Here are three drills I use with myself and with students to test and confirm that fundamental skills, especially trigger press, are in place. They’re also a great way to evaluate a trigger and sight picture vs. point of impact on an unfamiliar handgun.

1. Case drill

Larry Vickers started an advanced pistol class with this drill. It’s been a wonderful tool for me to use with shooters, especially new ones, who think pressing the trigger is an event. This drill allows you to feel that pressing the trigger is nothing more than another step in the firing sequence.

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The case drill is easiest when done with a friend who can re-set the empty cartridge case. It’s a little slower practiced alone. It’s done with an empty firearm, so remove the magazine and double-check that the chamber is clear before closing the slide. If you’re practicing off-range, remove ammunition from the immediate area, like putting it in another room.

Splatterburst Targets ... Buy New $16.99 (as of 04:45 UTC - Details) Hold the gun in firing position on the target. Have a friend balance the empty case of a fired cartridge on your front sight—or atop the slide just behind the front sight if the sight is slanted.  Press the trigger to “click,” keeping the case in place. Reset the slide.  Repeat until you get at least five full trigger presses in a row while keeping the case balanced.

This dry-fire exercise makes shooters better without eating up ammunition.  And it can be practiced at times when you can’t get to the range.

2. Five-shot drill

Start at a distance of three yards for beginners, or five yards for more accomplished shooters. Fire five consecutive shots, slowly and deliberately, without checking where each one hits.  Success is measured by progressively smaller groups, working toward one ragged hole in the target.  Increase the distance to seven yards when three or five come easily.

This drill is especially telling for the most common error, jerking rather than pressing the trigger.  The target will generally show low and left grouping for right handed shooters or low right groups for left-handers who anticipate the shot. Shots landing centered and low indicate spastic finger action on the trigger sans anticipatory dread on the shooter’s part.

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