Category: Shooting Techniques

This category covers fundamental and advanced shooting techniques, including grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, drawing from concealment, recoil management, and defensive shooting skills. Our resources are designed to help shooters of all experience levels build safer, faster, and more accurate firearm handling habits.

Shooting Techniques

The Rectangle Handgun Shooting Drill

Mark Schneider

The Precision Practice Drill

Objective:
This exercise emphasizes the importance of methodology over immediate outcomes.

Main Target:

Execute 6 rounds into each rectangle within 5 seconds across 6 continuous sequences (totaling 36 rounds), at a distance of 7 yards. Ensure all shots remain within the specified rectangle without any opportunity for correction shots.

Progressive Steps:
Start the practice at a 3-yard distance. Once you’ve mastered shooting cleanly at this range, progress to 5 yards, and subsequently to 7 yards. For an added level of difficulty, practice shooting with both your dominant and non-dominant hands.

Exercise Steps:

  1. INITIAL WARM-UP: Start by performing this drill without a time limit, completing 3 sets at a 3-yard distance.
    Note: Even seasoned shooters should start at 3 yards to challenge their focus on sight alignment rather than the impact on the target. This step encourages concentration on grip and sight alignment, allowing for a focused approach on technique rather than speed.
  2. SECONDARY WARM-UP – TIME CONSTRAINT: Introduce a 5-second time limit for the next 3 sequences.
    Note: The introduction of a timer can often induce haste. Focus on the quality of your shots rather than quantity within the time frame. Achieving 2-3 precise shots is more beneficial than rushing 6 imperfect shots. Prioritize maintaining your shooting technique and accountability over speed.
  3. EXECUTE THE DRILL: Complete a full set of 6 sequences, firing 6 rounds (or fewer, based on the quality you’re able to maintain within the time frame).
    Note: It’s crucial to be aware of your limitations and adapt. If achieving 6 shots compromises quality, reduce the number. Improvement comes from recognizing and adjusting for deficiencies in the process.

Background and Tips for Improvement:

This drill is a nod to The Garcia Dot Drill, designed by Frank Garcia of the Universal Shooting Academy. That drill involves shooting 6 rounds into a 2” dot within 5 seconds at a distance of 7 yards, with any shots outside the dot considered a miss. The adaptation to six 2×3” rectangles suits the typical targets used in USPSA and compensates for close-range aiming considerations.

If difficulties arise, pay attention to your shot grouping and consider whether grip strength, sight alignment, or a combination of both might be the issue.

Reality Check:

If you find this drill to be too easy yet lack significant competitive accolades, it’s time to reassess your approach. Occasional lucky shots should not be confused with skillful, intentional hits. The goal is not to rely on chance but to develop consistency and precision. Honest self-assessment is key; practice not until you succeed, but until failure becomes improbable. The path to improvement is challenging and demands persistence, but it’s essential for true progress.

Credit: Inspired by Tim Herron’s methodologies and training practices.

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Shooting Techniques

The Handgun Dot Torture Drill

Mark Schneider

The Dot Torture Drill stands as a paramount test of marksmanship, emphasizing the critical skill of trigger discipline—executing a trigger press without altering the firearm’s alignment.

Achieving a perfect score, set at 100%, is the drill’s stringent requirement. Falling short by even a single shot results in failure.

Preparation involves gathering the following items:

  • A handgun
  • A holster
  • 50 rounds of target-specific ammunition
  • A minimum of one backup magazine or speedloader
  • Protective gear for eyes and ears
  • The Dot Torture target

Execution Steps:

The exercise involves 10 two-inch diameter targets, each associated with a distinct firing sequence. Starting from a distance of 3 yards, the goal is to land all 50 shots within the confines of these dots. Mastery at this initial distance allows for the challenge to be heightened either by increasing the distance or imposing a time constraint, thereby demanding faster shooting without compromising accuracy.

Detailed Course of Fire:

  • Dot 1: Draw and fire 5 shots at dot 1.
  • Dot 2: Draw, fire a single shot at dot 2, then re-holster. Repeat this step four times, totaling 5 shots.
  • Dots 3 & 4: Draw, fire once at dot 3, once at dot 4, then re-holster. Complete this sequence four times, amassing 8 shots.
  • Dot 5: Focusing on using only the strong hand, draw and fire 5 shots at dot 5.
  • Dots 6 & 7: Draw, fire twice at dot 6, twice at dot 7, then re-holster. Repeat this three times for a sum of 16 shots.
  • Dot 8: Starting from a ready position, fire 5 shots with just the support hand at dot 8.
  • Dots 9 & 10: Draw, fire at dot 9, perform a speed reload, fire at dot 10, then re-holster. Execute this sequence three times for a total of 6 shots.

This rigorous drill not only hones precision and control but also instills confidence in handling and maneuvering the firearm under varied conditions, making it an essential practice for improving shooting fundamentals.

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Firearms Training, Shooting Techniques

The NRA Defensive Pistol Qualification Course

Mark Schneider

NRA Defensive Pistol Qualification

The NRA Defensive Pistol Qualification is a structured course designed to enhance a shooter’s skills in handling and firing a pistol from concealment efficiently and accurately. This qualification involves a series of drills that focus on drawing from concealment, speed reloading, and managing immediate action drills to clear potential firearm malfunctions. Here’s a breakdown of the course content formatted for clarity and ease of understanding:

Course Outline

General Requirements:

  • Holster: All shooting is conducted with the pistol drawn from a strong side hip holster, concealed by clothing.
  • Reloading: Speed reloads are to be performed during the drills.
  • Target Requirements: Use either the FBI-Q or NRA D-1 target. All shots must fall within the designated scoring area of the chosen target.

Shooting Drills from Concealment:

These drills are designed to improve accuracy and speed in drawing and firing from concealment.

  • 3 Yards: 2 shots within 4.0 seconds, for a total of 2 rounds.
  • 5 Yards: 3 shots within 4.5 seconds, totaling 3 rounds.
  • 7 Yards: 3 shots within 5.0 seconds, totaling 3 rounds.
  • 10 Yards: 5 shots within 8.0 seconds, conducted over 2 relays, totaling 10 rounds.

Speed Reload Drills:

Speed and efficiency in reloading are tested here. Firearms should be prepared as per the instructions for either semi-automatic pistols or revolvers.

  • 5 Yards: Fire 1 shot, reload, then 2 shots within 8.0 seconds for semi-autos and 10.0 seconds for revolvers, totaling 3 rounds.
  • 7 Yards: Fire 2 shots, reload, then 2 more shots within 10.0 seconds for semi-autos and 12.0 seconds for revolvers, totaling 4 rounds.
  • 7 Yards: Fire 3 shots, reload, then 4 shots within 15.0 seconds for semi-autos and 17.0 seconds for revolvers, totaling 7 rounds.

Immediate Action Drills:

These drills prepare the shooter to quickly address and clear common firearm malfunctions.

  • Setup: For semi-automatics, begin with no cartridge in the chamber. For revolvers, set up so the firearm will not fire on the first trigger pull.
  • 7 Yards: Present the firearm from concealment, perform the immediate action sequence (click, Tap, Rack, Assess), and fire 2 shots within 6.0 seconds, totaling 2 rounds.

Course Completion

By the end of the qualification course, participants will have fired a total of 34 rounds. The course is designed to simulate real-world defensive scenarios, requiring quick, decisive action and precise shooting from concealment. It’s an excellent way for shooters to hone their skills and prepare for the unexpected in a controlled and structured environment.

This course of fire is an effective method for developing the critical skills needed for defensive pistol use. Whether for personal development or qualification purposes, it challenges shooters to improve their speed, accuracy, and handling under pressure.