Range Shooting Drills

[molecular]

Hey Guys,

Looking for some new range drills to improve my shooting.

Currently, my brother and I use the following:

The person not shooting will load two magazines, adding in a random number of snapcaps (dummy rounds). We hand one magazine to the shooter to put it in his pocket. Then, while the shooter has his eyes closed, the non-shooter will take his weapon and place it randomly on the bench, sometimes with the slide closed, sometimes not. We'll also place the initial magazine in various locations, including in the ammo tin on the floor, that kind of thing. The target is also randomly moved either closer or further away. Once the shooter is ready, the non-shooter will say go, the shooter must open his eyes, find and load magazine, ready the pistol, and empty the magazine, reload, empty the magazine. The non shooter does not look at the target, instead he prompts the shooter if shooting is slow. Also, the non-shooter is paying especially close attention to the muzzle of the gun, when the shooter hits a snapcap, if the muzzle jerks, that means the shooter needs to improve his trigger control.

So far, this drill has been really helpful. From the yellow line at Jackson's (7 yards?) we can usually empty both magazines more or less within the triangle. Usually a couple o fliers in there. More importantly, it's really helping our trigger control as the muzzle jerk on a snapcap round has been significantly decreased. I'm hoping the snapcaps will also help me to get used to quickly reracking and shooting when I hit a dud round in real life.

What do you guys think? Does anyone have other drills?

[AngelDecoys]

For me, I guess it will depend on whether its an indoor range or outside in the woods. Established ranges will generally not allow 5 count draw, taking a knee, or anything including movement. It often is geared for target shooting.

When out with friends at the local range, we often run through malfunction drills (with occasional snap caps to simulate type 1 malfunctions), magazine drills, and other basic skills. Often practice 1 hand manipulations, shooting with the support hand, and using a timer. A couple of nearby indoor ranges have targets that can be moved toward you while shooting.

Note: This really depends on the type of shooting one is doing and for the purpose intended. Target shooting is different than self defense shooting for instance.

I rarely shoot more than 2-3 rounds before manipulating the firearm. Always seem to end with a slow 5 rounds at 25 yards for tightest group possible. I'm not overly concerned with groups smaller than a hand when practicing. Means I'm going too slow.

Away from an established range is a different world. Additional use of figure 8 patterns, multiple targets, draw from concealment, shoot and move types of drills. Having a second person to call which target to draw and shoot while you are moving adds to the fun.

Obstacles, trees, use of cover/concealment, etc. One really can get creative and there's plenty of online shows one can watch to get additional ideas.

[molecular]

Sounds interesting Angel. I'm shooting primarily at an indoor range which, like you said doesn't like movement on the shooter's part.

[Voo]

It depends on what you're trying to do and what you're trying to improve upon.

Self defense? Competition? Bullseye? Malfunction drills? There's a ton of different things out there that you can work on. Different things will stress different fundamentals. Good thing is that often times there's a lot of overlap when it comes to training.

As far as what you're doing, things like placing magazines in different locations, if you're having fun thats fine. The actual practicality and need to do that at a range however are somewhat limited. I'm not saying it's a useless skill, just that you need to break down what you're trying to do and what your drill is actually getting you to do. In terms of your reloading and shoot drill, you're somewhat learning to run before you walk. Those are 2 separate areas that you can focus on individually before you try and combine them. When you stop and analyze it, they're 2 separate actions that aren't really related to each other. IE- are you reloading at the waist level, are you reloading at eye level? are your eyes on target? How is your grip? How fast were you? How smooth were you? Where did you end up putting your supporting hand after the reload? Are you consistent? Do you see how nowhere did I mention anything about shooting? The practice of reloads is a fundamental element in and of itself. I hope that gives you an idea of what I'm trying to depict.

I shoot competitively and I approach training/practice as something methodical. A lot of it has to do with efficiency so the more precise you can be, the better off you are when it comes to determining where you can make meaningful improvements. My mentality is that if you're not analyzing what you're doing, it's really difficult to measure performance.

[AngelDecoys]

Liability would be the reason. It drives everything.

Still, there's a lot of things you can do while inside. Clearing malfunctions and taking a follow-up shot isn't something you can do at home. Try using your support hand only. Tuck that other hand deep into a pocket (simulated shot) and see how competent you are with the hand you don't normally write with. Use your belt, edge of table to rack the slide. Tuck the mag under an arm (between the legs). Time it.

As ridiculous as it may sound, I have a glock airsoft that i've used clearing my house (practice). There are times when a buddy comes over (with his) and we goof around with them. We use them for the ladies classes I help teach (see link below) when we go through the shoot house on our range. I find them invaluable for teaching corners, doorways, and room entry. Also something you can't do normally at an indoor range (but something with obvious practical value).

Interested in reading what others do as well. Train hard, fight easy.

[SanSacto]

Listening to you guys I realize how lousy of a shooter I must look like at the range!

[Voo]

As ridiculous as it may sound, I have a glock airsoft that i've used clearing my house (practice). There are times when a buddy comes over (with his) and we goof around with them. We use them for the ladies classes I help teach (see link below) when we go through the shoot house on our range. I find them invaluable for teaching corners, doorways, and room entry. Also something you can't do normally at an indoor range (but something with obvious practical value).

What you're describing is "tactics", not shooting. If you wanted to learn the best way to approach a target/clear a house/enter a room, then you would need tactics. But that has very little to do with whether you can adequately shoot or manipulate a firearm to execute those tactics successfully. Drills that you can do to help IMPROVE YOUR SHOOTING would be learning how to shoot off balance, ie 1 leg up, leaned over, facing 45 degrees away from the target, squatting even, kneeling, moving, over/around/under barricades. These are actual drills you can run that will show you where your shooting skills are wanton. Learning how best to clear a house is undoubtedly a useful skill for some, but it has nothing to do with actually learning how to shoot the gun itself.

I often times hear/read people's comments about this topic and to me, they always seem to confuse the two.

[AngelDecoys]

I often times hear/read people's comments about this topic and to me, they always seem to confuse the two.

No you're right. I've been shooting so long that the fundamentals are second nature. For me, tactics are just an extension of the same thing. You do a great job in breaking it down. Carry on.

[molecular]

Thanks for the pointers guys. So it seems like really, the drills to work on while I'm at an indoor range are going to be less emphasis on double taps and much more on single shot placement, grip, etc etc.

[dchang0]

Have you considered shooting competition? Look for a local pistol steel target competition like SSA Steel Madness in Corona/Norco. Competing took my shooting to a whole new level, because one has to maintain a firm lock on the fundamentals while pushing their accuracy and time envelopes.

Plus it's just plain fun--I will no longer shoot paper targets at an indoor range except to zero in my sights. It's just too boring by comparison. I practice fundamentals at home with dry fire drills.

[Greg-Dawg]

Take a class that emphasizes on accuracy, movement, Mozembique, El Presidente, etc.....you'll have lots of fun.

Best part is all the double/triple and rapid firing you can do!

[B Strong]

Take a class that emphasizes on accuracy, movement, Mozembique, El Presidente, etc.....you'll have lots of fun.

Best part is all the double/triple and rapid firing you can do!

+1

Get into competition and take a class at an established school.

There's only so much you can do with "what if" drills at Jackson Arms or elsewhere. A full speed class will allow you to experience the whole range of skill-use from draw, presentation to fire with malfunction drills and for-real malfunction (guaranteed) clearance.

Get a first timer certificate for Front Sight and do it on the cheap, or spend some dough and do Thunder Ranch. It will be the best investment you'll make.