If you’re looking for a fast and effective way to improve your concealed carry draw, target acquisition, and accuracy under pressure, the 5x5x5 Drill is a perfect fit. This simple handgun drill helps sharpen real-world defensive shooting skills in a short amount of time with minimal ammo.
At Concealed Carry Classes of Denver, we’ve adapted this classic drill to work with our custom 8.5×11 FBI Q target — making it ideal for indoor range use or students training with printed paper targets.
What Is the 5x5x5 Drill?
The 5x5x5 Drill is a defensive pistol drill that tests three core fundamentals:
- Draw speed
- Rapid shot placement
- Time management under stress
Here’s the breakdown:
- Distance: 7 feet (to simulate 5 yards with reduced-size target)
- Rounds Fired: 5
- Time Limit: 5.00 seconds
- Start Position: From the holster
- Target: 8.5×11 FBI Q-style target
- Scoring: All 5 shots must land inside the silhouette
This drill is designed to be simple, repeatable, and measurable — ideal for both CCW holders and armed professionals.
Scoring Guidelines
Want to know how you stack up? Use these benchmarks to measure your performance:
| Skill Level | Time Standard |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 5 hits in 5.5+ sec |
| Intermediate | 5 hits in ≤5.0 sec |
| Advanced | 5 hits in ≤4.5 sec |
| Expert | 5 hits in ≤4.0 sec |
Each time you run this drill, log your results. You’ll quickly see improvement in draw efficiency, trigger control, and target transitions.
Why It Works
This drill builds the exact muscle memory needed in a defensive shooting scenario:
- Drawing under pressure
- Placing shots quickly and accurately
- Staying calm within strict time limits
- Hitting a realistic defensive target zone
Even experienced shooters benefit from this minimalist, no-nonsense approach.
Improve Your Draw, Accuracy, and Confidence
Whether you’re a CCW holder, security guard, or range enthusiast, mastering drills like the 5x5x5 builds real-world readiness. Try it at your next range session and see how fast you can run a clean 5-shot string.
More Resources
Want to learn more? Check out our:
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Download the Printable Target
We offer a free 8.5×11 FBI Q-style target you can print at home or at the range. It includes a scoring box in the corner so you can run the drill as designed — no guesswork.
