Acorn Target Systems was founded on the principles of superior performance at a reasonable price. We do not believe in having many different iterations of the same trap with different names as separate products, but instead offer our base chassis with the option of total customisation using modular upgrades. With Acorn you will enjoy the personal touch, with lifetime technical support for all our products and a parts and design guarantee of up to 24 months. We provide upgrades, retrofitting, advice and servicing to even discontinued models. We believe in simplicity and value for money, and we personally enjoy clay shooting as much as our clients which allows us to relate to your needs and wishes.
Our Company Roots
These devices were one-of-a-kind rigs made to order, and which fulfilled specialised tasks across various sectors of industrial production, at a time when British industry was still thriving. Among these were one of the first laser based printing rigs.
Enter Mike Bretton, Tony’s son, who joined the company after attaining his degree in mechanical engineering and now heads up the family business from its original location on the eastern coast of England.
It wasn’t until Mike was on a visit to a car parts manufacturing factory, when he was invited to go clay shooting. This was the day that Mike, while studying the manual trap launcher as any respectable engineer would, realised the huge potential demand for an automatic clay trap to fill the gap between the super deluxe and high-priced automatic carousel traps of the time, and the manually hand-cocked spring type which lay before him. Thus Acorn Target Systems was conceived, and in the years following he would go on to design and manufacture a single stack, affordable automatic clay trap that pioneered the way for a whole line of trap designs leading to the present day.
“….Since those initial steps of bringing something entirely new to the market over 20 years ago we are still producing entirely UK built clay traps for the worldwide market……”
Acorn now focuses entirely on the design and production of clay target launchers and has developed a new generation of machines to cater for all aspects and experience levels of the sport. From the casual or entry level shooter, to the world-class international competitor. Below is a short message from Mike Bretton himself.
“I joined my fathers business after gaining my degree in mechanical engineering and my fascination in all things automatic was born.
I have always had the ability to look at fairly complex mechanical problems and come up with a simple solution. I remember this one company which produced various car parts, and without getting too technical here their team of experts had come up with a very complicated clamp system that actually only needed a magnet - the idea for which I came up with which saved them thousands of pounds.
Since those initial steps of bringing something very new to the market over 20 years ago we are still producing entirely UK built clay traps for the worldwide market.
Our business is constantly evolving using the latest technology and materials. Our concept of modular trap building has attracted both UK and worldwide attention and our machines are in constant demand. People like the versatility and value of being able to buy one clay trap and adding modular upgrades to create the best clay trap for them and at an affordable price..”
Mike Bretton, CEO, Acorn Target Systems Ltd
- Acorn Target Systems is the original affordable clay trap manufacturer which pioneered the design for the single-stack clay trap and loading mechanism in 1982 with its world-famous "Silhouette" Model - many of which are still being bought and sold privately in full working condition despite being over 20 years old - a true testament to Acorns advanced British engineering roots spanning nearly half a century.
- Acorn Engineers operate on a strong ethos of offering superior machines at the same or less price than that of the best competitor. We do not bring a product to market until extensive testing and research ensures that our design performs over and above its equivalently priced counterparts, as we believe quality, ingenuity and innovation are the only true routes to success, rather than simply pumping funds into a sales campaign.
- All Acorn products come with at least 12 months Warranty and lifetime Technical Support. We even offer servicing and repairs for discontinued models, as well as retrofitting and bespoke customisation of your trap. Your imagination is your only limit! If you have any questions or want to speak to us about anything at all please do not hesitate to contact us.
© 1991 - 2018 Acorn Traps - Name & Registered Office: Acorn Target Systems Ltd 6 Christmas Lane Lowestoft NR32 3JX Company No. 04455315
