So I really want to get some steel. Price IS a factor. I'm finding that the lower cost AR500 steel often has holes for mounting with carriage bolts, chains, etc.

Doesn't this create a ricochet hazard? I'm thinking that if I buy quality steel and keep it flat or angled downward it minimizes practically all ricochet hazard. Seems to me that having a hole in the plate would just open up more potential for ba things to happen. What are your thoughts and experiences?

Thanks!

Am I in the wrong forum, maybe?  Hello?

You will find that these forums move slow.

Like many things there are trade offs in what you are asking.  Yes any thing like a bolt that protrudes can cause some back splash.  On the other hand how are you going to hold your plate? If you use a three point system you will get splash off of those hangers.  If your plates have a rear hanger welded to them you cannot turn them around once the plates warp from the impact.

Also, for pistol steel it's best to angle the plates downward in my experience.  A rigid mounted plate with no angle is bad news especially at typical pistol distances.

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