Practice Routines

Practice is needed to maintain one's skill level, but it is possible to overdo things to the point that it becomes detrimental--especially with dry firing.  I have always tried to get at least one 50 round range session per month plus a weekly dry fire session.   The following are some suggested practice sessions for both live and dry fire. All strings should begin with your firearm in a condition of normal carry.  Start signal for live and dry fire should be random.  Click here for safety guidelines for dry fire practice.

For dry fire practice make a reduced scale target for practice at short ranges.  Use some brown cardboard and cut out a 6" x 9" target.  Place it against a safe back drop, use feet for yards,  and practice away.

PISTOL DRY FIRE

Things to remember

The grip being the most important part of the draw, it should be broken down into segments

• Web - Web of strong hand contacts back strap of pistol as high as possible
• Index - The part of the middle finger that touches the outside edge of the trigger guard, makes contact providing a "index" that your hand is going to grip the pistol properly. To find this index, carefully place the pistol in your hand in the full firing grip, then push your middle finger up against the trigger guard to the point of pain. You now have a very real, tactile index of your hand position on the pistol before you even complete the grip. Those of you who shoot frequently will notice that you have a callous there.
• Finger - The trigger finger goes to its straight position on the frame. (with the holster being between finger and gun)
• Wrap - Excluding the trigger finger, wrap all the fingers around the grip with a firm even pressure.

Once we have that down, then we can proceed. 

Most training organizations teach the draw as a 4 or 5 step process, which combine several movements into a step.  In fact there is a whole lot more going on. The steps below break the draw into it's actual individual components and are designed to take you through the drawing process. We start out with distinct steps to learn the process and evolve into one smooth stroke where we are not conscious of the steps.

Grip - You obtain your strong hand firing grip on your pistol in your holster. This grip does not change. Trigger finger is straight.
Clear - Pistol is lifted clear of the holster. Trigger finger remains straight.
Pivot - Pistol is pivoted so the muzzle points toward the target. Pistol is just above the holster
Click - Safety is removed (autos)
Smack - Support hand grips the pistol
Punch - Pistol is moved to eye level, finger goes into trigger guard
Look - Sight alignment is verified with a flash sight picture
Press - Trigger is pressed

Thus we work through the following steps.

Grip. Clear. Pivot. Click. Smack. Punch. Look. Press.
Grip. Clear. Pivot. Smack. Punch. Look. Press.
Grip. Clear. Smack. Punch. Look. Press.
Grip. Clear. Smack. Punch. Press.
Grip. Clear. Punch. Press.
Grip, Clear. Press
DRAW!

As practice continues the steps start to blend together (ie: In the second sequence the pivot and the release of the safety blend into one step. In the third step the clear, pivot, and safety release blend into one step, etc.) and eventually the process and thought train just becomes "draw" and when done right you can actually look at a target, close your eyes, draw, and when you open your eye the sights will be aligned. 

When practicing the draw DO NOT rush the speed. Work for smoothness and economy of motion. Speed will come naturally. If you have no real experience in drawing start with an empty pistol until the motions are imprinted on your muscles.

Practice Drills

Draw and snap - 30 repetitions
Pivot, draw, and snap - 10 each from L, R, and 180
Draw, snap, change magazine, and point in - 10 repetitions

Pay particular attention to smoothness and economy of motion and to achieving a proper sight picture at the end of the draw stroke. (Ideally, you want to be able to look at the target, close your eyes, draw, and then open your eyes and have the sights aligned on the target.)

RIFLE DRY FIRE

Things to remember

• Eyes, muzzle target.
• Firm grip on pistol grip, rifle held lightly by support arm.
• Good solid mount to shoulder
• Finger - The trigger finger goes to its straight position on stock until rifle is aligned on target.

Practice Drills

Mount and snap - 10 repetitions starting with butt on waist
Mount and snap - 10 repetitions starting with rifle slung
Starting with rifle pointed at target, snap, change magazines, and snap - 10 repetitions

Pay particular attention to smoothness and economy of motion and to achieving a proper sight picture at the end of the mount. (Ideally, you want to be able to look at the target, close your eyes, mount, and then open your eyes and have the sights aligned on the target.)

SHOTGUN DRY FIRE

Things to remember

• Eyes, muzzle target.
• Firm grip on pistol grip, shotgun held firmly by support arm.
• Good solid mount to shoulder
• Finger - The trigger finger goes to its straight position stock until shotgun is aligned on target.

Practice Drills

Mount and snap - 10 repetitions starting with butt on waist
Mount and snap - 10 repetitions starting slung
Starting  aimed at target, snap, select slug, and snap - 10 repetitions

Pay particular attention to smoothness and economy of motion and to achieving a proper sight picture at the end of the mount. (Ideally, you want to be able to look at the target, close your eyes, mount, and then open your eyes and have the sights aligned on the target.)

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Updated 2008-08-18