target

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Gnat Warfare Tactical Pig

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Gnat Warfare

Airsoft RC Pig target Review

  If you want a fun training aid, that you may be able to do in your backyard, you need one of the Tactical Pig targets from Gnat Warfare. These are a radio controlled (RC) target that is intended to be used with airsoft guns for moving target practice. The “Pig” is a foam target that attaches to a 4 wheel drive RC car chassis. You will need a friend to drive while you shoot, but it is worth the enjoyment. We named our Tactical Pig Kyle, Gnat Warfare respectfully calls them “Kevin Bacon”, I will explain later.

  The Gnat Warfare Tactical Pig comes ready to go. All you need to do is charge the RC battery and install the supplied AA batteries into the controller. The Pig comes with a supplied charger to charge the RC battery. It charges relatively quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to start racing around the neighborhood. The instructions are awesome on how to hook everything up and pair the controller. These instructions have tons of pictures, so you hardly even need to be able to read. This process is so easy to get you up and going, that even a ten year old could do it.

  As for the size of the Pig, it is pretty standard for a 1/10th scale RC truck. The car part is approximately 13 inches wide and 18 inches long. The tires are 5 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide. This lends it to use in just about any terrain including backyards and shooting ranges. With the pig target, the total height is about 20 inches. When I first took the RC Pig out for a test spin, I was worried about it tipping over under sharp turns. Well, it did not. All it did was lift the front inside tire. 

  Kevin Bacon, as it is called, is essentially a small Javelina. This Javelina target measures about 22 inches long by 12 inches tall. It is made from 1 inch thick closed cell foam. This allows the airsoft pellets to stick into the target. If you are really close, they may go through, so as always, know your backstop. Especially since this is a moving target. Hitting the RC car part does not seem to affect it. The pellets just bounce off. The target just pushes into a “U” shaped piece on the RC’s frame. This makes changing it super easy. It also allows one to make their own targets and push them into the mount.

  Being this is an airsoft target, you will need an airsoft rifle or pistol to use it. I purchased a CO2 blowback one off of Amazon for $50 and it works well with the Tactical Pig. If you are looking for something to replicate the firearm you already use, I would look at what Umarex has to offer. Either way, this is not super expensive to get into, unless you want it to be.

  We call our Tactical Pig “Kyle”. Why? We had a neighbor once that was a motorcycle officer. He was on the short stature side, kind of like a javelina. So we thought the name was appropriate, lol. 

  Now that you know Kyle, we can talk about how he helps with training. Even though he is a small target, he does move, and move fast. These aspects help you train by shooting at moving targets. But not just moving in one direction like a lot of the moving targets we are used to. The advantage with Kyle is that he is unpredictable. You do not know what direction he will be moving, only the driver does. This makes him a vital training aid for real life scenarios, even if it is airsoft. If your airsoft pistol happens to be the same as your carry pistol, you can even do draw and fire practice. The training possibilities with the Gnat Warfare Tactical Pig are endless. 

  Everyone that shot, or drove, the Gnat Warfare Tactical Pig just loved it. It is so much fun to shoot at. Plus it gives you a fantastic training aid. If you have kids, they will love it also. Do yourself a favor and go check out “Kevin Bacon”, “Kyle”, or whatever else you want to call the Tactical RC Pig.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Radio Controlled airsoft target

Target Market:

Anyone who likes to have fun and shoot moving targets

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Everything is included except the airsoft gun

    • RC frame

    • RC Battery and charger

    • Pig target

    • Controller

    • AA batteries for controller

  • Replaceable targets

  • Aggressive off-road tires

  • 4x4 RC suspension

  • Hobby-grade 7.2v NiMh battery included

  • 2.4Ghz radio extended-range control

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars at Gnatwarfare.com

Chris H.

I have had this pig target for almost 5 years. It has proven to be extremely well built and insanely fun to shoot. Our kids love airsoft and the large wheels, independent 4 wheel suspension and powerful motor lets us drive anywhere on our property, and it’s fast! The battery seems to last forever. I actually still have the original batteries in the controller. The foam pig Silhouette target has been hit 10s of thousands of times and is barely scratched. The BBs make a satisfying loud thud with each hit, which can be heard at long distance.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $299.00 

Retail = Same - Currently on sale for $99.99

I need it now! Availability:

Gnat Warfare or Umarex

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • FUN

  • Great training aid

  • Well made

  • 4 wheel drive

  • Large tires to go anywhere

  • Everything is included

Cons:

  • MSRP is a bit high

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Umarex Origin Review   

Infinity Target with "zones"

  Anyone that shoots, knows about replacing targets. Infinity Targets has come out with a solution for anyone using USPSA/IDPA silhouettes. They are making reusable rubber targets that look like those cardboard humanoid ones. When I first noticed these, I knew I just had to have one. Infinity Targets agreed to send me one.

  Construction of the Infinity Target is recycled rubber. Similar to the “rubber dummy” style, but flat and thinner. The target depth runs about ¾”. They then paint one side white. I was sent the target with “zones”. The zones are cut into the target to resemble the scoring zones on a USPSA target. When I first received the Infinity target, these zone marks were black, but after painting over the target, they are now the same color as the target, but still noticeable.

  The Infinity target came with 2 heavy duty metal clamps. These included clamps are used to clamp the target to a stand. When I say “stand”, I mean the typical 2 piece, 1”X2”, wood uprights, that are typically slid into some type of metal base. The 2 clamps hold the target to the sticks pretty good. The target itself is not light, I’d say it weighs around 10-12 lbs. If the sticks in your target base are loose, the target can seem to lean a little. Another set of clamps will fix this, but I just lived with it because it wasn’t enough to matter. Replacement clamps are pretty cheap, should you choose to shoot one.

  These type of targets are great for practice. Since the Infinity Target has zones, you can see where your hits are. Seeing the hits is helpful if you compete. I even used it to sight in a few pistols. If you get too many holes for your liking, just grab your can of spray paint, and paint over the hits. I will mention that since the target is self healing, the marks it makes in the paint do not look like the nice holes in a paper target. 

  Every range trip, I take the Infinity Target out. The range I use does not allow steel to be shot with rifles any closer than 100yds. It’s for safety, and I understand. By using the Infinity Target, I am able to shoot rifles on the pistol bays. Plus I just paint it when I paint my pistol steel target. I am also able to shoot the Infinity target at very short distances. At muzzle close distances, it doesn’t blow apart like cardboard targets. If you live where it rains a lot, I do, the rubber doesn’t soak up water like paper or cardboard, so you can shoot longer in the rain. The target also works as a nice paper target backer, just staple your paper target to it and go. 

Closeup of 12 gauge slug

Back side of target - slug hole

  I have pretty much shot the Infinity Target with everything I have. As one might expect, hollow points will do more damage to the target. This is because they literally punch a hole out instead of pushing their way through. Infinity Targets says you can use anything up to 12 gauge 00 buck, but no slugs. The smaller calibers like .22lr and .223 hardly do anything to it. 9mm and up seem to actually do more damage to the target itself. Now, I shot 00 buck at about 3 yards, it took a pretty big chunk, out of the back side, of the target, but no visible holes. I did shoot one 12 gauge slug at it, it put a nice size hole in the target (I expected this). After 4 months and probably well over 1000 rounds, it’s still holding up well.

Circles are 00 buck impacts from 3 yards

  If you don’t want the Infinity Target white, just paint it. If you want it to look like a USPSA cardboard target, paint it a brown color. I painted mine grey as it is slightly harder to see. The darker the color, the harder it is to make out where you hit the target. I like this for training because I can’t see the hits and have to just go on training. I did notice that “flat” paints and primers do a better job of covering the target and covering of the bullet holes.

  The Infinity Targets, zone target, is nice. As the saying goes, I would recommend it to a friend. Shipping costs aren’t very cheap because of the size/weight, but sometimes Infinity Target’s has deals on shipping. If you are looking for some sort of usable, reusable, target, definitely go give them a look.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Reusable Torso target

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a reusable target

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Reusable

  • Comes with clamps

  • “Zone” lines

  • Approximately 0.75” thick

  • Self sealing

  • Up to 12 gauge 00 buck ammunition

  • Uses regular target sticks and stands

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

No Zone lines, Hostage add on

What others are saying?:

Ben A. at Infinitytargets.com  5/5 stars

Great for close contact drills

I am the training director at diamondback shooting sports in Tucson, Az. These targets are awesome for our close contact drills. Paper targets last all of two rounds from close distance, but these targets hold up great. They seem to take as many rounds as full size rubber dummies but for 1/4 of the price! Would always suggest these targets, and will be ordering some for our sales floor asap!

Link to other reviews:

None found

Price point:

MSRP = $55.00

I need it now! Availability:

Infinity Targets

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Takes multiple hits

  • Uses standard target stands

  • Paintable

  • Made from recycled rubber

Cons:

  • Heavy-ish

  • Clamps can be shot

Score: 7.50 Good

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Favorite Link:   Gun and Gear Cult



Thor Targets - Steel "A" zone set

 If you have done any type of shooting before, you know that reactive targets are great. Steel targets are probably one of the best bang for your buck targets. They give a distinctive tone when shot. That feedback goes a long way with new shooters, as well as old ones. Thor Targets kindly gave me a steel target and stand to review, and I love shooting steel.

 Steel targets are a joy to shoot. If you’re a new shooter, they give you feedback that can be heard and seen. If you are a seasoned shooter, they can just be fun, or give excellent practice. Thor targets does not disappoint here. The steel is easily heard. Plus you can just spray over the hits with some new paint and basically have a brand new target.

 Thor uses “better than AR500” steel. AR500 is pretty much the industry standard for steel targets as it is highly impact resistant. Thor uses an armor grade steel that has a higher Brinell strength. The Brinell scale characterizes the indentation hardness of a material. What does this mean to you. Well, the Thor steel should pit less and last longer. All good things when it comes to something being shot at. Thor also rates their targets for 3000 feet per second of velocity, at the impact point. So the velocity needs to be less than 3000 fps when it strikes the target. They also recommend a 100 yard distance for rifle rounds and a 25 yard distance for pistol rounds. These are for safety measures and to prevent being hit with back splatter.

 I received the “A”-zone set. The set consists of the target, a stand, and a hanger. It also uses a 2x4 which is not included. One great part about the 2x4 is the ability to adjust the targets height. Depending on what length the 2x4 is cut at, determines the height of the target. If you have more than one set up, you can vary the heights for different targets. Thor’s target stand is really nice also. It is shaped like an “H” with one length being longer than the other. The stand is made to have the longer feet forward to offset the weight of the target. I found that sometimes one needs to put the longer feet toward the back. I may have tipped the target over doing a mag dump of 9mm. On the stand is a place to insert your 2x4. Then on top of the 2x4, you place the hanger. The hanger slides over the 2x4 and has a hook extending out from it. This hook is where the target rests. There is a slot in the target on which to hang it. Once you have the “set” you can just purchase the steel targets to hang from the base and hanger

 Thor’s “A” zone target is meant to replicate the “A” zone in USPSA. It is a little different in shape, but the size is about the same. One nice aspect to a steel plate target is that it has two sides. All of Thor’s targets come painted white. Since the target is reversible, one could paint the other side a different color, this could be for training or just fun. Thor uses ⅜” thick targets, so the larger the size, the heavier it can be.

30 yard 223 hit

 One can see the quality in Thor’s products. The steel plate has no sharp edges (at least when new.) The stand and hanger are expertly welded together. I even shot the steel at 30yds with a 5.56 55gr and it only put a very small pit in the steel (Do not do this yourself, it is not recommended by Thor, myself, or the Firearms Radio Network.) Everything else I have shot it with has only knocked the paint off. This is from .22lr up to 12 gauge buckshot!

 If you are in the market for some steel targets, check Thor Targets out. Their steel targets and stands will not let you down. They are rated by speed, not caliber. Just don’t shoot armor piercing rounds at them, unless you like holes in them. They will even ship them to you. So go check Thor Targets, or their new store “Thor Armory”.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quality Steel Targets

Target Market:

Shooters wanting a reusable target

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Impact rating of 3000fps at target, 100yds rifle, 25yds pistol

  • Harder than AR500 steel

  • Use of cheap 2x4

  • Steel base

  • Steel Hanger

  • Shaped like USPSA “A” zone

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Other sizes and shapes available

What others are saying?:

Facebook

I purchased the dueling tree with 6, 6 inch targets and loved it. I hit it at relatively close range with a hard .308 shot, and it barely made a mark in it. The AR 556 just took paint off, and the .40 didn't make a mark. I will never have to replace these targets, so the cost up front more than pays for itself in the long run. Thanks Thor Targets. Great product and service!

Link to other reviews:

Johnsons Customs on Youtube

Price point:

MSRP = $150 complete

I need it now! Availability:

Thor Targets - use code “4eats” to save some money

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Durable

  • Brakes down for easy transport

  • Uses cheap 2x4 lumber

  • Size (A zone)

Cons:

  • Shipping price

Score: 8.75 Somewhere between Great and Amazing

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Favorite Link:   Medford Knife & Tool

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