Horizontal AR500 2x4 Hook Mount Side View

Horizontal AR500 2x4 Gong Hook

Name: Horizontal AR500 2x4 Gong Hook
Rating: 4.90 (20 reviews)

$ 19.00

Complete the Package

Include 2x4 Leg Brackets

2x4 Leg Brackets Pair of steel brackets • 2x4 crossmember fit • Conduit or pipe legs

1 × $ 39.00
Include Pipe Kit

Pipe Kit Precut leg options • Black-pipe crossmembers • Multiple setup lengths

1 × $ 85.00

Shipping and discounts confirmed at checkout.

CNC laser-cut in the USA from American-made SR500+ steel
SR500+ steel is more durable and better suited for steel targets than AR500
Barbed hook keeps your target secure without dampening its ring like chain, belt or springs

Slides onto a 2x4 without the need for any tools
Mount works great with 1/2" square holes

This mount works awesome and is a part of several targets I always have on my range. It's the key mount that makes the poor mans plate rack possible but I also like to use them to mount targets like our IPSC AC Zone side by side with other targets while using a single stand.

What mount is right for me?

There isn’t one mount that’s best for everybody. The right choice depends on what you’re shooting, how you practice, and where you set up your targets.

We recommend certain mounts alongside our targets because they're typically the best fit and the most popular choices. That doesn't mean they're your only options. Here's how I'd choose.

The short answer

How you shoot	Where I'd start
Mostly rifle shooting; want a loud ring	Gong hanger kit with pipe and SR500+ hooks
Rifle shooting; permanent range or difficult terrain	T-post hook hanger
Defensive-style pistol drills; rapid follow-up shots	Stable 2×4-based mount or an ATLAS Mount
Reactive animal target with a vital-zone flapper	Target-specific legs or stable mounting system

These are starting points, not hard-and-fast rules. Check each target and mount for compatibility before ordering.

Rifle shooting: let it swing and ring

If I'm mostly shooting rifles at a regular gong or silhouette, I like a target that's free to move. That movement gives you visual feedback when you connect, and letting the steel vibrate freely helps produce the loud, satisfying ring that makes shooting steel so much fun, especially at distance.

My personal favorite is our gong hanger setup using pipe and SR500+ steel hooks. The hooks allow the target to swing and resonate without rubber or chain clamped tightly to the plate. They're also built from tough target steel, so they're well suited to a shooting-range environment.

If your range layout or terrain makes a pipe stand inconvenient, our T-post hook mounts are another good option. They're especially handy when you can leave your posts in place.

Defensive pistol practice: keep the target more stable

For quick, repeated pistol shots, I generally favor a mount built around a 2×4 or on our ATLAS stands. A target that isn't swinging all over the place is easier to use for rapid follow-up drills, and a wood upright or the smooth front of the ATLAS stand is a more forgiving thing to accidentally strike than an exposed steel t-post. A bullet striking the T shaped post can create unpredictable fragmentation or ricochets, including material coming back toward the firing line.

Whatever mount you choose, follow the target's minimum-distance and ammunition guidelines. A stable mount does not make shooting steel at an otherwise unsafe distance acceptable.

T-post hangers: a great option in the right setting

T-post hooks are simple, versatile, and especially useful for a more permanent range. They can make setup easier on uneven ground or in spots where a conventional stand isn't ideal. They also let a regular target move and ring quite well.

The tradeoff is that the t-post does get chewed up over time (Although I've had my personal range setup for years without issue) and if you need to take your targets with you at the end of the day, pulling t-posts isn't that much fun. If you primarily shoot rifles from appropriate distances and want to keep targets positioned across a pasture or established range, t-posts may be exactly what you need.

Why I prefer steel hooks over rubber belts

Rubber belt hangers certainly have their fans, and they have their uses. But if getting a clear, loud ring is important to you, I'm not a big fan of them. Rubber tends to absorb some of the target's vibration. That vibration is what produces the sound you hear downrange, so dampening it can take away some of the best feedback steel offers. Although I don't sell chain, it does the same thing and dampens the ring of the targets.

That's why I usually reach for our SR500+ hook mounts on standard gongs and silhouettes. I want the target to move, vibrate, and ring rather than having that sound muffled by something bolted to it.

Reactive targets are a little different

With a reactive animal target, the goal isn't necessarily to get the entire target swinging. I want the body to stay relatively stable so you can immediately tell the difference between a body hit and a hit on the vital-zone flapper. When that flapper moves, it should be obvious. For these targets, the product-specific recommended legs or mounting system are generally where I'd start but under special circumstances, several of the options mentioned above will work as well.

A few important safety reminders

Use only target/mount combinations intended to work together; don't assume every hanger fits every plate.
Follow the published minimum shooting distance, ammunition, velocity, and energy limits for your target. Never shoot steel-core or armor-piercing ammunition at steel targets.
Position targets and exposed mounting hardware to minimize unpredictable splatter. Keep a suitable backstop behind every target.
Inspect plates and hardware for pitting, bending, cracks, loose parts, or other damage before shooting. Stop using damaged equipment.

Still not sure?

If you're torn between a couple of options, get in touch. Tell us which target you have, whether you mostly shoot rifle or pistol, and how you plan to set it up. We'll help point you toward a mount that makes sense for your range, not just the one that happens to be listed first.

Call or text us at +1 605-868-8087
E-Mail us at sendit@atlastargetworks.com

Watch video

2x4 Hook Mount

This is about as simple as a mount can get. But affective and adaptable to many different targets.

5 stars: 19 (95%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 1 (5%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Be sure to bring a hammer to the range with you!!!

I was excited to use these along with the 2x4 leg brackets I just received. After stopping at the big orange box store for a treated 8’ 2x4 I headed to the range. After a quick zero on the rifles I went to the 600 and begin setting up. Everything was great until I attempted to install the gong hook on a standard 2x4. It was so tight I had to beat each one on the 2x4. Since I don’t typically carry a hammer to the range I had to use the lug nut wrench from my truck to beat each of these on. To say I am absolutely furious is an understatement. This is my first and last purchase from Atlas.

Follow-up: The issue here was that he used green (pressure) treated lumber instead of the normal kind which is slightly thicker and wouldn't fit in my 2x4 mounts. I had never even considered that and this was the first time it was brought to my attention. I have since loosened up the dimensions to accommodate either kind of 2x4 and sent him replacements.

Hook mount

This is the best way to hang your targets, with the mount on top of the 2x4 the target covers the wood from being shot and the back of the plate hits the hanger when shot and rings louder than normal, great products, just get them!!!!

Simple design and work Great!!!

The design is great!
Helps the targets hang loosely so they make lots of sound metal resonates freely when hitting them.

Easy to use.

Easy and versatile with several hanger types.

Work great!

Brad, the owner, went out of his way to help me with my purchase! Very pleased with the result and would buy again in a heartbeat!

Blown away

This is the best idea for hanging a gong I’ve ever seen. Cannot fall of due to shooting chain or strap, protects the wood, absolutely perfect for a mobile long range rifle setup.

Happy shooter!

Filled my order and got it to me FAST. Used these gong hooks to make a poor mans plate rack using atlas targets i already had. Ive shot the hell out of Brads targets for the last several years from .22 all the way up to 338 lapua and have yet to ruin one. Follow the recommendations on the sticker and i believe they will last for years. Great products and customer service keeps people coming back for more.

Simplicity defined

I’ve been using the 2x4 gong hook as part of a mobile range that I have.
When coupled with the leg brackets, everything is easy to transport and set up only takes a few minutes.
Atlas makes the best and most practical equipment for setting up an impromptu range.
I also have all Atlas hardware at my dedicated home range.

AR500 steel plate target hangers

Bought these to use with CTS, ShootSteel, and XSteelTargets. These plate hangers are custom to the vendor, but using one set of Atlas hangers I can setup all targets using one hanger type. I’ll be ordering more hangers from Atlas. Also, I like the size of their 2x4 side hanger for hanging multiple plates on a single 2x4 post. Fulfillment and delivery was fast and all items arrived ahead of estimated delivery date. Excellent!!!

Awesome Product Fast Shipping

Recently discovered Atlas and decided to give them a shot based on reviews. I am extremely pleased with the quality of the products and the speed of shipment. I would recommend to anyone. I have purchased several more of Brad's products since this initial purchase and will be purchasing more as the need arises, Keep up the good work!!

Good as it gets

Can’t beat Atlas Targets, kids in for Easter weekend, Atlas 10”!at 300 yards 12” at 400 NRL22 stretched out

Simple and effective

These target hooks were perfect for my custom-built stand. Clever design, simple to use, and super tough!

Speedy Speed Rack

Quick and easy speed rack, just grab two 10 foot 3/4 emt conduits (cut in half) for legs and a 2x4. You now have a speed rack that's easy to setup and easy to replace worn 2x4.
Highly recommend these Horizontal Gong Hooks, pair them with Brad's 2x4 Leg Brackets.

2x4 Hook Mount

Great product! Well made and works great with all my plates.

Gong Hooks

Fits perfectly on a 2x4. Well made. You can have a permanent or temporary shooting range. With the 2x4 leg brackets and a half dozen of these hooks you can be set up in about 1 minute. Well worth the money!

Great common sense design.

It's great to be able to use the same hooks whether shooting A/C zones at a half mile, or setting up a plate rack on a budget. The minimalist design and weight is great for packing in the trunk without undue clutter and enjoying practice at the range without dragging around heavy, complicated target stands.

Horizontal AR500 2x4 Gong Hooks

Quality Product! Very Fast and Friendly Service. The Hooks Work GREAT for Hanging 8" Plates on a 2x4 Plate Rack. Would definitely buy from Brad again.

Excellent Customer Service

Excellent product. Excellent customer service before, during, and after the sale.

2x4 Gong Hook

I used the 2x4 Gong Hook for a training class i ran last month. The design of the whole system made set up and take down very easy. The gong hook allowed me to quickly change gongs and targets. I'm very satisfied with the gong hooks.

Atlas 2x4 Gong Hooks are smart, terrific!

I remember very prompt delivery, thanks... Personally, I much favor using 2x4 gong holder frames and these Atlas hooks simply work smarter and easier than bolts w/springs. They hold the targets high, allow the right amount of visual movement feedback, can slide/adjust along the 2x4, and have a discreet/low profile so do not cause hangups in the back of my truck. Each of my 6 total hooks have taken pistol FMJs straight on without a scratch. Very pleased!