In a previous article, we shared tips on how to build a shooting range and what types of safety gear you'll need to ensure it's equipped and ready for action. One piece of safety equipment that every shooting range should have in its possession is a weapon clearing station.
What Is a Weapon Clearing Station?
Even if you think you've emptied your weapon, the only way to ensure all rounds have been property removed is with a weapon clearing station. How it works is your students will fire their weapons into a barrel tube that is designed to safely contain and trap each bullet fired.
Even if a student knows there is no ammunition left in his or her weapon, there is no danger in using a weapon clearing station to ensure the gun is empty. There is a danger, however, in assuming that all shots are fired—only to accidentally put a stray bullet in the wall, or worse, injure a fellow student or instructor.
Whether you're storing a weapon or passing it off to the next user, a weapon clearing station is the only way to play it smart and safe at the shooting range.
What Type of Weapon Clearing Station Do I Need?
Whether you're building a shooting range, have outdated equipment, or you do target practice on your own property, a quality weapon clearing station is not only a piece of safety equipment; it's also a necessity.
At Qualification Targets, Inc., we offer a large selection of clearing stations and bullet traps to support a variety of firearms. Depending on the size of your range and the caliber you use, you may consider one or a combination of the following options.
Slugmaster
This clearing station can withstand discharges from all handguns, shotguns, and rifles. It works effectively with 12 gauge slugs, .223, .308, .30-06, and .338 magnum calibers, but it's not designed for armor-piercing ammunition.
The station stands at 40” tall and measures only 15” in diameter. It also features a unique 3-port base design that allows exhaust to disperse safely.
Cyclone
Similarly to the Slugmaster, this clearing station is designed to withstand all handguns, shotguns, and rifles. And also like the Slugmaster, it works effectively with 12 gauge slugs, .223, .308, .30-06, and .338 magnum calibers.
Measuring 13” X 11”, this station is a bit bulkier, but it only weighs approximately 61 lbs, making it easier to transport and move to different locations of the shooting range. The impact plate inside the station includes a high tensile strength, withstanding 235,000 psi and a hardness of 500 Brinell. However, the Cyclone is not meant for military-grade armor piercing rounds.
The Boss Box
We offer 4 unique models of The Boss Box clearing station, all of which can withstand bullet impact from a wide variety of weapons. These cover many ballistic applications that range from handgun rounds up to military grade 50 caliber armor piercing rounds.
Unlike the other options, The Boss Box is lighter in weight and can be conveniently mounted onto a table, wall, or floor stand that includes wheels for easier mobility. The Boss Box is categorized as a military-grade weapons clearing system and is designed to trap hundreds of rounds from 7.62, 5.56, .308, 9mm, 45 & “00” shotgun.
Upgrade Your Shooting Range with Qualification Targets, Inc.
In addition to quality, high-impact weapon clearing stations, we also offer the nation's leading paper shooting targets for training and qualification across the United States.
If you'd like to learn more about clearing stations and other safety products, or if you'd like to place a custom bulk order to upgrade your range, contact us today at 866-498-8228.