Comments on: F.A.S.T. F.A.Q.

By: ToddG

ToddG — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:31:54 +0000

Tony — There really is no “standard” if shot from an open, unconcealed holster. You could still use the drill, the scores just wouldn’t be comparable.

As for your suggestion about putting the target upside down, that is absolutely acceptable. As a matter of fact, most of the time when I shoot the drill in practice I have to put the 3×5 card to the side of the 8″ target.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:38:30 +0000

I’d like to try this test with the guys in our shooting club, but use of retention or concealment rigs is pretty unlikely. What kind of time penalties would be appropriate for doing this test with an uncovered holster without retention devices and uncovered magazine pouches?

A thought just occurred to me. If people are worried that they will default to shooting headshots first after training this drill, why not just print out the official target and post it upside down? (And also stop calling the first target “the head”…) Would this not make the target different enough from a human assailant as to not cause confusion in a combat situation?

By: ToddG

ToddG — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:05:50 +0000

167 – No. It’s a performance test. If one’s gear limits one’s performance, that’s the shooter’s choice. But unofficially, I’d say give yourself an extra second for the reload for comparison.

By: 167

167 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:29:12 +0000

Is there a revovler version of the F.A.S.T, or revised times since reloads take longer?

By: ToddG

ToddG — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:48:58 +0000

JerryV — Your comment is addressed in Answer #5, above.

By: JerryV

JerryV — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:35:30 +0000

As many of us have learned “We do what we practice” so I’ve got a concern with the F.A.S.Test. If it is true that in the moment when our training is called upon to save our life or the lives of those around us I recommend a modification to this drill. Most of you will agree that during clearing your house in the middle of the night your first shots should be rapid center mass shots and then a head shot. Or if yu are in a parking garage and a thug tries to rob you at knife point you should first have rapid center mass shots and then head shots. This drill is training us to do it backwards. Please don’t get me wrong I think it is a great drill but I suggest that it is updated to 4 rapid shots to center mass, reload and then 2 head shots.

By: st_judas

st_judas — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:28:48 +0000

Andy, check out the page that discusses the details of the FAST drill

In case my link doesn’t work, the FAST drill page stipulates:

Range: 7 yards

Target: 3×5 card (head), 8? plate (body)
Start position: weapon concealed or in duty condition with all holster retention devices active; shooter facing downrange in relaxed stance with arms down at sides
Rounds fired: 6

Drill begins from the holster, pistol loaded with exactly two rounds. On the buzzer:

1. draw
2. fire two rounds at the 3×5 box
3. perform a slidelock reload
4. fire four rounds at the 8? circle

To count, the F.A.S.T. must be shot from concealment or from a recognized retention holster. Open-top retention holsters without concealment (e.g., Blackhawk SERPA, Safariland ALS) add an additional 0.50 to the shooter’s time. Using both a standard duty retention holster (e.g., Safariland SLS, SSIII) as well as flap/retention magazine pouches will result in a 0.50 reduction in recorded time.

By: Andy Flowers

Andy Flowers — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:24:09 +0000

Does anyone know how far away from the target the shooter is when he conducts this drill? Thanks.

By: ToddG

ToddG — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:22:51 +0000

GB — So what’s your best score shooting it cold so far?

rob — I’ll bring three coins with me and hope I leave with just one (mine!). Shoot me an email so we can schedule it, my 1Q and 2Q 09 is starting to look a little busy and I’d definitely like to get you guys in there.

By: rob

rob — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:50:03 +0000

I’m looking forward to trying for this coin again when we bring Todd back up in 2009. I know Mike C is too. well done Todd, stuff like this is what motivates shooters and keeps the training from getting boring.