Seeking a trap thrower...

the_pragmaticist · November 15, 2008, 12:53 AM

Does anyone own an effective and affordable (less than $1k US) automatic trap thrower? I've seen some folks who came to the conclusion that anything costing less than a couple grand is going to end up pulverizing clays more often than actually throwing them; I'm just looking for the other side of the story if there is one.

I'll cut the requisite "bring a buddy" responses short - there are several of us and frankly we're tired of kneeling in the dirt and cocking the spring thrower 400 times on an otherwise beautiful day. Our wives don't want to swing the plastic walmart throwers and we don't have any teenagers available (A quick search of the forum will reveal the reason for these disclaimers).

hogdogs · November 15, 2008, 01:31 AM

I am afraid I am one to suggest the "red slinger"... you could do as my 17 year old (now 18) son was doing and In his left hand hold the slinger and in his right, the gun... sling clay, drop slinger mount gun and shoot clay... He is much more limber than myself...

Brent

zippy13 · November 15, 2008, 01:53 AM

There are several options within your budget. Here's a link to a starting place.

guntotin_fool · November 15, 2008, 11:29 AM

one hint, we have made a couple of these that either fit in the socket of the trailer hitch on the truck, or that have the bench style like the manuals shown in the second page of the above link.

Sitting down and recocking the levers is FAR FAR easier than you might expect, and it gives one a chance to rest a bit while others shoot. we built ours with a small table on the off side to hold the boxes of targets and its very easy to do. my 80+YO and not-as-strong-as-he once-was father had no trouble recocking the arms, and he had great fun "throwing" all afternoon for the grandkids. All he needed was someone to refill his ice tea, and bring fresh boxes of targets, I believe he threw well over 300 targets that day.

I was surprised that the cost for an automatic was so reasonable, and if they work, which I would surmise they would, I would think you could do well to fashion some sort of a small trailer on which to tow it, and to anchor it as they tend to 'recoil' a bit when used.

I will also say that we had lost a part on our Do All trap thru our negligence, and when we called to get another, they insisted that it was covered and shipped us a new one. free, in like 4 days.

oneounceload · November 15, 2008, 12:34 PM

You might check around at some gun clubs - they might have a nice Winchester/Western Skeet or trap machine you might be able to pick up

the_pragmaticist · November 15, 2008, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the replies - I'm checking out the links. The final goal is to build a couple of towers and set up a real skeet range, so the electric throwers are really the only viable answer if we're going to "do it right".

zippy13 · November 15, 2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

The final goal is to build a couple of towers and set up a real skeet range, so the electric throwers are really the only viable answer if we're going to "do it right".

BRAVO!
At this point it the big question, controlling your selection is, are you're going to have line power available, or are you going to be on battery?

lockedcj7 · November 15, 2008, 05:15 PM

I bought one of the DO-ALL aerial assault throwers off E-bay and it came with the key-fob wireless remote. Yes, I had read all the negative postings about them on the web and decided to give them a shot anyway.

I've been very impressed with it. It threw several hundred clays before it broke the first one. My local Wal-Mart switched styles of clays on me and the new ones are slightly too big. It took a few minutes of redneck engineering to get it working again. I have it bolted to the floor in my barn loft and it's very stable. All I need to do is open the loft door, load the magazine and hook up the batteries. My 5 year-old loves pushing the button for me.

With shipping and everything, I think I paid under $300. The battery was another $50 or so. YMMV

the_pragmaticist · November 15, 2008, 07:59 PM

I saw those for $350 or so on Ebay - it looks great, but like you said there are some crappy reviews out there. The model that seems to be prevalent is the Aerial Assault II.

Zippy13 - there is a generator available or even some buried cable if a line-powered thrower can be had in the right price range and it blows away the 12V competition, but we had intended to power the system with a battery or a running vehicle.

Western Retro · November 17, 2008, 10:56 PM

I have a pair of Winchester Western Skeet machines for sale. Also Western handset machines with my automatic conversion kit. Check out my website or drop me an PM. www.westernretro.net.

zippy13 · November 18, 2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Zippy13 - there is a generator available or even some buried cable if a line-powered thrower can be had in the right price range and it blows away the 12V competition, but we had intended to power the system with a battery or a running vehicle.

PM sent

Western Retro · November 20, 2008, 05:17 PM

This machine is setup for 110 VAC but can do 12 VDC through an inverter. This is a solid commercial machine. Throws singles and doubles automatic. Will sell the loader conversion or trap machine separately. PM for more info.

November 15, 2008, 12:53 AM	#1
the_pragmaticist Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2008 Posts: 201	Seeking a trap thrower... Does anyone own an effective and affordable (less than $1k US) automatic trap thrower? I've seen some folks who came to the conclusion that anything costing less than a couple grand is going to end up pulverizing clays more often than actually throwing them; I'm just looking for the other side of the story if there is one. I'll cut the requisite "bring a buddy" responses short - there are several of us and frankly we're tired of kneeling in the dirt and cocking the spring thrower 400 times on an otherwise beautiful day. Our wives don't want to swing the plastic walmart throwers and we don't have any teenagers available (A quick search of the forum will reveal the reason for these disclaimers).

November 15, 2008, 05:15 PM	#8
lockedcj7 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Posts: 1,215	I bought one of the DO-ALL aerial assault throwers off E-bay and it came with the key-fob wireless remote. Yes, I had read all the negative postings about them on the web and decided to give them a shot anyway. I've been very impressed with it. It threw several hundred clays before it broke the first one. My local Wal-Mart switched styles of clays on me and the new ones are slightly too big. It took a few minutes of redneck engineering to get it working again. I have it bolted to the floor in my barn loft and it's very stable. All I need to do is open the loft door, load the magazine and hook up the batteries. My 5 year-old loves pushing the button for me. With shipping and everything, I think I paid under $300. The battery was another $50 or so. YMMV __________________ To a much greater extent than most mechanical devices, firearms are terribly unforgiving of any overconfidence, complacency or negligence.

November 17, 2008, 10:56 PM	#10
Western Retro Junior Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Posts: 2	trap machines I have a pair of Winchester Western Skeet machines for sale. Also Western handset machines with my automatic conversion kit. Check out my website or drop me an PM. www.westernretro.net.

November 15, 2008, 01:31 AM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I am afraid I am one to suggest the "red slinger"... you could do as my 17 year old (now 18) son was doing and In his left hand hold the slinger and in his right, the gun... sling clay, drop slinger mount gun and shoot clay... He is much more limber than myself... Brent

November 15, 2008, 01:53 AM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	There are several options within your budget. Here's a link to a starting place.

November 15, 2008, 11:29 AM	#4
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	one hint, we have made a couple of these that either fit in the socket of the trailer hitch on the truck, or that have the bench style like the manuals shown in the second page of the above link. Sitting down and recocking the levers is FAR FAR easier than you might expect, and it gives one a chance to rest a bit while others shoot. we built ours with a small table on the off side to hold the boxes of targets and its very easy to do. my 80+YO and not-as-strong-as-he once-was father had no trouble recocking the arms, and he had great fun "throwing" all afternoon for the grandkids. All he needed was someone to refill his ice tea, and bring fresh boxes of targets, I believe he threw well over 300 targets that day. I was surprised that the cost for an automatic was so reasonable, and if they work, which I would surmise they would, I would think you could do well to fashion some sort of a small trailer on which to tow it, and to anchor it as they tend to 'recoil' a bit when used. I will also say that we had lost a part on our Do All trap thru our negligence, and when we called to get another, they insisted that it was covered and shipped us a new one. free, in like 4 days.

November 15, 2008, 12:34 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	You might check around at some gun clubs - they might have a nice Winchester/Western Skeet or trap machine you might be able to pick up

November 15, 2008, 01:25 PM	#6
the_pragmaticist Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2008 Posts: 201	Thanks for the replies - I'm checking out the links. The final goal is to build a couple of towers and set up a real skeet range, so the electric throwers are really the only viable answer if we're going to "do it right".

November 15, 2008, 07:59 PM	#9
the_pragmaticist Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2008 Posts: 201	I saw those for $350 or so on Ebay - it looks great, but like you said there are some crappy reviews out there. The model that seems to be prevalent is the Aerial Assault II. Zippy13 - there is a generator available or even some buried cable if a line-powered thrower can be had in the right price range and it blows away the 12V competition, but we had intended to power the system with a battery or a running vehicle.

November 20, 2008, 05:17 PM	#12
Western Retro Junior Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Posts: 2	This machine is setup for 110 VAC but can do 12 VDC through an inverter. This is a solid commercial machine. Throws singles and doubles automatic. Will sell the loader conversion or trap machine separately. PM for more info.