Sentinel Gears Training Target Tripod, Black

A Sentinel Gears training target tripod. The kind of thing that makes popper drills actually work.

Popper targets need height and stability to be useful — a steel plate resting on the ground does more harm than good, and a PVC stand falls over the first time you score a hit. This tripod lifts a popper or reaction target to about shoulder or chest height, so you're shooting at something that moves like a person, not something you kick when you walk past it.

What it is. Metal construction on a three-leg base, packed down small enough to toss in a truck or carry in a gear bag. The 1 lb weight keeps it light without being flimsy, and the legs fold flat for transport. Comes with mounting hardware to bolt whatever popper or steel target you prefer onto the top plate.

What you need to know. It ships as a stand, not a target — you need to supply your own popper or steel plate and the bolt or chain to hang it from the top plate. A 10×10 or 12×12 inch steel popper works fine, and a couple of carriage bolts or a short length of chain should cover most setups. The tripod is built for outdoor drills and range work; on a skirmish field it's fine as a static target, but you'll probably want something that's easier to pack between games.

Three legs on uneven ground is the point — it won't tip over on gravel, dirt, or grass the way a two-leg stand or a flat-bottomed object will. Simple, cheap, and the sort of accessory that makes practice sessions actually feel right.