MODULAR ARMORED TACTICAL COMBAT HOUSE - Action Target

MATCH 

MODULAR ARMORED TACTICAL COMBAT HOUSE

CONTENTS 

4 TURNKEY SOLUTIONS 

6 DEPLOYABILITY 

8 SDZ & VDZ 

10 STEEL 

12 CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 

16 PLYWOOD VS. RUBBER 

20 INSTRUMENTATION 

24 CATWALKS 

26 UNDERGROUND TRAINING 

27 RUBBER FLOOR 

28 COVERINGS & ENCLOSURES 

30 VENTILATION 

32 LIGHTING 

34 BREACH DOORS 

36 WINDOWS & BLAST PANELS 

37 REALISTIC FACADES 

38 PORTABLE TRAPS 

40 TARGETS 

42 CACTF & UAC 

43 NON-BALLISTIC SOLUTIONS 

44 LAYOUT EXAMPLES 

ABOUT ACTION TARGET INC. 

For over 20 years, Action Target has been 

the dominant force in shooting range 

equipment design and manufacturing for 

law enforcement, military, and commercial 

ranges around the world. We are proud 

of our commitment to deliver advanced 

firearms training products that help 

prepare our men and women in uniform for 

the heroic job of defending our safety and 

our freedom. 

Action Target is headquartered about 40 

miles south of Salt Lake City in Provo, Utah. 

Unlike many in the industry, we engineer, 

manufacture, and install all of our own 

products. Our unique start-to-finish 

approach gives us better control over the 

quality of our products. 

BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. 

(BUT IN OUR CASE IT REALLY IS) 

As the nation’s largest manufacturer of 

shooting range equipment, we consider 

size to be our greatest strength. 

Our size gives us access to resources, 

purchasing power, and manufacturing 

technologies no one else can even 

approach. The benefits to you include 

remarkably innovative target systems and 

training tools, unbeatable customer 

support, and clearly superior products at 

competitive prices. 

PHONE: 801-377-8033 TOLL-FREE: 888-377-8033 FAX: 801-377-8096 

MAILING ADDRESS: Action Target P.O. Box 636 Provo, Utah 84603 

WEBSITE: www.actiontarget.com

T U R N K E Y 

SOLUTIONS 

One of the greatest strengths Action Target brings to the table is the ability to 

deliver a complete turnkey project. While Action Target will gladly work with any 

customer who desires multiple companies to support their project, we can 

provide all of the expertise and assistance required to complete the project 

and provide life cycle maintenance and operations support. 

Some vendors do not have their own production facilities and must subcontract 

the manufacturing out. This can lead to a less than desirable result since each 

subcontractor may have different opinions about how the work should be done, 

and none of them may fully understand the final product. Experience has 

demonstrated that most successful training facility projects use equipment 

produced by a single experienced targetry company with control over the entire 

process. Because Action Target uses their own state-of-the-art manufacturing 

facilities and can be fully responsible for all aspects of your project, this type 

of integrated control is now available to you. 

Action Target can provide you with everything from initial designs and consultation 

services, to the assembly and installation of the final facility. We offer complete 

maintenance and operations training, and we can even provide a qualified staff 

to fully operate your facility throughout its entire life cycle. This total support 

concept does not add an additional burden to your current staff or require the 

addition of extra personnel to operate and maintain the facility. It is all handled 

for you. This same management service is available with many of Action 

Target’s shooting range systems. 

It is important to remember that your MATCH facility is a training device and not 

a building or real property. Since MATCH must contain ballistic projectiles, its 

design is very different from a normal building or other metal product. We can give 

you all the information you need to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. 

Through 17 years of shoothouse experience and live-fire operations, MATCH has 

improved and evolved with modern training methods and tactics. It is this experience 

and first-hand knowledge that ensures the products you receive from Action 

Target are superior to those pieced together by a series of subcontractors 

who may not understand the difficulty and importance of what you do. 

4 ACTIONTARGET.COM

w 

5

6 ACTIONTARGET.COM 

DEPLOYA BILIT Y 

Q 

IndIvIduAl lIve-fIre MATCH buIldIngs CAn Also be ereCTed u 

In As lITTle As 2 dAys, wITH enTIre vIllAges goIng up In As 

lITTle As 30 dAys. 

Is MATCH A perMAnenT sTruCTure, or 

CAn IT be deployed To oTHer AreAs? 

One of the many advantages of Action Target’s MATCH system 

is the ability to deploy true live-fire buildings quickly and efficiently. 

Your people may not be able to travel to a training facility, so 

we bring the training facility to them. The MATCH system is 

made of armor steel plates that stack compactly and go 

together quickly. This modular approach allows for large and 

reconfigurable live-fire rooms and buildings that far exceed 

the size of the container they are shipped in. Unlike other 

approaches that use unnecessarily bulky materials, the MATCH 

system can fit the components for an entire building inside a 

single 20-foot container. 

In 2005, Action Target was given the critical mission of building 

and transporting an entire live-fire village to Baghdad, Iraq. This 

village was used to provide U.S. Military personnel with critical 

training that was necessary to protect lives in their immediate 

combat mission. Each of the 12 buildings was completely 

assembled at our factory in Utah, then rapidly disassembled 

and loaded into containers for shipping. 

Because no welding is involved, MATCH buildings can be 

completely disassembled and transported to alternate training 

sites for a week, a month, or as long as you need to there. They can 

be reconfigured as training requirements mandate, with complete 

large scale reconfigurations typically accomplished in 2 days. 

In 2005, ACTIon TArgeT wAs gIven THe CrITICAl u 

MIssIon of buIldIng And TrAnsporTIng An 

enTIre lIve-fIre CITy To bAgHdAd, IrAq.

deployAbIlITy ConTInued 

A different attempt at deployability uses shipping 

containers as the actual rooms of the house. This 

option yields only 160 square feet of training 

area per 20-foot box, and live-fire is not possible 

without additional armor protection. You also end 

up with excessively small rooms that greatly 

limit your training options. We use shipping 

containers as well, but we use them to ship MATCH 

components that yield 2,400 square feet of live 

fire training area per container. To provide some 

perspective, MATCH houses require only 1/5 of 

the shipping space needed for the same size 

village constructed out of shipping containers. 

That means a village the size of the one we sent 

to Baghdad in 20 containers would require 100 

containers if you were using them as the actual 

rooms of the house. You would also have a 

facility without realistic room sizes and layouts, 

without the option of being reconfigured for 

mission rehearsal tasks, and without the ability 

to use live-fire service ammunition (unless you 

line every surface with armor steel.) The ability 

to use service ammunition in MATCH is a huge 

advantage. The last thing a wartime commander 

needs is to spend unnecessary time and money 

changing out the bolts for SRTA practice. 

Another exclusive benefit Action Target offers with 

its MATCH and MOUT villages is a 100% total 

support option. This program means Action Target 

manages the facility and provides everything 

from regular maintenance to repairs, to complete 

operations training and execution. Because we 

handle every detail, you don’t need to provide 

additional staff or sustainment training to 

handle administrative, maintenance, or logistical 

tasks. All your units have to do is show up and 

train. We can also provide less involved service 

and maintenance contracts on a regular basis 

depending on your needs. 

t THIs ModulAr ApproACH Allows for lArge And reConfIgurAble 

lIve-fIre rooMs And buIldIngs THAT fAr exCeed 

THe sIze of THe ConTAIner THey Are sHIpped In. 

888.377.8033 7


SDZ & VDZ 

Q 

IT sHould be HIgHlIgHTed Here THAT THe ACTIve ArMy u 

lIve-fIre sAfeTy experTs HAve deTerMIned THAT even THe 

roofless ApplICATIon of MATCH provIdes An ACCepTAble 

level of sAfeTy In MosT CAses. 

How does MATCH Address sdz And 

vdz ConCerns? 

The reason MATCH was invented in the first place was to create 

a viable training environment with a zero Surface Danger Zone 

—or SDZ—both inside and outside the structure. In fact, MATCH 

is so safe you could even set it up in the range control parking 

lot if you wanted to because every shot fired would be safely 

contained within its walls. Of course, the noise generated by 

all the gunfire would probably make the parking lot a poor 

choice. All joking aside, MATCH really is that safe. 

We all know that the SDZ concept is extremely important, but 

another critical, yet often overlooked factor, is the Vertical 

Danger Zone or VDZ. The VDZ is the area directly above the 

training range. An important reason for you to be concerned 

about the VDZ is the possibility of rounds entering occupied 

airspace and potentially endangering aircraft overhead. Another 

reason is the possibility of a shooter firing a round above the 

red safety band and thus over the wall of the house. There may 

be additional concerns, but it is sufficient to note that MATCH 

can be equipped to provide total ballistic containment, and 

eliminate all potential SDZ and VDZ hazards. 

To protect the VDZ and to keep rounds from escaping out the 

MATCH CAn be equIpped To provIde ToTAl bAllIsTIC u 

ConTAInMenT, And elIMInATe All poTenTIAl sdz And vdz 

HAzArds If so requIred.

sdz & vdz ConTInued 

top of the house, MATCH walls are specifically 

engineered to accept a ballistic roof system 

that gives you another axis of protection by 

containing all errant rounds fired above the safe 

area. This roof is available in both handgun and 

rifle grades so you can choose the level of 

protection that is right for your specific training 

needs. Including a structural ballistic roof like 

this also gives you the foundation for a second 

story to be added to your MATCH house. This 

means multiple fire teams can occupy the 

facility on different floors during a live fire exercise. 

Using duty ammunition in the total containment 

environment of MATCH gives you access to 

significantly enhanced live-fire training that has 

not been commonly available in the past. 

It should be highlighted here that the active army 

live-fire safety experts have determined that 

even the roofless application of MATCH provides 

an acceptable level of safety in most cases. 

Nevertheless, there could be special situations 

when you may need additional protection. If that 

is the case, Action Target will provide you with a 

design that meets your unique training requirements. 

The most important thing to remember is that 

no matter how you shoot at it, either up and down 

or left and right, the MATCH system can meet 

your safety needs in every direction. 

t MATCH wAlls Are engIneered To ACCepT A bAllIsTIC roof sysTeM THAT 

gIves you AnoTHer AxIs of proTeCTIon by sToppIng All errAnT rounds 

fIred Above THe sAfe AreA. 

q vdz q sdz 

888.377.8033 9


STEEL 

Q 

ssAb / HArdox Is A MAjor produCer of sTeel THAT Is HArd u 

enougH And of suffICIenT quAlITy To be sAfely used In A 

bAllIsTIC sHooTHouse. 

wHAT Is THe TruTH AbouT sTeel? 

wHAT kInd of sTeel sHould be used 

In A bAllIsTIC sHooTHouse? 

For a ballistic steel shoothouse to be deemed safe, its walls 

must be made of through-hardened steel that has a Brinell 

hardness rating of at least 500. Period. In steel manufacturing 

terms, the plates must also provide sufficient strength, toughness, 

and stress resistance. 

There are many steel mills located around the world, but only 

a select few are able to produce steel that is hard enough and 

of sufficient quality to be safely used in a ballistic shoothouse. 

HARDOX / SSAB, Bethlehem-Lucas, and Oregon Steel Mills 

are major producers of such steel. Each of these companies 

may have minor proprietary differences in their production 

methods, but they all must make sheets of hard steel in 

essentially the same way. It’s like two different bakers making 

bread; they each may have their own little secrets, but the 

basic recipe, processes, and results are the same. 

A sheet of steel with a certified Brinell hardness rating of 500+ 

from one of the above mills is fundamentally the same as a 

similar sheet of steel from any of the other mills. After 

production, the mill officially certifies that their steel meets 

strict guidelines for hardness and overall quality. Samples are 

pulled from each large sheet and tested to validate the process 

and confirm the results. 

wITH TodAy’s TIgHTer sTeel supplIes, you MusT CHoose u 

A sHooTHouse provIder THAT CAn ACTuAlly geT enougH 

sTeel To CoMpleTe your projeCT.

sTeel ConTInued 

Despite these simple facts, some suppliers of 

shooting range equipment attempt to muddy the 

water and create perceived differences in steel 

quality where none exist. One particularly misleading 

claim refers to a manufacturer’s use of throughhardened 

steel, as opposed to merely surfacehardened 

AR500 steel allegedly used by everyone 

else. We state the following with all possible force: 

1. Despite the inaccurate claims, AR500 steel is 

NOT surface-hardened. It is through-hardened. 

Witness the quotes listed below from steel 

suppliers around the country. 

• Chapel Steel*—AR500 is a quenched and 

tempered, through-hardened, wear-resistant 

grade of abrasion resistant steel plate used 

for severe impact. See www.chapelsteel. 

com/ar500-ar500f.html for details. 

• Benco Steel*—AR500 is a heat-treated, 

through-hardened steel with high hardness 

for use where there is severe impact and 

abrasion. See http://bencosteel.thomasnet. 

com/category/plates for details. 

2. Action Target uses only high quality, throughhardened, 

armor steel with a Brinell hardness 

rating of at least 500, and we use it in every 

one of our ballistic steel products, including 

MATCH. 

3. Action Target can also provide throughhardened 

steel MATCH panels and other steel 

products with certified Brinell hardness 

ratings of 550 and even 600. 

4. Any statements contrary to those above are 

simply untrue. 

* These companies are steel suppliers, not manufacturers or 

producers. They buy steel from the actual manufacturers like 

HARDOX/ SSAB, and then re-sell it to their own customers. 

888.377.8033 11


STEEL 

ConTInued froM prevIous pAge... 

TesTs ConduCTed usIng dIfferenT HArdnesses u 

of sTeel sHowed THAT HArder sTeel 

Holds up beTTer To bulleT IMpACT. 

TesTs ConduCTed by los AlAMos nATIonAl lAbs u 

Be careful not to get caught up in the “more is better” mindset. 

Just because a Brinell hardness number (BHN) of 500 is good, 

it doesn’t mean a rating of 700 is better. While you must use 

steel that is hard enough for the task, going overboard impacts 

only your checkbook and not the product durability. Be aware 

that you can actually use steel that is too hard and too brittle 

for ballistic training purposes. 

In the same vein, thicker steel is not necessarily better either. 

Extensive ballistic testing has shown that 3/8-inch panels 

perform equally as well as 1/2-inch panels at stopping bullets. 

A 1/2-inch panel may hold up better over thousands and 

thousands of rounds focused in the same 1-foot area, but the 

dramatically higher up front cost of the entire panel quickly 

pushes you past the point of diminishing returns. Filling the 

walls with crushed rock or using portable bullet traps can both 

be better overall solutions than 1/2-inch plates. Weight is a 

significant factor as well, particularly if deployability factors 

are critical to your training mission. 

ACTIon TArgeT MATCH fACIlITIes Are MAde wITH HIgH u 

quAlITy, THrougH-HArdened ArMor sTeel wITH A brInell 

HArdness rATIng of AT leAsT 500. 

500 bHn 

500 bHn 

535 bHn 

535 bHn

sTeel ConTInued 

A final issue for you to consider is on-demand 

availability. With today’s tighter steel supplies, 

you must choose a shoothouse provider that 

can actually get enough steel to complete your 

project. Because we buy such large volumes of 

high quality through-hardened armor steel, we 

are better able to enforce our specifications 

and ensure that we have enough inventory on 

hand for multiple projects going on at the same 

time. In fact, Action Target is the largest user of 

through-hardened armor steel in our industry, 

and we consume a significant portion of the 

total worldwide production. 

To summarize, through-hardened, armor-grade 

steel is absolutely mandatory for a ballistic 

shoothouse. This steel is only made in a few 

places, and it is all made in essentially the same 

p ACTIon TArgeT Is THe lArgesT user of THrougH- 

HArdened ArMor sTeel In our IndusTry, And 

we ConsuMe over 5% of THe ToTAl worldwIde 

produCTIon. 

way. All Action Target MATCH facilities are 

made with this high quality, through-hardened 

armor steel with a Brinell hardness rating of at 

least 500. Most importantly, Action Target offers 

a complete warranty on all our products when 

used within the established guidelines for your 

facility. This warranty and commitment to quality 

and customer service are big reasons why 

Action Target builds the most, the largest, and 

the best firearms training facilities in the world. 

p beCAuse we buy suCH lArge voluMes of HIgH quAlITy 

ArMor sTeel, we Are Able To enforCe our speCIfICATIons 

And ensure THAT we HAve enougH InvenTory on HAnd 

for MulTIple projeCTs 

888.377.8033 13


CONSTRUCTION 

DESIGN 

THe sTrIps Are bolTed To eACH oTHer THrougH THe wAlls u 

AT 22 sepArATe poInTs. 

Using the proper through-hardened 500+ Brinell armor steel 

is critically important as we have discussed, but it is just the 

first step. A shoothouse must be properly engineered and 

assembled as well. Even the best steel can’t compensate 

for poorly designed joints, shortcuts on quality, and other 

fundamental construction issues. 

It is universally accepted that the more realistic your training 

environment is, the more effective your training will be. 

Nevertheless, distorted shoothouses with walls that are 2 or 3 

feet thick are still being built out of tires, railroad ties, rubber 

blocks, or concrete. Because walls in a typical residential or 

commercial structure are only about 6 inches thick, the walls 

of MATCH are 6 inches thick as well. Realistic construction 

like this means that the tactics and techniques learned by 

your trainees will be directly applicable to their real world 

missions. 

We all know that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. 

The same can be said for a ballistic shoothouse. If the steel 

plates used for the walls are strong but the joints used to 

connect the plates are weak, you have a weak shoothouse. 

For a joint to maintain the ballistic integrity of the wall, it must 

meet four important criteria. 

1. The joint strip material must be made of the same throughhardened, 

500+ Brinell armor steel as the walls. 

2. There must be a steel joint strip on both sides of the wall. 

3. There must be enough bolt-through points to prevent bullet 

fragments from escaping. 

4. No wood, rubber, or other soft material can serve as a 

support point. Steel must be bolted to steel. 

bulleT frAgMenTs CAn esCApe THrougH THese u 

gAps, As evIdenCed by THe peneTrATIon of 

wITness pAper MounTed ouTsIde THe joInT. 

p noT ACTIon TArgeT

ConsTruCTIon desIgn ConTInued 

Testing documented by high-speed cameras 

revealed that the steel walls vibrate and flex 

when struck by a bullet. This flexing can cause 

gaps to appear in joints with a steel strip on 

only one side, and in joints with not enough 

bolt-through points. Bullet fragments can 

escape through these gaps, as evidenced by 

the penetration of witness paper mounted 

outside the joint. 

To eliminate hazardous weak joints, MATCH 

uses through-hardened 500 Brinell armor steel 

strips on both sides of the wall joint. The strips 

are bolted to each other through the walls 

at 22 separate points. This tight bolt pattern 

prevents gaps from appearing when the wall 

flexes, and keeps the joint strips from peeling 

away at the top and the bottom of the wall. 

This patented solid joint system is far superior 

to other designs, and is so strong is has been 

certified for loads of over 20,000 pounds per 

p TesTIng doCuMenTed by HIgH-speed CAMerAs reveAled 

THAT THe sTeel wAlls vIbrATe And flex wHen sTruCk 

by A bulleT. 

joint. Wood is attached to the finished joint 

strip as a mounting surface for the plywood 

skin, but it is independent of the bolts used to 

connect the joint strips and has nothing to do 

with the ballistic joint itself. 

The same attention to detail and concern for 

safety shown by our choice of steel and the 

design of our joint system has been integrated 

into every element of MATCH. Our doorways, 

stairways, catwalks, and roof systems are all 

the best you can buy. Our realistic stairways 

can incorporate landings and double-backs to 

create additional training options, and we can 

even provide an elevator shaft that runs up and 

down the entire building and then through the 

ceiling for rooftop operations. These features 

are not just afterthoughts bolted to side of the 

wall. They are integrated components of the 

overall MATCH philosophy. 

p IT Is unIversAlly ACCepTed THAT THe More reAlIsTIC 

your TrAInIng envIronMenT Is, THe More effeCTIve 

your TrAInIng wIll be. 

888.377.8033 15


P LY W O O D V S . 

RUBBER 

Q 

AfTer experIMenTIng And TesTIng every u 

ConCeIvAble opTIon, we HAve found THAT plywood Is 

THe besT overAll CHoICe for norMAl MIlITAry And lAw 

enforCeMenT TrAInIng ApplICATIons. 

wHy dId ACTIon TArgeT CHoose To 

use A plywood skIn InsTeAd of 

soMe oTHer MATerIAl? 

A ballistic steel shoothouse must employ some type of skin on 

the walls to protect shooters from bullet fragments and ricochet. 

Plywood and rubber are both commonly used for this purpose, 

and both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. For 

this reason, Action Target offers both solutions. 

Before we go any further, we have to get a major 

misunderstanding out of the way. Whether a steel shoothouse 

is lined with plywood, rubber curtains, or rubber panels, it is 

the steel that ultimately stops the bullet and not the other 

materials. After a bullet hits the armor steel and fragments in to 

small pieces, the plywood or rubber merely keep the pieces in 

the wall to protect the shooter. It is for splatter control only. 

Testing conducted with ultra high-speed cameras revealed that 

the combination of plywood and steel performed almost 

identically to various combinations of rubber and steel. Neither 

the plywood nor the rubber had any significant slowing effect 

on the rounds, which reinforced the need for armor steel walls 

behind the skin to safely stop the bullets. 

our plywood desIgn noT only reduCes THe purCHAse u 

prICe And InsTAllATIon TIMe, IT provIdes you wITH THe 

lowesT MAInTenAnCe And lIfe CyCle CosTs As well.

plywood vs. rubber ConTInued 

Again, Action Target offers both plywood and 

rubber skin solutions because each approach 

has unique benefits and drawbacks. For example, 

plywood is much less expensive initially, it is 

easier to work with, and it provides the best 

price-to-performance ratio. It comes in realistic 

sizes, it doesn’t require special tools to cut, and 

it is doesn’t have to be ordered through a 

specific vendor. The only thing you need to mount 

the plywood is a screw gun and a few screws, 

and it is very easy to paint. Keep in mind that 

plywood is required if the walls are to be filled 

with crushed rock for safe use with rifles. 

p neITHer THe plywood nor THe rubber HAd Any 

sIgnIfICAnT slowIng effeCT on THe rounds, wHICH 

reInforCed THe need for ArMor sTeel wAlls beHInd 

THe skIn To sAfely sTop THe bulleTs. 

On the downside, plywood is a harder material 

so bullets create instant and obvious holes. 

Repeatedly firing into a tightly focused area 

can cause larger holes to form. As the holes 

grow larger, they must be patched to maintain 

splatter and ricochet protection. Moving your 

targets around frequently and using portable 

bullet traps are both effective ways to minimize 

damage to the plywood. 

888.377.8033 17


P LY W O O D V S . 

RUBBER 


If your training and operational needs are better served by a 

rubber skin instead, our approach offers several benefits. The 

self-healing property of our special rubber panels means you 

can shoot thousands of rounds in a relatively focused area and 

not see significant damage. The rubber panels can be 

significantly more expensive, but they also last much longer. 

When a rubber panel eventually needs replacing, our innovative 

modular mounting system will save you time and money by 

making the task simple and efficient. The thickness of our 

rubber panels gives you a perfect balance between performance 

and realism, and they can also be painted to create customized 

training environments. 

In the end, you will have to carefully analyze your training needs, 

maintenance capacity, and budgetary resources to determine 

which option best suits your specific needs. Regardless of your 

decision, Action Target will provide you with a superior MATCH 

shoothouse that is both safe and practical. 

p usIng only rubber resulTs In 

bulleT IMpACTs dIreCTly on 

THe sTeel 

TesTIng ConduCTed wITH ulTrA HIgH-speed CAMerAs u 

reveAled THAT bulleTs fIred THrougH rubber bloCks 

were TrAvelIng AT AlMosT THe sAMe speed CoMIng ouT of 

THe rubber As goIng In. 

p plywood And roCk provIdes 

AddITIonAl proTeCTIon Above 

THe sTeel Alone 

usIng THe wrong Type of rubber wIll resulT In Holes In THe u 

rubber jusT As IT does In THe plywood. ACTIon TArgeT’s 

speCIAl rubber vIrTuAlly elIMInATes THIs probleM.

ACTIon TArgeT HAs ConduCTed exTensIve TesTIng on ITs MATerIAls 

And produCTs, And wIll ConTInue To do so To ensure THey MeeT THe 

HIgHesT sTAndArds. 

p rubber TesT resulTs 

p plywood And roCk TesT resulTs 

p noT All rubber Is THe sAMe, soMe rubber pAnels And 

bloCks lose lArge CHunks wHen sHoT. THese Types of 

rubber Are noT suITed for use In A sHooTHouse. 

p usIng plywood, roCk, And A MeMbrAne, 1,500 rounds 

were sHoT InTo A 12-InCH CIrCle wITH zero fAIlures. 

888.377.8033 19


INSTRUMENTATION 

Q 

How does ACTIon TArgeT use 

InsTruMenTATIon And AAr To 

supporT TrAInIng? 

beCAuse every AspeCT of THe TrAInIng CAn be reCorded u 

And doCuMenTed, All AMbIguITy Is reMoved froM THe 

evAluATIon proCess. 

Using an integrated instrumentation system as part of your 

training programs can dramatically enhance the effectiveness 

of your AAR procedures. Because every aspect of the training 

can be recorded and documented, all ambiguity is removed 

from the evaluation process. Incorporating AAR instrumentation 

in your training exercises is an ideal way for your trainers to 

safely observe and assess the trainee’s retention and execution 

of the methods and tactics being taught. 

Just like a coach who uses film to review prior games and 

practices to improve his players’ performance, your trainers 

can review recorded exercises to determine subject mastery or 

make adjustments to future training events as necessary. This 

recorded data is extremely valuable when a specific tactic or 

practice must be referenced to answer questions that arise 

either during or after the training exercise. Trainees can quickly 

see what they are doing correctly and what they need to 

improve. Experience demonstrates that this type of short-term 

feedback results in faster training information transfer than 

other traditional methods of critique or evaluation. 

THe u.s. ArMy CoMbAT TrAInIng CenTers provIde u 

“TAke HoMe AAr pACkAges,” And THe ACTIon TArgeT 

AAr InsTruMenTATIon sysTeM supporTs THese 

pACkAge requIreMenTs AT THe HoMe sTATIon.

InsTruMenTATIon ConTInued 

It is important to understand that a fully functional 

instrumentation suite is much more than just a 

collection of cameras and recorders. It is a 

comprehensive system that integrates every facet 

of the training event into a single multi-media 

product. A proper system will help to simulate a 

realistic environment that may include lighting, 

special effects, and other environmental controls 

like the sounds and smells of a battlefield. While 

such a system does not have to cost millions of 

dollars, it is certainly more involved than just 

buying a home security system and dropping it 

into your shoothouse. 

Let’s not forget that although an instrumentation 

system can do many things, it cannot provide a 

trainee with instant feedback or correction on 

the fly. This kind of spur-of-the-moment interaction 

can only be provided by the trainer. Traditionally, 

the trainer follows close behind on the belt loop 

of his trainee. However, personal audio links that 

can patch the trainer into the integrated sound 

system now let him guide the trainee and offer 

direction from the safety of an overhead catwalk. 

A typical AAR session can take place minutes or 

even hours after the actual training event. In some 

cases, the information is reviewed again several 

days later. The U.S. Army Combat Training 

Centers provide “take home AAR packages,” 

and the Action Target AAR instrumentation 

system supports these package requirements 

at the home station. Most trainers agree that 

trainees learn more quickly and more effectively 

when they receive immediate feedback to their 

performance. Delaying correction is like scolding 

a dog for making a mess on the carpet the day 

after it happens. We are certainly not dogs, nor 

are we incapable of reasoning a problem u 

t CAMerAs Are MounTed In proTeCTIve HousIngs THrougHouT 

THe fACIlITy And provIde full CoverAge of every rooM 

In THe MATCH House. 

888.377.8033 21


INSTRUMENTATION 


through with the proper input. However, we are creatures of habit 

and we simply respond better to specific, detailed, and timely 

correction or reinforcement. Just as a coach reviewing game films 

with his players is vital to the overall game plan, a trainer using the 

Action Target AAR instrumentation system is vital to the overall 

efficiency and effectiveness of the training program. 

The Action Target AAR system records training events in video 

formats common to most computer systems, and can prepare 

video DVD’s for your take home packages. Our high resolution, full 

color, low light cameras can record in even .1 lux lighting, which is 

so dark that the distinction of objects by the human eye is 

extremely difficult, if not impossible. Cameras are mounted in 

protective housings throughout the facility and provide full 

coverage of every room in the house. The Action Target system 

provides built-in redundancy so if one component in the system 

fails, data is still collected and can be retrieved through another 

component. Video files can be saved, played back, viewed as still 

frames or in slow motion, and even printed for hard copy reference. 

Copies can also quickly be made for review or editing off-site. The 

system is designed to be simple and easy to use, and can be 

operated with very little training by any staff member. 

wITH ACTIon TArgeT’s sysTeM you CAn sTArT wITH THe bAsICs And u 

THen work InTo THe More CoMplex feATures If IT beCoMes 

neCessAry. AdvAnCed wIreless sysTeMs CAn TrAnsMIT 

THe ConTrol And vIdeo sIgnAls froM 2kM AwAy.

InsTruMenTATIon ConTInued 

Display monitors can be adapted to meet your 

specific needs, and are available in all sizes and 

aspect formats. Some may feel it is important 

to have a large plasma viewing screen, and 

others may feel that multiple smaller screens 

serve them better. Both choices are available. 

At the heart of the system is Action Target’s 

SmartRange range control software. The user 

simply points the mouse and clicks on a room 

or building they wish to view and all the cameras 

and recording devices automatically follow. 

Every camera is always on and visible on the 

display screens so the operator can instantly 

choose a full view from whatever is taking place. 

With the use of remote infrared sensors, you 

can even set the cameras to automatically 

p dIsplAy MonITors CAn be AdApTed To MeeT your 

speCIfIC needs, And Are AvAIlAble In All sIzes And 

AspeCT forMATs. 

switch and change views depending on what is 

happening throughout the facility. 

Action Target’s AAR system can be a great 

training tool, but it is not designed to use 

technology just for technology’s sake. With 

Action Target’s system you can start with the 

basics and then work into the more complex 

features if it becomes necessary. Unlike many 

instrumentation systems currently being 

marketed, Action Target’s equipment is easy to 

use and does not require you to contract 

expensive operators just to make it work. To do 

your job well you need the right tools, and they 

need to be available in the right place and at 

the right time. 

p CAMerAs And CATwAlks CosT rougHly THe sAMe. buT 

CAMerAs offer AddITIonAl feATures lIke reCordIng And 

plAybACk, THe AbIlITy To wATCH severAl rooMs AT onCe, 

And TrAInIng observATIon wITH ClIMATe ConTrol.. 

888.377.8033 23


CATWALKS 

Q 

ACTIon TArgeT CATwAlks Are HoT dIp gAlvAnIzed To u 

prevenT rusT And ensure long lIfe, InCludIng THe 

welds. THIs elIMInATes THe need for pAInT, sTAIn, 

wATer seAl, or oTHer MATerIAls requIred To 

MAInTAIn THe CATwAlk sysTeM. 

How do overHeAd CATwAlks IMpACT 

THe TrAInIng experIenCe, And Is 

THere A beTTer wAy To buIld THeM? 

Catwalks may seem trivial when compared to the rest of the 

shoothouse, but they are more important than you might think. 

While most of today’s facilities are equipped with AAR and 

other instrumentation systems, the catwalk is still a critical 

observation point for your controllers to provide instant 

feedback and instruction to the trainees below. 

Action Target’s catwalks are welded sections of solid steel 

runners that can span up to 20 feet between supports. This 

gives you spanning and viewing access to larger rooms and 

longer hallways than with other catwalk systems. Catwalks can 

be supported at any point along the tops of the walls so you 

can customize your layout to best meet your specific needs. 

All of the steel assemblies are hot dip galvanized to prevent 

rust and ensure long life, including the welds. This eliminates 

the need for paint, stain, water seal, or other materials required 

to maintain the catwalk system. 

Catwalks should be able to handle the weight of a full load of 

observers not just on day one, but on day five thousand and 

one as well. Unlike a wooden catwalk, the steel construction of 

the Action Target catwalk system is impervious to weather, 

cracking, and rot. It provides a reliable, long-term solution to your 

controller, observer, and other VIP viewing needs, and a stable 

platform for all staff required for your various training events. 

ACTIon TArgeT’s superIor desIgn And MATerIAls u 

sIgnIfICAnTly reduCe THe lIfe CyCle CosT over 

wooden CATwAlks And oTHer pAInTed MeTAl 

desIgns ofTen beIng used. 

p noT ACTIon TArgeT 

p noT ACTIon TArgeT

CATwAlks ConTInued 

Because every detail is important to Action Target, 

even the handrails were carefully designed. The 

easiest and cheapest solution would be to simply 

use tube steel, but we chose a superior approach. 

Our design allows the materials to stay dry, and 

prevents the nesting of animals and insects that 

typically occurs in tube steel hand rail supports 

or other closed materials. 

Action Target’s superior design and materials 

significantly reduce the life cycle cost over wooden 

catwalks and other painted metal designs often 

p ACTIon TArgeTs desIgn wIll sAfely Hold THe 

weIgHT of observer/ConTrollers’ And vIps wHo 

Are vIew THe TrAInIng ACTIvITIes. 

being used. These other approaches may seem 

somewhat less expensive to initially install, but 

the small amount of money saved will be consumed 

many times over with ongoing maintenance 

and upkeep costs, potential safety issues, and 

downtime for repairs or rebuilding. 

p THe CATwAlk Is sTIll A CrITICAl observATIon poInT for 

your ConTrollers To provIde InsTAnT feedbACk And 

InsTruCTIon To THe TrAInees below. 

888.377.8033 25

t you CAn now sIMulATe everyTHIng froM A sewer sysTeM, 

To A subwAy sTATIon, To A HArdened And deeply burIed 

TArgeT CoMplex. 

U N D E R G R O U N D 

TRAINING 

Because Action Target understands that training objectives are unique and 

can change from one facility to another, we offer multiple approaches to 

underground training. You can now simulate everything from a sewer system, 

to a subway station, to a hardened and deeply buried target complex. 

The design of your training facility can be a totally buried covert pipe complete 

with a manhole and an 80-pound cover, or a MATCH facility in an enclosed 

building that replicates a WMD bunker. The flexible and reconfigurable nature 

of MATCH lets you simulate a wide variety of threat environments. 

As with any enclosed shooting facility, ventilation in an underground simulator 

must be a primary concern. While the facility must realistically replicate the 

threat environment, it must not present a health or safety hazard. Action 

Target is one of only two companies in the United States that have been 

tested and approved to meet the highest shooting range standards set by the 

U.S. Navy for firearms training facilities. Action Target indoor ranges for the 

Navy result in no detectable lead measured in the shooter’s respiratory zone. 

(See Ventilation for more details) 

Action Target will work with you to create a facility that safely and effectively 

meets your underground training requirements, whatever they may be. 

t THe desIgn of your TrAInIng fACIlITy CAn be A ToTAlly burIed CoverT 

pIpe CoMpleTe wITH A MAnHole And An 80-pound Cover. 

26 26 ACTIONTARGET.COM

RUBBER FLOOR 

Q 

super-sonIC rounds TypICAlly breAk up on InITIAl u 

IMpACT wITH THe ConCreTe floor. slower rounds 

do noT breAk up And Tend To bounCe off THe 

ConCreTe More or less InTACT. 

1-2 45 ACp bAll 

3-4 5.56 bAll. 

Are rubber floors neCessAry In A 

sHooTHouse? 

Action Target can provide rubber flooring from 1/2-inch to 2-inches thick 

inside MATCH facilities based on your specific needs. For example, rubber 

tiles may be used to create a solid floor in your MATCH facility if it is constructed 

on a dirt surface. 

However, before deciding to install a rubber floor, several things must be 

understood. Primarily, rounds that impact a concrete floor continue to travel 

in the same path so splatter is not directed backwards. The bullet then comes 

to a stop as it hits the next steel wall it comes in contact with. High-speed 

camera tests indicate that super-sonic rounds typically break up on initial 

impact with the concrete floor. Slower rounds do not break up and tend to 

bounce off the concrete more or less intact, thereby posing a potentially 

higher degree of hazard. 

If used in your shoothouse, rubber flooring should be inspected for wear on a 

regular basis and replaced when necessary. It is important to note that rubber 

flooring should be removed during training where incendiary munitions, 

smoke grenades, breaching explosives, or fragmentation grenades are used. 

IT Is IMporTAnT To noTe THAT rubber floorIng u 

sHould be reMoved durIng TrAInIng wHere 

InCendIAry MunITIons, breACHIng explosIves, 

or frAgMenTATIon grenAdes Are used. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

27


C O V E R I N G S & 

ENCLOSURES 

Q 

bAsed on CusToMer needs, ACTIon TArgeT HAs desIgned u 

And InsTAlled MAny dIfferenT Types of overHeAd sTruC- 

Tures for use wITH MATCH. 

wHAT kInds of CoverIngs or enClosures 

Are AvAIlAble wITH MATCH, And wHAT does 

ACTIon TArgeT reCoMMend? 

It is not usually necessary to cover or enclose your MATCH 

facility, but doing so does have several advantages. Protection 

from the elements, control over light levels, expanded breaching 

and roof entry training, and secured covered storage are just a 

few examples. 

Based on customer needs, Action Target has designed and 

installed many different types of overhead structures for use 

with MATCH. We have used everything from simple pole barn 

roofs to more complex metal structures and complete enclosures. 

Many years of experience have taught us that the best choice 

for most applications is the traditional metal Quonset Hut, which 

is the half-cylinder building often associated with barracks or 

airplane hangars. 

The fundamental design of a Quonset Hut is ideal for a MATCH 

enclosure for the following reasons: 

1. Just like an arched doorway, the half-cylinder shape is 

extremely strong and reinforces itself to provide wide spans 

and large open spaces with no vertical supports to get in 

the way of your training. 

2. The initial cost is very low, and compares favorably with less 

expensive but less effective pole barn applications. No 

costly footings are required, and the entire structure can be 

surface mounted on a single monolith slab. 

3. Ongoing life cycle and maintenance costs are greatly 

reduced because the galvanized aluminum materials in the 

Quonset Hut do not require the significant painting, water 

sealing, and other regular maintenance required for wooden 

pole barn structures. 

InITIAl CosTs for quonseT HuTs Are very low, And u 

CoMpAres fAvorAbly wITH less expensIve buT less 

effeCTIve pole bArn ApplICATIons. 

p noT ACTIon TArgeT 

p noT ACTIon TArgeT

CoverIngs And enClosures ConTInued 

4. A Quonset Hut is not just a roof. It is a totally 

enclosed structure that provides superior 

protection from rain, snow, direct sunlight, 

and wind. In fact, Quonset Huts are so strong 

they are rated to withstand winds of up to 

190 miles per hour. Skylights are available, 

but of course do not provide illumination at 

night. We recommend an integrated lighting 

system that you can customize to your specific 

training events. (See the Lighting section for 

more information.) 

5. Because a Quonset Hut is completely enclosed, 

you can use the extra space around the MATCH 

walls for clean and secure storage. Problems 

with blowing dirt and debris are eliminated, 

and exposure to animals is greatly reduced. 

Extending the length of your building can be 

done for as little as $600 per linear foot, so 

adding extra space for storage or even a class- 

room is a very cost effective solution. 

p even If you plACe your MATCH fACIlITy InsIde A 

quonseT HuT, you CAn sTIll ModIfy And reConfIgure 

THe lAyouT As If IT were ouTsIde wITH no enClosure 

or roof AT All. 

6. Even if you place your MATCH facility inside 

a Quonset Hut, you can still modify and 

reconfigure the layout as if it were outside 

with no enclosure or roof at all. The house 

remains portable, and can be disassembled 

and redeployed as necessary. 

7. Because a Quonset Hut is a sealed environment, 

our ventilation equipment is particularly 

effective. Without interference from outside 

wind or internal pillars and supports, we are 

able to effectively clear the air and maintain a 

safe breathing environment. 

Again, it is not necessary to cover your MATCH 

facility at all. However, with training time and 

dollars at such a premium, it makes sense to 

build a facility that will allow you to meet your 

objectives no matter what the weather may 

throw at you. 

p wITH TrAInIng TIMe And dollArs AT suCH A preMIuM, 

IT MAkes sense To buIld A fACIlITy THAT wIll Allow To 

MeeT your objeCTIves no MATTer wHAT THe weATHer 

MAy THrow AT you. 

888.377.8033 29


VENTILATION 

Q 

ACTIon TArgeT uses A CrITICAl proCess of MovIng THe u 

rIgHT AMounT of AIr InTo And ouT of THe fACIlITy, All AT 

THe proper speed And voluMe. 

How do I keep THe AIr sAfe In My 

MATCH fACIlITy? 

A major concern that often comes up is the ability to properly 

ventilate a MATCH facility. In the last twenty years, many 

indoor ranges have been closed down due to the inability of 

the ventilation system to keep lead and toxic gases at a safe 

level. We understand the importance of safe ventilation, and 

we use patented technology to assure safe air quality in your 

training environment. 

Action Target is one of only two companies in the United 

States that have been tested and approved to meet the highest 

standards set by the U.S. Navy for firearms training facilities. 

We produce indoor ranges for the Navy with no detectable 

lead measured in the respiratory zone of the shooters. 

During the final testing and acceptance of an Action Target 

Naval facility, each and every square foot of the range is tested 

for air flow. No eddies or areas of turbulence are allowed. 

Should any be found, action is taken to correct the discrepancy 

or the range is not accepted. The importance of safe air is not 

limited just to traditional indoor ranges, which is why we have 

applied similar technology and experience to MATCH as well. 

Another approach that is gaining in popularity is the use of 

non-toxic, lead-free ammunition. Using bullets and ammunition 

with no lead can greatly reduce the potential volume of 

pollutants in your facility, and can simplify the process of 

maintaining proper ventilation. 

durIng THe fInAl TesTIng And ACCepTAnCe of An ACTIon u 

TArgeT nAvAl fACIlITy, eACH And every squAre fooT of THe 

rAnge Is TesTed for AIr flow.

venTIlATIon ConTInued 

Without going into too much detail, Action 

Target uses a critical process of moving the 

right amount of air into and out of the facility, 

all at the proper speed and volume. The primary 

purpose for the ventilation of an indoor firing 

range is to remove contaminates created during 

the firing of a weapon from the respiratory zone 

of the occupants. Exploding primers containing 

lead styphnate and friction from the lead slug 

against the gun barrel create airborne lead. 

There is also carbon monoxide as well as other 

contaminates created during the firing of a 

weapon. A summary of the applicable standards 

is stated below: 

EPA 

TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT 

CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY PART 50--NATIONAL PRIMARY AND 

SECONDARY AMBIENT AIR QUALITY 

STANDARDS--Table of Contents Sec. 50.12 

National primary and secondary ambient air 

quality standards for lead. National primary and 

secondary ambient air quality standards for 

lead and its compounds, measured as elemental 

lead by a reference method based on appendix 

G to this part, or by an equivalent method, are: 

p usIng bulleTs And AMMunITIon wITH no leAd CAn 

greATly reduCe THe poTenTIAl voluMe of polluT- 

AnTs In your fACIlITy. 

1.5 micrograms per cubic meter, maximum 

arithmetic mean averaged over a calendar 

quarter. (Secs. 109, 301(a) Clean Air Act as 

amended (42 U.S.C. 7409, 7601(a))) 

OSHA 

When properly executed, lead concentrations 

are consistently maintained below the action 

level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter (30ug/ 

m3) in an area where the limit shall not exceed 

50 micrograms of lead per cubic meter (50ug/ 

m3) of air over a time weighted average of 

eight hours as measured at the respiration zone 

of the shooters and the range officer when 

firing from the firing booths per OSHA 29 CFR. 

1910.1025 and 1926.62. 

Our designs have consistently provided for the 

compliance within the established federal 

standards for airborne inorganic lead concentration 

limits. Unlike the standard for fixed firing line 

ranges where you maintain a specific velocity 

(75 Feet per Minute) the live fire houses require 

a regular exchange of air to eliminate stagnant 

sections. The course of fire for this type of 

training allows for this approach. 

p we undersTAnd THe IMporTAnCe of sAfe venTIlATIon, 

And we use pATenTed TeCHnology To Assure sAfe AIr 

quAlITy In your TrAInIng envIronMenT. 

888.377.8033 31


LIGHTING 

Q 

lIgHTIng ConTrol In your TrAInIng fACIlITy Is noT u 

jusT A quesTIon of reAlIsM, buT of effICIenCy And 

sAfeTy As well. 

wHy Is THe lIgHTIng InsIde A MATCH 

fACIlITy suCH An IMporTAnT Issue? 

When designing a training facility, we often fail to realize the 

dramatic impact lighting can have on the tactical training 

experience. When we train outside during the day, we have the 

sun to provide light. When the sun goes down, we go home and 

come back the next day. If we want to train in the dark, we 

have to do it at night. We are limited because we have no 

control over the environment. A MATCH facility built inside a 

Quonset Hut puts control back in your hands, and greatly 

enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of your training. 

Lighting control can add tremendous realism to a tactical 

training event. Replicating the situations and surroundings 

your trainees may encounter in the real world is the best way 

to prepare them for success. Even in broad daylight, you can 

replicate the lighting conditions of a residence or a warehouse 

in the middle of the night. The first room they enter may have 

a small overhead light, but the hallway ahead of them is dark. 

As they move forward, a light suddenly comes on in a room 

just ahead of them. When they approach the door, they hear a 

muffled voice and the light goes out; and so does the light 

behind them. This kind of multi-sensory experience will 

obviously create considerable stress, which is exactly what we 

are looking for. 

replICATIng THe sITuATIons And surroundIngs your u 

TrAInees MAy enCounTer In THe reAl world Is THe besT 

wAy To prepAre THeM for suCCess.

lIgHTIng ConTInued 

To make the lighting system as useful as 

possible, it can be controlled three different 

ways. First, the lights in each room can be 

turned on and off by the trainee with a common 

wall switch, just like in a real building. Second, 

the lights throughout the entire facility can be 

manually activated from the instrumentation 

control room. Third, remote sensors can be 

used to trigger lighting events as the trainee 

moves from one place to another. 

Lighting control in your training facility is not 

just a question of realism, but of efficiency and 

safety as well. Turn all the lights on to prepare 

and setup your scenario, then turn them down 

when the scenario begins. Turn them on again 

to reset the scenario, and turn them off again 

for the next trainee. In the case of an accident 

or other emergency, turn all the lights on to 

properly deal with the situation. With MATCH, 

this kind of control can be a reality. 

p Turn THe lIgHTs on To prepAre And seTup your sCenArIo, 

THen Turn THeM down wHen THe sCenArIo begIns. 

Let’s address one last question, what happens 

when the lights get shot? All the light fixtures 

are encased in explosion-resistant housings to 

help the bulbs last longer and resist breakage 

from the concussion of weapons fire. However, 

we understand that the worst-case scenario is 

a matter of when, and not if, so we designed 

the system to be rapidly repairable at a minimum 

cost. If a fixture is damaged, simply mount a 

new fixture in its place and plug the short cord 

into the nearby overhead power outlet. Nothing 

is hardwired or hidden behind the walls, so you 

are back in business in just a couple of minutes. 

This same modular approach means if the wall 

switch or cord is damaged, they can be easily 

replaced in the same way. There are also builtin 

redundancies so you still have computer 

control over the lights, even if the in-room 

components are damaged. 

p All THe lIgHT fIxTures Are enCAsed In explosIon 

resIsTAnT HousIngs To Help THe bulbs lAsT longer 

And resIsT breAkAge froM THe ConCussIon 

of weApons fIre. 

888.377.8033 33


B R E A C H 

DOORS 

Q 

wHAT does ACTIon TArgeT provIde 

for door breACHIng And forCed 

enTry TrAInIng? 

For the ultimate forced entry training experience, look to 

Action Target’s Tactical Breach Door. When used in conjunction 

with MATCH, this incredibly versatile tool lets you train for all 

types of forced entry situations. The Tactical Breach Door uses 

a multi-purpose steel frame and door system that is easily 

adjustable and infinitely reusable. The Tactical Breach Door 

can be used separately as a stand-alone unit, or it can be 

incorporated into your existing shoothouse. This unique door 

can be quickly removed and temporarily replaced with a 

standard 3.0 pre-framed door should you desire. 

BATTERING RAM BREACHING 

THe TACTICAl breACH door uses A MulTI-purpose sTeel u 

frAMe And door sysTeM THAT Is eAsIly AdjusTAble And 

InfInITely reusAble. 

The heart of the Tactical Breach Door is its revolutionary latch 

mechanism that holds the door closed. Depending on how 

you adjust the tension of the latch, it will require varying 

degrees of force before it releases. The lightest setting can be 

kicked open by an average-size trainee and replicates a typical 

hollow core door. The heaviest setting may require several hits 

from a battering ram, which accurately replicates the resistance 

of a solid security door. What makes this door unique is that 

not a single thing is broken when the latch releases, so resetting 

the door for the next round requires no replacement parts and 

takes less than 30 seconds. Costs for battering ram breacher 

training are reduced to almost nothing. 

THe purpose of TrAInIng Is To prepAre for reAl-lIfe u 

sITuATIons THAT wIll be fACed durIng reAl- world 

MIssIons, InCludIng forCed enTry And Indoor CoMbAT.

eACH doors ConTInued 

EXPLOSIVE BREACHING 

For any type of explosive entry training, simply 

remove the steel door and hang a sheet of 

ordinary plywood from the doorframe instead. 

We can provide you with an extra set of hinges 

to make this a very easy task. After the plywood 

is destroyed, simply attach the hinges to a new 

sheet and hang it for the next blast. Changing 

out the plywood takes less than 5 minutes. 

SHOTGUN BREACHING 

By inserting a disposable wooden dowel in the 

door latch mechanism, you can practice shotgun 

breaches over and over and over again. All you 

have to do is replace is the 5-cent wooden dowel, 

which takes less than 30 seconds. Everything 

else is a permanent and indestructible part of 

the door. 

p by InserTIng A dIsposAble wooden dowel In THe 

door lATCH MeCHAnIsM, you CAn prACTICe sHoTgun 

breACHes over And over And over AgAIn. 

The purpose of training is to prepare for real-life 

situations that will be faced during real-world 

missions, including forced entry and indoor 

combat. Action Target’s Tactical Breach Door is 

far and away the most versatile, most practical, 

and most cost effective way to train for the 

broadest spectrum of forced entry scenarios. 

p THe HeAvIesT seTTIng MAy requIre severAl HITs froM 

A bATTerIng rAM. 

888.377.8033 35

t MATCH wIndow sysTeM MAInTAIns THe sAMe 100% 

bAllIsTIC envIronMenT As THe resT of THe buIldIng. 

t quICk And eAsy reConfIgurATIon of your MATCH lAyouT Is 

possIble wITH THe use of slIdIng bAllIsTIC doors. 

W I N D O W S A N D 

BLAST PANELS 

Q 

wHAT opTIons does MATCH provIde 

for AlTernATe enTry poInTs? 

Indoor close-quarter combat involves more than just shooting, and a 

balistically safe training facility for live-fire urban operations must provide you 

with more than just steel walls. A complete shoothouse must provide multiple 

options for entering and exiting, other than just through the front door. 

For operations training involving windows, we offer a safe and simple solution. 

In the closed position, our MATCH window system maintains the same 100% 

ballistic environment as the rest of the building. When you slide the steel and 

plywood cover panel to the side along the support rails, you expose the open 

window. You can now train for multiple window entrance and exit scenarios as 

your requirements dictate. Slide the cover panel back into place, and the 

ballistic integrity of the room is restored. Windows are also available with a 

ballistic outset from the wall of the house so you can use the opening as a 

window while still maintaining ballistic protection against an escaping round, 

even if it passes through the window opening. 

Quick and easy reconfiguration of your MATCH layout is possible with the use 

of sliding ballistic doors. You can close off rooms, expand hallways, or create 

a blind alcove; all while maintaining complete ballistic protection. Changing 

up the layout like this makes a smaller house more effective and greatly 

increases your training potential. 

Sometimes ignoring the doors and windows and coming through the walls is 

the best course of action. By using our special breach panel, MATCH can help 

you prepare for that as well. The breach panel is an armor steel framework 

that measures 4 feet by 8 feet and fits permanently into your wall the same 

way a standard panel would. By unbolting the armor steel cover, you reveal a 

large opening in the framework that you can cover with a standard piece of 

plywood or other material. Any of the various explosive breaching techniques 

may be used to break through the plywood and simulate a wormhole wall 

breach. Just like with the window, replacing the steel cover of the breach 

panel restores the ballistic integrity of the wall. Breach panels can be placed 

around the MATCH perimeter or in one of the interior walls according to your 

training needs. 

36 ACTIONTARGET.COM

REALISTIC 

FACADES 

Q 

wHAT oTHer wAll CoverIngs Are 

AvAIlAble wITH MATCH, And How CAn 

THey AffeCT TrAInIng? 

Actions Target’s system of realistic façades will help you train the way you 

fight. Most studies recognize that increased long-term training information 

transfer occurs when the training environment is as realistic as possible. 

To achieve this high degree of realism, the interior plywood surfaces of MATCH 

can be painted to resemble a home or business. Hang posters, framed pictures, 

do whatever you can to simulate your actual mission surroundings. 

MATCH can also be equipped on its exterior walls with realistic façades that 

replicate architectural styles and designs from different parts of the world. 

Choose from a variety of simulated building materials like stucco, plaster, 

brick, or whatever else you need to enhance the scenario. 

With Action Target’s realistic façades, your MATCH house or village can help 

duplicate the look of the actual theater of operations your units are training 

for. As with every other detail of your facility, we will work with you to create 

a look and feel that best meets your specific needs. 

p MATCH CAn Also be equIpped on ITs exTerIor wAlls 

wITH reAlIsTIC fAçAdes THAT replICATe ArCHITeCTurAl 

sTyles And desIgns froM dIfferenT pArTs of THe world. 

long-TerM TrAInIng InforMATIon TrAnsfer oCCurs wHen u 

THe TrAInIng envIronMenT Is As reAlIsTIC As possIble. 

37


P O R TA B L E 

TRAPS 

Q 

A quAlITy porTAble bulleT TrAp wIll sTop rounds u 

sAfely, And Is eAsIer And CHeAper To repAIr THAn THe 

MATCH wAll ITself 

sHould porTAble bulleT TrAps be 

used InsIde MATCH or Any oTHer 

Type of sHooTHouse? 

Let’s look at the benefit and the practical applications of 

portable bullet traps. Every round fired in your MATCH facility 

must be safely stopped, and every round will cause wear on 

the plywood or rubber skin. The use of small portable bullet 

traps will reduce or eliminate wear on the MATCH walls, thereby 

reducing major maintenance and downtime. A quality portable 

bullet trap will stop rounds safely, and is easier and cheaper to 

repair than the MATCH wall itself. Because the use of portable 

bullet traps can reduce maintenance costs by at least 75%, the 

investment is a wise decision. 

There is a common misconception that a target must be placed 

directly on the face of a portable bullet trap. This is not the case. 

Traps can be strategically located so they do not inhibit the 

training task, yet still collect the majority of the bullets. For 

example, if the training task calls for a target to appear in a 

doorway, you could place the bullet trap in line with the target, 

but all the way across the room. It would still serve its purpose. 

The MATCH walls would contain the few rounds that may not 

hit the trap, but the wear would be focused on the trap and the 

wear on the MATCH walls would still be greatly reduced. If 70 

to 80 percent of the rounds are captured in the trap, the 

remainder of the rounds will be widely dispersed and cause 

little wear. 

1. And 2. porTAble TrAps wITH exposed MeTAl, u 

CAbels, or oTHer MeCHAnIsMs CAn CreATe 

elevATed rIsk of rICoCHeT or dAMAge. 

3. A round blew THrougH THe sIde of THIs porTAble TrAp u 

beCAuse InferIor sTeel wAs used 

4. A round enTered THIs wAll sIdewAys AfTer pAssIng u 

rIgHT THrougH A poorly buIlT porTAble TrAp 

p 1. noT ACTIon TArgeT 



p 4. noT ACTIon TArgeT

porTAble TrAps ConTInued 

Another misconception is that if you put an 

additional band of steel in the wall you don’t 

need bullet traps. This is essentially like saying 

if you put bigger tires on your car you don’t 

need windshield wipers. The one has nothing to 

do with the other. More steel in the wall does 

create a thicker barrier, but that doesn’t change 

the fact that servicing portable bullet traps is 

still significantly less expensive than servicing 

the walls themselves. It is important to remember 

that MATCH does not need bullet traps at all to 

safely and consistently stop bullets. From top 

to bottom, MATCH is 100% balistically secure. 

The only issue here is one of maintenance and 

life cycle costs. 

p beCAuse THe use of porTAble bulleT TrAps CAn reduCe 

MAInTenAnCe CosTs by AT leAsT 75%, THe InvesT- 

MenT Is A wIse deCIsIon. 

To function safely and effectively, portable 

bullet traps must not only have an armor steel 

back, but armor steel around all 4 sides as well. 

Designs that do not incorporate steel sides 

should be strictly avoided as bullet splatter 

eating through wooden sides creates an obvious 

hazard. All Action Target portable bullet traps 

have steel sides and are made of throughhardened 

500 Brinell steel for maximum safety 

and durability. 

p If 70 To 80 perCenT of THe rounds Are CApTured In 

THe TrAp, THe reMAInder wIll be wIdely dIspersed 

And CAuse lITTle weAr. 

888.377.8033 39


TARGETS 

Q 

wHAT Are THe besT CHoICes for 

TArgeTs In TACTICAl TrAInIng? 

The answers to this question could fill an entire book on their 

own. In fact, there are already several books on the topic from 

sources inside the military, plus SWAT and law enforcement 

from around the country. 

Let’s address the question of targets with one word: REALISM. 

If we want to provide the best training possible, then we have 

to provide the most realistic targets possible. 

We should begin this process by moving away from basic paper 

picture targets. Your training experience will be far more 

effective with realistic targets that have actual shape and size. 

If possible, use life-sized three-dimensional targets that can be 

presented at full height. 

The next issue to consider is reaction. Whenever possible, the 

targets should react in some way to accurately placed shots. 

Here is where the lines of technology and realism start to get a 

bit fuzzy. Reactive targets usually require some type of 

mechanical device to provide the motion. These devices need 

to be simple and must not require a full time crew just to keep 

them running. You will have to use hit sensors of some sort, 

and they work reasonably well. However, they can be shot just 

like anything else so the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle 

is always best; it helps keep costs down too. 

More reAlIsTIC opTIonsTHAn u 

pAper-pICTure TArgeTs Are AvAIlAble. 

bAlloon TArgeTs Are AlwAys A greAT Tool beCAuse THey u 

fAll To THe ground wHen HIT In THe desIgnATed spoT.

TArgeTs ConTInued 

We spoke at length about portable bullet traps 

in a previous section, and there are targets that 

can be used with these traps that offer a realistic 

approach to the problem. We often discount 

simple designs that function reliably for much 

more costly and complex designs that do not. 

Balloon targets are always a great tool because 

they fall to the ground when hit in the designated 

spot. These targets can be made of cardboard 

or plastic, and they can also be used with the 

3D targets that we are accustomed to seeing in 

military circles. 

Pop-up and swing-out targets can provide 

more realism than stationary targets can, but 

the motion is not always indicative of realistic 

movements inside houses. Targets that cannot 

make realistic movements may not be any better 

than stationary targets in some applications. In 

these cases, you might be better off simply 

hiding the stationary target behind boxes or 

other props. 

p rAdIo ConTrolled TArgeTs Are greAT In A fACIlITy 

THAT Is deployed or oTHerwIse reMoTe In ITs loCATIon. 

We always seem to think that wireless radio 

control technology is the pinnacle of portability 

in a target. However, it comes with its own set 

of problems as well. Radio controlled targets 

are great in a facility that is deployed or 

otherwise remote in its location. But the minute 

a wire is run into the training complex for a 

camera or some other device, the “no-wire” 

rule is broken and hard wired targets become 

just as easy to use inside the house as radio 

controlled units. 

One last idea worth mentioning is the use of a 

special function target. In this application, the 

target activates when a person moving through 

the house trips a wire or a beam of light. It 

becomes a bit of a self-driven scenario. You 

have to be careful about target placement, but 

this can be a great way to have the targets 

function repeatedly in a given manner. If you 

want to change the scenario, simply move the 

sensor or move the target. 

p If we wAnT To provIde THe besT TrAInIng possIble, 

THen we HAve To provIde THe MosT reAlIsM possIble. 

888.377.8033 41

CACTF & UAC 

Because the MATCH system is so versatile, it can be used for purposes other 

than just meeting the U.S. Army TC25-8 requirements for a shoothouse. 

MATCH can be configured to look like a school, a, church, or just about any 

other type of building you want to replicate. For superior planning and 

preparation, the interior of MATCH can be sized and laid out for mission 

specific rehearsals. It is not just a matter of putting up some walls and then 

imagining all the rest. For the most realistic scenarios possible, you can and 

should add furniture, appliances, debris on the floor, and anything else your 

trainees might encounter during an actual operation. MATCH is the superior 

choice for creating an extremely realistic and balistically safe environment. 

MATCH is designed from top to bottom to provide a safe training environment 

that can meet all the requirements found in the CACTF and UAC documents. 

Training in the brick and mortar world does not provide the realistic ability to 

change mission requirements and adapt to today’s threats in a timely manner. 

Training in MATCH does, and it does it for less money. 

p MATCH CAn MeeT All THe requIreMenTs found In THe 

CACTf And uAC doCuMenTs. 

t MATCH CAn be ConfIgured To look lIke A sCHool, A, 

CHurCH, or jusT AbouT Any oTHer Type of buIldIng you 

wAnT To replICATe. 

42 ACTIONTARGET.COM

N O N - B A L L I S T I C 

SOLUTIONS 

Q 

IT Is AbsoluTely CrITICAl THAT lIve rounds noT be used In A u 

non-bAllIsTIC TrAInIng House. 

wHAT If we don’T need bAllIsTIC proTeCTIon 

In our TrAInIng House? 

While Action Target is justifiably proud of our balistically safe MATCH 

shoothouses and villages, we understand that not all training requires 

bulletproof steel protection. Nevertheless, even non-ballistic training houses 

will benefit from the durability and ease of assembly that the MATCH style of 

construction offers. 

If simunitions or laser training devices are all that will be used in the house, 

savings of up to 60% can be realized by using 10 gauge or 1/4-inch mild steel 

instead of the armor steel used in our ballistic facilities. Building with steel 

gives you a much stronger and more durable solution than traditional plywood 

applications, and the resulting decrease in life cycle and maintenance costs 

may more than compensate for the higher initial installation cost. 

Our non-ballistic houses can be designed to almost any length and width, so 

we can build to meet your specific needs. Because we use the same 

construction methods as we do with our MATCH buildings, your non-ballistic 

house can be up to three stories high. We can build your house with or without 

a roof, and you can use the same Quonset Hut structure to completely enclose 

your facility. 

The same breach doors, windows, and blast panels can be used, as can the 

cameras, monitors, and lighting controls from our instrumentation packages. 

If the house is built indoors or is otherwise enclosed, our same ventilation 

equipment can be used to maintain safe air quality. 

It is absolutely critical that live rounds not be used in a non-ballistic training 

house. Obviously, the results could be tragic. To help prevent an unsafe 

situation, the bolt hole patterns are unique so a non-ballistic panel can never 

be mixed in or inserted where an armor steel ballistic panel is required. 

Action Target has a catalog of standard designs that meet the U.S. Army 

requirements found in Training Circular 25-8 for Urban Assault Courses and 

non-ballistic training houses used as rehearsal facilities for live-fire shoothouse 

environments. We will be happy to review these designs with you to find the 

best fit for your specific training needs. 

43

EXAMPLES FOR A COMPLETE BOOK OF DESIGN EXAMPLES, CONTACT ACTION TARGET 

SEE SECTION 1 FOR PRICING 

GSA# GS-02F-9301C 

MILITARYSALES@ACTIONTARGET.COM 

WWW.ACTIONTARGET.COM 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR ACTION TARGET 

MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE AT 888-377-8033 


GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






MATCH 

MODULAR ARMORED TACTICAL COMBAT HOUSE 

House 1 

MATCH 

ACTION TARGET INC. 

MILITARY SALES 

PO BOX 636 

PROVO, UTAH 84603 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 



PO BOX 636 


MATCH IS MANUFACTURED UNDER 

U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 

WITH OTHER PATENTS PENDING 

FAX: 801-377-8096 

ACTION TARGET MATCH PLANS 


House 3 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 



House 5 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 



GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 





MATCH 


House 2 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 



PO BOX 636 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 

U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 




House 4 


MATCH 




PO BOX 636 

U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 



PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 


House 6 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

WITH OTHER PATENTS PENDING


GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 





MATCH 


House 7 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 



House 9 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 



House 12 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 



GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 





MATCH 


House 8 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 


House 11 



PO BOX 636 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 


MATCH 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 



House 13 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 


888.377.8033 45

EXAMPLES FOR A COMPLETE BOOK OF DESIGN EXAMPLES, CONTACT ACTION TARGET 


GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






MATCH 


House 14 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 




PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 


House 16 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 PHONE: 888-377-8033 

WITH OTHER PATENTS PENDING FAX: 801-377-8096 



House 18 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 



GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 






GSA# GS-02F-9301C 





MATCH 


House 15 

MATCH 



PO BOX 636 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PHONE: 888-377-8033 


FAX: 801-377-8096 


House 17 



PO BOX 636 


PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 



MATCH 




U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

PO BOX 636 



PHONE: 888-377-8033 

FAX: 801-377-8096 


House 25 



U.S. PATENT 5,822,936 

WITH OTHER PATENTS PENDING

w 

47

PHONE: 801-377-8033 TOLL-FREE: 888-377-8033 FAX: 801-377-8096 

MAILING ADDRESS: Action Target P.O. Box 636 Provo, Utah 84603 

WEBSITE: www.actiontarget.com

MODULAR ARMORED TACTICAL COMBAT HOUSE - Action Target

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