We've sold a lot of the new Appleseed shooting mats. Any feedback?
I bought a couple. Reading the store description I was thinking they would be a little thicker. It is literally a Midway mat without the waterproof bottom, but tan so it's not as hot to lay on in the summer.
I'd love to see them more like the CMP roll up mats in regards to thickness and foam density even if the price has to go up.
I need a couple replacements. I have not bought any from the store yet as I was holding back for a review.
The Midway mats I bought nearly 8 years ago are almost toast-the foam is nearly half of what it used to be and it was not that thick.
The Dillon mats I bought nearly the same time are still in superb shape and the foam is thicker, denser and almost the same as it was
the day I bought them. Plus they are tan and a bit cooler. They were over twice the price of the Midway mats.
Both brands have seen hard usage.
I bought one just recently and thought for some reason that it had a waterproof bottom as well. On the whole the foam seems decent, but I have yet to put it to significant use just yet. It seems decent but could have slightly more robust foam and a waterproof cover; I'd be willing to pay a few more bucks for one with those features.
I just got back from a Rifleman's Boot Camp at Ramseur. The mat saw heavy use for 4 days (by 3 folks some days) and held up okay. Some stitching on the corner of one of the knee pads came loose, but that was remedied in a few minutes when I got home. I am pleased with my mat and have a spare just in case anything ever happens to this one (or if I need to loan one out.
I've used mine as a loaner at Ohio events and received no complaints. It's serviceable, though not luxurious. That said, I personally used it at an AS in Palm Bay, FL last month (loaned my personal mat to my uncle) where they have a covered, concrete firing line. Had it not been for an instructor loaning me a nice thick yoga mat to lay on top of it, I wouldn't have been able to shoot on Sunday. I found the thin padding in the AS mat to be wholly inadequate for use on that hard concrete. Our home range here in Ohio has a gravel firing line and it seems to be a decent solution for that surface and I imagine it would be fine on grass as well. Were I to use it (or loan it) at a concrete firing line in the future, I'd bring along either a yoga mat or roll of carpet padding to lay under the mat.
I find them to be more comfortable (squishy!) than my midways, and I like the way they roll up into a more compact package. The director of the community college law enforcement training facility where wee have our events liked them enough that he's planning to pick up a dozen of them for the school. That'll be a real test, too. Students are HARD on equipment.
Both of the ranges we use have concrete firing lines, and I still find it a tad more comfortable than my midway.
Wait, they are not waterproof onthe bottom?
I didn't think that was a secret. I knew they weren't before I ordered. Don't remember HOW I knew, but I knew.
Wel that's a problem. Website says waterproof bottom. Honestly, I havent tried mine, but only bought it because of the reported waterproof bottom.
They're great. 5 stars. I need to buy a couple more I think.
Ok, I got a chance to try out the mat.
1. Waterproof for me would be a big plus. If this isnt, please change the item description
2. Color, love it
3. Not as thick as my midway. I prefer the mat a little thicker, but can live with it.
4. I would prefer a larger elbow pad area (like midway, creedmore, etc). Trigger elbow slides a bit on the material. I'd do away with the knee pads to add more area to the elbows
It's worth the price! It's comparable to quality and price of the cheapest shooting mat I could find on Ebay (which was a NcStar Brand). So for beginner shooters and those on a budget, it'll serve the purpose. Good Job!
Shipping to Alaska is almost as much $ as the mat costs.
Yeah, I know it is an ancient thread. I keep reading that they are not as thick as the Midway!?!?!?!?!?!?! I have two versions of the Midway mat and neither the "basic" (cheapest) nor the Professional model are as thick as the Appleseed mat. Mine has 2 years of service as loaner equipment (the Midways about 1o years worth and showing it) and holding up well. Yeah, not waterproof but that is not always an issue but gravel and concrete are ubiquitous.
I own two. They are priced right and serve their purpose.
We've restocked: mats are available for sale again - see this link: https://store.rwvaappleseed.com/product110.html (https://store.rwvaappleseed.com/product110.html).
It's a mat. It costs less than 50% competing products. It keeps you off the ground. If it rains, you will get wet.
Used mine for almost 1 year and holding up well. Good value.
One of the BEST things in the store. I get rave reviews from experienced shooters and new alike that have purchased them. The mats also get a lot of admirers from those that don't have them.
I love the Mat, my only complaint is the grommets are very weak. I would like a stonger bound with the canvas or thicker canvas on the tongue flap.
Best thing about them is the price. Used mine about 2 years and still in great condition. Not concerned about water proofness: if it's raining, I'm going to get soaked. The mat keeps me clean, softens the bumps under me. Does what it needs to do.
Probably better than the mats those shopkeepers and farmers brought with them to Battlefield Road.