Author Topic: Cheap backstop ideas  (Read 6806 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Invisiblekid00

  • Posts: 5
Cheap backstop ideas
« on: April 01, 2015, 09:55:20 AM »
Hi guys and gals. I'm wanting to build a cheap (hopefully free) backstop to shoot at. I've been browsing craglist looking for free railroad ties with no luck so far. Then I just had an idea of using particle board. I have two brother in laws that work in the office furniture business and they frequently toss out old/damaged particle board surfaces from desks, cubicles, countertops, etc... I'm thinking stack them up a foot deep would stop most any handgun bullet.

Do you think it would hold up?

Sent from gs5(vzw) through tapatalk


Offline TucTom

  • MOC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 565
  • First Name (Displayed): Tom
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2015, 10:04:49 AM »
I would go with a shovel to build a backstop personally. I don't think particle board would last long no matter the thickness, but thats just my thought with no actual proof.

Offline Invisiblekid00

  • Posts: 5
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2015, 10:19:30 AM »
Agreed, a mound of dirt is the best backstop, but I'm renting the house I'm in right now and don't think the lanlord minds but I don't want to have to remove it when I leave. I'm looking for something more portable. Particle board does break apart fairly easily but I can just replace boards as needed.

Sent from gs5(vzw) through tapatalk


Offline Jeff

  • Posts: 1166
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2015, 12:26:16 PM »
I would use a big mound of dirt as well.  Then when you move, have it cleared and spread some grass seeds or something.

Offline TheQ

  • Website Content Manager
  • MOC Lifetime Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4263
    • Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
  • First Name (Displayed): Phillip
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2015, 01:57:28 PM »
Dirt never hurt. Use the particle board as a retaining wall for the back of your mound. 
I Am Not A Lawyer (nor a gunsmith).

Offline TucTom

  • MOC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 565
  • First Name (Displayed): Tom
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2015, 04:57:16 PM »
Invisible, with particle board like you say breaks easy. That is the reason you don't want to use it! Do you plan on rebuilding it every time or multiple times while you shoot? How much is enough? How do you know and are you ready to take responsibility if you guess wrong?

The extra work of moving dirt vs the chance of something happening is not worth it in my eyes.

Offline thamm

  • Legal Musings
  • *
  • Posts: 30
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2015, 11:52:03 AM »

Offline Invisiblekid00

  • Posts: 5
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2015, 12:57:18 PM »
I'm thinking more something like this

Shooting Backstop Tour 2 - Shooting Test:

But I would go half that wide and thicker chambers of dirt.

Sent from gs5(vzw) through tapatalk


Offline TheQ

  • Website Content Manager
  • MOC Lifetime Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4263
    • Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
  • First Name (Displayed): Phillip
Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2015, 06:01:00 PM »
I'd do about 3-4' of dirt -- packed.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2015, 10:04:13 PM by TheQ »
I Am Not A Lawyer (nor a gunsmith).

Offline Jeff

  • Posts: 1166
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2015, 08:04:15 PM »
I don't see any image or video....is there something wrong with my computer or was there not actually anything posted?

Offline gryphon

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 4038
  • First Name (Displayed): Dan
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2015, 09:53:22 PM »
He should have posted this link.


Offline Jeff

  • Posts: 1166
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2015, 12:26:02 PM »
If that had been me and I had another round in the cylinder....that spider wouldn't exist anymore.  Neither would my underwear after seeing such a big spider.

Offline TheQ

  • Website Content Manager
  • MOC Lifetime Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4263
    • Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
  • First Name (Displayed): Phillip
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2015, 01:31:52 PM »

If that had been me and I had another round in the cylinder....that spider wouldn't exist anymore.  Neither would my underwear after seeing such a big spider.

If you were intent on killing the spider, wouldn't your foot do?
I Am Not A Lawyer (nor a gunsmith).

Offline Jeff

  • Posts: 1166
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2015, 05:30:31 PM »
If you were intent on killing the spider, wouldn't your foot do?

No.  It might touch me.

Offline part deux

  • MOC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 683
Re: Cheap backstop ideas
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2015, 08:49:34 PM »
If you were intent on killing the spider, wouldn't your foot do?
What fun would that be?