all kinds of good wood.

Cowboy said:
Well I just ordered one of these for now and will be looking for a steel target eventually.
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Good call. I bought some rough steel at Lowes and had Grandpa weld me up a couple of these. They're my favorite.
 
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Friday said:
This is what I do also. But you need access to construction site dumpsters and most times contractors frown on you crawling around in the dumpster. All kinds of liability and what-not. But if you look like someone who can handle the abuse, usually they'll let you grab some stuff. The framers throw away all kinds of good wood.
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I drive street sweepers & street wash trucks two evenings a week, starting at 4p. By the time I get to most neighborhoods, there’s not anybody around. I’ve finished many projects for minimal cost over the last ~3.5 years that way. :D
 
rdinatal said:
I picked up some steel like what's needed and might just make a couple. Hmmm, another project...
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Yeah they're easy to do. If you don't have a welder you can bolt them together.
Eta- The IDPA/USPSA cardboard silhouettes are 18" wide, so that's the spacing of my uprights.
 
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If you are using paper targets, the Birchwood-Caseys should work great. The range I belong to has a similar set up made locally with spikes instead of the adjustable H feet, and they work great. The adjustable width H base should be even better. I think I may have to look into that design. Thanks.
 
I bought the caldwell target stand and welded on some extensions for tall cardboard. It has held up for 9 years. The all metal target stand, not the one with plastic at the bottom. Its very similar to the election sign holders.
 
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I made a frame out of 1x2in furring strips, 48in x 18in iirc. Just made a rectangle, with long sides for legs, then screwed on some feet and braces to stabilize it. I bought some corrugated plastic signs (blank) from amazon, and stapled those to the frame. Then I just staple paper targets to the plastic. Been 3 years and I havent swapped out the plastic yet. I also weigh down the feet with a busted cinder block so the wind doesnt knock it over. Works good, and cheap.

For steel, I bought a kit made from ar500 that bolts to a steel fence post, then I use chains and S hooks to hang the steel. I gitta swap out a post soon tho, one em took a few hits of 308..lol. but 6 bucks, its easy and cheap.

ETA added a pic. I added the braces to the legs after this pic.
 

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Targetsolutionsusa.com

The stand breaks apart for carry. You have three options from the ground up. Angle iron, 1x2 for standard paper targets, and the 2x4 for a steel target. Very portable and lead splatter doesn’t damage anything but the wood. The black piece is to deflect splatter from the 2x4.
 
I use plant hanger hooks from Walmart for $5-7 each to hang steel.

They have varying thicknesses and heights

The new plate rack will consist of 2 T-posts with a 3/4" sched 40 steel pipe going across. All those hangers for that system can be found on ebay.
 
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@Slappy McTrigger got a bunch of cheap stands that fold flat into itself, making them easy to transport. Maybe he'll chime in.
 
I asked my realtor for any damaged or unwanted metal sign frames. With the part that advertises the company removed, a piece of stout cardboard is easily cut to fit. Heck, they are designed to stick in the ground by standing on the bottom rung. It is possible to hit the metal frame when starting to zero. Ask me how I know.
 
NKD said:
@Slappy McTrigger got a bunch of cheap stands that fold flat into itself, making them easy to transport. Maybe he'll chime in.
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I got several of these when they were on sale for $7.96 each. Seemed cheap enough and I was sick of carting the standard 2X4 gear to and from the range. Like @Butter said, took up too much room and were a PITA. Only downside to the ones I got is needing stakes to keep them in place especially on windy days but overall I’m happy with them. Def wouldn’t pay $55 for one though.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/range-ready-3-gun-metal-target-stand.html#.XFn6jxZOmEc
 
Imma get Geezer to take some pictures of our targets. While most of the work was donated, the steel costs for the entire range was under $100. In the last week we have had 2 targets installed that weigh Over 100 pounds each. With a little looking around, people will give you all the steel you need. I know you all can't shoot steel but those that can should be able to find the makings for a little of nothing. No better pistol target than used tractor discs. They are tougher than a hog's nose!
 
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BigWaylon said:
I drive street sweepers & street wash trucks two evenings a week, starting at 4p. By the time I get to most neighborhoods, there’s not anybody around. I’ve finished many projects for minimal cost over the last ~3.5 years that way. :D
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When I lived and worked in the Atlanta suburbs, my BIL and I picked up a lot of stuff- So much our coworkers called us Sanford and Son...;)

Sent from notthedroidyourelookingfor
 
Damn_Yankee said:
I'm going to build a couple of these PVC target stands.
http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/how-to-build-a-pvc-target-stand/
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I made 2 pretty much exactly like these and they have worked perfectly even when it was extremely windy out and they did not tip over at all.

I played around with how the bases are weighted just to see what worked better, on one I filled the entire base with sand and the other I just weighed the very front tube and the two back tubes, it’s a little lighter but still keeps the stand upright in the wind.

I did not glue the “H” that goes into the base so I can take them apart and fit them in the car but even doing that they are big and a bit unwieldy to carry around, you can’t beat the price though, well as long as no one shoots them haha
 
BlackGun said:
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Targetsolutionsusa.com

The stand breaks apart for carry. You have three options from the ground up. Angle iron, 1x2 for standard paper targets, and the 2x4 for a steel target. Very portable and lead splatter doesn’t damage anything but the wood. The black piece is to deflect splatter from the 2x4.
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Those look awesome! They work as good as they look?
 
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