Sidearms & Scatterguns Target acquisition drills - need suggestions

[Oakflat]

So I've been teaching my wife to shoot and while she does enjoy the sport so far, I am actively searching for ways to increase the fun factor for her. Our normal setup is 8 Rimfire spinner targets at 30 yards, a few targets at 100 yards and a target at 300 yards.

With the Rimfire targets at 30 yards we shoot once per target with a Mark III and a 10/22 while focusing on speed and accuracy with a 3.5-10 on the 10/22.

With the 100 yard targets we shoot the 10/22 at different things and we sometimes take the M&P9 and 40 out that far just for the heck of it.

For the 300 yard target we shoot the Noveske Rogue Hunter with plans to extend out to 500 in a couple of months and after an order of AR-500 targets. I have had her take the 10/22 out to 300 when the field was chopped and dry.

Now, to my question. I would like to integrate some target acquisition and speed drills with the 9mm and 40 into our routine. I don't have steel targets yet and I am wondering if there are other fun options that I don't know about.

Thanks!

 

[rjacobs]

Dot drill.

Fast drill.

Tons of others.

Check out pistol-training.com, they have a ton of drills.

 

[Conrad101st]

I stick 12 or so orange stickers on a sheet of plywood on our range's target stand ten feet out.
Draw and triple shoot at each dot. I usually fire three groups at each dot. That will eat up two boxes of ammo.
I vary the pace. Slower to one hole group all the way to as fast as I can go and hold a 4 inch group.
I'm mainly interested in cleanly drawing from my daily carry holster and being smooth as I push towards the target to get reasonable combat accuracy at a good pace.

 

[Oakflat]

I have not gotten her a holster yet but that is next on her list. She has had very little firearms experience prior to this so I've been teaching her safety as well and I think she is ready to move on from just handling and picking up from a table. I have been shopping for gun belts and holsters but choosing a holster is a task in itself. Thanks a ton for the responses I can see many hours of shooting in our future.

 

[Oakflat]

So, I guess I should go ahead and build a plywood target stand for these drills. I grew up on a farm and am not familiar with range equipment though I do live in a small city now and joined an indoor range 3 months ago. How thick is the plywood normally used on these target stands?

 

[Conrad101st]

Not very thick. Cardboard sheets work too. I just like a clean target backing so I can easily identify my strikes.

 

[Conrad101st]

Better start of real slow dry firing unless you want a round in her foot.

Crawl. Walk. Run.

 

[Oakflat]

Good idea. I will do that.

 

[rjacobs]

I have not gotten her a holster yet but that is next on her list. She has had very little firearms experience prior to this so I've been teaching her safety as well and I think she is ready to move on from just handling and picking up from a table. I have been shopping for gun belts and holsters but choosing a holster is a task in itself. Thanks a ton for the responses I can see many hours of shooting in our future.

If its a basic OWB holster for range use I think the kydex holsters win. Very simple, no retention, nothing crazy. That and a Wilderness Tactical Instructor 5 stitch belt is a great range combination IMO.