At the handgun range yestiddy, one of the RSOs gave me a nudge and told me there was a reactive target on one of the lanes if I wanted to try. Took a few shots at it, then noticed the holes closed up a few minutes later. Never heard of these self-healing targets before, though it doesn't surprise me. It looked like below, except this one was a natural color, not red.
How well did it react? Was there a lot of movement?
► 6.4/93.6
“ Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed nonage. Nonage is the inability to use one’s own understanding without another’s guidance. This nonage is self-imposed if its cause lies not in lack of understanding but in indecision and lack of courage to use one’s own mind without another’s guidance.” — Immanuel Kant
Posts: 48020 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002
We have them at my range. They're venom green and they move more if the shots are not in the center and are more towards the edges.I like them because you get instant feedback for each shot.
The company also has ones that are hinged and automatically reset themselves after being hit.
Ball ammo is best for long target life. They are not made for buckshot, slugs or hollow point ammo.
“ Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed nonage. Nonage is the inability to use one’s own understanding without another’s guidance. This nonage is self-imposed if its cause lies not in lack of understanding but in indecision and lack of courage to use one’s own mind without another’s guidance.” — Immanuel Kant
Posts: 48020 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002
It did fine against 9mm at 15 yards. I doubt if there's much strain imparted to the attachment point through that thin strip of material.This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina,
We cut the end off one of those blue plastic 55 gallon drums once to use as a backer. Best I’ve ever used. Easy to staple and most holes self healed like that.
Posts: 17944 | Location: SE Michigan | Registered: February 10, 2007
I watched the video, twice, and I can see the color change from impact fade, but I didn’t see anything that looked like “healing” of the hole. Any idea how long these last? They say “good for hundreds of rounds”. Seems quite expensive for a one time use item.
The one I used didn't do a color change (it was a translucent natural color). I noticed the holes healing up before I realized it was designed to do that.
Expensive, depends how you look at it. A comparable amount of Shoot*N*Cs might be way more expensive.
Interesting. For how many rounds of 9mm will it last before needing to buy a new one?
I’d be interested in using this while affixed to a backstop board.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13300 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
These targets will hold their shape and integrity through hundreds and hundreds of hits. The color change effect will last the life of the target as long as you store them properly.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina,
That might be okay. I’d probably use it for 25+ yards.
10 yards or less I’ve been using 2” or 3” SnC.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13300 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
While researching the Double Action targets I came across these Newbold self-sealing targets. The features of the Double Action targets interest me more, but this might be viable alternative.
Hello all. Thanks for looking into our targets. I saw some traffic from the site and figured I'd go see if I could find the source thread. I'll try and respond to some of the questions in the thread.
Regarding lifetime and caliber, most of the pictures and videos on the site were shot with .45ACP and 9mm. We've got targets with 600+ shots of 9mm that we take to shows and still have plenty of life left in them, even after being manhandled by thousands of people. I'll try and find some pictures and post them in later responses. I'm confident that you won't find a more durable self-healing target. The primary consideration is protecting them from UV light when not shooting to preserve the color.
I personally only attach the swinging gong targets with two 9/16" staples and have no problem even with .45ACP. The caveat to mounting is that the targets need to be able to swing and stretch to let the bullet pass through, so you do not want them against a backstop. If they're against a backstop, you may get a hole or permanent color change.
Regarding the healing aspect, the hole springs closed instantly, and the color change lasts a few moments, depending on the ambient temperature.
Originally posted by kkina: The one I used didn't do a color change (it was a translucent natural color). I noticed the holes healing up before I realized it was designed to do that.
I'm very curious about a natural-colored target being out in the wild...do you happen to have any pictures?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina, 