Handgun skill, practice, drills, and evaluations posts

[43.6N]

Got out again today, ran the figure 5 drill with my 45acp reloads. Mostly looking to make sure they functioned reliably.

Got my best time so far. Practice is definitely paying off.

 

[mtnbound]

I use the "Now" drill as a baseline.
Shoot this as you would be in the field: Pack on, Bino harness on. If you spend a good amount of time using trekking poles, put them on as you would be using them. If you carry your bow in your hand, then carry something to simulate it.
From the holster, draw and fire 15 rounds, reload and fire 1 round.
The target is 8 yards away and is 8" in size.
Time is 7 sec.
If you do not carry a spare mag, then the time is 5.5 seconds.
All shots must be inside the 8" target to pass.
For single-stack pistols, fire 8 rounds, reload, and fire 8 rounds.
For wheel guns, play dead.

 

[Sponge]

I've done the FBI instructor bullseye a couple times in the last 2-3 weeks with a Govt sized 1911 in 45 ACP

First time I shot it, I did so cold and scored a 246/300 with one shot that didn't get off in time, that shooting can be seen with pasted over spots on this target. A combination of high POI and yanking on the trigger (mostly yanking) led to a bit of scatter.

Shot it again, not cold, with adjusted sights and scored a 276/300, with one shot not taken due to a failure to feed (handloads). That is the fresh holes in the posted target. 11 of my points were missed in the 25 yard portion, looks like I was on track for 280-something without the malfunction. POI may be a smidge low, but I'm not going to stick with this ammo.

I'm going to keep using this drill as a baseline evaluation, especially to compare my proficiency with different pistols.

 

[Dave0317]

Finally set up the bear drill and just ran it a few times for a short range session. Instead of using the B8 I just used a 8 inch circle as a hit/miss only kind of thing. Decided I’ll count a time only if all shots are hits.

Shot it in 6.88 with one round out on the 7 and another miss at the 3.5 yard target. For whatever reason I shot the second attempt even faster at 5.66 seconds and had more misses, lol.
Slowed back down and cleaned it in 6.92. So 6.92 is my passing time for now.

I guess it could be scored on a B8 and then use like a hit factor type score, but I like saying 100 percent round accountability is a must, using a 8 inch circle, and then your score is simply your time.

I think a person getting all hits in 7.5ish is a person that is pretty darn competent with pistol handling. I think sub six seconds is a realistic goal for a skilled shooter.

To wrap up I had one more clean 8 inch circle so I shot a bill drill on it at 7 yards. From the holster, 6 hits in 3.18.

 

[43.6N]

More rain today.
You already know what that means… Yep. We’re shooting.

VZ Simonich grips and Herrett’s wood stocks came this morning. So naturally I put those on.

They were perfect.
Just positive traction and control.

Ended by posting the FBI instructor course of fire with the iron sight colt .45.
New high score for me. 281pts if I counted correctly.

Considering that 4 months ago I was having trouble breaking 200pts for this test, I’m beyond happy.

 

[RockAndSage]

More rain today.
You already know what that means… Yep. We’re shooting.

VZ Simonich grips and Herrett’s wood stocks came this morning. So naturally I put those on.

They were perfect.
Just positive traction and control.

Ended by posting the FBI instructor course of fire with the iron sight colt .45.
New high score for me. 281pts if I counted correctly.

Considering that 4 months ago I was having trouble breaking 200pts for this test, I’m beyond happy.
View attachment 1052826View attachment 1052827View attachment 1052829

That's great shooting, especially with irons. Kick ass improvement like that has to feel great.

 

[Sponge]

FBI instructor bullseye again, this time with P365 Fuse in a Wilson Combat grip module.
Shot cold, 217/300 with 4 shots off paper not counted. Adjusting my hold for low impact and taking more time with the 25 yard should help some, but I don't shoot this as well as the full size 1911, warm or cold.
Previous outing with this pistol I shot 230/300 warm - however that had some off paper hits I was able to count (clean backer). Those are the pasted over shots on this target.
Overall im happy with the reduced trigger jerking vs what i saw in the first 'test' - mostly dry fire practice with this pistol since then.

 

[43.6N]

No rain, but decided to train anyway haha!

I decided to do an “enhanced” “no fail” version of the figure 5 drill.
I know I’ve referenced it in previous posts, but here’s a refresher:

-10 inch plate
-5 positions. Start in center. Shoot plate, move to new corner after a hit. Move back to center after each corner. 9 shots total if 100%.
-single fastest time I’ve found anybody do it is 18 seconds and change.
Here’s a good example (not me)

So I decided to “enhance” the drill by shrinking the target to 8 inches, and moving all the positions back by 5 yards. The “no fail” part of it is you only get 9 bullets. So you have to clean the course of fire.

Took quite a bit of practice, but was able to post a new personal best with the Kimber 2K11/SRO combo.

Hope this motivates someone to get out and shoot

 

[RockAndSage]

No rain, but decided to train anyway haha!

I decided to do an “enhanced” “no fail” version of the figure 5 drill.
I know I’ve referenced it in previous posts, but here’s a refresher:
View attachment 1053739
-10 inch plate
-5 positions. Start in center. Shoot plate, move to new corner after a hit. Move back to center after each corner. 9 shots total if 100%.
-single fastest time I’ve found anybody do it is 18 seconds and change.
Here’s an good example (not me)

So I decided to “enhance” the drill by shrinking the target to 8 inches, and moving all the positions back by 5 yards. The “no fail” part of it is you only get 9 bullets. So you have to clean the course of fire.

Took quite a bit of practice, but was able to post a new personal best with the Kimber 2K11/SRO combo.

Hope this motivates someone to get out and shootView attachment 1053741

I like this no-fail version a lot. Both of them would be great drills, for different, complementary reasons. How is it on the cardio?

 

[43.6N]

I like this no-fail version a lot. Both of them would be great drills, for different, complementary reasons. How is it on the cardio?

Cardio is coming along. Efficient footwork seems to be where most of the time gains come from.
Keeping the gun up and waiting for a good sight picture during the last 3 steps entering a position seems to be a good cadence for me. I can almost squeeze off a confident shot while keeping momentum up. Hopefully that will come organically with more practice.

It’s pretty trippy hearing your heart pounding when you’re wearing sound amplifying headphones.

 

[RockAndSage]

Cardio is coming along. Efficient footwork seems to be where most of the time gains come from.
Keeping the gun up and waiting for a good sight picture during the last 3 steps entering a position seems to be a good cadence for me. I can almost squeeze off a confident shot while keeping momentum up. Hopefully that will come organically with more practice.

It’s pretty trippy hearing your heart pounding when you’re wearing sound amplifying headphones.

I was actually asking about how much the exercise taxes someone's cardio - because f*ck the treadmill. This sounds like a fantastic morning routine.

 

[43.6N]

I was actually asking about how much the exercise taxes someone's cardio - because f*ck the treadmill. This sounds like a fantastic morning routine.

Haha
It is 100% anaerobic if going full speed.
Do it back to back without a break, and my heart rate is truly maxed, and I need a min or two breather before the next course of fire.

 

[RockAndSage]

Haha
It is 100% anaerobic if going full speed.
Do it back to back without a break, and my heart rate is truly maxed, and I need a min or two breather before the next course of fire.

Starting your day off with handgun cardio has got to be one of the most Full America things ever. I must do this.

Haven't shot much in the last couple of weeks, trying to wrap up a few projects, and this sounds like the perfect way to start back up. Bonus that it's easy on ammo.

 

[43.6N]

Starting your day off with handgun cardio has got to be one of the most Full America things ever. I must do this.

Haven't shot much in the last couple of weeks, trying to wrap up a few projects, and this sounds like the perfect way to start back up. Bonus that it's easy on ammo.

I think someone could 3x or 4x the distances, and have a killer carbine course of fire.

Then your morning would be be complete.