Written by: Greg Ellifritz
Special operations trainer Pat McNamara developed this drill and wrote about it in a recent Gunfighter Moment on Soldier Systems’ website. He calls it his “Five Second Standards.” The drills are shot on an IPSC target and only the “A-Zone” is used. The “A-Zone” is roughly 6″ x 11″.
Start at a seven yard distance and set your shot timer for a five-second par time. Do each of the following as separate stages, keeping each stage under five seconds and all your hits in the A-Zone:
– Two shots from the ready position
– Two shots from the holster
– Two shots strong hand only from the holster
If you made all of your hits at seven yards, try again at 10 yards. Move the distances back incrementally to 15 yards, 20 yards, and 25 yards until you either miss one of your shots or fail to make the time.
I tried this one last week at the range using two different guns. I first shot it with my Glock 21 .45 acp out of my police duty gear. I made all the shots in time. All hits at 7,10, and 15 yards. I dropped one shot at 20 yards, but it hit the target edge, so I moved back to 25. I threw one shot clean outside of the box at 25 yards. See the target below.
5-second standards with Glock 21. Miss on left line is at 20 yards. Miss below box is at 25 yards
I repeated the drill with my Glock 19, drawing concealed from Spencer Keepers’ appendix holster. Again, time was not a problem. I made all the shots at 7, 10, 15, and 20 yards. I threw two shots at the 25 yard stage. I expected that my times would be faster with the 9mm (they were), but I thought my accuracy would be better with the bigger .45. It wasn’t. I shot both faster and more accurately with the 9mm Glock.
5-second standards with Glock 19. Both misses were at 25 yards
If you have a range where you can draw from a holster, give this drill a try. It offers a simple standard, is quick to score, and easy to track your progress. I think I’m going to try it at closer ranges with my more novice students to work on their basic accuracy and gun handling skills.
