Handgun skill, practice, drills, and evaluations posts

[Dave0317]

Inspired by discussion in the “Most reliable and Shootable pistols” thread, let’s discuss some basic pistol drills here.

A majority of handgun training material is focused on police or military use. So there is more emphasis on transitioning to other weapons, reloads, and other things that likely don’t apply to the average hunter. Making the assumption that most of us as hunters carry one handgun, with one magazine, and the other weapons on us may not be suitable for defense (bow, muzzleloader, etc.). So, I asked Form about a bear defense training or assessment drill.

Form’ suggested drill.

Grab your bear defense gun, and a couple loaded mags.

First, slow fire 10 rounds into NRA B8 at 25 yards for score. Form didn’t suggest a minimum, but I think a 90 is a reasonable goal.

Then:

“…3 of the same targets stacked in distance- one at 3.5 yards, one at 7, one at 15 yards. Start in the 15 yard target, shoot three rounds, then 3 at 7 yards, and 3 at 3.5 yards. All using a shot timer and all rounds must be in the 8 ring.”

If you shoot the drill post scores/times, and pics.
More to follow when I make it out to the range.

 

[hereinaz]

I like it!

I bought into Form’s “22 mag PMR30” as my bear pistol, so I’m fixnna do all those drills with a mag dump each time.

 

[24valve]

Didn't do the B-8 for score at 25 yards, but I did the bear drill several times for the first time today. Usually had at least one outside the 8-ring at 15 yards, and times were around 10-seconds using a shot timer app. I don't have much handgun experience, so I know I need plenty of practice!

 

[Thegman]

Didn't do the B-8 for score at 25 yards, but I did the bear drill several times for the first time today. Usually had at least one outside the 8-ring at 15 yards, and times were around 10-seconds using a shot timer app. I don't have much handgun experience, so I know I need plenty of practice!

View attachment 882988View attachment 882987View attachment 882989View attachment 882990

Well, you're definitely making him second guess his decision at 15 yards...!

 

[Bluumoon]

Inspired by discussion in the “Most reliable and Shootable pistols” thread, let’s discuss some basic pistol drills here.

A majority of handgun training material is focused on police or military use. So there is more emphasis on transitioning to other weapons, reloads, and other things that likely don’t apply to the average hunter. Making the assumption that most of us as hunters carry one handgun, with one magazine, and the other weapons on us may not be suitable for defense (bow, muzzleloader, etc.). So, I asked Form about a bear defense training or assessment drill.

Form’ suggested drill.

Grab your bear defense gun, and a couple loaded mags.

First, slow fire 10 rounds into NRA B8 at 25 yards for score. Form didn’t suggest a minimum, but I think a 90 is a reasonable goal.

Then:

“…3 of the same targets stacked in distance- one at 3.5 yards, one at 7, one at 15 yards. Start in the 15 yard target, shoot three rounds, then 3 at 7 yards, and 3 at 3.5 yards. All using a shot timer and all rounds must be in the 8 ring.”

If you shoot the drill post scores/times, and pics.
More to follow when I make it out to the range.

How much time on the three targets? Or are you saying record total time?

 

[24valve]

How much time on the three targets?

I'm not Dave or Form, but the way I understood and shot it is that the time is the variable, but that it only counts if the baseline accuracy of all shots in the 8-ring is achieved.

To use my drill results posted above as an example, not all shots were in the 8-ring so my 10-second time was invalid.

However, I'm sure it could be modified to operate like the hunting rifle drill where you have 20 seconds to build a position and get two shots off, and are then scored on accuracy within a stated timeframe.

 

[HighUintas]

I envision this drill as a charging bear scenario, so I'd evaluate my performance on a combo of time and hits in the 8 ring. Of course, there's probably a par time that you should be able to complete it in since the bear is going to start moving really quickly from the first shot if you hit him and he's determined to kill you.

How fast can a grizzly get to you from 15 yards?

I'm going to say if a grizzly's top speed is 35mph, it likely wouldn't be going that fast from 15yd.

Let's say 20mph. That's 30fps and it would take him 1.5s to get to you from 15yds.

I better start practicing a little more

 

[Bluumoon]

Let’s call these pre timed/baseline. Short on time today to set up additional targets.
Shot at 25 untimed
Walk up to 15 draw and shoot as fast as possible
Walk up to 7.5 same
Walk up to 3.5 same

 

[Thegman]

I envision this drill as a charging bear scenario, so I'd evaluate my performance on a combo of time and hits in the 8 ring. Of course, there's probably a par time that you should be able to complete it in since the bear is going to start moving really quickly from the first shot if you hit him and he's determined to kill you.

How fast can a grizzly get to you from 15 yards?

I'm going to say if a grizzly's top speed is 35mph, it likely wouldn't be going that fast from 15yd.

Let's say 20mph. That's 30fps and it would take him 1.5s to get to you from 15yds.

I better start practicing a little more

I'd say your time estimate is pretty close. I shot this bear while it was facing me, at about 10 yards. I remember thinking "This better work, he could be on me in about 1 second".

Fortunately, it did work.

 

[HighUintas]

I'd say your time estimate is pretty close. I shot this bear while it was facing me, at about 10 yards. I remember thinking "This better work, he could be on me in about 1 second".

Fortunately, it did work.
View attachment 883182

He's a big boy! Where was the shot placed?

 

[Thegman]

He's a big boy! Where was the shot placed?

Center of chest.

I was talking with someone recently who shot a brown bear center of chest and commented how quickly it died. He said that in a conversation with a guide, the guide noted how well that shot worked on bears in particular. I don't have nearly the experience with that to say myself, but could be.

 

[RockAndSage]

Center of chest.

I was talking with someone recently who shot a brown bear center of chest and commented how quickly it died. He said that in a conversation with a guide, the guide noted how well that shot worked on bears in particular. I don't have nearly the experience with that to say myself, but could be.

How quickly are we talking here?

 

[Thegman]

How quickly are we talking here?

He said a few seconds. Turned and ran a few feet and collapsed. I think it was with a 300 WM or something of that nature. I think about an 8.5" boar.

 

[24valve]

FBI Bullseye Test commonly referenced by Form as a baseline handgun capability test. IIRC, he said 260/300 was a passing score for FBI Instructor Qualification.

25-yards, 10 rounds, 4 minutes.

15-yards, 5 rounds, 15 seconds. Do this twice.

15-yards, 5 rounds, 10 seconds. Do this twice.

Total possible score: 300 pts

 

[24valve]

The 9mm 1911 thread reminded me this existed, and in an attempt to revive it I added a drill and some personal progress:

FBI Bullseye Test

May 2025:


December 2025:

 

[Dave0317]

FBI Bullseye Test commonly referenced by Form as a baseline handgun capability test. IIRC, he said 260/300 was a passing score for FBI Instructor Qualification.

25-yards, 10 rounds, 4 minutes.

15-yards, 5 rounds, 15 seconds. Do this twice.

15-yards, 5 rounds, 10 seconds. Do this twice.

Total possible score: 300 pts

I I’ve been working on this a bit. I really like it, and if you don’t try to take all 4 minutes on the first portion, it doesn’t take long at all.

In fact I’ve been pushing the speed and doing the first part in under 30 seconds. Got the idea from Kyle Defoors videos. 285 is my most recent score, and a 278 the week before. I’m using a G45 with red dot.

I’ll take some pics next time.

I love the drill as a good way to measure if your shooting has changed, confirms your zero is still good etc. Covers your bases for accuracy at a little bit of distance. Then I like to do some closer/faster stuff like a bill drill or El Prez just to push the speed and recoil control stuff up close.


I keep forgetting to set up the bear drill in the first post, but I’ll make that a priority soon as well.

 

[43.6N]

Went out in the rain and worked hard on movement/accuracy drills. Mostly the figure 5 movement drill with an 8” plate.

Ended by shooting a 10 round and 20 round zero check at 25 yds.


A couple of thoughts:
1. The grip shape of the 1911 single stack is crazy forgiving especially compared to the Glock 34 I also had out.
-the nature of today’s drills led to lots of imperfect grips.
-with the Glock, it seemed very sensitive to grip imperfections. When I would focus on getting a solid master-grip, the hits came easily. But as the grip degrades due to moisture and fatigue, the hit rate also degraded.
-the single stack 1911 grip needed less focus to maintain the hit rate at speed. As my grip fatigued, I was still making consistent 8” plate hits while running between positions.
-The double stack Kimber 2k11 had skateboard tape, and was excellent in the rain and mud. Unfortunately the tape glue is peeling and shifting under pressure.

2. Grip texture matters when it matters. Lots of rain and mud today made for slick grimy conditions.
-The single best grip was the skateboard taped Kimber 2K11.
-Next best initially were the VZ hydra G10grips. These are burley, and awesome when hands are dry or dusty. Unfortunately as my hands got saturated with water, they turned to prunes. When this happened the VZ grips have a sharp, almost knife like ridge. This cut through the prune skin, actually making it harder to grip tightly. I’m going to try the Simonich gunner grips on this gun, as I think the tighter pattern will solve this issue
-As my hands turned to prunes, I preferred the wood checkering (walnut wood caliber combat checkering). But these were definitely less positive and more slick from the get-go compared to the first two guns. These are 20LPI, and excellent for concealed carry. I would love to find a more aggressive wood checkering pattern. I’ve heard that Herrett’s stocks out of Twin Falls makes more aggressive wood grips.
-finally the Gen 5 Glock texture was fine, but very much the slickest of the bunch. It’s a known quantity, and would benefit from some skateboard tape.

 

[Dave0317]

Went out in the rain and worked hard on movement/accuracy drills. Mostly the figure 5 movement drill with an 8” plate.

Ended by shooting a 10 round and 20 round zero check at 25 yds.
View attachment 1051838

A couple of thoughts:
1. The grip shape of the 1911 single stack is crazy forgiving especially compared to the Glock 34 I also had out.
-the nature of today’s drills led to lots of imperfect grips.
-with the Glock, it seemed very sensitive to grip imperfections. When I would focus on getting a solid master-grip, the hits came easily. But as the grip degrades due to moisture and fatigue, the hit rate also degraded.
-the single stack 1911 grip needed less focus to maintain the hit rate at speed. As my grip fatigued, I was still making consistent 8” plate hits while running between positions.
-The double stack Kimber 2k11 had skateboard tape, and was excellent in the rain and mud. Unfortunately the tape glue is peeling and shifting under pressure.

2. Grip texture matters when it matters. Lots of rain and mud today made for slick grimy conditions.
-The single best grip was the skateboard taped Kimber 2K11. View attachment 1051843
-Next best initially were the VZ hydra G10grips. These are burley, and awesome when hands are dry or dusty. Unfortunately as my hands got saturated with water, they turned to prunes. When this happened the VZ grips have a sharp, almost knife like ridge. This cut through the prune skin, actually making it harder to grip tightly. I’m going to try the Simonich gunner grips on this gun, as I think the tighter pattern will solve this issue View attachment 1051844
-As my hands turned to prunes, I preferred the wood checkering (walnut wood caliber combat checkering). But these were definitely less positive and more slick from the get-go compared to the first two guns. These are 20LPI, and excellent for concealed carry. I would love to find a more aggressive wood checkering pattern. I’ve heard that Herrett’s stocks out of Twin Falls makes more aggressive wood grips. View attachment 1051845
-finally the Gen 5 Glock texture was fine, but very much the slickest of the bunch. It’s a known quantity, and would benefit from some skateboard tape. View attachment 1051846

Thanks for the great post and details on those guns.

I’ve been really considering a 9mm 1911 or 2011 for my next purchase, and the Operator in 9mm is the 1911 I’m really considering.

The Kimber and the HD 4.5 both have their pros and cons as 2011 choices that are on my radar.

Your comments about the 1911 grip really have me considering if I’d be just as happy (or more happy?)with a $1100 operator as I would the $2700 staccato.

I’ve got a lot of history with Glocks, but I like the idea of using equipment that is as good as it can be. A nice 1911 or 2011 seems to be the consensus on what is overall “best” in performance.

 

[43.6N]

Thanks for the great post and details on those guns.

I’ve been really considering a 9mm 1911 or 2011 for my next purchase, and the Operator in 9mm is the 1911 I’m really considering.

The Kimber and the HD 4.5 both have their pros and cons as 2011 choices that are on my radar.

Your comments about the 1911 grip really have me considering if I’d be just as happy (or more happy?)with a $1100 operator as I would the $2700 staccato.

I’ve got a lot of history with Glocks, but I like the idea of using equipment that is as good as it can be. A nice 1911 or 2011 seems to be the consensus on what is overall “best” in performance.

Thanks man. I think it will be a gateway to many more guns for you.
The single stack operator with an ed brown magwell conceals better for me than a gen5 Glock 19, and about as well as my previous carry weapon, a sig 365 macro with a Wilson grip. Between those 3, the 1911 shoots in a completely different league.

I think if you want to make the jump, you should do it. And if down the road you decide you want the double stack capacity back, then the Staccato becomes your informed choice.

I should also say, I have no intention of selling my glocks. But running through these drills today, the ol’ 1911 was eating the G34’s lunch. But not at first. It was only after I started getting gassed, after my arms ached, and after my grip was soaking wet, that’s when the differences really started showing up.

 

[RockAndSage]

Went out in the rain and worked hard on movement/accuracy drills. Mostly the figure 5 movement drill with an 8” plate.

Ended by shooting a 10 round and 20 round zero check at 25 yds.
View attachment 1051838

A couple of thoughts:
1. The grip shape of the 1911 single stack is crazy forgiving especially compared to the Glock 34 I also had out.
-the nature of today’s drills led to lots of imperfect grips.
-with the Glock, it seemed very sensitive to grip imperfections. When I would focus on getting a solid master-grip, the hits came easily. But as the grip degrades due to moisture and fatigue, the hit rate also degraded.
-the single stack 1911 grip needed less focus to maintain the hit rate at speed. As my grip fatigued, I was still making consistent 8” plate hits while running between positions.
-The double stack Kimber 2k11 had skateboard tape, and was excellent in the rain and mud. Unfortunately the tape glue is peeling and shifting under pressure.

2. Grip texture matters when it matters. Lots of rain and mud today made for slick grimy conditions.
-The single best grip was the skateboard taped Kimber 2K11. View attachment 1051843
-Next best initially were the VZ hydra G10grips. These are burley, and awesome when hands are dry or dusty. Unfortunately as my hands got saturated with water, they turned to prunes. When this happened the VZ grips have a sharp, almost knife like ridge. This cut through the prune skin, actually making it harder to grip tightly. I’m going to try the Simonich gunner grips on this gun, as I think the tighter pattern will solve this issue View attachment 1051844
-As my hands turned to prunes, I preferred the wood checkering (walnut wood caliber combat checkering). But these were definitely less positive and more slick from the get-go compared to the first two guns. These are 20LPI, and excellent for concealed carry. I would love to find a more aggressive wood checkering pattern. I’ve heard that Herrett’s stocks out of Twin Falls makes more aggressive wood grips. View attachment 1051845
-finally the Gen 5 Glock texture was fine, but very much the slickest of the bunch. It’s a known quantity, and would benefit from some skateboard tape. View attachment 1051846

Great review info, enjoyed your thoughts.

The biggest complaint I have about the design of the DWX Compact, is the "hand grenade" texture they have on the front and back straps, and the factory grips. Swapped out several sets of LOK grips, and settled on some really thin checkered ones, and they're excellent. The front strap texture was damn near useless though, and I tried some grip tape on the front strap - it was excellent, until I ran it hard with a different approach to how I was gripping the gun, and it pulled it around fairly quickly, similar to what happened with your Kimber, it seems. I ended up doing a texture job on the front strap with epoxy and tungsten carbide grit. Was very happy with how it turned out, though in the future I'll go with a finer grit.

The single best factory texture I've come across though, has been on the Staccato C. I was expecting to need to do something to it, whether tape or a texturing job, but it was 100% absolutely unneeded. Total goldilocks texture - not too aggressive, but plenty aggressive, while being excellent with sweaty hands. It also doesn't seem to get clogged - something about the geometry of the peaks and valleys seems to prevent stuff from getting too embedded, while also letting the peaks stay grippy. Grip-chalk or just grime, it largely seems to either just fall out or not get too built up to begin with. It's pretty impressive.