"The UTM Civilian Training Ammunition (CTA) is the safest, most reliable and accurate alternative to live ammunition – ideal for beginners, recreational and competition shooters without the need to go to the range."

I've shot UTM training rounds for a number of years, both for fun as well as FOF training. It's an innovative idea how they put the system together to ensure safety, but provide realistic operation of your weapon systems. It has been in use with military and law enforcement for many years, but until now was not available for the civilian market.

I got a chance to play with the new Civilian Training Ammunition conversion kit at SHOT, and will definitely be getting one for home use.



WHY
So why would we be interested in shooting UTM CTA?

First, it's a great way to introduce new shooters to the sport. Everything you do from loading mags to the operation of the AR is the same as during live fire. Other technologies like airsoft or paint guns may replicate the look and feel, but require very different operation, takedown, loading, etc. With UTM you're shooting your rifle, optics, mags and any other accessories.

Most importantly for new shooters is that the system is safe; it is impossible to accidentally fire a live round out of a weapon that's been converted for CTA without converting back. And converting takes less than a minute, as all that is required is to swap out the bolt carrier group.

Second, it gives you the ability to shoot outside of a range. With no range required, you can practice just about anywhere and any time you want.

THE TECHNOLOGY
What makes the UTM technology so special?

First, the conversion is done with a simple swap of the bolt carrier group. That's all there is to it; take out yours, and put in theirs. Everything else remains untouched.

What this bolt carrier does is provide a level of safety. By using an offset firing pin versus a centerfire pin, it is impossible to accidentally fire a live round out of the converted weapon.



So naturally, the ammunition which is the real genius of the system uses a rimfire primer to work with the rimfire carrier. Actually, the ammo uses two primers in order to isolate the larger amount of energy needed to cycle the action from the small amount required to propel the plastic 1 gram projectile.



This allows UTM to provide consistent velocities for the projectile without having to worry about excess energy, which in turn leads to improved accuracy with muzzle velocities of ~375fps yet less than 3ft/lbs of energy.

In turn, the action maintains reliable function and realistic rates of fire with minimal noise and emissions.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
So if you purchase the CTA Target Shooting Kit, now available for pre-order, you'll get:

• Universal Conversion Bolt Carrier Group


• 2 50rd Boxes of Ammo


• 1 Magazine (though any mags you already have will work)


• Cleaning Kit (rods, chamber brush, solvent, bore snake, lubricant, and a projectile puller)


• Target, Holder, & Steel Projectile Trap (3 paper targets, 1 Vinyl Target Holder, trap and bungee hangers)


• User Manual


• Everything is packed in a nice hard plastic case

So everything you'll need to convert, shoot, and clean up, including the targets!

PRE ORDER
The CTA Target Shooting Kit is available for pre order from the UTM web site for $349 and comes with 100rds of ammo. Additional ammo is available for $29.50/50rds.

The first step is setting up the target. As we mentioned last month, the conversion kit comes with everything including an easy to set up target.

This target consists of several components, all of which are easily assembled in minutes and store inside the hard case:

• Target Hanger - this is the large main component that holds everything


• Target Holder - this foam piece is lined with sheet metal to serve as backstop


• Cardboard Printed Targets - kit includes 3 printed carboard targets


• Bungee Cords - two hangers allow you to place target anywhere

The target setup consists of unfolding the main hanger which has a pocket for the foam target holder/backstop to drop into place. Individual cardboard targets then slide into this holder. The whole assembly can then be hung via the bungee cords where ever you'd like to shoot.



Shots outside of the target itself are safely stopped by the target hanger.

Shots that hit the target are effectively stopped and trapped by the target holder/backstop which has a downward canted sheet metal face (as shown in the photo).



We fired at point blank range to see the effects of the projectiles on the backstop and none did much more than mark up the sheet metal where they hit.

Overall, the target system is a nice extra that comes with the kit, and works very well not only to stop the shots, but to keep everything neat and tidy by catching the projectiles.

For those who are curious about shooting something other than the target, we did some side testing and can confirm that they will definitely leave a hole in your drywall (but not penetrate all the way through), will knock over but not penetrate a plastic soda bottle (the thicker kind- not like cheap water bottles).

Though it is definitely not recommended by the manufacturer, it will not penetrate denim, but it will leave a black/blue mark on the skin underneath. Do not try this at home- we used a very sophisticated human analog to safely test this!

Taking a look at the projectile, it is made up of two parts: a small aluminum plug with a rounded blue plastic nose cone.



The projectile fits into the "brass" portion of the case, and when fired one charge fires the projectile down the barrel, and another activates the action.

In this way, the force that shoots the projectile can be controlled separately from the larger force required to operate the action. In our testing of 100rds we never had any failure to fire, eject, or load, so UTM has managed to make this a very reliable round.

The nose cone on the tip of the projectile serves to provide a "soft" rounded tip, which probably helps guide the rounds into the chamber. In addition, it may actually engage the rifling of the barrel as the blue plastic seemed to be marked after shooting.

This may aid in stabilizing the projectiles, as they all seemed to hit the target nose first at all ranges tested, and fairly accurately as well. Our ranges ranged from point blank to about 50 yards, though the recommended range is about 30 yds.



We found the projectiles to be rising to about 20yds (i.e. hitting below point of aim), and then dropping over zero again at ~30 yds (our zero), and about 2 feet low at 50-60yds.

We touched upon it last month, but it bears repeating again that this kit was engineered for safety.

The UTM CTA fires using an offset firing pin. This prevents any live ammunition from being fired with this bolt in place.



The blue bolt marking is visible from the ejection port, and as long as this conversion is installed, there is no way a live rounds can be fired even if a magazine was inserted, a live round chambered, and the trigger pulled.

We very crudely tested point of impact in relation to a live zero with the image shown below.



The top group represents a 3 shot group fired at approximately 10 yds using M193 ammunition

The bottom group represents a 3 shot group fired from the same rifle, at the same range, but using the UTM CTA ammo.

Because it is at 10yds, the UTM would still be rising and we suspect would be about center on the target at 20-30yds, but because this test was done outside of a range we did not extend those ranges out to the full 30yds.

Overall, the conversion kit worked flawlessly. Accuracy proved to be good at ranges to 20-30yds, and we tried rapid firing as quickly as possible and experienced no malfunctions. For those that asked, the kit as it currently exists is semi-auto ONLY (it will not trip a sear).

It comes complete with everything you need to get up and going including ammo, a target system, cleaning tools, and a nice hard case. As such it is a very good way to practice outside of a range, including indoors, or to get new shooters familiar with as realistic of a round as you can get.

Video showing the kit being fired indoors.

James- not sure if a large number of rounds (over 1000?) would require a cleaning of the bore, but I would run something through there regardless (to make sure there are no obstructions). The kit recommends running through a dry bore, so after shooting I would run a patch with some oil on it just to protect the metal like you normally would after cleaning. Projectiles are plastic, so any residue would easily wipe out.

As stated, they recommend running on a clean and DRY barrel... lightly oiling the bolt as any other, but the projectile is very light so no oil in the chamber or barrel. Dry snake or patch to dry out barrel and chamber prior to shooting.

For those asking, this is definitely indoor safe as far as sound volume. Just make sure you have a backstop as it will embed in your drywall.

Not that I'm aware of.

Glad to hear. I had contact them with your IL concern and they were going to look into why the web site would not let you order...

For anyone in the area, we have this setup at the Canton store this weekend for anyone that wants to try it out.

I believe they are confirmed at the event.

Absolutely. All of the UTM rounds use the same bolt conversion, so it's all interchangeable.
AS others have noted, this is a simple bolt carrier swap and you shoot your weapon with any of the UTM ammo options. IMHO the most versatile solution for training.

Rounds are available for sale; there's nothing legally restricting access to civilians, but as you can imagine no one wants a bunch of people without training and proper safety gear to be shooting at each other, hence the "restrictions".

Obviously I am not a rep for the company, so my opinion holds no merit, but that's strictly my opinion/observation.

WP- The BCG is the same regardless of ammo. As stated above, there is nothing illegal about buying the MMR rounds, you just need to find a source.
I've seen them on used firearms sales boards, but come SHOT I can get a definitive answer about civilian sales going forward.

Not sure what you're looking for as far as the "system broken down" as it is just the BCG and ammo.

Will have to look next time I get my hands on it, unless someone else here gets to it first.


Definitely for liability reasons; imagine some kids shooting these at each other without proper eye protection.
Or aiming and shooting loaded "real guns" at each other. It takes a certain level of attention to detail to make sure everyone is using in a safe manner, and I certainly wouldn't want that liability unless I knew users had a certain level of responsibility, hence the "qualifications". Those groups have insurance, training, investment in safety, etc. Just my guess, but I certainly understand from that perspective.

Interesting timing... got a marketing email from UTM today.
On their web site they say:
"AVAILABILITY - The UTM Target Shooting Kit and Ammunition are the only products currently available to the public. All other products are controlled items and currently only sold to the Military, Law Enforcement Agencies, Professional Training Organization’s or licensed Private Security Companies. To order any of our controlled products please contact us or one of our local dealers or distributors for more information."

However, they do have a $249 UNIVERSAL AR-15 SERIES CONVERSION solution that includes:

UTM Bolt Carrier Group Conversion
MAGAZINE - 5 Round magazine
AMMUNITION - 50 ROUNDS of UTM CIVILIAN TARGET AMMUNITION

https://www.utmworldwide.com/product/cta-target-shooting-kit-core-kit/