Why our MOD 1 Portable Bullet Trap Matters.
Before I dive deeper into the specs of the MOD 1, I want to take a moment to discuss where my heart was when I was designing and testing the first early versions. I had already been all around the country, and I had experience first hand seeing the low quality, poorly designed options that were being utilized nationwide. There are MANY mistakes I see companies make when they set out to build a portable bullet trap, and I'll talk about some of those below. But what stirred inside me in those moments was this belief that TA could do better, that we had to do better.
Our vision statement is simple: "Inspiring individuals to become capable providers and protectors." Every action we take, every product we design must align with that vision. Premature failures, poor quality, and dangerous designs do NOT achieve that end goal. So I set out to design a bullet trap that was not only built for hard use and heavy hitting cartridges, it needed to be able to be disassembled fully, and COMPLETELY overhauled with basic hand tools. Not just the rubber panel, I'm talking the entire strike plate had to be replaceable. I'm a mechanic by nature, so anything I design always has those characteristics because I care deeply about the individual, the person running our product.
What was borne out of this fresh mindset and commitment was initially the MOD 0, which never went to market. It went through extensive testing, and in that testing we upgraded and changed so much. The final upgrade became known as the MOD 1, and the MOD 1 has since become the standard that I believe ALL other portable shooting traps (Bullet Containment Devices) must be held to.
Built different.
The MOD 1 exhibits excellence in performance, safety, and serviceability. No other trap matches what the MOD 1 contains.
Common mistakes and corner cutting from our "competition"
I'm writing this section not to gossip about folks we compete with, but to show you what you DON'T want in a bullet trap. Here are some things that you should ALWAYS stay away from:
1.) Bullet Traps that place the rubber directly against the steel. This is not necessarily a safety issue, but it destroys the rubber prematurely because the bullet is fragmenting INSIDE the rubber. Not ideal.
2.) Rubber that is similar to horse mats, or any rubber that is layered from recycled materials. This rubber is inexpensive for a company to use, but it is very weak and inconsistent. If you buy a trap with rubber like this, it will prematurely wear out, forcing you to spend hundreds of dollars to replace rubber that should last you 10's of thousands of rounds.
3.) Thin rubber. Many companies will use 1" thick rubber. Couple that with the low quality rubber they use and you have immediate failures. I couldn't accept that as the standard, so we went a radically different path.
4.) Mild steel components in the upper assembly of the trap. Not naming names, but there are bullet traps that utilize mild steel for the funnel and sides of the traps. This is extremely dangerous! Bullets WILL leave the trap and they certainly could hurt or kill someone. These companies will state "You MUST engage the trap perfectly perpendicular". Why are they saying that? It's because if you engage at ANY angle, the rounds will exit the trap. I'm not OK with that mindset of cutting corners, ESPECIALLY when it could cost lives.
5.) Strike Plates that are welded into the upper assembly. This is simply because if you meet the service life of the strike plate, you're done. You need a completely new portable shooting trap. Not so with the MOD 1.
Just from that list, I think you could gather where my heart and soul were at when designing this. I knew we needed to create something radically different that would be safer, longer lasting, than what I saw available.
What Is the Portable Bullet Trap – MOD 1?
The MOD 1 is a portable bullet trap engineered for both indoor and outdoor use, but optimized for the demands of confined-range environments. It is built entirely from AR550 steel, fully armored from top to bottom. Every exposed surface of the upper assembly (sides, funnel, and faceplate area) is hardened and designed to take abuse that would destroy lesser traps.
This commitment to strength means that shooters can engage the trap at nearly any engagement angle. The MOD 1 will capture the round, contain the fragmentation, and will funnel the bullet fragments into the funnel.
Core design highlights include:
- Full 3/8" AR550 steel upper assembly – no mild steel side walls or weak zones that fail over time.
- Replaceable strike plate – available in 3/8” or 1/2” AR550, depending on your range and caliber needs.
- The same steel as our premium systems - Not all steel is created equally. We utilize the SAME premium AR550 that you can find in our A-DAP family of target systems. It's a completely different material than our competitors, leading to a longer lasting, stronger, and safer design.
- 2” thick vulcanized rubber panel – helps absorb energy, capture fragments, and extend the trap’s lifespan.
- Adjustable lean angle – lets you fine-tune the trap’s tilt for optimal bullet impact angles or specific training layouts. Train from a helicopter, stadium, or up and down staircases.
- Adjustable Posts - Users can fine-tune the height for their specific application.
- Slide-gate and funnel design – safely collects lead and fragments for easy cleanup and recycling.
- Serviceability – you can lay the entire trap flat for inspection or repair using standard hand tools.
- Integrated Grab Handles - Easy movement of the trap and adjustment of the lean angle.
- (Optional) Casters – for max portability, you can wheel the MOD 1 anywhere in your range.
- Approximate Weight - Fully assembled the MOD 1 weighs approximately 475 pounds. The upper assembly weighs around 300 pounds.
Every feature serves one goal: long-term, repeatable performance with minimal downtime.
Built for Durability, Not Disposable Use
Most “indoor shooting trap systems” available today are compromises. They use thinner steel (sometimes mild steel!), offer little to no replaceable parts, and are often designed for low-round-count ranges. Over time, welds crack, plates crater, and side walls start leaking fragments. Or worse: Rounds can leave these poorly designed traps, creating an incredibly dangerous range environment. That’s not acceptable for a serious facility or professional training space.
The MOD 1 was built to last. The entire structure is armored. That means it doesn’t just survive impacts, it thrives on them. While other traps deform and need replacement after a few thousand rounds, the MOD 1 keeps performing after tens of thousands. We have clients across the country with MILLIONS (Yes, with an "M") on their MOD 1 traps. The only part they have needed to replace is the rubber, which is a consumable component over time (albeit a LONG time).
The rubber face panel slows projectiles and captures splatter, dramatically reducing ricochet and airborne debris. Because the panel is replaceable, you can refresh it when needed without replacing the core system. That’s a massive difference in long-term cost and safety.
Real-World Performance in Indoor Shooting Environments
The Portable Bullet Trap – MOD 1 is ideal for agencies, private ranges, and anyone who needs a durable indoor shooting target that can handle real use. Here’s how it performs under standard conditions:
- Pistol calibers: Safe at 7 yards when impacting the rubber.
- Light carbines: Effective at 10 yards or more, under 3,000 FPS.
- Full rifles (.308, 6.5 Creedmoor): Safe at 20 yards with proper ammo and angle.
- Long Action Rifles: The MOD 1 is also capable of containing many long action platforms. Please contact us to discuss your particular platform and use-case.
What really sets the MOD 1 apart is its consistent performance under sustained fire. During testing, the plate and internal structure maintained integrity far longer than competing designs. Many traps that advertise “AR500” construction simply can’t handle the heat or frequency of repeated range use. The MOD 1’s AR550 construction and design geometry were built specifically to outlast and outperform.
Most Durable Bullet Trap
Ease of Maintenance and Long-Term Savings
A range’s profitability and safety depend on uptime. Downtime for repairs or unsafe equipment means lost revenue and risk. We designed the MOD 1 for serviceability.
The upper assembly can be fully opened and laid flat. The slide-gate allows quick cleanup of bullet debris. When a rubber panel or strike plate wears out, replacements are straightforward and affordable. You’re not forced to scrap an entire system — you just replace what’s needed. Over the life of a range, that’s a significant cost advantage.
The MOD 1 vs. Typical Portable Bullet Traps
Most commercial bullet traps share the same weaknesses:
- Thin, unarmored side walls that deform quickly. Weak sides = high probability of rounds leaving the trap. That is unacceptable.
- Minimal access for cleaning or repairs.
- Fixed angles that don’t adapt to different training environments.
- Limited lifespan before requiring full replacement.
The MOD 1 directly solves each of these problems:
- Completely armored design: Every critical surface is AR550.
- Modular serviceability: Replace plates and rubber without disassembly nightmares.
- Adjustable angle system: Tune for your space or shooting scenario.
- Extended lifespan: Built for years, not months, of live-fire use.
This system is not the cheapest option on the market, and that’s intentional. It’s built to outlast everything else. When you calculate the cost per round over its service life, the MOD 1 becomes one of the most cost-efficient bullet traps available. And that’s before factoring in the reduced risk of ricochet or containment failures.
Why Durability Equals Safety
A durable system isn’t just about saving money — it’s about safety. Every weak point in a range system becomes a potential hazard. When steel deforms or side panels thin out, you invite ricochet, unpredictable fragmentation, and potential wall strikes. The MOD 1’s all-armor construction eliminates those concerns. Its rigidity and material strength mean you can train confidently, knowing your backstop is built for real work.
That’s the difference between equipment designed for light range hobby use and gear engineered for professional training environments.
Use-Cases for the MOD 1 Bullet Trap
The MOD 1 can be used anywhere that meets the following requirements:
1.) Places you can legally fire weapons indoors where there are secondary containment protocols implemented
2.) Anywhere that has properly designed ventilation to remove the smoke and debris from the air, filter, and bring fresh air into the building. Your home AC system won't cut it, so make sure if you are buying for your house that you have a properly designed air system.
Basically, anywhere that can be a shooting range can benefit from the MOD 1. From indoor ranges, to private shooting facilities in our clients basements, we've seen the MOD 1 implemented in countless ways. Further, indoor ranges benefit from the MOD 1 because they can now create dynamic ranges. Shooting into the walls of your indoor range simply destroys your investment. Utilize the MOD 1 instead, saving you 10's of thousands of dollars in repairs to your range. The MOD 1 turns any indoor shooting environment into a dynamic layout for competitive style shooting and performance training. Utilizing MOD 1 traps helps extend the lifespan of any indoor ranges trap containment systems, baffles, and walls.
Final Thoughts
The Portable Bullet Trap – MOD 1 isn’t another disposable range accessory, it’s a foundational tool for anyone serious about indoor live-fire training. Built entirely from AR550, engineered for serviceability, and proven to outlast cheaper alternatives, it redefines what an indoor shooting target system should be.
Because of its durability, clean bullet containment, and adjustable lean angle, the MOD 1 is perfect for Paper Targets, USPSA Cardboard Targets, and C Zone Cardboard Targets. Whether you’re running qualification drills, scenario-based training, or precision paper target sessions, this trap provides the reliability and safety that high-level shooters demand.
In an industry full of “good enough,” the MOD 1 exists for those who demand better. More durable. More reliable. More professional.
So if you've been on the hunt for a premium portable bullet trap for your use-case, I hope you give the MOD 1 your consideration. Please consider reaching out and emailing our team today if you have any questions at all, or simply shop our website and you can find the MOD 1 available for purchase directly through our site.
Portable Bullet Trap MOD 1: The Most Durable Indoor Shooting Target