Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Practice aids - dueling trees & 1" target stands

Our range has a bunch of really nice shooting bays for pistol/CQ practice so I've wanted to invest in several 1" target stands and possibly a dueling tree to help improve training sessions for me and my family/friends. I'm seeing some very inexpensive offerings from Birchwood Casey and thought I might give these a try. I like the idea of purchasing 5-10 1" target stands and a dueling tree without breaking the bank but, if they're poor quality, I don't want to waste my time/money. Any recommendations on these or something similar/better?

I have the Birchwood Casey adjustable target stand. It works as advertised. We used it a while back for a family range day day, and the only complaint I had was that we didn't have 4-5 more of them.

There really isn't much to break on them.

I use a 2x4 for a stand, you can hunt up instructions on how to make one with 1 9‘ 2x4 and I put in a center slot to run a 2x4 to hang steel plates on too. The heavier base doesn't blow over quite as easy, I'll try and remember to get some pics later.

I purchased a shot-timer and would like to start doing some speed drills so these look like a great option for the $$. Any ideas on a source for cheap ISPC cardboard silhouettes?

I think I'll pass on the duelling tree for now.....

Thanks TWR. I'd be interested in those as well.

I make my own. Some use 2x4 posts:




They are simple to make. If the OP knows a good welder, they could whip some up in short time... Dueling trees are fun too. Here's the last one I made. I use 1/4" and 1/2" AR500:


Longrange rifle targets are a blast too:

2x4 base

2, 30” - 2, 6” - 2, 18” - 2 pieces of fur strips.
This way you can use cardboard silhouette or another 2x4 and shoot steel.


I do recommend a piece of flat metal on the post cause people will shoot low.

As for cheap USPSA targets, MidwayUSA runs them on sale but shipping will add about $30 to my locale.

Love the option for double-duty and I'm sure they'll work better in the wind. Plus, even though the metal ones were pretty cheap, this should save me over $100 if I build a 1/2 dozen stands!

Ya I looked at making metal ones, I’m a better welder than carpenter but these work, they stack better and they’re cheap.

I’ve also seen some out of PVC pipe for the cardboard silhouettes but they blow over pretty easy from what I’ve seen.

A couple of sources
https://www.shootersconnectionstore.com/Target-Tape-P4405.aspx
https://www.targetbarn.com/

Thanks again! Just ordered a pk/100 cardboard targets and some pasties as well.

When this thread shows up on the main forum index page, it says "Practice aids-dueling . . ." Then I came here and got disappointed.

That would be disappointing! LOL!!

If you set targets at eye level, test the spall pattern.

What's that?

Targets? I liked wild barn cats.

https://www.ar500armor.com/spallandfrag.html

Our range requires us to keep targets at 5-7 feet high and we don’t shoot steel any closer than 10 yards. That’s with pistol, I won’t shoot any closer than 100 with rifle, mainly because it’s hard on steel.

You will get hit with frags, eye pro is a must for anyone on the range.

If the plate is canted down, the spall will hit the ground. If the plate is canted up, spall will be launched all over. If the shooter is shooting slightly downward at the plate, it is the same as canting the plate downward. If a plate is anchored hard to the stand, you will get spall coming back further than if the plate was allowed to move.

Gotcha. I was shooting steel, canted down, at 7 yards so these targets will be replacing all the steel targets for close range. Is 10 yards pretty standard for a minimum when shooting pistols?

8 yards is USPSA and steel challenge recommendations I think but 10 is mo betta.

Our steel is free hanging but we have plate racks too and what dla says is true, the splatter goes where it’s directed.