How do you test your skill level w/ your handgun?

[Mr. B]

For someone like me out in the middle of nowhere with no idpa type matches within 200 miles. Give me an example on how you test your skill level with a handgun you use for HD and/or CCW? Group size at what distance? Speed on target? Reload time?
How do you test yourself. What do you consider real good, just ok, or unsat.

Thanks,
Mr. B

 

[pax]

http://www.kuci.org/~dany/firearms/drills.html

Check out the "Handgun Standards" at the bottom of the page. Those are mostly graduation tests from various schools.

pax

 

[Mr. B]

Thank you Pax
That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for

Mr. B

 

[shu]

nice

 

[Smoke]

The best way is to go to gun school once or twice a year to have your ego removed and stomped into the dirt.

I'm kinda out away fromit all myself. About the time I've been practicing and feel like I'm starting to get pretty good and maybe feeling alittle cocky abou it....I make another trip to a reputable school to get reminded how little I still know and how much farther I have to go.

Smoke

 

[Werewolf]

Here's what I do.

You'll need 12 paper plates and two target boards to put 'em up on.

It helps if you've got a partner and a stop watch.

This is a difficult drill if you do true double taps (i.e. Bang-Bang not Bang-resight-Bang). It can be difficult to put two holes in each paper plate target if you go fast.

Number the plates from 1 to 12 and attach 6 each to each of your target boards. If you can arrange for the target boards to be between 6 and 12' apart more's the better.

Have enough spare mags so you can shoot 24 rounds. You get to practice fast reloads.

I do this at a public range and the owner's never complained but some public ranges might.

Start with your weapon holstered (most ranges don't allow this) or laying on the bench in front of you.

Have your partner write down the numbers from 1 to 12 in a random order.

Using the list your partner starts the exercise by yelling out the first number on the list.

You engage with a double tap the numbered plate and your partner continues to yell out the next number on the list until you've engaged all the targets.

For speed training a stopwatch is good and your partner yells out the numbers as fast as you can engage them.

For added stress you only shoot when your partner yells out a number and the times between engagements is up to him or her.

Another thing I do at various distances is put up two B-27 targets side by side. My wife yell's go and I double tap both of 'em as fast as I can and then return to each for a head shot. This is not as fun as the first exercise and a whole lot less stressful. However, doing it as fast as you can will show you how well your shot placement may be. I can always get two in the torso and one in the head on each target but the spacing between torso shots is way greater than what I'd expected (usually 1 heart/lung shot and the 2nd shot is in the neck, abdomen or cajones area).

 

[Standing Wolf]

Compete. You'll be rated in P.D.Q. order. You'll probably be rated higher than you'd like, but that's a further incentive to keep competing.

 

[garrettwc]

The link pax posted has some pretty good skills tests. My favorites are the "Bill Drill" and "El Presidente"

Here is one that was created by trainer Jim Higginbotham. It's pretty simple to set up, but a challenge to shoot. You can use the scores to track your progress.

The Firepower Index

This one is simple. All you need to take to the range is:
1. Your weapon *as you carry it* with full powered loads (practice ammo of equal power to your duty loads are acceptable but do not cheat!). Repeat *as you carry it* - all starts concealed! Except for long guns, which start at "cruiser ready".

2. A Sheet of 8.5X11 paper with a 4X6 rectangle in the center (you can use an index card if you like). The 4X6 is the "A" zone and the rest of the paper is the "B" zone.

3. A stop watch or timer.

Procedure;

Choose your range (it can and should vary but 5 yards is a good place to start).

The time limit is 1/2 second for each yard. So 5 yards results in a time limit of 2.5 seconds total.

On the start signal draw and fire as many rounds as you can in the time limit (deduct 10 points for any shot over time).

Points are awarded according to power. (don't quibble over exact numbers):

45ACP or similar A=10 B=5
9MM, 357 Sig, 40S&W A= 8 B=4
lesser calibers .380 & above A= 5 B=2
Miss -10 (any miss, any caliber)

This seems simple but it will really wake you up.

A 3x5 card at 5 yards is not very big, and the misses are what will burn you.

A local sheriff's department tried it and averaged a 20. I have shot it 3 times. I scored 15, 0, and 20 using a 1911 with full power 230gr.

Try it and see what you think.

 

[OF]

Drive the 200 miles.

- Gabe

 

[WT]

A word of caution ..... some of the times presented are near impossible for the average person who uses a revolver. I think some of the tests are written specifically for those with a 1911.

200 miles to a match isn't all that far. Why some Texans drive 200 miles just to get breakfast in the morning.