Home Made Targets for Training

[Jonesy814]

Here are a couple targets I use for training at the range The first is of course a basic silhouette. I cut a stencil out of cardboard then lay it on the paper and spray paint it. The brown kraft paper can be purchased at Walmart in 30 inch by I think 15 yard rolls for about $5.00. The second target we use for a drill from the 10 to 15 foot range. The paper has squares and circles each painted a different color. The shapes are 7 inches on my examples. We start from a low ready or sometimes from the holster. When the shooter is read the other guy will yell "Threat", followed by a color. The shooter has to double tap that color. When you have a single target your brain does all the work ahead of time so that you can smoothly bring the gun up and hit the target. Having 4 possible targets out there eliminates your brain from being able to get you ready ahead of time.

 

[DustyGmt]

I really like these, I started using stuff like this a lil bit when I stumbled across some Rob Pincus DVD's. I really like the exercises of calling out random color, shape, number sequences that exercise your ability to 'mock' threat asess while trying to balance speed, precision of movement and accuracy. I usually shoot by myself though so I don't really get to do this kind of exercise very often........ I do however feel kind of fortunate now knowing that through my work I have access to tons of dumpster bound cardboard sheets and can't imagine paying for it as the OP has stated he does..........

 

[DMK]

I really like these, I started using stuff like this a lil bit when I stumbled across some Rob Pincus DVD's. I really like the exercises of calling out random color, shape, number sequences that exercise your ability to 'mock' threat asess while trying to balance speed, precision of movement and accuracy.

I did the same thing, except I made templates to paint numbers and shapes on my AR500 steel gongs.

 

[Drail]

Those look exactly like Aborigine cave paintings..........

 

[Chuck R.]

I did the same thing, except I made templates to paint numbers and shapes on my AR500 steel gongs.

I do similar, but simply use cardboard with numbers or letters on them and stick them above the silhouette (a friend shooting), the cardboard makes it easier to switch it up VS paint:

Its a variation of a Pincus Drill:


I use 3 AR500 silhouttes, with cardboard with numbers 0-6 on them or "H" for head, F for "Fail to Stop", 0s equal no shoots. The firing line is divided into 3 "zones" (lateral movement) and the shooter must spend time in each "zone". Assistant places cardboard on silhouette while shooters back is turned. At the command "gun" shooter turns and engages targets based on numbers/letters, spending time in each zone and also completing a "reload with retention" sometime during the drill.

Really is a lot of fun.

Chuck

 

[DustyGmt]

Pincus is kind of a beast. I could never retain that stance of his though, I practiced trying to emulate his posture and movements but I just shoot more quickly and accurately my own way.
Pincus keeps his head tucked right down low and shoulders high with his upper body leaning forward. I have better luck with the miculek style of bringing the gun up into your line of sight and not your head to it.
I try to take a lil something away from both of em. They are both really talented in my opinion....... Sorry OP I know that flew pretty short of relevance.

 

[jmorris]

I have made all sorts of gadgets to shoot at. This is a decent sample.

 

[threefeathers]

I like those.

 

[DMK]

ChuckR, you reminded me of this video where Bob Leatham and Rob Pincus discuss and demonstrate these kind of drills. It's funny at the end when Leatham runs through it.

 

[DMK]

Pincus is kind of a beast. I could never retain that stance of his though, I practiced trying to emulate his posture and movements but I just shoot more quickly and accurately my own way.
Pincus keeps his head tucked right down low and shoulders high with his upper body leaning forward. I have better luck with the miculek style of bringing the gun up into your line of sight and not your head to it.
I try to take a lil something away from both of em. They are both really talented in my opinion....... Sorry OP I know that flew pretty short of relevance.

This guy describes that stance pretty well too. The head low is apparently to allow your shoulders forward of your hips to help control recoil. He obviously was trained by Pincus and has him 'guest' in some of his videos.

 

[jmorris]

Not a 20 min video but grip the gun decently and put your weight forward like your going to hit or be hit by someone/thing and let'em rip.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

A couple of weeks ago, people put brightly colored signs on every street corner, and didn't want them once the election was over. They make great targets!!

 

[Double_J]

We used cheap poster board with numbered index cards. A number is called out and the shooter has to engage that number. We would start at 10 meters and finish at 30 meters.

 

[hdwhit]

I think that's quite a neat idea.

I think the use of stencils is an effective way to make up consistent targets. I think a lot of people (myself included) tend to overlook it because it is a "low tech" solution to the problem. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Kleanbore]

We would start at 10 meters and finish at 30 meters.

You might consider shooting at much closer distances, if you are training for self defense with a handgun.

 

[Deaf Smith]

My targets depend on what I'm doing. Hip shooting I use a shotgun hull, or tin can, or dixie cup, whatever is on the range and I try to hit the targets from belt level. I only use 'combat' type targets to practice for IDPA/IPSC.

Deaf

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I make mine on the computer -- silhouette (both human and metallic), NRA 11-bull and others. I downloaded pictures of squirrels and deer from the internet, and printed them out as practice targets.

 

[TreadProof]

I have made all sorts of gadgets to shoot at. This is a decent sample.

They look like great moving targets!! Great Job!! I'm super jealous!

 

[scaatylobo]

ChuckR, you reminded me of this video where Bob Leatham and Rob Pincus discuss and demonstrate these kind of drills. It's funny at the end when Leatham runs through it.

Sorry,just another game that all I know have 'played'.
Show me how well they both do with a "Force on Force" using simunitions and actual opposing forces.
Then I would be impressed,as anytime I have seen that done = its a total cluster fk.
btw = where are the cover clothes for CCW and the body armor that many wear.[ on the job ].

 

[DMK]

Sorry,just another game that all I know have 'played'.
Show me how well they both do with a "Force on Force" using simunitions and actual opposing forces.

All of these drills are games more or less. I believe the idea is to make the most of the practice with static targets at a square range. Pincus is at least trying to make drills that force some decision process into the practice.

Most of us do not have access to any force on force practice aside from paintball, laser tag or airsoft and those are certainly games as well.

At this point, I'm too old to join swat or specops

 

[Vern Humphrey]

All of these drills are games more or less. I believe the idea is to make the most of the practice with static targets at a square range. Pincus is at least trying to make drills that force some decision process into the practice.

Most of us do not have access to any force on force practice aside from paintball, laser tag or airsoft and those are certainly games as well.

At this point, I'm too old to join swat or specops

A wise old Colonel once told me, "All training is simulation."