Topic: Which MGM target for pistol?

[charlz]

I just picked up my first semi-auto pistol, a CZ75B in 9mm, and if I were to buy a reactive steel target which one holds your attention the longest? An auto popper? The double spinner? A few of the knock-down plates to be spaced around? I see they have the double spinner on sale and that is about the most I would want to spend. Does anyone in the valley ever have a practice/'play day' (non-competition) where you can try out different targets?  I joined the Parma range (mainly for rifle shooting) this winter so I really haven't seen what kind of events go on out there.

[luvmy45]

Well... the polish plate rack will hold your attention the longest. 

But the auto poppers are the easiest to use on your own, just set them up and shoot, they reset themselves.

All the clubs around here have MGM steel, and at any given match therte will be several setup of different types... so just come out to the local matches and you'll get to try a bunch.

[charlz]

Well... the polish plate rack will hold your attention the longest. 

Yeah that one does look like a lot of fun but more $$$ than I want to spend... unlike motosapiens I am not out of the desert racing scene altogether so I still have other expensive hobbies Also I have a SUV so transport doesn't look all that easy unless I hook up a trailer blah blah blah. On the double spinner I am assuming the legs come off easily enough and the poppers can just go in the back.

All the clubs around here have MGM steel, and at any given match therte will be several setup of different types... so just come out to the local matches and you'll get to try a bunch.

Baby steps 

[avking]

I love shooting my double spinner.

[dvc]

+1 on the Polish plate rack!! 

The spinner and a 9mm may be a double edged sword.  You will get a lot of practice working on your timing and accuracy because it will take more shots to spin it than a .40 or .45.  (so I have heard).   It's a helluva fun target, but  you may get more versatility with a couple Auto-Poppers and some cardboard target stands for close to the same price.  You can add 4 more Auto-Poppers as $$$ permits and make  your own auto-resetting plate rack.

Also, please note the Spinner goes off sale tonight at midnight...  It was on their January special and they usually run them an extra 3 days.

dvc

[SinisterRob]

I love the MGM spinner and highly recommend it. I shoot mine mostly with 9mm. But also 12 gauge bird shot/buckshot, 12 gauge slugs at 60 to 80 yards, downloaded soft point 223 at 100 yards.

It is a target that has made me pay attention to sight alignment, timing, and trigger control.

O yeah and in under 25 rounds of 22lr it can be spun.

My favorite part is that it auto resets.

[Nealio]

I just picked up my first semi-auto pistol, a CZ75B in 9mm, and if I were to buy a reactive steel target which one holds your attention the longest? An auto popper? The double spinner? A few of the knock-down plates to be spaced around? I see they have the double spinner on sale and that is about the most I would want to spend. Does anyone in the valley ever have a practice/'play day' (non-competition) where you can try out different targets?  I joined the Parma range (mainly for rifle shooting) this winter so I really haven't seen what kind of events go on out there.

I would buy a bunch of Steel Challenge plates or knockovers plates.  You can then configure them any way you want.  They are easy to transport anywhere, can be shot on any terrain, and get you a lot of steel for the $.  I personally would love to own a Polish Platerack or a Texas Star, but hauling that shit out to the desert and setting it up would be a pain in the ass.
I own a bunch of knockovers, some steel challenge plates, and a lollipopper.  With those I can set up a 3-gun course, a pistol course, or put them out at distance and do some long range rifle*.
* Note you need the 1/2" plates if you want to shoot rifle at them

You can take those knockovers and screw them to a 2x4 and turn them into a more static piece of steel that you don't need to reset.  Or you can make a "poor man's autopopper" out of them with 2x4's as well..

[motosapiens]

Baby steps 

Competition doesn't have to be a big deal, or super-competitive. Once the monday evening steel shoots start up, those are pretty easy to do without taking tons of time away from the family. Nick could shoot them too (assuming you have a 22 pistol, if not you can borrow mine). I usually alternate and shoot centerfire 1 week and rimfire the next just to keep the costs under control.

For just going out and shooting in the dez, or when we camp, I made some targets with 2' cardboard squares taped to wooden stakes, and then i tape paper plates to them (simulating the down-zero zone of an idpa target, lol). I often tape another piece of cardboard to the front just so i can see where shots go if they miss the plate, and I can dispose of the extra cardboard without undoing my industrial-strength tape job to the stakes. If I set up 2 or even 3 of these at varying distances, I can do all kinds of practice and drills.