Shooting Drills to Prep for the Spring Season 

Spring is almost here, which means it’s time to shake off the rust as the outdoor ranges re-open. This month I want to talk about shooting drills that you can do to keep yourself sharp, no matter what you are practicing for. 

Concealed Carry Drills 

Concealed carry practice is likely to be at the top of your list for common practice drills. Practicing with your concealed carry gun should be done as often as possible. However, practicing doesn’t mean that you need to go to the range weekly and shoot. Actual target shooting is important but can get very expensive. Listed below are a few things you can do to improve the handling of your firearm, without breaking the bank in ammo costs.  

First, make sure your firearm is clear of any ammunition. The best way to ensure your weapon is clear is to remove all the ammunition from the area where your firearm is. Empty the magazines or the cylinders if you have a revolver.

Once that is complete, go ahead and check again to make sure all ammunition has been cleared from the room you plan to practice in. This is important to ensure that there is no chance that ammo will accidentally be loaded into the gun. Start this drill by wearing your holster and firearm exactly like you would if you were going to conceal carry in public. You will want to replicate every shooting condition you find yourself in. Once you are set, follow these steps: 

Draw your weapon from your carry holster and bring it up to your target. Be deliberate, make sure you clear the holster without getting snagged. This seems like a simple drill, but you need to gain speed over time. Your speed will improve as you practice because your action will be more fluid. Practice using different types of clothing you plan to wear. It is also important to safely holster your weapon. Constantly practicing this sequence will train your muscle memory. After you do some practicing, you may want to replace your holster with something else that works better.  

Dry Fire Drills 

Dry fire drills can be added once you get comfortable drawing and holstering your weapon. Keep in mind that today’s center fired handguns and striker fired weapons can be dry fired without causing any harm to the firearm. Train yourself to quickly acquire a hasty but accurate sight picture. Most people can acquire standard sights rather quickly. If your weapon has a red dot optic, you will most likely need to practice a lot more. Learning to shoot with a red dot optic can be challenging in the beginning, which is why you need to practice.  

After practicing as often as you should, using an optic will become second nature. You will be able to pull the trigger back crisply, cleanly, and accurately. This drill continues to build that muscle memory. Unholstering, acquiring your target, and pulling the trigger becomes more fluid the more you do it. In time, you will know your firearm so well that it will feel like a body part. All this can be done at home and without using ammo.  

Technology Drills 

Another popular way to practice is by utilizing the newest technology available. Several companies have designed lasers and motion sensors to make training easier and less expensive than going to the range. Systems like Strikeman, Mantis & Dry Fire Mag are very advanced practice platforms that are relatively inexpensive to use.  You can use the same drills mentioned above and incorporate actual targets while still dry firing. These tools will help you locate and engage your targets even more quickly.

It will also help with your trigger pull. Many people will jerk the trigger back when they are practicing or will take too much time pulling the trigger. Remember, you are practicing carrying a concealed weapon. The drills you are doing will either save your life or someone else’s life. Proper trigger pull is very important. The laser systems will show you where a bullet will hit if you are shooting live ammo.  

Take these holster drills and dry fire drills seriously. I encourage you to practice this way before you head to the range. You don’t want to show up to the range and fumble around with a weapon with live ammunition. If you do, you can hurt yourself or someone else around you. 

Now that you have mastered unholstering, target acquisition, trigger pull, and holstering, let’s head to the range.  

Drills at the Range 

Your range time should be more than just punching holes in paper. I recommend that you shoot your weapon a lot before you plan on using it as your carry weapon. You should know how to aim, know where the weapon shoots, red dots should already be zeroed in, and any modifications made before you start training yourself to carry the weapon as your protection piece.  

You have spent a lot of time practicing, let’s put that time to good use. The drills below are only my recommendations. Other shooters and instructors may have other suggestions.  

I learned a long time ago to always shoot twice when you pull out your handgun, known as a double tap. This means that you pull the trigger quickly twice while staying on target. After practicing enough, you will be able to get two rounds off and not have to worry about the recoil and acquiring your target after each shot.

You should also shoot at the center of the target. That area is called the center mass. When practicing, always shoot two shots at center mass. Always start at each distance as if you were walking down a street minding your own business. Start at five yards, pull your weapon, clear the holster and clothing, acquire the target, then squeeze the trigger twice quickly.  

Practice at that distance and shooting condition (holstered like you would be walking down the street) as many times as you need to get proficient on the double-tap and the bullet strikes on the target. When you first start your rounds will be all over the place. In time, your shots will begin to group. Once they start to group and you feel confident at five yards, move out to ten. Once you have mastered that distance, move out fifteen yards. Going past twenty yards is not necessary, most trainers only teach to fifteen yards.  

Now that you have mastered those distances, keep up with your practice at all the distances as much as you can. Practicing is the key to your success. Stay safe, and (concealed) carry on. 

Semper Fi! 

Written by: David Johnson, Leatherneck Gunsmithing