Before building a shooting barricade, compare more than the price of plywood. A finished, portable barricade can be the better value once you account for tools, your time, finishing, storage, and getting it to the range.
We make PTS Barricade, so we have a perspective. Here is how we would weigh the choice—including when building your own makes sense.
What does a DIY barricade cost?
Illustrative U.S. retail budget, checked October 18, 2026. The figures below use published Home Depot listings as price references. This is a spending example, not an industry average or a complete materials list for a particular plan.
| Budget item | Example cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| One 4 × 8 sheet of nominal ¾-inch sanded plywood | About $70 |
| Four 8-foot 2 × 4 studs at $4.25 each | $17.00 |
| One 1 lb box of construction screws | $10.98 |
| Additional hardware and consumables—our planning allowance | $20–$40 |
| Optional exterior paint: one quart price reference | $24.98 |
That example totals approximately $118–$138 before paint, or $143–$163 with the paint reference added. Tools, labor, tax, delivery, and transport are excluded. Actual quantities, suitable materials, hardware, paint coverage, and cost depend on the plan you choose; this basket does not guarantee a complete or finished build. Store prices vary by location and date.
Price references: SANDEPLY nominal ¾-inch plywood (approximately $70, rounded); 8-foot studs (model 058449, $4.25); construction screws (model 3GCS1, $10.98); and BEHR exterior paint (model 940004, $24.98 per quart). The $20–$40 allowance is our estimate, not a quoted retailer package.
DIY versus buying: the numbers side by side
The DIY column below uses the unpainted materials example above. PTSB prices are for unpainted models without add-ons. This compares spending, not identical products: the PTSB16 is 16 inches wide, the PTSB24 is 24 inches wide, and the DIY result depends on the chosen plan.
| Cost consideration | DIY example | PTSB16 | PTSB24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials / finished-product price | $118–$138 | $269 | $339 |
| Your construction time | Additional; varies by plan and experience | No customer construction project | No customer construction project |
| Tools not already owned | Additional, if required | No fabrication tools to buy | No fabrication tools to buy |
| Illustration only: add 4 hours valued at $30/hour | $238–$258 including $120 of your time | $269 | $339 |
| DIY savings before valuing your time or buying tools | Versus the ready-made prices | $131–$151 | $201–$221 |
| DIY savings after the illustrative $120 time allowance | Before any tool purchases | $11–$31 | $81–$101 |
| Finish, tax, delivery / shipping, and transport | Compare separately | Compare separately | Compare separately |
The cash savings can be real; the total-value advantage depends on your circumstances. Four hours and $30 per hour are an illustration, not a measured build time or a labor charge. Use your actual time and its value to you. If you own the tools and enjoy building, DIY may cost less. If you must buy tools or would rather spend that time at the range, the remaining savings can shrink or disappear. The ready-made price also buys the PTSB features described below; this example does not price a DIY reproduction of PTSB.
Ready-made does not mean immediate delivery: PTSB is built to order, generally 7–14 business days before shipment. Normal deployment and setup are still required.
What changes from one design to another?
- Portability: some homemade designs fold or break down; others remain large, rigid panels. Check the actual packed dimensions against your vehicle and storage space.
- Openings and height: a fixed board keeps its original layout. Adjustable DIY designs are possible, but require additional planning and hardware.
- Construction: stability and durability depend on the design and workmanship, whether the barricade is homemade or purchased.
A DIY comparison is not permission to copy PTSB
There is no DIY version of PTS Barricade. This article discusses other barricade designs, including those covered by Viking Tactics’ published instructions.
PTSB’s height adjustment and folding arrangements are addressed in its granted patent. U.S. Patent No. 10,825,349 B2, claim 1, describes the two-part interlocking sliding arrangement, height locking, detachability, and independent countertop base. Claim 2 adds the specified folding stand arrangement, including its hinge, sash lock, and folded-leg retention.
Reproducing a combination covered by the patent’s claims without authorization may infringe the patent. PTS Barricade does not provide DIY plans or authorize reproduction of its patented design. Patent scope follows the claims as a whole; “folding” or “adjustable” alone does not establish infringement.
What PTS Barricade adds
Our full-size models use a two-part sliding design. The detachable barricade moves vertically in the base barricade’s center guide, adjusting overall height from 51 to 72 inches while changing the size and shape of the openings. The two parts separate and the stand folds for transport.
Full-size models also have a countertop configuration: remove the detachable barricade and use the base barricade independently. The PTSB Lite is the separate, countertop-only indoor model; it does not use the sliding system.
Starting prices are $49.99 for the Lite, $269 for the 16-inch-wide PTSB16, and $339 for the 24-inch-wide PTSB24. These are different formats, so compare the model that fits your intended use. Optional finishes, add-ons, tax, and shipping affect the total.
See how it packs and sets up
Spend your time training
If your goal is more range time rather than another workshop project, a ready-made portable barricade can be the better purchase. With PTSB, you are buying the finished product: the two-part sliding design, adjustable openings, folding stand, and independent countertop base.
When the savings from building are small—or disappear once you count the full project—buying ready-made lets you put that time toward using the equipment. DIY still makes sense for someone who wants the building experience. For someone who wants a portable barricade to bring to the range, that convenience is part of the value.
PTSB complements traditional range equipment by making simulated cover practice easier to access. It is a training prop, not ballistic protection. Confirm your range permits its use.
Compare models and starting prices · See how the system works
0 comments