Some avid shooters have air-guns in their arsenal. For plinking or practicing the aspects of shooting, some go to the garage, out in the yard, or even in the home when there are no parents or spouses to witness breaking the rule of no airguns in the house. When we do so, we have a tendency to construct makeshift shields for damage control or to contain the projectiles for easy cleanup; or evidence removal. Other shooting enthusiasts choose to shoot firearms such as rifles and pistols at indoor shooting ranges and the need for effective bullet traps and backstops is even more important.

Shooting Range Industries would like expand on the topic of bullet traps and backstops.

Difference Between Bullet Traps and Backstops:
For starters, we would like to clear the confusion between bullet traps and backstops and note the differences between them.
– Bullet Traps: A bullet trap is designed and engineered to stop the projectiles shot into it. Generally, targets are posted in front of the trap, and the projectiles hinder their progression.
– Backstops: A backstop is extra protection, that will stop the projectiles that miss the trap. If there is a bullet trap being utilized, the need for the backstop is minimized. If there is not a trap present, the backstop takes the brunt of it, and stops the projectiles.

DIY & Commercial Crosmans Bullet Traps for BB Guns:
The old school DIY method, was often to flip a trashcan on its side, and layer wadded up newspapers to offer protection, and stopping the BB. This worked, at first, but the more abuse it endured, the less effective it was. So if crushed paper can cushion fragile packages for transport, why can it not take the blow of a simple BB? Depending on the power behind the rifle, the BB is traveling with force. Weaker powered BB guns can eventually break through the paper, where the more high powered rifles can shred through them quickly. The problem with paper is that it doesn’t absorb the impact, it merely slows it down. Instead of the old school method, you can try another DIY product or a commercial grade product. The DIY solution is to use wall-to-wall carpet. Robbing the projectile of its velocity, the wall-to-wall carpet prevents a bounce back effect. Hang a section of wall-to-wall carpeting down to the floor, and place a trough at the bottom to contain the BBs for easy cleanup. The commercial product is a Crosman’s model 850/852 trap which works very well for low velocity BBs and pellets. The UTG pellet & BB trap is comparable but usually runs a few dollars more. Both products are manufactured with a ballistic curtain, which absorbs the impact, and a steel trap to stop the projectile. They are built a little small so for extra safety, a backstop is recommended.

Bullet Traps for Pellet Guns:
Being that pellets are made of lead, the lead absorbs the energy and deforms on impact. Large chunks are initially torn away, followed by smaller specks. With the natural design, they usually have higher velocity, which means you can’t utilize just any bullet trap. Even thin sheeted steel can be blasted through with a velocity pellet gun. A heavy duty bullet trap is optimal. One designed for .22 projectiles that can take the abuse of pellet guns for quite some time.

Custom Shooting Ranges with Bullet Traps

Shooting Range Industries understands the bullet trap is one of the major key components of any shooting range facility. We build custom shooting ranges with personal, commercial, law enforcement and military grade bullet traps to best meet your needs. Our bullet traps consistently, reliably, and safely receive all caliber bullets under all live fire training conditions and effectively allow for the safe removal and disposal of all lead and other debris without human contact or environmental damage.