TheWombat

ok, final post for this topic with my verdict, learning points, what I'd do different and the answers to any previous questions. Preventing the BB's from escaping If just shooting paper targets then: cut open the front of the box have bubble wrap or something light hanging in the interior to slow down the BBs cover the front hole you've cut out with paper (as my boxes are large I am just using some old flip chart paper I have lying around). This is important as it stops the BB's bouncing back out. tape the paper target onto the paper I've just shot 140 BBs with 100% BB retention in the box - achieves the wife's approval! If shooting metal, plastic, wooden targets then: Cut open front of box have something light hanging near the rear of the box e.g. net style curtains that go on windows.. these are ~$5 at Walmart place the targets near the back of the box. If the targets are free standing then create a narrow cross beam ledge for them to rest on The above results in about 80-90% BB retention. There is still the occasional BB ricochet from a target. The ricochet's won't damage anything, however you'll end up with a few BB's on the floor to vacuum or pick up. Still some experimenting to do on this one to increase the BB retention before it achieve's the wife's approval. Other considerations: A number of stores sell specific airsoft plastic targets that have a 'tacky/sticky' coating on the front. In the interest of experimenting I bought one of these ($10) and these work 100% at stopping the BBs from ricocheting. I've yet to investigate what the target is coated in, however if the wooden target animals had this applied then it would solve the occasional ricochet issue. If you make your animal (or other) targets out of cardboard e.g. from the cardboard you removed from the front of the box then these would catch the BBs and virtually eliminate any ricochet. This is probably the cheapest and best solution! Size of target box I am using large u-Haul wardrobe boxes (24"x21"x48) and these are a perfect size for the large targets such as the GunForHire targets you've seen in the photos or trying the fun animal target shooting. You could also put these boxes on their side if you want to shoot more wooden animal targets. The boxes can be carried around, e.g. to another room/garage when not in use, although they are a little bulky. If you're purely looking to practice IPSC etc then you can use a much smaller box. I've printed out 1/3rd size IPSC targets (on letter sized paper). I am shooting these at ~22 feet distance and 100% of my shots have been on the paper. i.e. I could use a much much smaller target box. For those of you with partners/spouses/etc that may be less than happy with the u-Haul wardrobe boxes then this could be the ideal solution! Also, you could more easily move these boxes around, place them on top of book cases etc and have a real nice setup where you have targets in every room of the house and need to do a house clear scenario :-) Imagine a set up where it takes you 5 minutes to place 30 little boxes dotted around the house and then you can have fun doing timed runs, after which it is only 5 minutes to clear up and make tidy again :-) Does it help? I am using my competition rig (i.e. similar firearm, same holster/magazine carrier, wearing my shooting glasses, hat and headset. After only a couple of days I am already finding that I am getting quicker at acquiring the front sight, that my shots are becoming more consistent, that I am having to pay less attention to my holster draw etc. I also have my CED7000 timer which gives me my starting beep and tracks my shots. I am also able to practice magazine changes etc. So yes it is helping me since I am a beginner. It won't make me a grand master, the recoil is obviously nowhere near as significant although there is some, however it does achieve my goals of: practicing and improving at home without the need for a 45 minute car ride to the range ability to video myself and then playback, analyse and learn. e.g. stance, drawing from holster and first shot, etc cheap and easy.. I can shoot thousands of 'shots' for minimal cost. I can re-use the BBs. I am switching to using propane gas with a little silicon oil which is cheap MrsWombat can practice and have fun as well If I wanted to make it a little more realistic then I would change the sights on the airsoft gun to match those I use on my real Sig P226, however that's for another time. What would I do different? I'd probably do a little more research on the actual Airsoft guns to purchase. I'd either buy KWA rather than KJW, or I would buy TM and at some point replace the frame/slide with metal upgrades I'd buy the propane adapter and silicone oil straight away, as it saves significant cost compared to buying Green Gas I'd use smaller target boxes.. Probably something just a little larger than the Letter/A4 paper size since I am predominantly shooting IPSC targets. I'd still have some of the larger boxes most likely to add variety in available targets. I would have done this months ago :-) It is great fun! Also a good way to introduce partners/kids/friends into shooting I had originally planned to set up the range in our garage, however since MrsWombat doesn't mind us using the lounge/living room it has worked out even better. Unless anyone has any further questions I'll leave it at that. Thanks and hope this experiment has been useful TheWombat

Contest between Mr & Mrs Wombat. MrsWombat won naturally. The lighting is terrible in the video due to it being very late in the afternoon. This was a practice run to see what changes we need to make to the range. Nonetheless it sort of works, it is fun, and proves MrsWombat is the better shooter The horizontal ledges are just cardboard as a temporary measure. I'll make something stronger and more resilient this weekend to reduce the items being knocked off without proper hits. (video now removed) That's probably the last of the videos for now. Hopefully it demonstrates a home range is possible whether for fun or for IPSC practice. It's cheap and easy enough to set up in the garage, basement or elsewhere assuming you have permission :-) :-) TheWombat

If you're looking at plastic guns then also look at the Walther PPQ. I believe it meets your requirements in the original post, can be had for around $515, is not a glock, and is a great firearm. See my previous post on the PPQ. I would rate it above the Glock and H&K P30. TheWombat

Early days for me however it looks like it will be good practice for: holster draw to first shot reloading magazines (using same rig and firearm as I will use in real competitions) point shooting stance getting used to the buzzer and time requirements I am typically loading the same number of BBs as I would live ammunition. The recoil is obviously not realistic, however overall I think the airsoft practicing is a benefit rather than a hindrance. It also adds some variety to just dry firing. I can easily set up the house to have 'intruders' in different rooms on different floors, and it is just fun. MrsWombat is enjoying it, and that is a good enough reason for me! It also saves me close to 2 hours of commute, so I'm able to practice more often. :-) TheWombat

I think we've just solved it from some initial tests. Will see how it goes tomorrow before posting our solution. :-) TheWombat

Thanks. I'll be leaning forward from now on and I'll let her know about the squatting :-) TheWombat

And MrsWombat gave permission to post a video with her at the range, since there seems to be some skepticism as to whether she really exists.. (video now removed) :-) TheWombat

And, to finish the day a possibly amusing video... (video now removed) If nothing else, having the home range adds a bit of fun to the end of the day. I still need a bit more work on the target holders as too many BBs are still bouncing around. :-) TheWombat

Mark 3 The Mark 3 has a revised interior aimed to reduce bouncing and also to allow more variety in the targets that can be used. The bubblewrap is attached to the interior walls. A netting is attached to the bar, and 8 holes have been drilled into the bar Hanging targets can now be used: In addition there is a platform for placing freestanding targets. The freestanding targets cost 25 cents each at a local craft store and are made from balsa wood Although we need some festive scenery The final result Enjoy! TheWombat

We made a few changes to the range today, we're now on our Mark 3 version of target. Mark 1 Original version was just the Wardrobe box has the targets just stapled onto the cardboard front. Pretty simple! The interior just has bubble wrap hanging from the bar in case the BBs penetrate: However in use the BB's are either bouncing of the cardboard or getting embedded in it. Useful initially however will mean a short life for the wardrobe box: Mark 2 The front of the wardrobe box is removed to provide better capture of the BBs This however causes complications on how to attach the target More to follow... TheWombat

Good to see some more positive reviews! I saw a Glock shooter at RTSP a couple of days ago so invited them to try my PPQ. They were positively surprised afterwards as to how good it felt :-) :-) TheWombat

I think MrsWombat may draw the line at that..... :-) TheWombat

Thanks! TheWombat

Thank you. I do at the range, however with the timer my technique has gotten a little sloppy. I'll make sure MrsWombat keeps an eye on my stance :-) TheWombat

This post is dedicated to Maksim :-) IPSC Challenge. 1/3rd size targets. Maximum distance is 23 feet, minimum distance is 12 feet. 11 BBs in first magazine (to simulate 10+1), 10 BBs in second magazine (video now removed) The results - this is only my 2nd attempt! Targets from left to right :-) TheWombat

I got them from Anthony at GunForHire for practicing the drills they were teaching on the 2nd Steps pistol course. They are 23" wide by 35" high. The numbered dots are 3" in diameter. You can see them in a number of my other posts e.g. the Walther PPQ. hth TheWombat

And credit to Anthony and the crew at GunForHire as it was the Simunitions and 2nd Step course that made me think about the home invasion scenarios! I will be back for another Simunitions course soon though to see if the training has worked :-) :-) TheWombat

MrsWombat is real and seems pretty keen with it, she's tried the home invasion scenario, standard range with two hands, one hand (strong), one hand (weak), reloading in the middle, and even gave it a go when I was out at RTSP yesterday. Seems to be a winner :-) It probably helps that it takes me 5 minutes to put the 'range' away and for us to have a normal room again. :-) TheWombat

Well with a couple of recent topics on having a basement range and some videos of forum members competing etc I thought I'd see what I could set up at home that would meet the approval of MrsWombat. Since we recently received airsoft pistols from Santa we don't have to consider the additional challenges for lead contamination, live ammo etc. We are using KJW Sig P226 and P229 (they don't sell a P228). They are metal, have double action/single action, working decocker and are reasonably realistic in function. We're shooting plastic bbs which are shot around 320 fps and are powerful enough to leave a decent dent in metal. The 'range' has been made from Wardrobe boxes that you use for moving house. I've used these are they are large enough for large targets and to catch shots that are not as precisely aimed as they should be. They are light enough to move around easily. I'm still working on how best to attach targets to the front. Keeping the cardboard front intact meant some BBs were bouncing off - a no no for Mrs Wombat. Cutting out the front has reduced this. Hanging from the wardrobe bar in the middle is bubble wrap to act as a backstop and the BBs then collect in the bottom of the box. I may replace the bubble wrap with old towels/pillow cases. Notice the Wombat on top of the middle target! While I dislike videos of myself, here are two to show how it works. (video now removed) And then with a reload part way through - my first one so far from tidy and I'm shooting slower! (video now removed) I am using a CED 7000 timer (thanks Santa) that picks up the airsoft shots perfectly well. The distance to the target from where I am standing is 22 feet. It's far from perfect, however does provide an alternative to just sitting and dry firing and seems to have some promise. Mrs Wombat has approved and tried a few goes as well. I now need to get a holster for the airsoft pistol. :-) TheWombat

I don't disagree however it is about what journey we take to get to the end result. If we directly push using 'rights' and the desire to carry then we are more likely to be fighting politics and apathy/anti from the majority of the public. If however we get more people involved in firearms through hobbies/sports then a percentage of them will naturally migrate to wishing to have firearms for defense/carry once they realize that firearms are safe and they are comfortable with them. We would therefore end up with a larger groundswell of pro-firearm people. Even those who use firearms for hobbies and do to desire to carry would have a greater understanding that firearms a safe. I use myself as an example. I did not understand or agree with the need for the public to have firearms 1 year ago. Over the last 6 months I have got into shooting as a hobbie/sport and more recently my viewpoint has changed re: firearms for carry/defense is not a bad thing (assuming the owners are responsible) We can shout about our 'rights' until the cows come home, we've been shouting for months/years without the level of success we desire Perhaps we also need to consider what other ways we can use in addition in order to achieve the end goal? Just something to think about. TheWombat

Agreed, alas though 'texting while driving' or talking on the phone while driving are not going to earn the politicians many votes. The number of people I see doing both is staggering, and it is not just the younger drivers. Many of the people are in expensive cars and you'd assume would use bluetooth. It is a shame that enforcing these laws seems to be a challenge. TheWombat

No worries, enjoy! I'd also recommend looking at a .22 conversion for the Sig P226 as it will definitely help with technique/trigger control which is critical with the DA/SA. I've also got an Airsoft P226 which is great for DA/SA practice in the house, for ~$100 it's a good investment for me since my Sig P226 will be my competition gun for 2012. :-0 TheWombat

Awesome post, really brought home the different in speed and accuracy. Thank you TheWombat

Apologies for a stupid question, however does the anti-gun lobby agree that the facts show that violent crime has reduced due to legal firearm ownership, or do they cite different reasons, e.g. increased police presence etc etc? I agree that stirring up antagonism is not the way to go, as people typically then just dig in their heels and it becomes a matter of ego/pride/principle.. We are more likely to be successful by increasing the number of gun owners in the state, and this is probably (in my opinion) more likely to happen through hobbies/sports than the fear of need through self-defense. TheWombat

http://abcnews.go.co...ld-in-colorado/ "A 5-year-old boy is dead after a shooting inside an apartment Friday morning in Lakewood, Colo., and police say a 3-year-old boy pulled the trigger..... Police said a 3-year-old visiting from Kansas shot the 5-year-old..... The 5-year-old boy was taken to the hospital with a gunshot to the chest and later died" Police said they believe the shooting was accidental, but one of the adults in the apartment at the time, Adam Laham, 23, was arrested on charges of child abuse resulting in death and criminal negligence...." "Neighbors say the family that lives in the apartment is friendly, and were just seen having a snowball fight in the yard on Thursday." "Photos of guns were found by ABC News affiliate KMGH-TV in Denver on the Facebook page of a family member listed as a resident of the apartment where the shooting happened. Hours later, the same man posted “One *blank* second changes everything, forever.” ----------- Very sad to read news like this, my sympathies to the families. While the owner of the firearms was irresponsible with tragic consequences, these type of news headlines are just going to give more fuel to those who are anti-gun. TheWombat