List of gun drills

Looking to improve your handgun skills? The best way to get better is through consistent training with proven gun drills. Whether you’re new to shooting
or already experienced, structured handgun drills build accuracy, speed, and confidence.

At GGWG (Good Guys With Guns), we train smarter and safer. Our shooting drills cover marksmanship fundamentals, safe gun handling, and real-life application. From
dry fire practice at home to live fire range routines, these exercises help us grow as shooters and as responsible gun owners.

  • Accuracy and precision training
  • Drawing from the holster
  • Reloading under pressure
  • Movement and target transitions
  • Defensive shooting skills

Train with the community, adapt each drill to your level, and share your progress.
For us, it’s always:
Good Guys With Guns – More Than Shooting

Bill Drill

Setup: One target at 7 yards.
Course: From the holster, draw and fire 6 shots into the A-zone as fast as possible.
Focus: Recoil management, grip strength, and keeping sights stable under speed.

El Presidente

Setup: 3 targets placed 1 meter apart at 10 yards. Shooter starts facing uprange, back to targets, hands up.
Course: On signal, turn 180°, draw, fire 2 shots on each target, reload, then fire 2 more shots on each.
Focus: Transitions, reloads under pressure, situational awareness.

4 Aces

Setup: One target at 7–10 yards.
Course: From holster, fire 2 shots, reload, then fire 2 more shots on the same (or another) target.
Focus: Draw speed, reload timing, grip recovery.

Accelerator Drill

Setup: 3 targets at different distances (e.g., 7 yards, 15 yards, 7 yards).
Course: Fire 2 shots per target in order: near → far → near.
Focus: Throttle control – adjusting speed between close and distant targets.

2-Reload-2

Setup: 2 targets.
Course: Fire 2 shots on first target, reload, then fire 2 shots on second target.
Focus: Smooth reload transitions, maintaining accuracy across targets.

10-10-10 Drill (FBI Drill)

Setup: One target at 10 yards.
Course: Fire 10 rounds in 10 seconds. For dry fire, use a par timer for pacing.
Focus: Accuracy under time pressure, trigger discipline.

1 Reload 1 Drill

Setup: One target at 7–10 yards.
Course: From draw, fire 1 shot, reload, then 1 more shot.
Focus: Reload efficiency and sight reacquisition.

Near-Far-Near

Setup: 2 targets – one close, one farther.
Course: Fire 2 shots on the near target, 2 on the far, then 2 back on the near.
Focus: Speed control and vision shift between distances.

Dot Torture (Dry Fire Friendly)

Setup: Print Dot Torture target (10 small dots).
Course: Follow drill instructions (draws, strong hand, weak hand, reloads). Usually 50 rounds total.
Focus: Accuracy, patience, and all-around fundamentals.

Criss-Cross Drill

Setup: 2 targets – one high left, one low right (or vice versa).
Course: Engage in a cross pattern: top-left → bottom-right → top-right → bottom-left.
Focus: Diagonal transitions, target acquisition.

3-2-1 Drill

Setup: 3 targets.
Course: Fire 3 shots on T1, 2 on T2, 1 on T3.
Focus: Rapid target discrimination, accuracy under changing round counts.

L-Drill

Setup: 3 targets in an “L” shape.
Course: Engage targets while moving around the L path, re-engage from new position.
Focus: Shooting on the move, use of cover, footwork.

T-Drill

Setup: 3+ targets in a “T” shape.
Course: Engage while moving along the top bar of the T, then down the stem.
Focus: Movement, target engagement from multiple angles.

Reload with Movement Drill

Setup: 2 targets, spaced apart.
Course: Fire 2 shots, move while reloading, then fire 2 shots from the new position.
Focus: Dynamic reloads, footwork, balance.

Figure 8 Drill

Setup: 2 cones about 5 meters apart and 2 targets.
Course: Move in a figure-8 around the cones, engaging targets on the move.
Focus: Mobility, balance, staying accurate while moving in curves.

3 Target Shoot & Move

Setup: 3 targets in a line.
Course: Fire 2 shots on T1, move, 2 shots on T2, move, 2 shots on T3.
Focus: Shooting while moving between positions.

3-Reload-6 Drill

Setup: 1–3 targets.
Course: Fire 3 shots, reload, then 6 shots (can split across targets).
Focus: Reload under higher round count stress.

One Shot Draw Drill

Setup: One target at 7–10 yards.
Course: From holster, draw and fire 1 shot. Repeat, lowering par time as you improve.
Focus: Fast, consistent first shot from draw.

1-2-3 Drill

Setup: 3 targets.
Course: Fire 1 shot on T1, 2 shots on T2, 3 shots on T3.
Focus: Pace control, mental sequencing, target awareness.

2-2-2 Drill (aka Blake Drill)

Setup: 3 targets side by side, about 1 meter apart.
Course: Fire 2 shots per target, left to right (or right to left).
Focus: Fast, accurate transitions without overtravel.

Mozambique Drill

Setup: One target at 7–10 yards.
Course: From holster, draw and fire 2 shots to the chest, then immediately 1 shot to the head box.
Focus: Accuracy shift under pressure, fast sight picture adjustment, decision-making for precision after speed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Consistency matters most. Short, focused sessions are better than long, unfocused ones. Even 1–2 sessions per week bring progress if you stay disciplined. Quality over quantity – it’s better to run 2–3 drills well than rush through 10. Regular training builds habits that last.

Bill Drill and One Shot Draw are perfect starters. They’re simple, effective, and teach the fundamentals: grip, recoil control, and a fast, confident first shot. They don’t require complex setups, so you can repeat them often and quickly see improvement in both speed and stability.

It depends on your plan. A short focused session takes about 50 rounds, while a full practice with several drills might need 150–200. Planning ahead is key – choose your drills before hitting the range so every round has a purpose. This way you save both ammo and time.

Start without a timer, focusing on clean, repeatable technique. Once movements become natural, add a timer to create pressure and simulate stress. Time forces faster decisions and highlights weak spots. Build solid fundamentals first, then challenge yourself with speed and efficiency.

Keep simple training notes: times, accuracy, distances, and hit percentages. Comparing results over weeks shows real progress. Recording short videos also helps check technique. Consistent tracking makes it clear what’s improving and what still needs work, keeping training intentional and motivating.

Master each drill separately, then mix them for variety and challenge. For example, pair 4 Aces with the Accelerator to practice fast draws, reloads, and throttle control. Combinations make training more dynamic and closer to real IPSC or IDPA stages. It keeps practice sharp and engaging.

Yes – it develops weapon control and confidence in tougher situations. Start close, around 5 m (5.5 yd), to focus safely on technique. Gradually extend to 10–15 m (11–16 yd), adding more rounds and pace. It’s challenging but extremely useful in matches and real-world scenarios.

Great options include 1 Reload 1, 4 Aces, One Shot Draw, and Dot Torture. These drills focus on grip, draw, reloads, and sight alignment – perfect for repetition without using ammo. Dry fire builds muscle memory, so when you hit the range, you can focus on managing recoil and accuracy.

Not required, but highly recommended. A timer adds pressure you won’t feel in calm practice. Even in dry fire, it helps track pace and see measurable progress. It pushes you to be faster without losing control, making your movements more efficient and competition-ready.

Dry fire builds the foundation: grip, draw, reloads, and sight alignment. Your muscles memorize the movements and execute them automatically. At the range, you only need to manage recoil and trigger control. This makes live fire more productive and accelerates progress, saving both time and ammo.

Dry fire can feel boring if not structured. Set small goals – faster draws, smoother reloads, tighter sight picture. Track progress, record yourself, and celebrate small wins. Sessions can be short, 10–15 minutes daily, but transfer huge benefits once you shoot live at 7–10 m (7.5–11 yd).

Absolutely – add steps, transitions between targets, or reloads while moving. This prepares you for IPSC/IDPA stage flow. Always keep it safe: unloaded gun and no live ammo in the room. These habits directly carry over to live fire practice at distances of 5–15 m (5.5–16 yd). You can even run dry fire sessions at the range, as long as you follow safety rules and have permission from the range officials.

Got questions about shooting drills, technique or training? We’re here to help and share our experience. At GGWG we believe that learning together makes us faster and more effective. Reach out and we’ll find the answers and best solutions together.