Midway Shooting Mat Opinions?

[LTCSZ]

I am preparing for my first Appleseed and was wondering: I know I need some type of shooting mat for the prone part of the event...Midway has a rather nice looking mat on sale for $25 (regularly $50)...Does anyone have any experience with this mat? Opinions welcome!

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=169107&cm_vc=S016

Steve in Kansas

[tittiger]

Anything will work. My first Appleseed's I used either the blankets that I camped with or the shooting pads that instructors were kind enough to loan me (Thanks Jungle George).

The pad you are looking at is used by a lot of us. Go for it if you can afford it. If not improvise. The important thing is to attend.

[dart67eb]

Wait for the REAL sale.  I got the $100 mat for $29 last Christmas.

[Ratchett]

The Midway mats are great and withstand a lot! I have the regular and the larger one, some of my mats are into their 3rd year and when hosed down look almost like new. Well worth the money!!

Happy 'seeding!!!!
In His grip,
ratchett

[eaglescouter]

we have a pair of those, have been using them since our first appleseed (a few years now).  They get lots of use and they do the job just fine. 

[BeSwift]

I've got that one, and have used it a LOT in the last 3 or so years. Mine is not holding up as well as the other posters have, but it's still functional and works. Were I to do it all over again, I'd opt for the larger one, IF you're going to using it frequently.. For occasional use, that one will be fine..  My 02.    BeSwift

[ItsanSKS]

Steve-

I'll echo what the other posters have said about the quality of the mat; mine has held up remarkably well over the course of 3+ years of near constant use.  My only complaint with this particular mat is that the elbow and knee anti-slip surfaces are black; in direct sunlight, they get extremely hot. 

The larger cousin to this mat is the one I personally use, same basic design, but a little wider (and thicker!) but uses a green no-slip surface instead of black.  Doesn't seem like much, but if you shoot in the sun, it can save your elbows!


-ItsanSKS


PS: Here is the larger mat- http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=276544&cm_vc=S016
Goes on sale for $50, sometimes less.

[OnlyHitsCount]

We bought four of these during their summer sale last year and they are doing a fine job, though they could be a little thicker.  The older I get the more padding I want!   

WELCOME to APPLESEED!   

OnlyHitsCount

[LTCSZ]

Thanks for the information...Going to the Midway page now to order!...

Steve in Kansas

[oladcock]

Got a half dozen of them, they work great....O.L.

[Xeyed]

I have a couple of the Midway mat's.

The small one is used for instructors demonstrating positions.

The large one is is used by me for  personal use.

Both are great. Both are highly recommended. Both were bought on sale. 

Fortunately they are on sale to the end of the month.

But as nice and practical as they  are they are not required. My first Appleseed was shot off a carpet remnant. Appleseed is not a gear show. Functional works best. I've seen folks shoot off sleeping bags, yoga mats, blankets, shipping mats and even Cardboard.

Worth the investment if you plan on continuing your shooting education after Appleseed. Otherwise improvise.

Tip:  on a hot day turn it backwards as the Black non slip elbow pads get hot!

[LTCSZ]

Hi Again: I know that Appleseed isn't a "gear show"...Just the opposite...What I want to do is to have fun, refresh my shooting skills and hang out with some folks who still give a damn about their country...In fact, if I purchase the Midway mat, it would be the only new piece of equipment I would be bringing! My 10/22 was made in the late 1980's, my range bag is an old backpack issued to me by the Army in the early 90's, and I was produced in 1948...Strictly speaking, I guess the ammo is new...I do plan on staying active in Appleseed, so I think the pad would be a good investment...My grandson , 9 years old, is also interested, so it will be good for his instruction also...
Again, thanks for all of the info and advice...

Steve in Kansas

[slim]

Midway mats are probably the "standard" for use at AS events but as has been pointed out, they're not required or even necessary. If you have extra money, get a few of them as they are nice to have.

But, since you're using surplus gear, I recommend heading down to your local surplus store and getting a foam sleeping pad that you can throw a poncho liner or tarp over. You can get five of those "shooting mats" for less money than one Midway mat. Plus, they'll stay cooler in the sun.

Take the money you save and buy more ammo for you and your grandson! 

[TN_Dadx5]

I'll second the get the $9.99 blue foam sleeping pad to start with.  That's what I started my family with and then bought a Midway mat when they went on deep discount.  Use the saved $$ to buy a GI sling, Tech Sights or more ammo.

Charlie

[Xeyed]

LTCSZ,

"What I want to do is to have fun, refresh my shooting skills and hang out with some folks who still give a damn about their country."

Welcome, you've come to the right place.

Xeyed.

[Johnnyappleseed]

Slim I like the foam pads you described , green right?
The foam pad's are also multi use . 

[NYDeer]

I have it & recommend it. My home AS range is sand. Shooting off a tarp or canvas, sand shifts underneath too easy, and makes it hard to get proper form (NPOA), for me at least. The mat is firm enough to get back in positions easily. It also has grommets to stake it when the wind picks up. Shooting off grass/dirt, probably not even be needed. Any foam camp sleeping pad will work too.

[slim]

Slim I like the foam pads you described , green right?
The foam pad's are also multi use . 

Those are the ones. Most surplus stores will sell them for $5 or something like that. We have a retailer here who sells the "junk" pads for $0.99 and by "junk" he means they're just old and ragged looking. Most still have at least one working strap on them and for under a buck, who cares anyway?

I have several I bring to every event as loaners for folks who need extra padding or who've forgotten theirs. They also work well to prop up junior shooters.

If someone's scope is too high or LOP too short, butt slipping around too much, hand too far forward, etc., just slice off a strip from the back of the mat and presto! issue solved. Wrap it a few times with some vet wrap and it'll last the entire event, sometimes longer. My "fix it" kit isn't too deep but it always includes a few of these.

Oh, and they're nice to sleep on too!