When it comes to training to defend yourself and others, you need to ensure that your training is as close to the real thing as you can get it. Triumph Systems is a company that is focused on providing a wide range of practical training systems in order to help build good habits, as well as add that sense of realism to your training.
One of the ways they have done this is providing a multitude of reactive targets. The target I am using for this review is the Threat Down target of a suicide bomber, or the Terrorist Target. This target is basically a silhouette of a terrorist that is wearing a suicide vest.
The idea of using reactive targets is not new. Even the idea of bleeding targets is not necessarily new. But what is new is the idea of having a target area that consists of 100 small gel packs that are self-contained and independent of one another.
Also, you will notice that the lungs have a blue gel, whereas the heart and brain use a red gel. The gel is water-soluble and will not stain clothing. The gel is environmentally safe and highly visible so you can see it easily from a distance. The entire target is placed on a sheet of corrugated sheet of cardboard and even has grid targets at the top for you to be able to maximize your training capabilities.
https://youtu.be/ntj4FugDMvo
https://youtu.be/tck9aVA6vgQ
PRICE/VERSATILITY
With these Threat Down targets, your training potential is merely limited by your imagination. These targets go for about $17 each, which may be alot for you to invest in regularly. Personally, the way I would use these targets is as a periodic confirmation of skill building. Basically, use this target to see how you perform after not shooting for a while. Do something like draw and shoot a full magazine, as fast as you can, into the torso. Also, you can test your ability to handle a hostage or suicide bomber situation by drawing and delivering a clean head shot at range. Perhaps you could even cover the torso with an old t-shirt that would hide the gel packs and give yourself a greater challenge. These are just a couple of the things you can do in order to get the most out of this target.
PRACTICALITY
It would seem that this target system is designed to emphasize the fact that only hits to the vital organs counts as a hit. Anything outside of the vitals is not really going to have too much of an affect on the targets ability to do harm to you or others. But I think that perhaps the vitals on this target are a little bigger than necessary. I think that a little re-positioning of the brain gel packs and shrinking and moving of the heart and lung gel packs would be a good idea. I fixed the brain issue by taping a Triumph Systems Pop Pack directly behind the T-Square area.
This gives the head shots a little more realism since shooting at the eye and nose area are the best places to hit if you wanna take a threat down fast.
THOUGHTS
In my opinion, there is alot that you could do with this type of target, if you let your imagination work for you. You can use it at any range and get solid feedback of your good hits. I personally would like to see the heart brought up a little higher, in a more realistic position. Also, I think it would be good to modify the brain gel packs so that the “T Square” is part of the target. With these critiques aside, I think it was really cool that Triumph Systems designed this type of system. You can practice many different things, or just have fun at the range. I look forward to checking out more of the products this company has to offer.
RATINGS
Ease Of Use– 5/5
Simply hang your target and get to shooting.
Versatility– 4/5
For what you are getting, I feel that the space is used up as best as it can be.
Practicality– 3/5
The vital organs like the lungs are a generous size, the heart sits a little low, and the brain gel packs don’t extend down to the nose where the T-Square sits.
Value– 3/5
If these targets came down to the range of $8-$12, it would be a better value.
Overall Rating– 15/20
I feel that this target is headed in the right direction, but needs a few refinements if they want to make them more realistic.
DISCLAIMER
The target I used for this review came in a Gunner Crate shipment that my wife bought me. I am not under any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. The opinions stated in this publication are my own, and they do not reflect the collective opinion of the Spotter Up writers.
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