Practical Shooting Course

By now you should have a good knowledge of:

[*]What is practical shooting.
[*]Where it started.
[*]What is IPSC.
[*]What are the Principles of IPSC.
[*]Something about the guns, ammo, and equipment.
[*]Range safety, and the use of Safety Areas.
[*]Range Commands and procedures.
[*]The basic draw from the holster technique.

The following exercises should be handled by at least two instructors. One to explain while the other watches and demonstrates. All live fire stages should have at least one instructor watching the shooter.

Dry Practice

Now is the time to go to the range.

For this "dry" practice, there should be
no ammo present under any circumstances.

This following exercise is done to become comfortable with loading and unloading procedures.

Always facing downrange:

This should be repeated enough times to begin feeling comfortable with the process.

Once comfortable with the loading and unloading procedures, then follow the "Load and make Ready" with the "Standby"command and then the signal to fire.

This will allow the loading procedure with the stance, grip, safety, sight alignment, and smooth trigger press. Then "Unload and Show Clear". The entire exercise should be done in "slow motion". It should never be rushed.

At some point during this exercise, after the loading procedure, the shooters may be asked to place their hands on their heads. This will allow the Range Officer to check if the safety catches have been applied.

Repeat the above enough times to begin feeling comfortable with the loading, drawing, and unloading procedures.

Live Practice

From this point on, all magazines and speed loaders should be fully charged except for one stripper magazine which should have only one round.

Remember, you may not handle ammo in any Safety Area!

The following exercises must take place on a shooting range under the supervision of an instructor or range official. Shooters must always wear eye and ear protection while on a shooting range.

Repeat the above with live ammo. Do not fire any rounds and do not put your finger on the trigger.

"Load and Make Ready"

  1. Smoothly draw handgun from holster with a straight trigger finger, muzzle pointing straight downrange, elbow bent.
  2. Cant the pistol so the magazine well can be seen. Fully insert the stripper magazine (the magazine with only one round).
  3. Extend your arm out straight and cant the pistol to the weak side so you can grab hold of the rear serrations with your weak hand.
  4. Pushing forward with your strong hand and pulling back with your weak hand, rack the slide all the way to the rear and let go, chambering the round. Immediately apply the safety and bring the pistol back down always keeping the trigger finger well outside the trigger guard.
  5. Release the magazine into your weak hand and visually check that the magazine is empty ensuring a chambered round. Put your stripper mag in your pocket and replace with a fully charged magazine as in step 2. Muzzle always pointing downrange and trigger finger always straight and well clear of the trigger guard.
  6. Now holster the fully loaded pistol. The safety must always be applied.

"Unload and Show Clear"

  1. Draw as in step 1 above.
  2. Remove the source of ammo as in step 5.
  3. Remove the round in the chamber as in step 3 and 4 only this time apply pressure with your strong hand thumb under the slide-release while the slide is racked back. This will lock the slide back as the round falls out. Bring the pistol back down with the slide locked back, ready for inspection.

"Gun Clear, Hammer Down, and Holster"

After the range officer has visually inspected the chamber and magazine well, and issues the above command.

  1. As in step 3, bring the pistol up canting it so as to grasp the rear with your weak hand, disengage the slide-release with your thumb and ease the slide forward. Do not allow the slide to slam down on an empty chamber. Always pointing downrange, use the trigger to drop the hammer. Do not ease the hammer down - drop the hammer! This is the ultimate check of empty chamber.
  2. Holster an empty and unloaded pistol.

"Range is Clear"

Not until the Range Officer issues this command may you move from the line, pick up, bend or move downrange.

Stand easy until you hear this command.

The above exercises should be done enough times so that the shooter becomes comfortable with the loading and unloading sequences.

At some point during this "live" exercise, after the loading procedure, the shooters may be asked to place their hands on their heads. This will allow the Range Officer to check if the safety catches have been applied.

Live Fire Stages

Shooters must always wear eye and ear protection while on the range. IPSC targets must be used for the following exercises.

Shooters may not, under any circumsatnces, handle or unholster the handgun, other than the Safety Area or on the firing line under the command of the Range Officer. This safety procedure will be strongly enforced.

All the following exercises must have all shots on the target, with at least 50% A-zone hits in order to advance to the next level. Concentrate on a smooth draw, safe muzzle control, and keep checking the correct grip and stance. Score and patch between all stages.

Stage 1.

Distance: 7 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 1 round. Done 6 times.

On the signal, draw and fire one round at the IPSC target in front of you in your own time. Re-apply the safety each time and holster. This will be done six times - then score and patch the target.

Let's remember:
sights on the target - finger on the trigger,
sights off the target - finger off the trigger

Each Stage (1-9) must have all shots on the target and at least 50% A zone hits before proceeding to the next stage. Stages with overtime shots must also be repeated.

Stage 2.

Distance: 7 meters
Time: 2 seconds
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 1 round. Done 6 times.

Same as above, on the signal, draw and fire one round, only this time in two seconds. Re-apply the safety each time and holster. This will be done six times. Then score and patch. Remember, you must have 6 hits on the target and at least 3 A's and no overtime shots. Now let's move to double taps.

A nice smooth draw with a good grip is more important than a shaky fast draw. Proper sight acquisition is the key to hitting the target. High visibility sights helps the flash sight picture. Remember, you cannot watch the target and watch the front sight at the same time. Watch the front sight!

Stage 3.

Distance: 7 meters
Time: 3 seconds
Targets: 1
Rounds: 12
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 2 rounds. Done 6 times.

The double tap is two quick shots in succession with two flash sight pictures. On the signal, draw and fire two rounds at your target in three seconds. As always, re-apply the safety and holster between strings. This will be done six times. Then score and patch. Remember, we need 12 hits on the target, at least 6 A's, and no overtime shots.

Notice the difference between two aimed shots and double taps. Watch the front sight!

At some point during these exercises, the shooters may be asked to place their hands on their heads. This will allow the Range Officer to check if the safety catches have been applied.

Stage 4.

Distance: 15 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw & fire 1 round. Done 6 times.

Moving back to 15 meters requires a more deliberate sight picture. Same procedure as Stage 1.

Stage 5.

Distance: 15 meters
Time: 3 seconds
Targets: 1
Rounds: 12
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 2 rounds. Done 6 times.

Same as above, only now timed at 3 seconds.

Stage 6.

Distance: 10 meters
Time: 7 / 10 seconds
Targets: 1
Rounds: 12
Start position: Hands at shoulder height
Procedure: Draw and fire 2 rounds, reload, fire another 2 rounds at the same target. Done 3 times.

Note: 7 seconds for self-loaders; 10 seconds for revolvers.

Starting with hands at shoulder height means that the Range Officer should be able to see the back of your palms. The reload should be smooth and unhurried.

Stage 7.

Distance: 10 meters
Time: 7 / 10 seconds
Targets: 2
Rounds: 12
Start position: Hands at shoulder height
Procedure: Draw and fire 2 rounds, reload, fire another 2 rounds on the other target. 3 times.

Same as above only now on alternating targets.

Stage 8. "El Presidente"

Distance: 10 meters
Time: 12 / 18 seconds
Targets: 3 (2 target widths apart)
Rounds: 12
Start position: Back to targets, hands at shoulder height
Procedure: Turn, draw, and fire 2 rounds on each target, reload, and fire another 2 rounds on each target.

Caution: Do not draw until completely facing downrange. Dry practice first before shooting. Watch your muzzle direction and a nice smooth magazine change.

Stage 9.

Distance: 10 and 15 meters
Time: 10 seconds
Targets: 2
Rounds: 4
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: From area A engage T1 with 2 rounds, proceed to area B and engage T2 with 2 rounds.

The trigger finger must always be outside trigger guard during movement, and the muzzle must always be pointed downrange.

Diagram for Stage 9

Stages 9 through 15 are for technique only and are not strictly scored. Always watch muzzle control, safe muzzle direction, and finger well out of the trigger guard.

Stage 10.

Distance: 10 and 15 meters
Time: 10 seconds
Targets: 2
Rounds: 4
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Same as Stage 9 with a reload between area A and area B.

Stage 11.

Distance: 20 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw, kneel and fire 1 round. 6 times.

Stage 12.

Distance: 20 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw, go prone and fire 1 round. 6 times.
Caution: Never, under any circumstances, place your arm or hands downrange of the muzzle.

Stage 13.

Distance: 15 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 12
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 6 rounds, right side barricade, reload, 6 rounds left side barricade. Done once.

Stage 14.

Distance: 10 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 2 rounds, strong hand only. 3 times.

Stage 15.

Distance: 10 meters
Time: Not timed
Targets: 1
Rounds: 6
Start position: Hands at sides
Procedure: Draw and fire 2 rounds, weak hand only (strong hand draw). Done 3 times.

Congratulations! We hope you had fun and enjoyed the shooting.

If you did not enjoy the challenge or if you got stuck on some of the exercises (could not complete after three attempts), let it go for awhile and think about doing the entire course again. It's fun.

Now, put the pistol away (always at the designated Saftey Area) and find a pencil.