We warned you last week that this was going to be an accuracy-intensive drill, and we weren’t kidding. It’s called Dot Torture for a reason. This drill first came to us from good friends at the NRA Headquarters Range in Fairfax, Virginia. They got it from David Blinder at Personal Defense Training. It’s been listed on our Drills Page since day one and has become one of the most frequently viewed and downloaded pages at pistol-training.com.
The drill is deceptively simple. Fifty rounds fired at a slow pace for maximum accuracy. Range is a mere three yards. There are ten small circles on the target, which you can download here. Each circle is part of a specific drill.
Be sure to use this specific target. The circle size is exact, and instructions are also printed under each circle to help you keep track of what you’re doing as the drill progresses.
(click on the target to bring up the full-size version which you can then print out)
- Dot 1 – Draw and fire one string of 5 rounds for best group. One hole if possible, total 5 rounds.
- Dot 2 – Draw and fire 1 shot, holster and repeat X4, total 5 rounds.
- Dots 3 & 4 – Draw and fire 1 shot on #3, then 1 shot on #4, holster and repeat X3, total 8 rounds.
- Dot 5 – Draw and fire string of 5 rounds, strong hand only, total 5 rounds.
- Dots 6 & 7 – Draw and fire 2 shots on #6, then 2 on #7, holster, repeat X4, total 16 rounds.
- Dot 8 – From ready or retention, fire five shots, weak hand only, total 5 rounds.
- Dots 9 & 10 – Draw and fire 1 shot on #9, speed reload, fire 1 shot on #10, holster and repeat X3, total 6 rounds.
Remember, the goal is all about accuracy, not speed. Be patient and make as many of your hits as you can. Getting 100% is a major accomplishment. Give it a try and leave us a comment with your score!
Train hard & stay safe … ToddG
Training with firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Be sure to follow all safety protocols when using firearms or practicing these drills. These drills are provided for information purposes only. Use at your own risk.
The target should be printed on 8.5 x 11 paper?
Mike — Yes, it should print out perfectly on an 8.5×11 sheet of paper. I use card stock because it doesn’t tend to rip at the holes as much.
I recently got a pad of rifle targets from a supplier up here, printed on heavy card stock. much much nicer than thin paper. I’ll be picking some up for this target.
was out today and my weak hand just blew. normally I shoot better weak hand than strong hand, but today the Force was not with me. pulling right constantly.
I’ve modified how I shoot the drill so that I always have an empty mag after either one string, or two. Having 10 round mags, it works out a little better, but you go through more than 50 rounds. My training buddy and I did this drill 6 times this afternoon (nice and sunny out). it was his first time doing it, he was very very happy with the results. at our recent IPSC match he had 13 misses on 7 stages. he needs to watch his front sight more and this drill works that skill.
For the life of me, I am unable to get this target to print correctly. When printed, the image is rotated 90* and prints only on half of the page. Is anyone else having this issue? I printed a couple dozen or so other targets this afternoon, and this is the only one that gave me any issue at all.
Disregard the last. Seems that things print much easier when someone doesn’t dork with the printer settings. 🙂
I’ve run this drill twice at three yards and cleaned it both times. It’s a great drill for quick structured practice without requiring more than three to five yards. Some time standards need to be developed and attached to the program…
Todd-
This is awesome for group practice. I would like to include it in a course we have coming up, if you don’t mind.
Jack — The drill isn’t my idea to begin with. I don’t know where David Blinder got it, but his site was the place where I first found the target and course of fire. It’s public domain and if it helps your chaps, carry on I say. Let us know how it works out!
great exercise. have run this drill twice in the last week with a 47 & 49 score , plan to run it again today for the elusive 50/50.
until that day,
mark
I recently found this site, and this drill. I began a recent firearms class with this drill, and after 2 days of training had the class shoot it again. All students improved. Thanks for the drill, I would like to use some of the other drills if that is ok.
Good drill GREAT SITE!