Legion Targets Review - The Best Steel Targets?
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
The Legion targets are a little more budget-friendly than most premium steel targets brands, and the stands are probably the fastest to set up/take down we've ever used. The use of hardened steel for the target stand (in addition to the target itself) is a great feature, since it makes the stand both more durable and safer, too, since hardened steel is more likely to shatter a stray bullet than ricochet it. In fact, as steel targets go, the Legion targets are one of the safest on the entire market - there is no mild steel, rebar, or chain links present to induce dangerous ricochets, and according to Legion Targets, their testing found that the splatter coming off the target plate was moving at a much slower velocity than a fixed steel plate (the Legion targets use floating steel plates) since much of the bullet's energy was absorbed on impact when the plate moved.
That said, we don't have access to their testing, so true or not our "gut check" still gives the edge to completely flat-faced targets like the Action Target's PT Scout (review of the PT Scout here). However, any shooter with enough time behind the trigger to keep their groups tight get will more bang for their buck from the impressively lightweight, affordable, and easy-to-use Legion targets, since they are still much safer than the vast majority of steel targets on the market and are also just so dang easy to set up and carry. They bring quality steel at a price a lot of shooters can afford, and that's something to get excited about.
That said, we don't have access to their testing, so true or not our "gut check" still gives the edge to completely flat-faced targets like the Action Target's PT Scout (review of the PT Scout here). However, any shooter with enough time behind the trigger to keep their groups tight get will more bang for their buck from the impressively lightweight, affordable, and easy-to-use Legion targets, since they are still much safer than the vast majority of steel targets on the market and are also just so dang easy to set up and carry. They bring quality steel at a price a lot of shooters can afford, and that's something to get excited about.
Review Contents
This review is organized as shown below. You can read the whole thing, or click on the below links to jump to the section that’s most interesting to you.
- Legion Targets Overview - Individual Product Reviews: - Wrap up
- Legion Targets Overview - Individual Product Reviews: - Wrap up
The Legion lineup is a whole range of steel targets in various shapes and sizes, with most of them being built to integrate with the Legion Target Base (which is really a heck of a good stand). It weighs 15.3 lbs (we weighed it ourselves to be sure) which isn't too shabby considering that it takes about two seconds to fold up its legs for transport, and then another two seconds to unfold them again to deploy.
This is how quickly the base can be set up.
Note: We borrowed this clip from a promo video because their guy had way more tattoos than us.
Note: We borrowed this clip from a promo video because their guy had way more tattoos than us.
The center cutouts can support a standard 2x4, or the Legion Dueling Tree, and most likely other unique Legion targets yet to be released to market.
These things can fold up smaller than you would believe for storage or transport.
The Legion targets hang from a mount on top of the 2x4 and swing freely, which help them ring nice and loud. They hang via a simple T-shaped tang on top, which is fast to mount and unmount. The T-shaped tang is a smart design from a manufacturing perspective, too - it makes the targets cheaper because they are simply cut out of sheet steel all in one go. No drilling, no welding, and no fasteners to rust or loosen over time - just slap on a coat of paint and send them out.
Legion targets came in many shapes and sizes. The blue paint also gets a lot of attention from other shooters.
Rust can be a problem on steel targets that use fasteners, but the Legion targets solve this problem by not having a single nut or bolt anywhere.
We left them set up in the rainy outdoors for six months of testing, and they were completely fine at the end of it.
We left them set up in the rainy outdoors for six months of testing, and they were completely fine at the end of it.
However, a hanging target is noticeably less safe than an angled target because it hangs straight up and down, rather than being tilted so that bullet splatter and jacket fragments go down toward the ground. A hanging target also swings a little bit when it gets shot, so as it rocks back and forth, it's constantly changing its angle and potentially creating risky splatter patterns. That said, we can say these targets are still pretty safe, since we shot them a LOT over the course of about six months of testing, and we did not have any unpleasantness during that period. In a nutshell, these targets are safe enough for us to feel comfortable using them even as close as 10 meters on the pistol range.
Interestingly, Legion decided to make every target in the Legion lineup from AR500 steel in a single thickness - there is no AR550 currently available. We asked about that and they said that after extensive testing they found that the targets were thick enough and hard enough for both pistol AND rifle use, even up to .338 and .30-06 at minimums of 10 meters and 100 meters respectively. Our jaws hit the floor just a bit at the idea of hitting AR500 with a 30-06 at 100 meters, but hey, they're the experts. Legion Target also mentioned they might consider offering AR550 in a "magnum" series, but the as-tested AR500 targets are more than sufficient for the vast, vast majority of shooters as long as minimum distances are respected. The "hottest" pistol test we did was hitting them with .357 magnum at 10 meters, and they did just fine - no pitting at all.
We also shot them with .223/5.56 (up to 77 grain SMKs) at 100 meters and again, no pitting or any unpleasantness, so although we'd normally use AR550 for rifle targets, Legion Target's claim that the AR500 in the Legion's free-swinging design is good enough does seem to be true.
Interestingly, Legion decided to make every target in the Legion lineup from AR500 steel in a single thickness - there is no AR550 currently available. We asked about that and they said that after extensive testing they found that the targets were thick enough and hard enough for both pistol AND rifle use, even up to .338 and .30-06 at minimums of 10 meters and 100 meters respectively. Our jaws hit the floor just a bit at the idea of hitting AR500 with a 30-06 at 100 meters, but hey, they're the experts. Legion Target also mentioned they might consider offering AR550 in a "magnum" series, but the as-tested AR500 targets are more than sufficient for the vast, vast majority of shooters as long as minimum distances are respected. The "hottest" pistol test we did was hitting them with .357 magnum at 10 meters, and they did just fine - no pitting at all.
We also shot them with .223/5.56 (up to 77 grain SMKs) at 100 meters and again, no pitting or any unpleasantness, so although we'd normally use AR550 for rifle targets, Legion Target's claim that the AR500 in the Legion's free-swinging design is good enough does seem to be true.
At 10 meters with a .357 Magnum, there is no pitting here, just a fly with a deathwish.
A wide array of mounts, and almost all of them fit a plain wood 2x4.
The target holders (the piece that mounts onto the 2x4) come in a variety of shapes and sizes to support one or more hanging targets, allowing you to mix and match and create your own hostage, silhouette, gongs, and more. The holders simply sit on the 2x4, held in place by tension. This ability to mix-and-match is a really nice feature since you can build up your collection over time, adding targets to the holder as you buy them without having to throw more cash at overpriced holders. The Legion line is basically a-la-carte - buy what you want, ignore what you don't, and upgrade over time if you feel like it.
It's also worth noting that while many manufacturers make these parts from mild steel (because it's cheaper), Legion Target makes the target holders from AR500 steel - the same steel as the targets themselves. This helps ensure that when a bullet hits the target holder, rather than the target, it still shatters harmlessly.
It's also worth noting that while many manufacturers make these parts from mild steel (because it's cheaper), Legion Target makes the target holders from AR500 steel - the same steel as the targets themselves. This helps ensure that when a bullet hits the target holder, rather than the target, it still shatters harmlessly.
A few nicks and dings from bullet splatter, but these AR500 target mounts are still good for years of use
However, these pieces are not flat steel and so they do incur a risk of ricochet if they are shot. While they are better than the mild steel, rebar, chains, and carriage bolts that most manufacturers use, they are still exposed metal, so there is a risk of bullet deflection or risky splatter.
You can buy any Legion component a-la-carte, but the pre-packaged kits are a good value, and they take the hassle out of remembering to add every piece you'll need. Legion Target sent us three such kits to work with, and here are our reviews of each of them.
Composed of:
- Legion 2x4 Tripod Stand
- Legion 18" Gong
- Legion 2x4 Tripod Stand
- Legion 18" Gong
This one is a winner - we wish they'd made this target back when we first got into shooting steel. The value is simply superb if you opt for a smaller gong than 18": $55 for the target plate, another $50 or $60 for an 8-10" gong, plus some scrap 2x4s, and you're in business with one of the best brands in steel targets for a bit over $100.
Legion Target provided us with a gigantic 18" steel gong, perfect for setting up the target waaaaay, way out down range, which is perfect because there is almost no excess weight to carry for this setup - it's pretty much just the target and some 2x4s. For reference, we used 48" 2x4s, and they set the target a little bit low - it worked, but the 18" gong was basically sitting in the grass. We set this stand up way in the back of our range, and also gave it a whirl holding both gongs and silhouettes on the pistol range, and it worked like a champ in both situations.
Note: A second set of hands is helpful to set this one up, but not required.
Legion Target provided us with a gigantic 18" steel gong, perfect for setting up the target waaaaay, way out down range, which is perfect because there is almost no excess weight to carry for this setup - it's pretty much just the target and some 2x4s. For reference, we used 48" 2x4s, and they set the target a little bit low - it worked, but the 18" gong was basically sitting in the grass. We set this stand up way in the back of our range, and also gave it a whirl holding both gongs and silhouettes on the pistol range, and it worked like a champ in both situations.
Note: A second set of hands is helpful to set this one up, but not required.
Seen here supporting various gongs at the pistol range, and then set up at the 150 meter line.
We also set it up at the 500 meter range, but the pictures of that were just a blur.
We also set it up at the 500 meter range, but the pictures of that were just a blur.
Composed of:
- Legion Target Base
- Legion 2x4 Hostage Bracket
- Legion Silhouette Size C
- 2x Legion 6" Gongs
- Legion Target Base
- Legion 2x4 Hostage Bracket
- Legion Silhouette Size C
- 2x Legion 6" Gongs
The beauty of steel targets – when you want a fresh one, just break out the spray paint
This is a sweet setup. The hostage bracket supports the central silhouette, then two arms hold one gong each, giving you a chance to practice NOT shooting a hostage in the chest, and when you're successful, a chance to practice acting like you're not impressed with yourself. A smart bit of hidden design for this setup is that the bigger C zone silhouette target limits the forward swing of the little gongs, which are lightweight and therefore prone to swinging far enough forward to pose a splatter risk. However, with the silhouette in place in front of them, their swing is limited, so you can hit them as fast as you want without worrying about their angle.
Composed of:
- Legion Target Base
- Dueling Tree
- Legion Silhouette Size C
- Legion Dueling Tree Bracket
- Legion Target Base
- Dueling Tree
- Legion Silhouette Size C
- Legion Dueling Tree Bracket
Both dueling tree and hostage target in one unit - one of the coolest ideas we've seen in a while.
We've only met one person who doesn't love a dueling tree, and that's the lady at the Post Office who bitterly informed us that we needed to come get our stupidly heavy and bulky package: there's no getting around it - dueling trees are big. However, this one can be carried by one person (not easily, but it can be done) and the dueling tree stand fits right down into the Legion Target Base with no tools needed. Being able to set up an entire dueling tree, in minutes, by yourself, is one a heck of a feat of engineering.
The flapper targets on this tree are appropriately sensitive, which is a good thing - we were pleased to find out that they'll flip after a hit from even a measly .22LR (16" barrel Ruger 10/22), but only about half the time. Hit them with any "real" caliber and they flip just like they should.
But wait, there's more. Add the Legion Dueling Tree Bracket, and you can hang a C Zone Silhouette (or any other gong, really) and turn the thing into a hostage kit. Honestly, this is just plain slick - dueling trees are loads of fun but sometimes they're not viewed as "serious" shooting aides. Being able to turn one into a hostage target fixes that right up, and adds value to an already feature-packed kit.
Plus, just like the rest of the Legion lineup, every bit of the dueling tree’s stand is made from AR500, so the steeply-angled center post will shed bullets safely. This neatly addresses our major concern with not just dueling trees, but almost all elaborate, reactive steel target setups - they can be a little bit risky when the steel starts swinging and the shooting gets sloppy. The stands for reactive targets are generally very beefy to support the enormous weight, which means the stands are both big and usually pretty close to the targets themselves. This has always made us nervous, as the stands are generally some form of mild steel, like rebar, chain, or just mild steel plate, but not with the Legion line - all AR500, all the time.
The flapper targets on this tree are appropriately sensitive, which is a good thing - we were pleased to find out that they'll flip after a hit from even a measly .22LR (16" barrel Ruger 10/22), but only about half the time. Hit them with any "real" caliber and they flip just like they should.
But wait, there's more. Add the Legion Dueling Tree Bracket, and you can hang a C Zone Silhouette (or any other gong, really) and turn the thing into a hostage kit. Honestly, this is just plain slick - dueling trees are loads of fun but sometimes they're not viewed as "serious" shooting aides. Being able to turn one into a hostage target fixes that right up, and adds value to an already feature-packed kit.
Plus, just like the rest of the Legion lineup, every bit of the dueling tree’s stand is made from AR500, so the steeply-angled center post will shed bullets safely. This neatly addresses our major concern with not just dueling trees, but almost all elaborate, reactive steel target setups - they can be a little bit risky when the steel starts swinging and the shooting gets sloppy. The stands for reactive targets are generally very beefy to support the enormous weight, which means the stands are both big and usually pretty close to the targets themselves. This has always made us nervous, as the stands are generally some form of mild steel, like rebar, chain, or just mild steel plate, but not with the Legion line - all AR500, all the time.
The Legion Target lineup is a home run. They're pretty affordable, they're stunningly easy to live with, and they're no slouch in terms of safety. Shooting steel is serious business, so we've always liked targets with an emphasis on safety, but most targets with extensive safety features cost way more than their competition. To an extent, that's still true even with the Legion Targets, but if you want to "buy once, cry once" you can cry a lot less thanks to the new Legion lineup.
Pro tip: keep the box these targets come in. It was a lifesaver during a recent move.
And that's it. Happy shooting.