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Jeff22 · March 18, 2006, 01:58 AM

HANDGUN PRACTICE DRILLS

API 250/GUNSITE Standard Exercise

All exercises start with the gun holstered, facing a single IPSC target.
Proficient students can begin with the weapon concealed.
Starting position is hands clasped in front

3 yards 1 round head shot 1.5 seconds

3 yards 2 rounds A zone 1.5 seconds

7 yards 2 rounds A zone 1.5 seconds

10 yards 2 rounds A zone 2.0 seconds

10 yards 2 – reload – 2 A zone 5.0 seconds (In battery reload)

15 yards 2 rounds A zone 3.5 seconds

25 yards 2 rounds A zone 7.0 seconds

Time limits can be adjusted as needed. Times shown are graduation standards for the API 250 course.

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Plaxco Academy of Practical Shooting Basic Drill
Designed by IPSC competitor J. Michael Plaxco

Set up up three IPSC targets at 10 yards.
Starting position is weapon holstered & hands clasped in front.

-On the first target, draw and fire one shot, perform an in battery reload, and fire one shot.
Repeat 6 times for a total of 12 rounds. Par time is 4.0 seconds.

-On the second target, draw and fire two shots, perform an in battery reload, and fire two more shots, for a
total of 4 rounds fired. Repeat 3 times for a total of 12 rounds. Par time is 5.0 seconds.

-On the third target, draw and fire 6 shots, perform an out of battery reload, and fire another 6 shots,
for a total of 12 rounds. Par time is 15 seconds.

The goal is 100% A-zone hits and smooth reloads. FOCUS ON ACCURACY! .

Time limits can be adjusted as needed.
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Modified Gunsite 250 Drill

3 yards Draw & fire one round in 1.5 sec (2x)
7 yards Draw & fire one round in 2.0 sec (2x)
10 yards Draw & fire one round in 2.5 sec (2x)
15 yards Draw, drop to kneeling, fire one round in 3.5 sec. (2x)
25 yards Draw, drop to prone, fire two rounds in 6.5 sec (1x)

total of 10 rounds fired
Practice Drill by Mike Benedict of Talon Tactical (www.talontactical.com -- kydex holsters)

10 yards single target 10 rnds -- single shots for precision all A Zone hits (10x)

12 yards single target 10 rnds -- controlled pairs for precision all A Zone hits (5x)

7 yards single target 12 rnds -- 2 body/1 head for precision (4x)

7 yards single target 6 rnds -- "Bill Drill" 6 rnds as fast as possible all A zone hits

7 yards single target 6 rnds -- 6 headshots slowfire for precision

10 yards single target 6 rnds -- 6 headshots slowfire for precison

10 yards 3 targets 6 rnds -- two rnds on each target all A zone hits

10 yards 3 targets 6 rnds -- two rnds on center target, 1 rnd on each on outside target
two rnds on center target again, total of 6 rounds

10 yards 3 targets 6 rnds -- one rnd on center target, 2 rnds on each outside target
one rnd on center target gain, total of 6 rounds

M drill center target at 5 yards, outside targets at 10 yards
 two rnds on center target, 1 rnd on each outside target, two rnds on center target
 one rnd on center target, 2 rnds on each outside target, one rnd of center target

12 yards 3 targets barricade drill 2 rnds on each target from each position
right/left and high/low

Ken Hackathorn Square Drill
Make a square 5 to 7 yards on a side. Start at any corner and then fire two rnds on each target while moving to the next corner. Keep going until you are back to the starting point. About 24 rounds expended per run. This is an excellent shooting while moving drill.

Barrel Drill (2 or 3 targets)
Set up 3 barrels at 10, 15, and 25 yards in a zigzag pattern. Fire 2 rnds at each target from each barrel while kneeling behind cover.
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5 yards From the holster, single headshots for precision
7 yards From the holster, controlled pairs for precision
7 yards Out of battery reloads. Begin with one round in the chamber and an
empty magazine. Draw and fire one round, reload, fire one round.
7 yards Malfunction clearance drill. 2 dummy rnds & 4 to 6 live rounds per
magazine. Draw and fire double taps, TRF for each malfunction.
7 yards Malfunction clearance drill. Begin at low ready with a failure to eject
malfunction created with a piece of empty brass. Come on target,
attempt to fire, clear the stovepipe, fire two rounds.
7 yards Tactical reload drill. Draw and fire two rounds, tac reload, fire
two rounds.

Remember proper After Action Drills (AAD) -- breath, check the environment, scan for additional threats, find available cover.

60 rnd modified Ken Hackathorn Practice Drill

3 yards draw & fire 2 rnds 3x for total of 6 rounds

5 yards draw & fire 3 rounds strong hand only (total of 6 rnds)

5 yards begin from low ready. Fire 3 rounds weak hand only (6 rnds)

3 yards to 10 yards. Load with a three round magazine. Fire 3 rounds
while retreating. 2x for a total of 6 rounds

7 yards draw & fire 2 rnds 6x for a total of 12 rounds

7 yards draw, rapid lateral movement and fire 3 rnds. Repeat from the
other direction. Total of 6 rounds.

7 yards facing 3 targets. 2 rnds on each target. 2x (total of 12 rounds)

10 yards draw & fire 2 rnds. 3x for a total of 6 rounds.

=========================================================================

THE DOUBLE TAP: The "double tap" is a generic term describing engaging a single target with a two round burst. There are three types of double tap:
The Hammer is two quick shots fired with one sight picture, and is best employed on a target at very close range.
The Dedicated Pair is two shots fired with flash sight pictures for both shots, best suited on a target at intermediate range.
The Controlled Pair is two shots fired with a separate conventional sight picture for each shot. The Controlled Pair is most appropriate for any situation requiring a degree of precision accuracy or for targets at greater distance.

Practice Drills from Rob Leatham
(as described by Massad Ayoob in American Handgunner March/April 2005)

SLOW FIRE DRILL -- Five shots on target, unlimited time, two hand standing position. Done once each from 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards. Each shot reinforces the basics and the shooter also verifies sight zero.

FIVE-SECOND DRILL -- The shooter has five seconds to draw and fire a single shot. This is an opportunity to refresh muscle-memory and make sure every moment from the draw to the shot placement is correct. Then the shooter repeats the drill with three rounds, then with four rounds, then with five rounds, etc. all the way up to ten rounds in five seconds. Distance begins at 3, then to 5, 7 and 10 yards. All shots must be in the A-zone of the target.

THREE-GRASP DRILL -- The shooter draws and fires two shots from their preferred two-hand stance, then shoots two rounds strong hand only and then two rounds weak hand only. (An alternate version is to fire one shot from each position). This is conducted from 3,5,7 and 10 yards, all shots in the A-zone of the target.

SHOOT AND MOVE DRILL -- Fire five shots moving forward. Then five shots retreating. Then begin at the 10 yard line and leave a magazine on the ground at the 3 yard line. At the start signal, move forward firing until you have reached the point where you placed the fresh magazine. Pick up the magazine from the ground and reload and then fire as you retreat back to the starting point.

SHOOT - RELOAD - SHOOT DRILL -- At ten yards, facing a single target. Draw and fire six rounds, reload, and fire another six rounds. The shooter should fire as fast as they can and still keep all hits within the A-zone of the target.

THE EL PRESIDENTE DRILL -- At ten yards, facing three targets placed one yard apart, shoulder to shoulder. At the signal, draw and fire two rounds on each target, reload, and re-engage each target with two rounds. The shooter should fire as fast as they can and still keep all hits within the A-zone of the target.
Once the shooter can perform this drill with consistent good results, practice the traditional "El Presidente" drill: Begin with your back to the targets. At the signal, turn and then draw and engage each target with two rounds, perform a mandatory reload, and re-engage each target with two rounds. The goal is accuracy, shooting quickly yet keeping all rounds in the A-zone of the target.
Another alternative is performing either one of the versions above, but after the reload engaging the head of each target with either one or two rounds. Doing this teaches the shooter to "change gears" -- first engaging the targets fast with coarse accuracy and then slowing down to deliver precision head shots.

March 18, 2006, 01:58 AM	#7
Jeff22 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 715	Handgun Practice Drills HANDGUN PRACTICE DRILLS API 250/GUNSITE Standard Exercise All exercises start with the gun holstered, facing a single IPSC target. Proficient students can begin with the weapon concealed. Starting position is hands clasped in front 3 yards 1 round head shot 1.5 seconds 3 yards 2 rounds A zone 1.5 seconds 7 yards 2 rounds A zone 1.5 seconds 10 yards 2 rounds A zone 2.0 seconds 10 yards 2 – reload – 2 A zone 5.0 seconds (In battery reload) 15 yards 2 rounds A zone 3.5 seconds 25 yards 2 rounds A zone 7.0 seconds Time limits can be adjusted as needed. Times shown are graduation standards for the API 250 course. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plaxco Academy of Practical Shooting Basic Drill Designed by IPSC competitor J. Michael Plaxco Set up up three IPSC targets at 10 yards. Starting position is weapon holstered & hands clasped in front. -On the first target, draw and fire one shot, perform an in battery reload, and fire one shot. Repeat 6 times for a total of 12 rounds. Par time is 4.0 seconds. -On the second target, draw and fire two shots, perform an in battery reload, and fire two more shots, for a total of 4 rounds fired. Repeat 3 times for a total of 12 rounds. Par time is 5.0 seconds. -On the third target, draw and fire 6 shots, perform an out of battery reload, and fire another 6 shots, for a total of 12 rounds. Par time is 15 seconds. The goal is 100% A-zone hits and smooth reloads. FOCUS ON ACCURACY! . Time limits can be adjusted as needed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Modified Gunsite 250 Drill 3 yards Draw & fire one round in 1.5 sec (2x) 7 yards Draw & fire one round in 2.0 sec (2x) 10 yards Draw & fire one round in 2.5 sec (2x) 15 yards Draw, drop to kneeling, fire one round in 3.5 sec. (2x) 25 yards Draw, drop to prone, fire two rounds in 6.5 sec (1x) total of 10 rounds fired Practice Drill by Mike Benedict of Talon Tactical (www.talontactical.com -- kydex holsters) 10 yards single target 10 rnds -- single shots for precision all A Zone hits (10x) 12 yards single target 10 rnds -- controlled pairs for precision all A Zone hits (5x) 7 yards single target 12 rnds -- 2 body/1 head for precision (4x) 7 yards single target 6 rnds -- "Bill Drill" 6 rnds as fast as possible all A zone hits 7 yards single target 6 rnds -- 6 headshots slowfire for precision 10 yards single target 6 rnds -- 6 headshots slowfire for precison 10 yards 3 targets 6 rnds -- two rnds on each target all A zone hits 10 yards 3 targets 6 rnds -- two rnds on center target, 1 rnd on each on outside target two rnds on center target again, total of 6 rounds 10 yards 3 targets 6 rnds -- one rnd on center target, 2 rnds on each outside target one rnd on center target gain, total of 6 rounds M drill center target at 5 yards, outside targets at 10 yards  two rnds on center target, 1 rnd on each outside target, two rnds on center target  one rnd on center target, 2 rnds on each outside target, one rnd of center target 12 yards 3 targets barricade drill 2 rnds on each target from each position right/left and high/low Ken Hackathorn Square Drill Make a square 5 to 7 yards on a side. Start at any corner and then fire two rnds on each target while moving to the next corner. Keep going until you are back to the starting point. About 24 rounds expended per run. This is an excellent shooting while moving drill. Barrel Drill (2 or 3 targets) Set up 3 barrels at 10, 15, and 25 yards in a zigzag pattern. Fire 2 rnds at each target from each barrel while kneeling behind cover. ======================================================================= 5 yards From the holster, single headshots for precision 7 yards From the holster, controlled pairs for precision 7 yards Out of battery reloads. Begin with one round in the chamber and an empty magazine. Draw and fire one round, reload, fire one round. 7 yards Malfunction clearance drill. 2 dummy rnds & 4 to 6 live rounds per magazine. Draw and fire double taps, TRF for each malfunction. 7 yards Malfunction clearance drill. Begin at low ready with a failure to eject malfunction created with a piece of empty brass. Come on target, attempt to fire, clear the stovepipe, fire two rounds. 7 yards Tactical reload drill. Draw and fire two rounds, tac reload, fire two rounds. Remember proper After Action Drills (AAD) -- breath, check the environment, scan for additional threats, find available cover. 60 rnd modified Ken Hackathorn Practice Drill 3 yards draw & fire 2 rnds 3x for total of 6 rounds 5 yards draw & fire 3 rounds strong hand only (total of 6 rnds) 5 yards begin from low ready. Fire 3 rounds weak hand only (6 rnds) 3 yards to 10 yards. Load with a three round magazine. Fire 3 rounds while retreating. 2x for a total of 6 rounds 7 yards draw & fire 2 rnds 6x for a total of 12 rounds 7 yards draw, rapid lateral movement and fire 3 rnds. Repeat from the other direction. Total of 6 rounds. 7 yards facing 3 targets. 2 rnds on each target. 2x (total of 12 rounds) 10 yards draw & fire 2 rnds. 3x for a total of 6 rounds. ========================================================================= THE DOUBLE TAP: The "double tap" is a generic term describing engaging a single target with a two round burst. There are three types of double tap: The Hammer is two quick shots fired with one sight picture, and is best employed on a target at very close range. The Dedicated Pair is two shots fired with flash sight pictures for both shots, best suited on a target at intermediate range. The Controlled Pair is two shots fired with a separate conventional sight picture for each shot. The Controlled Pair is most appropriate for any situation requiring a degree of precision accuracy or for targets at greater distance. Practice Drills from Rob Leatham (as described by Massad Ayoob in American Handgunner March/April 2005) SLOW FIRE DRILL -- Five shots on target, unlimited time, two hand standing position. Done once each from 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards. Each shot reinforces the basics and the shooter also verifies sight zero. FIVE-SECOND DRILL -- The shooter has five seconds to draw and fire a single shot. This is an opportunity to refresh muscle-memory and make sure every moment from the draw to the shot placement is correct. Then the shooter repeats the drill with three rounds, then with four rounds, then with five rounds, etc. all the way up to ten rounds in five seconds. Distance begins at 3, then to 5, 7 and 10 yards. All shots must be in the A-zone of the target. THREE-GRASP DRILL -- The shooter draws and fires two shots from their preferred two-hand stance, then shoots two rounds strong hand only and then two rounds weak hand only. (An alternate version is to fire one shot from each position). This is conducted from 3,5,7 and 10 yards, all shots in the A-zone of the target. SHOOT AND MOVE DRILL -- Fire five shots moving forward. Then five shots retreating. Then begin at the 10 yard line and leave a magazine on the ground at the 3 yard line. At the start signal, move forward firing until you have reached the point where you placed the fresh magazine. Pick up the magazine from the ground and reload and then fire as you retreat back to the starting point. SHOOT - RELOAD - SHOOT DRILL -- At ten yards, facing a single target. Draw and fire six rounds, reload, and fire another six rounds. The shooter should fire as fast as they can and still keep all hits within the A-zone of the target. THE EL PRESIDENTE DRILL -- At ten yards, facing three targets placed one yard apart, shoulder to shoulder. At the signal, draw and fire two rounds on each target, reload, and re-engage each target with two rounds. The shooter should fire as fast as they can and still keep all hits within the A-zone of the target. Once the shooter can perform this drill with consistent good results, practice the traditional "El Presidente" drill: Begin with your back to the targets. At the signal, turn and then draw and engage each target with two rounds, perform a mandatory reload, and re-engage each target with two rounds. The goal is accuracy, shooting quickly yet keeping all rounds in the A-zone of the target. Another alternative is performing either one of the versions above, but after the reload engaging the head of each target with either one or two rounds. Doing this teaches the shooter to "change gears" -- first engaging the targets fast with coarse accuracy and then slowing down to deliver precision head shots. __________________ You can only learn from experience if you pay attention!