More Reality, Less Pretend
The KTAK system is much more than a target and was designed with one basic premise, to improve your ability to stop a lethal threat.
How? Since it is reactive, it has to fall but how you make that happen is where things get interesting….
Right in the middle of a string of fire you have to use your head or it is not going to fall. The steel reacts to being hit but you have to react to what is happening to the target. This target requires multiple hits to be knocked down.
It is more than likely the most realistic target you have ever shot at…. multiple hits, multiple reactions, multiple strike zones. All at danger close distances… 109 lbs of innovation that just might, one day, save your life.
Multiple Hits
Unlike any other reactive steel target, this one requires multiple hits to knock it down. And it is adjustable for the number of rounds required. No more one and done or two hits to paper and move on. You have to make the target fall. Just like you would have to in the real world.
The linkage I created allows you to increase or decrease the number rounds required to knock it over. It is effective with all common defensive calibers, 9mm, .40 S&W, 45 ACP etc. And the adjustability also applies to rifle rounds…
The target has also evolved into a multi platform version that is capable of taking hits from .223/5.56 NATO, 300 Blackout (sub and supersonic), 7.62 x 39mm, 6.8 SPC and 7.62x40WT but is still effective when taking hits from any pistol, making for very realistic transitions from a long gun to a side arm.
Multiple Reactions
There are 4 distinct zones that create two different reactions, the primary reaction is the fall back or knockdown. This is activated by center mass or head zone hits. This is the targets reason for existence, to get knocked down.
The secondary reaction is a shot activated drop feature, where the whole upper torso drops vertically yet doesn’t activate the knockdown. The drop is activated either by one of the hip plates or when you set up the center mass drop option (a simple, no tool, manipulation of the linkage…). An effective simulation of the threat dropping to a knee.
Seeing is Believing…
This video will give you a really good idea of what happens to the target when it is hit during a range session. It doesn’t show everything but it will show you the primary reactions. And all rounds fired in this video were done at a very slow pace so you can see the reaction from each and every round.
Putting an End to Pretend
There is no need to pretend that your hits were effective, like any reactive steel, it has to fall down… If it doesn’t, you need to hit it again and possibly even shoot it in another location to make it fall.
Repeated accurate hits are required to knock it down. Marginal or other hits outside the strike plates don’t count. Small strike plates reinforce the need for accuracy, they require you to hit what you are supposed to be hitting. In the real world misses won’t stop the fight….
Concealed Strike Plates
The target was never intended to be shot at as just plain strike plates. It is meant to be covered with a shirt and a face.
When covered with shirts and cardboard it forces a shooter to learn to “call” their shots, to be sure of where they are hitting. The shirt eliminates the bad habit of looking for holes. No using holes to correct your aim. Simply lifting the shirt will confirm where the rounds are actually hitting.
Just like the real world where there are no aimpoints on the bad guys, you have to know what you are aiming for.
Lack of Sound
There is very little sound from the plates when you hit them so you don’t get audible clues from hits. Bad guys don’t go “tink” when they get hit either…
No becoming Pavlov’s dog. While it is a lot of fun to hit steel that makes sound it doesn’t necessarily make for good training. The KTAK is made from steel for durability not to reward you with sounds that don’t happen in the real world.
Options…
It can be used for simple knockdown drills or set heavy for a hard to knock down target requiring multiple hits to multiple strike zones. It is a much more effective training tool for failure to stop drills than a piece of paper or single hit steel knockdowns….
And the target really excels in scenario situations since it doesn’t react like the shooter expects it to, nor does it just sit there like paper.
Training options are just about endless….
Fast, Simple Reset
I have also had a few questions about re-setting the target after it has been knocked down so here is some video showing just how quickly and easily it is re-set. As I have said elsewhere, it sometimes is quicker to re-set it than it is to knock it down.
Sorry I couldn’t include live fire in this one as it is in my backyard and the neighbors just over the fence would frown upon it….
Strike Zones
Center Mass
Center mass is the most stable, consistent and talked about aiming point in defensive shooting. So the focus of my targets is center mass or what I prefer to call the upper thoracic zone. The strike plate is shaped much like the vitals you see on silhouette and anatomy targets. And the requirement for multiple hits to the upper thoracic zone is the main thing that sets my target apart.
First Hit Drop…
This is also a function of the target that you have to manually engage and it just may be my favorite feature of the target. First accurate round to the upper thoracic strike plate drops the target but doesn’t knock it over…. Don’t think you will find this one on any other target. And no I am not going to tell you how I made this work….
On more than one occasion it has caused a pregnant pause by the shooter as it is very uncommon for a target to suddenly drop. But the good thing about it, is that this is not an unheard of reaction in the real world
Head Zone
The head zone plate is independent of the upper thoracic plate. It has it’s own pivot and creates a different reaction than hits to the other strike zones. And that head shot can be taken at any time, it is not dependent on upper thoracic hits. One simple accurate hit to the head zone plate will knock the target down at any point.
Pelvic Girdle…
Once I worked out the multiple hit side of things my mind started to wander and I came up with something quite different, a reactive pelvic option…
The pelvic girdle strike plate doesn’t react the same way as center mass and head shots do either. A hit to the pelvic girdle activates a vertical drop of 9″ and this drop doesn’t effect the knockdown feature of the target. You will still have to make the target fall back with multiple hits to upper thoracic zone or a single head shot.
Maintenance Loop/Hip Shot Lock/Transportation Lock
When I first devised this loop, the primary purpose was a maintenance lock. Engaging this small loop prevents the target from knocking you on the brain bucket while you make adjustments… You don’t want to know how I learned this one…
But I found out quickly the loop can also be incorporated into your training. Flipping the loop up prevents the upper torso from falling back regardless of the number of times you hit the center mass or head plate until you hit one of the hip strike plates…. Extremely simple to activate without the shooter knowing. Makes for an outstanding drug and body armor drill.
Another use for the loop is inserting the safety pin into the provided hole will lock the target in place for handling and moving it during transportation without fear of the target unfolding and pinching your hands or fingers
Target Materials
I have switched over to using only hardened plate to build my targets. The benefits of using hardened plate is two fold, it creates a pistol target that is virtually indestructible and the use of rifle rounds on the target is now possible
The rifle capable version has proven itself with its ability to take the hits and function as designed. It is made from hardened steel with some additional armor on the spine and the base pillar so errant rounds cannot damage the drop mechanism or other parts of the target.
The RPS version also weighs a bit more at 109 lbs but this is due to additional armor that protects
the drop mechanism as well as the armor that protects the spine. Just like the original it is also 65 inches tall when ready to shoot.
Testing has shown that when hit with approved rifle rounds it reacts exactly like the original pistol target, multiple hits to the upper thoracic plate are required or a single head shot will knock it down. It also remains just as effective when transitioning from rifle to pistol or when used only with a pistol, one target that truly does it all.
Test Rounds So Far
Currently, the target has been hit effectively with 22LR, 5.7 x 28mm FN, 9mm, 357 SIG, 357 Magnum, 38 Super, 38-40, 44-40, 40 S&W, 10mm, .41 Magnum, 44 Russian, 45 Colt (from both pistol and rifle), 45 ACP, 44 Special, 44 Magnum +P+ rounds and 50 AE.
And I can also say that it has proved effective with 00 Buck from a 12 GA.
The RPS model of the target has proven to be extremely effective with .223 rounds both FMJ and Hollowpoints as well as Frangible rounds. And further testing has now opened the target up to use with 300 Blackout, 7.62 x 39mm, 6.8 SPC and 7.62x40WT.
And if you are wondering how much the target can take, one test target was hit over 40 times with a .308 from 10 yards…. Realize this was a test only and the target isn’t rated for such use. But I did make a recent upgrade that may allow .308 use on the chest plate but still needs more testing to confirm durability.
Other Features and Options
Portability – For storage and transport the target breaks down (no tools required) into 3 sections, the 5 point base, the lower pillar and the upper torso.
Adjustability – Changing the settings gives you the ability to choose the number of rounds required to knock it down. It also compensates for the use of lighter or heavier calibers.
Simple Reset – Drop feature resets itself. When you lift the upper torso back up into position the trigger mechanism falls back into place.
Variable Height – Target sits at a very realistic height for a silhouette. Should you need a shorter target, the knockdown mechanism is fully functional with the target in the dropped position.
Easily Replaceable Strike Plates – All four strike plates (as well as the spine and lower pillar armor on the rifle version) are removable and replaceable without welding.
Instructor/Shooter Activated – Specific features of the target can be activated by shooting or by an instructor when you may not be expecting it.
Stake pockets – For sticks to hold cardboard, paper targets and cloth shirts. A shirt hides the hits so you can’t “look” and the cardboard acts as a tattle tale to show you where you really hit….
Transport/Safety Lock Pin – This integral part prevents the target from folding up on you while moving it around and when first setting it up. After set up of the target you just insert the lock pin through the tab on the base pillar so you don’t lose it.
New Feature!
Came up with a simple safe and easy way to attach wheels for mobility on and off the range. Plus they have no effect on the leveling feet, nor do you have to make any adjustments to use them.
Just insert the transport/lockpin to keep the target from folding up, then pull towards you and you are good to go.
Target still breaks down into 3 sections for storage or transport.
Talk is Cheap…
All the talking in the world is not going to convince you of the value of this target system. The only thing that will do that is shooting at it… So I do offer range demonstrations, not a lot of talk, mostly just you shooting at the target, me answering questions and teaching folks how to re-set it.
I provide several targets, cardboard and t-shirts. All you have to supply is your own ammo… I can stay for a few hours or all day.
E-mail me to set up a time and date
Cost and other Info
Pricing is available on the Price List page
I offer discounts to Law Enforcement, Military (prior and active) and on purchases of multiples.
Made in the USA, always will be.
Any questions, concerns or might like some more info, send me an email
tonykonovaloff@hotmail.com.
or call my cell (360)969-9167 If I am busy in the shop I may not hear it ring, so please leave a message and I will call back as soon as possible.