Safety Information
At Challenge Targets, safety is at the core of everything we build. Our targets are utilized by every branch of the U.S. Military, hundreds of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and gun clubs across the country. Since 2009, our products have safely taken well over 100 million rounds. We continue to refine and test every new design to meet the highest standards of safety and durability.
Steel targets are very safe when properly designed and tested. However, it’s important to understand there are no government regulations for steel target design or testing. Some overseas manufacturers are selling products into the U.S. market without the ability to properly test them due to strict firearm regulations in their own countries. Because there is no U.S. oversight agency, it’s up to customers to use their own judgment when selecting a trusted manufacturer.
With Challenge Targets, you can be confident you’re using equipment that has been rigorously engineered, extensively field-tested, and proven safe by organizations that demand the highest standards.
If done correctly, shooting steel can be one of the most enjoyable and satisfying target shooting experiences. This is one reason many national shooting clubs use steel targets in their competitions. Organizations such as IDPA, IPSC, GSSF, and USPSA have hosted hundreds of thousands of shooters and have sent millions of rounds downrange on steel targets. Our government also commonly uses steel targets for training law enforcement professionals and military personnel.
Our President, Brad Brune, has an extensive background in the metal fabrication industry and spent 10 years of his career as Vice President of a large Ohio based manufacturing company. He worked closely with tier one military suppliers to provide laser cut and fabricated components for their armored vehicles and ballistic protected devices.
When researching the safety of steel targets, you will find that some manufacturers caution users that exposed bolts can be hazardous. They imply their targets are safer because they weld mounting hardware to the back side of the target surface rather than bolting it on from the front.
While it’s true that a flat shooting surface is preferable, the welding process has disadvantages. In many cases, the heat generated from welding, anneals the target plate creating soft spots on the face of the target. These softened areas can crater and divot when impacted creating a safety hazard. Another problem with welded target plates is that they cannot be reversed to extend their life.
In our research, broken welds were the leading quality problem and frustration cited by the police and private range officials we interviewed. Our target assemblies use hardened, round head carriage bolts rather than welds to secure the plates. This insures there are no soft areas or blunt edges on or near the shooting surface. Our plates are also designed so they can be reversed periodically. This preserves the surface and maintains the flatness of the plate which is very important for safety.
All shooters and bystanders MUST wear approved safety glasses when shooting steel targets!