Drilling it in at the range

Here are a few fun drills to try the next time you're at the range.

The first drill really isn't a drill per se. It's more a test to see how far a "bad guy" can cover ground before you can remove your gun and fire a shot off. Note that this drill only works at an outdoor range. Here's how it works: start with your gun holstered (preferably concealed as you would carry it daily if you have a permit and the range allows it). Have a friend line up beside you, but facing away from the target. Have him (or someone else) yell to start, and have your friend start running away from you as fast as possible. At the same time the "go" command is given, you are to draw your gun and fire a shot at the target. When your running friend hears the shot, they stop. Then, you measure from you to where your friend is; that is the distance that a bad guy could have run before you were able to draw your gun and fire a shot. Of course, if you missed the target or hit it in a "non-stopping" area, you have to consider that your friend could have run even further. Other variations include firing two shots, or firing until you place a shot in the "stop zone."

Another good drill is the "snap-cap drill." This drill is for semi-automatics, and it helps you deal with "dud" rounds, etc. Basically, have a friend load your magazine with a snap-cap placed randomly in the magazine. That way, when you start shooting, you will eventually have a round that fails to discharge. You will then need to quickly remove the offending round and chamber the next good round. It's good practice for the possibility of a bad round during a tactical situation.

One drill that tests your speed and accuracy is cutting a 2x4 in half. You and your friend should set up two 2x4s at a predetermined distance and load up enough magazines to make sure you are able to cut through the 2x4. Then, simply have someone give you a start signal and both of you should start firing at your 2x4 until it breaks in half. It's fun to test your accuracy under "pressure" of competition. Speed isn't everything. You have to be accurate to win this drill.

The previous three drills work best at an outdoor range. This drill is for an indoor range. It's good to practice shooting at a moving target (see drill #1). At an indoor range, establish your target about 25 yards away (or however far your friend ran in drill #1). Then, when you're ready to shoot (either placing the pistol on the ledge or in your holster), have your friend bring the target in via the electronic switch. Then, you need to draw and shoot the target before it reaches you. This is more challenging than it seems, but a fun drill nevertheless.

I hope you are able to enjoy some of these drills. They are a lot of fun, and useful as well. Let me know your feedback if you have any additions to these drills.