Skip to main content

Hard Swing Drill

Hard Swing Drill

This drill will help you improve your draw speed and target transitions—along with reloading skills and sight picture and trigger control. It also reinforces the importance of controlling the gun’s recoil. It’s a great drill for competitive shooters, but because of the basics it addresses it’s good for defensive handgunners as well.

Gear:

  • Spare Magazine
  • Mag Pouch
  • Shot Timer

Drill:

Three IPSC-style targets. Targets 1 and 3 are seven yards to the left and right of the shooting position (use a USPSA-type shooting box if you’re practicing for competition) and one yard downrange, facing the start position. Target 2 is 15 yards directly downrange from the starting position. Start with arms at sides. At signal, draw and shoot targets 1 and 3 with two rounds each. Perform a reload and shoot target 2 with two rounds.

Goals:

It all starts with the draw, which needs to be done with urgency (and safety, of course). Targets 1 and 3 are close enough that they can be shot with a fast cadence, but you need to ensure you have a tight grip to limit muzzle flip. Drive hard from target 1 to target 3 by using your hips, not your upper body. Then, after a solid reload, because target 2 is at distance you’ll want to use a controlled cadence to get your hits.

Kimber



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

New CZ P-09 Nocturne

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

Smith & Wesson M&P in 5.7 and .22 Mag. Calibers

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Gear

Streamlight Updates Its Wedge Flashlight with Tail Cap Switch

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Gear

Hodgdon Adds Match and HD to Its Winchester StaBALL Powder Line

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Gear

Crossbreed Rogue Holster and System with Mag Carrier

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 350 Hunting Revolver In .350 Legend

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

First Look: Taurus GX4 XL

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

S&W M&P Shield Plus

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

Beretta A1 Carry

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

First Look: Federal .30 Super Carry Pistol Cartridge

Handguns Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Handguns App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Handguns stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Handguns subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Handguns stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use