Do All Outdoors Pop-Up Target - Has Anyone Used It?

[madsend81]

So, my wife decided to get me for Christmas this year a pistol caliber resetable steel pop-up target from Do-All Outdoors. She had me open it yesterday in case I didn't like it and wanted to return it before we leave to visit family for the holiday. I didn't ask for it. She went out on her own, found it and bought it w/o any input from me.

It is heavy! The whole setup weighs 38 lbs. Most of the steel plate looks to be 3/8 plate. I don't know what the hardness of the plates are. It's rated for .38 to 44 mag pistol rounds.

Has anyone had any experience with them? I'll probably take it out this Saturday and see how well it does with my M&P40.

[CAL.BAR]

If the plates are not AR-500, they will not stand up to .44 etc. and will take significant damage even from 9mm (i.e. big dents) Frankly 38 lbs for that set up is very light. If you look at "real" plate racks with AR-500 plates, they weight hundreds of pounds. Although the thought was very nice and you should be cautious not to hurt her feelings.

[CK_32]

I would keep it 45 and below.


I'm sure they could take it. But the harder hit the less it will last. IMO I lie my stuff to last as long as possible.


I usually go AR500 or nothing cause I've bought mild steel targets and learned my lesson. Also almost no limitations for AR500.

[madsend81]

If the plates are not AR-500, they will not stand up to .44 etc. and will take significant damage even from 9mm (i.e. big dents)

I know AR-500 plates are ideal for shooting targets and mild steel is to be avoided for all but .22 plinking. I also know there are a lot of grades of steel between AR500 and mild steel. (I'm an engineer for a metal forger). I don't expect my wife to know the details of steel grades. The fact that this is advertised for pistol caliber rounds makes me wonder what type of steel they used for the target plates.

Frankly 38 lbs for that set up is very light. If you look at "real" plate racks with AR-500 plates, they weight hundreds of pounds.

What dimensions are those gongs? You really can't use weight alone to determine the type of steel used as an AR500 plate will weight the same as a mild steel plate of the same dimensions. It's the heat treating and hardness that are important. These target plates look to be about 3/8" or 1/2" thick and 6" in diameter.

I'll test it at a distance (manual says min 30 yds) and see how the plates hold up. If they start to crater, then it will be limited to rimfire. If it holds up, then we'll call it good. I don't have any .44 pistols. Only .40S&W so that's all it will see this weekend.

Although the thought was very nice and you should be cautious not to hurt her feelings.

Yes, the thought was very nice and I have no intention of hurting her feelings. She's been very tolerant of my shooting hobby. She only complains about how much it costs! I'm not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I also don't want to push this thing past its limits. I would like to one day take her out and let her use it sometime!

[JustEd]

Have seen these but not used them....looked too cheap!
My concern would be what happens when a round hits the cross bar beneath the plate. Yes its angled, but would it hold up?

[Ninety]

What about getting some AR500 plates and replacing the ones that came with it? Cheap solution for use with rifle no?

Pretty *****in setup . .

[CAL.BAR]

What about getting some AR500 plates and replacing the ones that came with it? Cheap solution for use with rifle no?

Pretty *****in setup . .

Well, the 3 AR-500 plates will cost likely as much if not more than the unit cost. They will weigh as much if not more that the unit itself (making it unstable) and, w/o AR-500 steel in the plate rack itself, the first good hit below the plates will dent and damage the action of the unit. (i.e. not worth the effort).

Hit it with a 9 or 45 from a fair distance and have fun (as long as it lasts) I've tried the "takes up to a .44" type targets before, and they generally don't last very long. After 3-4 range trips I suspect it will have had it.

[duckman1]

Take it out and use it and if it starts to break down contact the mfg. It's a thoughtful gift from your wife and I'd take the opportunity to invite her out to enjoy it with you.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Your wife is being nice to you, hope you respond appropriately.

Amazon reviews here. I'd pay careful attention to the recommended minimum distances if it were me. If it breaks, contact the manufacturer, it appears that they readily supply replacement parts.

[madsend81]

Thanks for the sage advice, but I asked for personal experience with this target, not for advice on how to treat my wife. ::We've been happily married for the past 9 1/2 years. I'm not about to hurt her feelings over a gift, especially when she got it thinking I might enjoy using it.

I looked at the Amazon reviews. The ones for this particular model were a bit sparse which is why I asked here if anyone had any experience with them. We'll certainly put it out @ 30yds when we shoot at it. I'll post my experience with it after we try it out on Saturday.

[ElvenSoul]

Looks cun for a .22

[SB1964]

Great wife, ur lucky. Take it out & blast away, that's the idea. Merry Christmas!

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I've actually been looking at this one and the mixed reviews have kept me from taking the plunge. Looking forward to your review.

[Steve_In_29]

OP, I can't help you with that one but I have their .22 version and it is holding up very well.

Mind the minimum distances and I would venture yours will last as well.

[madsend81]

I took the target out to some BLM land yesterday. We set it up at the recommended 30 yds and shot at it with 165gn .40s&w rounds. Those 6" bulls are very hard to hit at 30 yds, but when you hit one, you knew it. They fell down nicely and hitting the black bull reset the 2 yellow bulls. For fun we also trird som .22 rounds at it. Not suprising, they weren't strong enough to knock down the plates.

The plates held up well. There was no sign of cratering from the pistol rounds. The target plates and the protection plates on the front and legs all appear to be made of hardened steel, possibly AR400.

I'll post some pics of the plates when I get the chance.