Irving
05-28-2011, 16:38
I'd like to share this little experiment with everyone.
Last weekend I made some IDPA-like targets out of some card board I found in the trash. I tried to make them approximately 80% of standard IDPA regulation size. I didn't put a ton of effort into making the measurements exact. I made them with the idea of practicing with smaller targets on my own time. Today I got an idea and had to try it out.
I've got this spring loaded, single shot airsoft gun at home.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0167.jpg
I had to purchase the extra heavy pellets (.20g compared to .12g) because the lighter ammo goes so fast that they don't fly straight. It is kind of like shooting a curve ball. They go straight for a bit, then veer off in a different direction each time. The heavier stuff is much more accurate. HOWEVER, they also have mass enough to go through your blinds, even the 1/16" thick pressed wood kind, and put dents in your paint. So beware of your target and what is behind. Don't put a target in front of your flat screen tv (unless you put a towel or something over it.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0168.jpg
Two cardboard targets taped together (with rolled up tape in between to create some space) is enough to stop the rounds though. I bet a single layer of t-shirt behind each target would be even better.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0166.jpg
I've got 8 targets, and just doubled them all up to make 4 targets total. Now, I place them around my house.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0163.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0162.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0165.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0164.jpg
A few things to note.
-The gun is a single shot, so the slide needs to be racked before every shot. Great way to teach your wife proper gun handling and tap, rack, bang drills.
-I only have one magazine, it holds 12 shots. You can buy more magazines, AND they are weighted so they will drop free when you release them.
-Want to do a low light match? Close the blinds or wear sunglasses. Flashlight match? Do it at night. Want every stage to be a blind stage? Invite a friend over or have your wife join you.
-Great way to learn how to clear your house while slicing the pie.
-Realize how much more short and narrow your real hallways are, compared to how they are on an IDPA stage.
-How easy is it to maneuver through your house while effectively using cover and not crowding at the same time?
-You can buy semi-auto airsoft guns that are replicas of real guns, even the magazines are the same size and weighted.
-Seems like a great way to learn how to build stages and contribute ideas to your local match.
-PLEASE wear eye protection! These plastic pellets BOUNCE all over the place, even when you hit the target. You can reuse all the ones you can find though.
-Your wife WILL make fun of you at first.
-Have fun.
Last weekend I made some IDPA-like targets out of some card board I found in the trash. I tried to make them approximately 80% of standard IDPA regulation size. I didn't put a ton of effort into making the measurements exact. I made them with the idea of practicing with smaller targets on my own time. Today I got an idea and had to try it out.
I've got this spring loaded, single shot airsoft gun at home.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0167.jpg
I had to purchase the extra heavy pellets (.20g compared to .12g) because the lighter ammo goes so fast that they don't fly straight. It is kind of like shooting a curve ball. They go straight for a bit, then veer off in a different direction each time. The heavier stuff is much more accurate. HOWEVER, they also have mass enough to go through your blinds, even the 1/16" thick pressed wood kind, and put dents in your paint. So beware of your target and what is behind. Don't put a target in front of your flat screen tv (unless you put a towel or something over it.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0168.jpg
Two cardboard targets taped together (with rolled up tape in between to create some space) is enough to stop the rounds though. I bet a single layer of t-shirt behind each target would be even better.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0166.jpg
I've got 8 targets, and just doubled them all up to make 4 targets total. Now, I place them around my house.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0163.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0162.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0165.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/1stuart1/Guns/DSCN0164.jpg
A few things to note.
-The gun is a single shot, so the slide needs to be racked before every shot. Great way to teach your wife proper gun handling and tap, rack, bang drills.
-I only have one magazine, it holds 12 shots. You can buy more magazines, AND they are weighted so they will drop free when you release them.
-Want to do a low light match? Close the blinds or wear sunglasses. Flashlight match? Do it at night. Want every stage to be a blind stage? Invite a friend over or have your wife join you.
-Great way to learn how to clear your house while slicing the pie.
-Realize how much more short and narrow your real hallways are, compared to how they are on an IDPA stage.
-How easy is it to maneuver through your house while effectively using cover and not crowding at the same time?
-You can buy semi-auto airsoft guns that are replicas of real guns, even the magazines are the same size and weighted.
-Seems like a great way to learn how to build stages and contribute ideas to your local match.
-PLEASE wear eye protection! These plastic pellets BOUNCE all over the place, even when you hit the target. You can reuse all the ones you can find though.
-Your wife WILL make fun of you at first.
-Have fun.