Disclosure: TA Targets provided Action Gunner with the AR550 Steel Targets System for this review. Our editorial assessment remains independent and uninfluenced.
Steel targets give you instant feedback. You pull the trigger, you hear the ping—or you don’t. There’s no walking downrange to check your work, no squinting at cardboard trying to figure out if that’s a new hole or if you’re counting the same miss twice.
But here’s the thing about steel: shoot the wrong kind, at the wrong distance, with the wrong setup, and you’re catching fragments in places you’d rather not. I’ve taken spall to the shins, the forearms, and once—memorably—right across my shooting glasses at an indoor range with poorly positioned AR500 plates. That’s why I wanted to test the TA AR550 Steel Targets System. They claim their design prioritizes safety alongside that satisfying ring. After putting several hundred rounds of pistol and rifle ammunition through their AR550 Reduced C-Zone plates, I can tell you whether that claim holds up.
The TA AR550 Steel Targets system offers versatility beyond basic steel—you can run their proprietary targets, reduced C-zone steel plates, or mount paper holders for standard cardboard. TA also designed their system for easy transport and quick setup, which matters when you’re running practice before a match and don’t want to burn half your training time wrestling with equipment.
TA spent considerable time engineering the Genesis base for material efficiency and simplified manufacturing. That’s marketing-speak for “we figured out how to make it cheaper without making it worse.” Here’s what that translates to in practical terms:
The base accepts 2×4 lumber posts (not included), which is industry standard. You’ll need to source your own lumber—any home improvement store carries what you need for under $5.
The AR550 Reduced C-Zone Target is the plate you’re actually shooting. It’s rifle-rated for close-range work, with specific distance requirements based on caliber:
Important: Use only copper-jacketed, lead-core ammunition. Frangible rounds are acceptable. Steel core, penetrator, or armor-defeating rounds will damage the plate and void any consideration for replacement.
TA’s been using the A-DAP bracket design since 2015, adapting it across their product line. It positions the plate at a forward angle and allows it to swing on impact, which helps redirect energy and fragments downward.
When you’re investing in training equipment, you need to know if you’re getting a complete system or if you’re about to discover you need another $200 in accessories before your first range session.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Not Included: 2×4 lumber (you’ll need one 8-foot 2×4 per target—get the straightest boards you can find), ground stakes (available separately, though I found them unnecessary for stability).
TA uses AR550 steel instead of the more common AR500. This isn’t just spec-sheet bragging—there’s a measurable performance difference that affects how long your target lasts.
Steel hardness is measured on the Brinell scale (BHN). A hardened ball is pressed into the material under a specific load, and the resulting dent diameter indicates hardness:
That 15-20% increase in hardness translates to real-world durability. AR550 resists deformation better over thousands of rounds, handles high-velocity rifle impacts with less pitting, and maintains its deflection angle longer, even when you’re shooting at minimum distances.
The trade-off? Cost. AR550 is harder to cut and form during manufacturing, which increases production expense. TA’s 3/8″ plate costs $160 versus typical AR500 plates in the $120-140 range. For the 1/2″ plate at $195, you’re paying about $40-50 more than equivalent AR500 options.
Is that worth it? Depends on your round count. If you’re putting 500+ rounds on steel monthly, AR550 will last noticeably longer before developing the cupping and pitting that reduces deflection efficiency. If you’re a casual plinker shooting 100 rounds every few months, AR500 will outlive your interest in the hobby.
Everything arrived well-packaged with edge protection. Opening the boxes, I immediately checked what I always check first: welds, edges, and coating quality.
Welds: Full penetration, no obvious gaps or inconsistencies. These are show welds, and they’re solid functional welds that should hold up great.
Edges: Laser-cut edges were smooth with no burrs. I ran my hand along every edge—nothing sharp or requiring deburring.
Powder Coating: Even coverage, good thickness. No obvious thin spots or holidays in the finish. The grey-beige color is functional rather than tactical-cool, which I appreciate—this is equipment, not fashion.
Weight and Feel: The steel has appropriate heft. The 3/8″ plate feels substantial without being unwieldy. The 16-pound base is heavy enough to resist movement but light enough to carry from vehicle to shooting position without turning into a farmer’s carry workout.
Everything looked good statistically. The real test happens when you’re assembling it in the field and putting rounds on it.
The AR550 plate ships pre-mounted to the Gen 5 bracket—you don’t need to touch that assembly. The base, however, requires assembly, and TA Targets includes a specialized tool for the job.
I deliberately used only their included tool to test their “tool-less” assembly claim. Here’s the reality: the tool works, but it’s short. Breaking the initial bolt tension to get everything properly snugged requires significant hand force on a tool that’s only about 4 inches long. I scraped my knuckles once when my hand slipped during the initial tightening sequence.
Time to assemble: First time with their tool only: approximately 8 minutes. Once you understand the sequence, subsequent assemblies took 3-4 minutes. With a standard socket wrench, you could cut that to under 2 minutes.
What you actually need: One 8-foot 2×4 (I recommend selecting the straightest board available—warped lumber affects the plate’s angle and stability).
Once assembled, the target has a forward-leaning angle. This isn’t adjustable during setup—you get three angle options, but it is easy and fast to change the angle. I tested in the default middle-angle position.
I set up two testing scenarios:
Pistol Testing: 10 yards (minimum rated distance)
Rifle Testing: 30 yards (minimum rated distance for 5.56/.223)
9mm Pistol (10 yards):
Results: Zero penetration across all ammunition types. No visible deformation or denting on the plate surface after 250 rounds. The powder coating showed impact marks but no coating failure or spalling of the finish itself.
5.56/.223 Rifle (30 yards):
Results: Zero penetration. No visible pitting or crater formation on the plate surface. After 150 rifle rounds, I could feel slight texture changes in the impact area when running my hand across the surface, but no measurable deformation or cupping.
This is where steel targets either work safely or send you to urgent care for fragment removal.
I’ve shot enough poorly-designed or poorly-positioned steel to know what unsafe feels like. At my local range in South Dakota, we have vertical AR500 plates that send fragments back at shin and chest height regularly. I’ve taken hits through clothing multiple times.
The TA AR550 Steel Targets system’s forward angle measurably redirected fragments downward. Standing at 10 yards with a pistol, I observed impact debris patterns in the dirt approximately 3-5 feet in front of the target base. With the rifle at 30 yards, debris patterns extended 6-8 feet forward of the base.
I shot without lower-leg protection deliberately (not recommended, but I wanted an honest assessment) and experienced zero fragment impacts to my legs or body over 400+ rounds. After all those rounds, I didn’t experience any fragments, splash, or sprall. I was very pleased with how the TA Targets AR550 Reduced C-Zone Target Plate managed spall.
The acoustic feedback from AR550 Steel Targets differs noticeably from AR500. The ring is slightly higher-pitched and seems to carry better. At 10 yards with a pistol, hits were clearly audible with hearing protection on. At 30 yards with a rifle, the ring was still distinct and satisfying.
This is subjective, but I found the sound more immediately gratifying than the AR500 plates at my local range. There’s a cleaner, more resonant tone that makes confirmation of hits more satisfying during rapid strings.
The Genesis base held position without ground stakes on packed dirt. I tried deliberate wobbling and shaking—the 16-pound base, combined with the 2×4 post and mounted plate, created enough stability for normal shooting.
That said, I was provided stakes for the base. They were extremely tight-fitting—I needed to hammer them into the stake holes. Once installed, they added security for uneven ground or if you’re shooting in wind conditions.
On flat, packed range surfaces, stakes are unnecessary. On uneven terrain or loose soil, they’re worth the installation effort.
This system makes sense for:
Competitive shooters running regular steel practice: If you’re putting 200+ rounds on steel per practice session multiple times monthly, AR550 Steel Targets durability advantage justifies the cost premium over AR500. You’ll replace plates less frequently.
Shooters training at minimum distances: If you regularly work pistol skills at 10 yards or rifle transitions at 30 yards, the harder steel resists pitting better at these closer ranges where impact energy is highest.
Shooters who transport equipment regularly: The breakdown design and reasonable weight make this practical for throwing in your vehicle for practice sessions at different ranges.
Shooters wanting multi-purpose target systems: The base accepts paper target holders and other TA accessories, so your investment serves multiple training purposes beyond steel work.
This system isn’t optimal for:
Casual shooters with low round counts: If you’re shooting 50-100 rounds monthly, AR500 plates at a lower cost will last effectively forever for your purposes. The AR550 premium won’t deliver meaningful benefit.
Shooters on tight budgets: At $352 for the complete system (base + bracket + 3/8″ plate) before lumber, this sits at the higher end of portable steel options. Cheaper alternatives exist if durability isn’t your priority.
Shooters wanting fixed permanent installations: This is a portable, breakdown system. If you’re setting up a permanent range with static steel positions, more economical solutions exist.
Shooters needing immediate full-setup: The system requires a 2×4 that you source separately. If you want completely ready-to-shoot systems with no additional purchases, other options include integrated posts.
Every piece of equipment has compromises. Here’s what TA’s system trades for its benefits:
The included tool is inadequate: The breakdown tool works, but its short length makes initial assembly unnecessarily difficult. Bring a socket wrench for faster, easier setup.
Stakes are overly tight: If you receive stakes, expect to hammer them into position. They don’t hand-press into the mounting holes.
Price premium over AR500: You’re paying approximately 25-30% more than equivalent AR500 systems. That premium buys durability, but it’s still money out of your pocket upfront.
Requires separate lumber purchase: The 2×4 post adds cost and logistics. You can’t just pull this from your vehicle and shoot immediately—you need to source wood first.
After 400+ rounds across pistol and rifle calibers at minimum rated distances, the TA Targets Steel Target System delivers on its core promise: safe, durable steel targets with effective spall management.
The AR550 Reduced C-Zone Target steel proved noticeably more resistant to deformation than AR500 plates I’ve used at similar round counts. The forward-angle mounting effectively redirected fragments downward—I experienced zero fragment impacts to my body during testing, which represents a significant improvement over vertical steel installations.
AR550 Steel Targets’ build quality is solid throughout. Welds are functional, edges are clean, and powder coating is well-applied. The system breaks down for transport and assembles reasonably quickly once you’ve done it once or twice.
The cost premium is real—this system runs $352+ before lumber compared to $250-280 for comparable AR500 setups. That’s a 25-30% premium that buys you harder steel and better engineering. Whether that premium is worth it depends entirely on your round count and how frequently you’re putting impacts on steel at minimum distances.
For serious competitors running regular steel practice, the investment makes sense. For casual shooters, it’s probably more capability than you’ll fully utilize.
My personal assessment: I’ll continue using the AR550 Steel Targets system for my own training. The sound feedback is satisfying, the spall management works as designed, and the durability should mean I’m not replacing plates in two years when AR500 alternatives would start showing significant wear.
Thank you to TA Targets for allowing Action Gunner and me the chance to review the TA Targets Steel Targets System.
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