MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest Review

The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest Made a Bold First Impression

The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest promises a stable and lightweight shooting platform at an incredibly attractive price point. As someone who’s spent over a decade tweaking and perfecting shooting setups, I was skeptical. Could a plastic rest really offer the stability needed for accurate shooting, or would it be another range toy destined for the storage bin?

What led me to this was the need for a lightweight, portable rest for load development. My usual heavy, lead-sled style rest is great for serious accuracy work, but a pain to lug around. The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest seemed like a potential solution.

Unboxing revealed a surprisingly lightweight, but seemingly well-designed plastic rest. The four-legged stance looked stable, and the adjustable buttstock support seemed like a clever idea. Build quality appeared decent for the price. My initial thought was it looked and felt cheap, but for $36.49, I wasn’t expecting machined aluminum.

I’ve used Caldwell rests and sandbags in the past. The Caldwell rests, while generally more robust, can be significantly heavier and more expensive. Sandbags offer great stability, but lack adjustability. The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest promised a balance of portability and adjustability that the others didn’t offer.

Initially, I was cautiously optimistic. The low price made me nervous, but the design features intrigued me. I was eager to see if it could deliver on its promise of providing a stable and adjustable platform for both rifles and handguns.

Real-World Testing: Putting MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest to the Test

First Use Experience

My first test was at my local outdoor shooting range on a sunny, but slightly windy day. I used the MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest with a .223 AR-15 and a .45 ACP 1911. The setup was straightforward, and the adjustable height dial allowed me to quickly get on target.

The rest performed surprisingly well with the AR-15. The four-legged base provided a stable platform, and the rubberized front pad offered adequate grip for the forend. The buttstock support was useful for leveling the rifle on the slightly uneven range surface. The light weight made it bounce a bit with each shot. I did not test in the rain.

Using it with the 1911 was also pretty straightforward. Removing the buttstock support transformed it into a perfectly usable pistol rest. The smaller footprint worked well on the pistol bench.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several range trips spanning a few months, the MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest has held up better than expected. I’ve used it in temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and it hasn’t shown any signs of warping or cracking.

The plastic construction is inherently susceptible to scratches, but there is no major wear. The height adjustment dial still functions smoothly. Cleaning is simple – a quick wipe down with a damp cloth is all it needs.

Compared to my heavier, metal shooting rest, the MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest is significantly less stable. However, for its size and weight, it performs admirably. It’s now my go-to choice for quick range trips and load development where absolute precision isn’t paramount.

Breaking Down the Features of MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest

Specifications

• The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest is primarily constructed from durable, lightweight plastic. This keeps the weight down and the price affordable.
• It features a four-legged base for stability. The four-legged base provides a wide and steady platform.
• It has a precision-dialed height adjuster. The height adjuster allows for fine-tuning of the shooting position.
• It includes an adjustable buttstock support. This support accommodates various rifle sizes and helps level the rest on uneven surfaces.
• The front rest is a rubber shooting pad. The rubber shooting pad provides a non-slip surface for the firearm.
• It is designed to work with both rifles and handguns. Removing the buttstock support transforms it into a pistol rest.

These specifications translate to a rest that is easy to transport, quick to set up, and adaptable to various firearms and shooting conditions. The lightweight plastic construction, while not as robust as metal, offers a good balance of durability and portability.

Performance & Functionality

The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest performs its primary job—providing a stable platform for shooting—surprisingly well, especially considering its price and materials. Accuracy is noticeably improved compared to shooting unsupported, although it doesn’t match the rock-solid stability of heavier rests.

Its strengths lie in its portability, ease of use, and versatility. The adjustable height and buttstock support make it easy to adapt to different shooting positions and firearm sizes. The main weakness is the inherent instability of a lightweight plastic rest, particularly in windy conditions or with heavier recoiling rifles.

The rest meets expectations for its price point. While it’s not a replacement for a high-end, heavy-duty rest, it’s a very useful tool for casual shooting, load development, and sighting in rifles.

Design & Ergonomics

The build quality is decent for a plastic rest. The plastic is thick enough to feel reasonably durable, and the components fit together well. The rest is lightweight, making it easy to carry and transport.

The design is user-friendly, with intuitive adjustments. The height adjustment dial is easy to turn, and the buttstock support is simple to adjust or remove. There’s a slight learning curve in finding the optimal positioning for different rifles, but it’s generally easy to use.

Durability & Maintenance

With reasonable care, the MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest should last for several years. The plastic is resistant to most weather conditions, although prolonged exposure to direct sunlight could potentially cause fading or cracking.

Maintenance is minimal. A quick wipe down with a damp cloth after each use is sufficient to keep it clean. The plastic components are not easily repairable, but replacement rests are relatively inexpensive.

Accessories and Customization Options

The MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest does not come with any additional accessories. However, users can easily add weight to the base of the rest using sandbags or weights to increase stability.

The rubber shooting pad can be replaced with a custom pad if desired, although the stock pad is adequate for most purposes. There are no other readily available customization options. However, some people will add a sandbag on top for added stability.

Pros and Cons of MTM Adjustable Shooting Rest