The Next Generation Of Target Training (TOAST Targets)

Why dynamic targets matter

The video opens with the hosts joking about being tired of shooting static targets before introducing the T.O.A.S.T. Targets system. Jordan explains that the platform is designed to mimic human motion, tucking in and out of cover instead of simply standing still. Using a tablet, the user can adjust motion patterns, motion speed, exposure time, and how long the target hides behind cover. The goal is to build training that reflects real gunfights, where both shooter and threat are moving. The hosts note that many shooters who are accurate on a flat range struggle once targets start moving, and they frame the system as a way to run structured skill progressions instead of jumping straight to maximum difficulty.

Jordan’s background and origins of TOAST

Jordan shares that he grew up in Huntington Beach, California, playing football with a focus on skill development. He played linebacker at Edison High School, earned a scholarship to UCLA, and was later drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers before an injury ended his career. Seeking adrenaline afterward, he got into paintball and realized there was no effective way to train for the dynamic gunfights he saw in competition. Stationary cone drills did not match what happened in actual games. He set out to build a target system that replicated those real movements, trained heavily on it, and saw his performance and tournament results improve. That success convinced him the concept could translate to real-world firearms training if gunfights shared even partial similarities with paintball engagements.

Naming TOAST and community-driven design

The group asks what TOAST stands for, and Jordan explains it is an acronym for Tactically Offensive Automated Systems Target. The hosts joke about breakfast toast and the idea that a bad guy becomes “toast” when hit. Jordan emphasizes that development of the system is driven by feedback from combat veterans and others with real-world experience. Many requested features, such as specific motion behaviors or configuration options, came directly from people who had been in actual fights. He wants the platform to continue evolving based on that community input, since those users have the most at stake and understand what realistic training should look like.

Introducing the TOAST Mini system

Jordan then unveils the TOAST Mini, a smaller version created in response to requests from non-military shooters who wanted something more portable and affordable for personal ranges or backyards. The Mini is shown exposed from behind cover so viewers can see its mechanism. It is built from steel and demonstrated to be bulletproof, with the hosts shooting it to confirm that the metal plate stops rounds. Jordan notes that, although the unit is bulletproof, it is still recommended to run it with a target or barrier in front of the mechanism, similar to the larger systems. The Mini weighs about 30 pounds and is controlled by the same tablet interface as the full-size units.

Motion profiles, calibers, and target compatibility

Jordan explains that the TOAST Mini shares similar motion profiles with the larger system but is simplified to keep costs down. It can move horizontally left and right, or the entire unit can be rotated so that the motion becomes vertical, moving up and down. Users can change motion patterns and speeds instantly from the tablet to tailor difficulty. The Mini is designed to accept standard 18-inch cardboard torsos, including IPSC, USPSA, and IDPA-style targets, which can be stapled to a wooden backer. On the mil-spec version, heavier green “Ivan” military targets can be used, but those are too heavy for the Mini’s motor. The steel plate on the Mini is rated to stop calibers up to .308, giving shooters flexibility with pistol and rifle training.

Pricing and launch offer for the TOAST Mini

When asked about pricing, Jordan says the planned MSRP for the TOAST Mini is around $1,200. For the Classic Firearms audience, he offers an introductory price of $900 on the first 100 units produced, describing it as a limited run before the price returns to the standard MSRP. The hosts joke about including custom artwork from Aaron for an extra fee, keeping the tone light while still highlighting that the Mini is intended to be accessible to individual shooters rather than only law enforcement or military installations. The emphasis remains on giving everyday shooters a way to experience moving, reactive targets without needing a large, permanent training facility.

Range setup with dual TOAST systems

At the range, the crew sets up two TOAST systems side by side and connects both to a single tablet. Jordan notes this is the first public demonstration of running multiple units together, and that the system can scale up to about 20 targets from one controller. For this demo, both targets will run the same vertical motion pattern, popping up at different angles. The motion speed is set to 50 percent, with a hide time of 1.5 seconds and an exposure time of 0.5 seconds. Jordan explains that increasing speed to 100 percent would make the brief exposure windows extremely challenging, but the current settings are already demanding for pistol shooters. The configuration is intended to showcase how timing, angles, and motion can be tuned for progressive difficulty.

Pistol competition on moving targets

The hosts prepare for a friendly competition using pistols against the moving TOAST targets. One shooter runs a stock Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 pistol, while the other jokes about equipment advantages. Jordan reiterates that the system is designed to accept common cardboard silhouettes attached with staples, allowing shooters to customize target shapes. The plan is for each shooter to engage their own moving target, working left to right or right to left as the targets pop up and move. Jordan mentions that they will later transition to ARs with 30-round magazines, which present a different challenge on the same moving platforms. The segment underscores how the TOAST system can support both handgun and rifle drills while keeping engagements dynamic and time-pressured.