Firearms Training Drills

Common Firearms Drills to keep up your skills.

10-10-10 Drill – The Test of Balanced Shooting

The 10-10-10 Drill, often simply called “The Test,” is a widely respected pistol drill that measures both speed and accuracy. Many CCW instructors use it as a baseline to evaluate student performance.

How to run the 10-10-10 Drill:

  • Stand 10 yards from the target.

  • From the holster or low ready, fire 10 rounds in 10 seconds.

  • All shots should stay inside the 8-ring or better on a standard silhouette target.

It sounds easy—but the timer changes everything. Under pressure, shooters often rush and lose accuracy. The drill emphasizes a smooth draw, consistent sight picture, and controlled trigger work.

Why the 10-10-10 Drill matters for CCW training:
In defensive shooting, you must be able to hit accurately while working against the clock. Passing this drill demonstrates competence in recoil management, sight tracking, and overall shooting control. It’s a widely used benchmark for defensive pistol skills.

Tips for passing the drill:

  • Start with accuracy—hit the target clean before working on speed.

  • Focus on eliminating wasted movement during your draw and presentation.

  • Train regularly with a timer to measure progress.

👉 The 10-10-10 Drill is one of the best pistol drills for CCW holders to test and improve their defensive shooting fundamentals.

Wizard Drill – The Cold Standard for Concealed Carry

The Wizard Drill is an unforgiving test created by legendary instructor Ken Hackathorn. It’s designed to measure true concealed carry readiness by limiting both time and ammo. With only 5 rounds total, the drill requires perfect execution under strict time standards.

How to run the Wizard Drill:

  • 3 yards – 1 headshot, strong hand only (2.5 sec)

  • 5 yards – 1 headshot, two hands (2.5 sec)

  • 7 yards – 1 shot, two hands (2.5 sec)

  • 10 yards – 2 body shots (2.5 sec)

If you miss or exceed the time limit, you fail. The Wizard Drill is meant to be shot cold—no warm-ups.

Why the Wizard Drill matters for CCW holders:
Real-life encounters don’t give second chances. You may have only seconds to draw and fire accurately. The Wizard Drill simulates this reality by demanding speed, precision, and adaptability across different distances. Passing it proves a shooter’s ability to perform when it counts most.

Tips for success:

  • Prioritize a clean draw—wasted motion costs time.

  • Use efficient sight alignment rather than over-confirming.

  • Train with a timer, but test yourself cold to see your true ability.

👉 For shooters searching for the ultimate cold pistol test for CCW, the Wizard Drill is a must-try.

Big Deck Drill – Precision Under Pressure

The Big Deck Drill is a deceptively simple CCW pistol drill that puts accuracy and time pressure front and center. The target? A standard playing card. The rules? 5 shots, 5 yards, 5 seconds.

How to run the Big Deck Drill:

  • Place a playing card on your target stand at 5 yards.

  • From the draw, fire 5 rounds at the card.

  • The goal is to keep every shot on the card within 5 seconds.

This drill forces shooters to maintain precise sight alignment and smooth trigger control. Unlike larger targets, a playing card offers no margin for error—if you flinch or rush, it shows.

Why the Big Deck Drill is valuable for CCW training:
Concealed carriers must be accountable for every round fired. At close distances, speed and accuracy both matter. The Big Deck Drill trains you to deliver fast, accurate shots into a small vital area, reinforcing the balance between urgency and precision.

Tips for running the drill:

  • Focus on a controlled first shot—don’t let the timer rush your fundamentals.

  • Maintain a strong, consistent grip throughout the string.

  • If you miss, slow down and refine your sight picture before speeding back up.

👉 The Big Deck Drill is an ideal concealed carry accuracy drill for shooters looking to test themselves under time constraints while using minimal ammunition.

Bill Drill – Mastering Speed and Recoil Control

The Bill Drill pistol drill is one of the most widely recognized exercises for developing speed and recoil management. Originally popularized in competition shooting, it has become a staple for both competitive shooters and concealed carry (CCW) holders.

How to run the Bill Drill:

  • Start at 7 yards with your handgun holstered.

  • On the buzzer, draw and fire 6 rounds into the target’s A-zone.

  • The goal is simple: shoot as fast as you can while maintaining accuracy.

What makes the Bill Drill valuable is that it reveals weaknesses instantly. If your grip is inconsistent, your shots will drift. If your trigger control is sloppy, your group will spread. When performed correctly, the drill teaches you to track your sights during recoil and deliver multiple accurate shots in rapid succession.

Why the Bill Drill matters for concealed carry:
In a defensive encounter, stopping the threat quickly is essential. The Bill Drill conditions you to manage recoil, control your pistol under stress, and deliver multiple hits where they count. Many firearms instructors recommend the Bill Drill as a benchmark for defensive shooting competency.

Tips for improvement:

  • Start slow and focus on accuracy before chasing speed.

  • Build consistency in your draw stroke to save fractions of a second.

  • Use a shot timer to track progress—aim for clean hits in under 2 seconds from the draw.

👉 If you’re searching for a pistol drill to improve CCW shooting skills, the Bill Drill is one of the best places to start.