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Wooden vs. Plastic Rifles

Which option is the best for me?
Rifles haveย been a part of theย color guard activityย sinceย the days of militaryย pageantry.ย Traditionally, theseย non-functioning riflesย were made from woodย with metal parts to look just like their functioning counterparts.ย Since then, the shape has been simplifiedย andย fine-tunedย forย optimalย balanceย for those high-flying spins. One of the newest innovations in equipment has been the development of wood-alternative riflesย like theย Endura Drill Rifle, made fromย high impact ABSย plastic.ย ย Wood rifles are still quite popular andย wonโtย be going away anytime soon, butย the plastic alternatives have โbroken the moldโ in what we come to expect from one of the most recognizable pieces of color guard equipment.ย ย

One of the first decisions you will make when choosing a rifle is โwood or plastic.โ While both of these options have benefits and drawbacks, ultimately the choice comes down to your own preferences.
While many still consider wood rifles (like the Ultra Spin Wood Rifle) the obvious winner, plastic rifles still have many features that make them appealing for beginners and advanced performers. While plastic rifles are not completely indestructible, they do tend to hold up much better over longer periods than their wood counterparts.

Here are just a few of the pros and cons:
PLASTIC


Pros:
- Lighter weight โ great for beginners and experienced performers alike.
- Great for use with teams practicing/performing on turf/grass fields.
- More consistent weights from rifle to rifle
- Do not need to be taped (but it is encouraged to help with longevity)
- Nearly indestructible (under normal use)
- 3 sizes available
- Water damage and moisture is not a concern
Cons:
- More prone to breaking when repeatedly dropped on pavement/concrete (recommend taping to give added strength).
- Can bounce when dropped.
- After continued use (and abuse) some warping may occur
WOOD


Pros:
- The traditional favorite of color guards
- 3 sizes available
- Perfectly balanced for use with beginners as well as experienced performers
Cons:
- Must be taped to help prevent breakage
- Weights vary due to nature of using wood material, which can lead to inconsistent batches.
- Water damage can occur if not properly cared for
Thereโs definitely an art to taping your rifle correctly. Done right, it will prevent damage while giving you the best possible grip. Make sure you check out our article, “Taping your Color Guard Rifle“.
We hope this information assists you in making the most informed decision for yourself or your color guard when it comes to your rifle purchase! Our Sales Team would love to answer any further questions you may have about our Ultra Spin and Endura Rifle by phone at 1-800-457-3501, Monday through Friday from 8 am โ 5 pm, or by emailing sales@bandshoppe.com