OST Target Stencil – Save Some $

OST, or Operator Survival Tool, doesn’t get a lot of credit. They are seemingly a small company, named after a multitool design that slowly expanded into a series of products I describe as handy. I recently snagged one of its Silhouette Stencil Kits, specifically the USPSA style target stencil. 

Cardboard targets get a little pricey. They are often near a dollar apiece, if not more. I tend to come into a lot of cardboard that I often use as target backers. I once even painstakingly measured out the dimensions of a USPSA target to produce my own, but that took way too much time. 

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I sought out a stencil and stumbled across the OST Silhouette Stencil Kit. It’s a Mylar stencil you can drop onto the cardboard you already have and make your own USPSA-style target. OST makes more than the USPSA model. They have an IDPA model, a silhouette to create 3D targets, and a Warm-Up kit that uses a variety of small boxes and circles as targets. 

The stencils are around 25 dollars and can pay off quickly, assuming you have a good source of cardboard. To me, it’s easy to find; go to a local furniture store and ask if you can raid their dumpster. Fridge boxes can give you six to eight targets with these stencils. 

Using the OST Stencil

Some binder clips are a must-have. Pinch the corners to hold the Mylar tight to the board and make your target. The OST Silhouette comes with a paint pen, but spray paint makes it quicker. For the first few targets, I just used the paint pen, and it took me about three minutes to make each target. 

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With spray paint, it’s about a minute to stencil your target. The material is easy to wipe off any excess paint; just keep a rag handy. Sadly, once you throw on the spray paint, the smell might keep you from storing it inside. A good range bin is a must-have, and you can drop it in and forget about it. 

The target scoring zones are easily visible, and the whole silhouette is easy to see. I made two large targets and a pair of C-zone sized targets in less than 15 minutes. Four scorable cardboard targets in 15 minutes isn’t a bad trade-off if you’re as cheap as me. Throw in some pasties, and you can use the targets quite a bit and save even more money and time. 

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The use of 10mm Mylar plastic makes it reusable and tough. It’s not going to absorb so much paint that it gets sloppy and falls apart. It’s mostly weather-proof, but I wouldn’t leave it in the sun too much. 

Saving Cash

The OST Stencil is a simple design; it’s cheap, easy to use, and for someone who shoots a lot, it’s a budget must-have. I make purchases down to the cent per round at times, so why wouldn’t I apply that same logic to my targets? 

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The OST Stencils use popular target types, like IDPA and USPA, so you can train realistically for your next match. So many drills are designed for these target styles that they might as well be the standard. To me, it’s a must-have. Cheap, easy to use, and it saves me money. What’s not to love? 

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