This post contains shooting drills incorporating two different targets which were designed to interact with each other. Each target depicts a mini-scenario in which the background is not clear.
Get a battle buddy - This training is best conducted with a shooting partner who can assist with calling out the next iteration of the shooting drill.
Suggested shooting drills are delineated by Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.
Learning Objectives of these two targets:
1) Each depicts the hands to facilitate rehearsing and practicing checking the hands before deciding to shoot. We are products of our training down to the nth degree.
2) Think 3 dimensionally and imagine how a bullet will travel through the body. A threat elimination zone is faintly depicted over the heart and the head. There are two places to aim for, the heart and the cerebellum of the brain.
3) There are no lines on the target because real people do not have lines on them. Through repetition we immediately recognize ideal shot placement locations, using the ear and the eyes as markers. Speed and accuracy are the two most important factors when engaging a lethal threat. You can't miss fast enough, is another phrase often used on the range.
4) These two targets are best suited for handgun training such as that for security personnel, executive protection, concealed carry and police officers. The drills described herein are intended to increase shooter confidence during real-world scenario's and when the background cannot be entirely clear.
5) Psychologically, when shooting the target there is a difference between looking at an off-duty cop or the image of a gang member who would love to slice your liver in half. Also, when lines are depicted on the target the shooters attention is directed towards keeping their shot groups within the box. That is psychologically different than THINKING about penetrating the heart or the cerebellum of the brain. These details equate to more effective training.
6) Footwork - efficiently making turns to engage the target, as well as stepping left and right. Balance, think about your shooter stance and weight yourself slightly to the balls of your feet.
7) Thinking and pressing-trigger - Drill #2 is fairly complex as its intended to be. Footwork is a primary consideration during this drill, many refer to it as tactical dance of sorts. Remain balanced and slightly weighted to the balls of your feet, like a boxer or a fighter. There is a fair amount of thinking and cognitive thought as you are turning, drawing and engaging the target. The only way to train someone to think in combat is to force them to think and press-trigger during training. Good luck.
Required Gear:
1) Holster - on the hip (recommended), duty holster, outside the waistband or inside the waistband.
2) 3 magazines, plus magazine pouch that holds two spare mags.
3) 150 rounds of ammunition
4) Eye protection/ hearing protection
5) Two MS13 targets (w/LEO and w/Suit)
Target Scenario's:
MS13 target w/ LEO in the background - Mini-scenario, imagine you're a responding officer and when you arrive on scene you see she has one suspect on the ground. Surrounded by gang members and overwhelmed by the situation she has lost situational awareness and is unaware that a gang member has a machete and is throwing a sign indicating to other gang members that he intends to kill the officer any moment.
Or, use your imagination to alter the scenario however you see fit. For example, replace the police officer in the background with your wife. Imagine that you just arrived home and you came through the front door to find that your wife has a gun in her hands and someone on the floor in the living room.
MS13 target w/suit in the background - You are at a street corner, people standing around and whatnot. This guy approaches you because he didn't like the look you gave him. He is radar-locked onto you. You have a bad feeling and it's all happening so fast that you hardly have time to process. You check your background and realize there is a man standing almost directly behind the gang member who is approaching you.
Or, imagine that you are in a parking lot and about to open the car door when you are suddenly approached by this gang member wielding a meat cleaver. In that moment you realize he isn't interested in the keys to your car, for whatever reason he intends to kill you.
Below, this is what high quality training looks like, lots of reps and work. Make no mistake, this takes effort. You may get tired of drawing from the holster, resetting each time or only firing one round at a time. Everybody wants to call themselves a gunfighter until it's time to strap it on and go to work.
Drill # 1 - getting the basics down
Difficulty - Novice
Target - MS13 w/ Suit
Ammo - 50 rounds
Load pistol magazines to capacity
Distance - 3 yards (9 feet)
Begin from the Ready position, the gun is retracted toward the torso, with elbows back and the gun leveled horizontally and pointed at the target. Or, if you are familiar with the SUL position you may use that position.
1) From the starting position present out, acquire a sight picture and fire 1 round to the head, aiming for the head, but specifically the cerebellum of the brain. Repeat 5 times. Check target hits. [5]
2) From the starting position present out, acquire a sight picture and fire 1 round aiming for the heart. Repeat 5 times. Check target hits. [5]
3) From the holster, draw and engage with one round to the heart. Repeat 5 times. Check target hits [5]
4) From the holster, draw engage with one round 1 to the head. Repeat 5 times. Check Targets [5]
5) From the holster, draw and simultaneously step Left to clear the back. Engage with one round 1 to the heart. Repeat 5 times. Check Targets [5]
6) From the holster, draw and simultaneously step Left. Engage with one round to the head. Repeat 5 times. Check Targets [5]
7) Stand looking to the left of the target. Turn to the right and simultaneously draw from the holster, then step to the left and engage with 2 rounds to the heart. *Safety Point - ensure you have completed the turn before the gun leaves the holster, ensuring the muzzle is always pointed down range while training. Repeat 5 times. [10]
8) Stand looking to the right of the target. Turn to the left and simultaneously draw from the holster, then step to the left and engage with 2 rounds to the head. *Safety Point - ensure you have completed the turn before the gun leaves the holster, ensuring the muzzle is always pointed down range while training. Repeat 5 times. [10]
Drill #2 - The MS13 Kata
ka·ta
noun:
Difficulty - Novice/ Advanced
Target - MS13 w/ Suit and MS13 w/Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)
Ammo - 100 rounds
Load pistol magazines to capacity
Distance - 3 yards (9 feet)
*Safety Point - Drill #1 is a warmup for Drill #2. If you are jumping right into drill #2 (cold) without warming up, then this drill is for advanced shooters.
*Safety Point - ensure you have completed the turn before the gun leaves the holster, ensuring the muzzle is always pointed down range while training. Repeat 5 times. [10]
Set up - In order to run the Kata as described you'll need to set up both targets next to each other about 1 foot apart and have room enough to step left and right about 4 feet each way. Set up MS13 w/LEO on the left and MS13 w/suit on the right.
1) From the holster, draw and simultaneously step right and engage with 2 rounds to the heart. Then, step left and engage with 2 rounds to the head. Repeat 10 times. Check Targets [40]
2) Stand looking to the left of the target. From the holster, turn to the right, draw and simultaneously step right and engage with 2 rounds to the heart. Then, step left and engage with 2 rounds to the head. Repeat 5 times. Check Targets [20]
3) Stand looking to the right of the target. Turn to the left and simultaneously draw from the holster, then step to the right and engage with 2 rounds to the heart. Then, step left and engage with 2 rounds to the head. . Repeat 5 times. Check Targets [20]
4) Stand looking the opposite way and 180º to the target. Turn to the left and simultaneously draw from the holster, then step to the right and engage with 2 rounds to the heart. Then, step left and engage with 2 rounds to the head. *Ensure the gun does not leave the holster until the 180º turn is completed. The gun is always pointed down range during training, no exceptions. Repeat 5 times. Check Targets [20]
Tip - look at the person on the target background to determine which direction to step.
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