Drill Results Desired?

It looks like I'll finally be able to go to the the range Monday. :)

Prompted by another thread, I'd planned on using a shot timer to see how fast I could fire 5 shots on a sheet of typing paper (or paper plate) placed on an IPSC target @ 5 yds. Gun starting in hand at "high ready" position.

I was going to compare the results between a 642/442, a Charter Arms Undercover and a Colt Detective Special, all using factory 158 grain LSWCHP +P ammo.

I hope to take and post pictures.

The ammo, target and distance can be easily duplicated by anyone willing to do so. Obtaining a shot timer may be an issue, but I maintain that anyone serious about improving their handgun skills will greatly benefit by using a shot timer.

I thought about comparing the .38 results with a 1911 chambered in .40 and maybe a 4" .357 with full loads just as a matter of interest.

Is there a drill you'd like to see timed results for? Or a drill that you like to do at the range? I'd like them to be simple, quick to set up and do and possible for anyone to duplicate at nearly any gunrange.

If so, please post them here. If there are a few, I'll pick the most interesting 2-3 and include them and report my results.

Speed drills are fun but if you have trouble placing all your shots in the A zone from say 10 to 15 yards with NO time limits you would be better off concentrating on shooting for accuracy and not being concerned with your speed at all. The speed will come all by itself in time. I say this because I was an IPSC shooter who in the beginning years could usually produce the fastest times on a stage but my accuracy was not good enough to consistently win. A really good read on this subject is Brian Enos's book "Practical Shooting." It is much more important to learn to be smooth and relaxed and eliminate unnecessary motion and be able to call the shots than to think about speed.

Well, I'm no expert, but a couple of simple drills would be:

1) draw to first shot in A-zone
2) Draw and 6 shots into A-zone (aka Bill Drill)
3) draw and 1 shot on each of 2 targets.

For me, getting that first shot on target from a draw quickly seems particularly tough, so I tend to work on it more. Transitions to a 2nd target are tough, so I do #3 frequently as well.

In the case of #3, I often do double taps on each of 2 targets. If you're in a shooting stall in an indoor range, the targets can be those mini silhouettes on the large range targets you typically use. When I have the opportunity, I'd prefer a standard El Prez to #3.

In the case of the Bill Drill, the times only count if all shots hit the A-zone, so speed up or slow down accordingly. This same principle can be applied to all the drills to avoid sloppy shooting & habits.

Speaking of sloppy habits, I personally use a shot timer sparingly, as I find it often tempts me to shoot way beyond skill level, getting sloppy in the process. Shooting beyond one's skill level is fine, but if done too much (too often and/or too far beyond your skill) level), it tends to hardwire sloppy gunhandling techniques.

Speed drills are fun but if you have trouble placing all your shots in the A zone from say 10 to 15 yards with NO time limits you would be better off concentrating on shooting for accuracy and not being concerned with your speed at all.

Agreed !

The speed will come all by itself in time.

Disagree. Speed doesn't "just happen" all by itself. While the shooter may evolve into a faster shooter than when they started, true speed is a skill that needs to be methodically pursued.

It is much more important to learn to be smooth and relaxed and eliminate unnecessary motion and be able to call the shots than to think about speed.

Agree again, but there is more to acheive after the "smooth and efficient" level is reached.

Whoops ! Don't know what I was thinking.........

I was trying to leave the draw out of it, as that may skew the results somewhat. I was after pure gun manipulation coupled with accuracy. If I do the draws, would you like to see them concealed, unconcealed or both?

Well, I've been dabbling in IDPA, so I try to draw from concealment, but if you're training for USPSA, I wouldn't insist on drawing from concelament. :D

You need some reloads in your drills! Maybe you don't have speedloaders for your snubbies, but how 'bout your 1911?

Here's a nasty little dry fire drill that includes reloading I've been doing that you might consider: Engage the target with 2 shots, reload and engage with strong hand only (2 shots), reload and engage with weak hand only (2 shots). This was posted by one of the better USPSA shooters, and his opinion acceptable times was listed as well. You'll have to shoot this drill to find out what those times are...:evil:

I've been doing this from a draw, but the drill doesn't explicity indicate I should, so I suppose one could do it from the ready.


With all due respect, you're not maximizing the benefits of the shot timer in training. Instead of utilizing the shot timer as a tool to improve your speed, you're using it as a regulator to keep your speed in check. I'll give you some tips that most folks reading this will ignore or dismiss: To be fast, you must go fast, smoothly and efficiently.


I agree with all your points. If the balance is right, it's a great tool. After all, if all your shots are in the A-zone, you probably aren't shooting fast enough. The trouble is, a timer tends to make me run way beyond my ability and I get much too sloppy. Again, not too bad with limited use, but too much can be problematic. I suppose it's more a problem with me than with the timer per se, but this doesn't seem to be uncommon - the competitive shooters that hang out on the Brian Enos site - heck, even Brian Enos himself - claim they use a timer in training sparingly.

I wish you were near OKC so I could show you what I mean. It's helped many students so far.

I appreciate your drill suggestions, but I do want to keep it simple.

Right now, in addition to the drills cited in Post #1, I'll draw with one shot (concealed and open) and multiple targets.

Judging by the lack of responses here, few people care anyway, but I said I'd do the original drills in another thread, so I'm going to follow thru.

Speed doesn't "just happen" all by itself. While the shooter may evolve into a faster shooter than when they started, true speed is a skill that needs to be methodically pursued.

Agreed. The old cliche, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast," still holds true.

I'm trying to remember what Leatham said about speed v accuracy, or maybe speed and accuracy.

Memory is the second thing to go; can't remember what's first.

The old cliche, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast," still holds true.

I disagree. At least to the level I'm talking about. While being "slow and smooth" beats "fast with excessive jerky motion," there is another level to be acheived.

"Fast" is a triad: Efficiency, smoothness and speed. You must have all three elements in place to be "fast."

I can demo an efficient draw that's slow.

I can demo a smooth draw that is slow.

I can demo a draw that has speed, but with jerky and inefficient motion that, in reality, is slow.

I can demo a smooth, efficient draw that's slow.

To be fast, you must move fast, smoothly and efficiently.

I never thought of the cliche as literal. I should have included a disclaimer.

David E-Just because people aren't posting doesn't mean they aren't watching. I'd like to see your results.

Mike, thanks, I appreciate that.

In addition to the "Five shots from ready," I'll do first shots from the holster, multiple targets and maybe a modified El Prez to include a reload.

Results posted in another thread I started.

Actually the old saying is "Smooth is fast"
You can't make up for not being smooth no matter how fast you miss.

The timer is fine if you remember the above. Knowing your split times can be useful to judge progress and weak points.

Smooth is but one component of "fast." A very important one, but "fast" requires two more components to happen.