The Joker

One of the many fun things about an IDPA match are the "moving" aspects.  There can be moving targets or the shooter can be moving, perhaps both at the same time.  Since we are now staging informal IDPA matches here in the desert near Montezuma Well, we thought it would be fitting to create a moving target.  We spent about 4 hours February 25 building The Joker.  This is what is known as a "swinger."  In essence, such targets are pivoting pendulums with a cardboard target attached to the top.

Typically, these targets are made of welded steel so they can withstand the occasional miss without being destroyed.  Since we are not a welder and since steel has become wildly expensive, we decided to build this target from Home Depot "cull" lumber.  The cost of this contraption (so far) is $5.  All the various hardware was stuff we had lying around.

There are several interesting aspects to this project.  Since we are pretty certain the target holder will eventually get shot up, we made it to be easily replaceable and will carry two sets of replacement parts whenever it is used in a match.  Even though the fully assembled structure is very heavy, it comes apart quickly and easily so it can be set up by one person.  The counterweights are two circular thick steel plates obtained as a Mesa, Arizona scrapyard.  We plan to use the plates to learn to "shoot steel" better.  When the target is not being used, the plates come on and off easily.  The "axle" for this target is a piece of half-inch threaded rod.

The target stem is held in the center between the two uprights by small pieces of 3/4 inch EMT conduit with large washers to reduce friction on the pendulum stem.  We built the target on a windy day and we were having problems with the counterweight end hitting the bottom of the uprights.  This was solved by pound a small piece of half inch copper pipe into the pivot hole.  Now the stem does not rock on the threaded rod and will not hit or bind on the uprights, even in a high wind.

The embedded video runs 12 seconds.  We are figuring the target will be actively swinging for at least 8-10 seconds which is plenty of time for a shooter to get off one, two or three shots, as this target will always be used in an ordinary Vickers stage.

The initial use of this target will be March 5th in a stage called "GPS & Joker's Wild."  Here is a rough outline of the stage:

You are a writer for a golf magazine and have just attended a prestigious golf match in a big city. You are driving a brand new Buick with the latest and greatest onboard navigation system.  After leaving the golf course, your GPS goes wild and leads you deep into the heart of the inner city's most feared gang known as The Jokers.  The ruthless leader of The Jokers is six foot seven inches and loves to entertain his gang by going one-on-one with hapless adversaries while dancing to loud, obnoxious hip hop music in the background.  While driving bewildered through gangland, someone shoots out the tires of your Buick and you must get out and defend yourself.  First, you must take on The Big Joker himself.  As you draw, he begins swinging wildly to the tune of the music.  Once you have dispatched The Big Joker, you must engage T2-3 with two shots each while retreating around and behind the trunk of your Buick.  Engage T5-6 from cover with two shots each, shooting to slide lock, and reloading if necessary.  Then move to the hood of the Buick while reloading from behind cover.

 (NOTE: If you shot to slide lock while engaging T6, you may drop the magazine on the ground.  If you had to reload from slide lock to finish shooting T6, you must reload with retention from behind cover.)

Gang members shoot your gas tank and  the rear of your Buick explodes in flames.  You hear sirens but you know you must make a run for it to the safety of a low wall about 20 feet away.  Shoot T7-9 with two rounds each while moving to the safety of the distant cover.