Three Self-Defense Pistol Drills for Public Shooting Ranges

By Robert A. Sadowski

Posted in
#Skills

Editor’s Note: Please check with the rules of the shooting range you attend before you attempt any specific drills/tactics/etc.

Training at public ranges has its limitations, and many of those limitations are in place to keep everyone safe. For instance, drawing from a holster or from concealment is almost always never allowed. Some ranges don’t allow shooting fast. Timers with buzzers are also frowned upon. Let’s just say public ranges are controlled environments, and training for self-defense situations in them can be difficult.

Practicing with a Hellcat Pro, this shooter demonstrates proper stance and sight alignment. Drills at public ranges should reinforce safe and effective gun handling.

For me, I like to make training count by pushing myself to perform better while reinforcing basic gun-handling techniques like grip, sight alignment, trigger press, follow-up shot, and magazine reloads.

Below are a few public range-friendly drills that will help you improve your shooting and also keep the range officer happy.

Train with Purpose

I don’t like to fling lead down range without a plan. For beginners, it’s fine to just puts hits on a target. But as you progress, you want to improve.

Female shooter practicing with a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro at a public shooting facility. The range setup includes safety barriers, target stands, and visible safety gear such as hearing protection and safety glasses. The shooter appears to be running a basic marksmanship drill, ideal for public range training where drawing from a holster is not allowed. This alt text highlights pistol training, firearms education, and the use of reliable handguns in structured environments. The setting demonstrates real-world application of self-defense skills within public range rules. The overall focus is on safe and effective handgun practice for women and all shooters. The photo is appropriate for guides on public range etiquette and skill development. — A woman practices pistol drills with a Springfield Armory Hellcat at a public shooting range. Safe firearms handling and basic marksmanship are the focus.

There is no warm-up in real life. Practice drills that exercise the basics and help build muscle memory so if it ever comes to a real-life situation, you will be better prepared.

Public Range Hack

Since you can’t draw from a holster at a public range, start from a low-ready position. Using a timer is a great way to measure improvement as well as signal you to start, but timers are not allowed on most if not all public ranges. I improvise a timer’s start buzzer by using the sound of another shooter’s shot. Starting at low ready, I wait to hear the next shot and then begin the drill. Not knowing when you are starting applies more pressure and keeps you a bit off guard.

A Springfield Armory pistol is placed on a shooting bench beside a paper target filled with visible shot holes, illustrating the results of recent practice. The target features clearly marked hit zones, commonly used for self-defense and accuracy drills at public shooting ranges. The pistol is unloaded and positioned with the slide locked back for safety, in compliance with range rules. The simple setup emphasizes the basics of pistol training, including evaluating shot placement and tracking improvement. This image reflects the real-world tools and results of structured range sessions. The focus is on safe gun handling, target analysis, and effective practice routines. The photo supports content about public range etiquette, handgun selection, and skill-building drills. — Practicing with basic paper targets keeps pistol skills sharp. Targets like these are common tools for structured handgun training.

Drills that emphasize slow fire, rapid fire, strong-hand only, weak-hand only, and transitioning between targets are ideal. I also throw in long-range shooting with pistols at 25 yards. You want to be proficient at distance and at close range, just in case you need it. Remember, speed is not necessarily your friend; get the accuracy part down first, and speed will follow.

Targets do not have to elaborate. White paper plates are an inexpensive solution. The outside diameter is 8” the center is about 6”. They aren’t as dramatic as splatter burst reactive targets, but they are cheap. Plus, without the outline for the center section, you have concentrate more on aiming to hit the center. Plain white 8.5”x11” paper also makes great targets. Staple it vertically on the range’s stand, and it’s almost the same size as the center of mass on a torso target.

In my opinion, the three drills below are well-suited for public ranges. They focus on the basics and provide a challenge. All of these drills can be performed with a handgun or rifle. Increase target distance when using a rifle.

Drill #1: The 1-Reload-1 Drill

The 1-Reload-1 Drill is a fun drill for practicing reloading and accurate shooting. Set a target, like a paper plate, at 7 yards. Start with a single round in the chamber and an empty magazine in the gun, with it at low ready. Fire one shot, perform a reload going for smoothness and minimal movement, and fire another shot.

Several pistols are arranged neatly on a shooting bench along with multiple spare magazines, set up for a reloading drill at a public shooting range. The pistols appear unloaded, with magazines removed and placed in an organized row, showing a safe and controlled environment. This setup demonstrates the equipment needed for reload practice, which is a key part of many public range-friendly drills. The image highlights the importance of having extra magazines on hand to run drills like the 1-Reload-1 or Baer Solutions Standards. Visible hearing protection and shooting accessories add context to the scene, reinforcing safe firearm handling. The organized layout makes it easy for shooters to access magazines quickly during practice. This photo is ideal for articles covering reloading techniques, pistol training, and safe range habits. The overall message is preparation and safety during structured training sessions. — Pistols and spare magazines are set out on a bench, ready for reloading drills at the public range. Practicing reloads helps shooters build confidence and efficiency with their handgun.

This drill builds muscle memory for reloads, which will become smoother and faster, plus it forces you to shoot accurately under the stress of a reload. As you become more proficient, move the target out to 10, 15 or 25 yards. I usually start with this drill as a warm-up.

Drill #2: Dot Torture Drill

This is the drill to perform when you want to focus on trigger control. It also forces you to remember to shoot a specific number of rounds on specific dots. You can find Dot Torture Drill targets online and print them out on an 8.5”x11” sheet of paper and a box of 50 rounds. Start at three yards, which is probably the closest the range will allow. There are 10 2” dots on the target, and they are numbered.

The photo shows a Springfield Echelon pistol placed next to a Dot Torture Drill target, both set on a bench at a public shooting range. The Dot Torture target is an 8.5”x11” sheet with ten numbered dots, each with visible bullet holes from a recent shooting drill. The Echelon is unloaded and positioned for safety, following standard range procedures. The image highlights the connection between effective pistol training and tracking progress with well-known drills. Public range features like individual shooting lanes and safety signage are visible in the background. The combination of this modern pistol and the Dot Torture Drill underscores the importance of accuracy, trigger control, and consistency. The photo supports content about skill development, safe practice routines, and using practical drills at public ranges. — After running the Dot Torture Drill, the Springfield Echelon and marked target show clear results. Structured drills like this are effective ways to measure pistol shooting progress.

Start at low ready. This is the course of fire:

Dot 1: From low ready, fire five rounds.

Dot 2: From low ready, fire one round, return to low ready and fire one round. Repeat for five rounds.

Dots 3 and 4: From low ready, fire one round on dot 3 and one round on dot 4, then return to low ready and repeat for a total of eight rounds.

Dot 5: From low ready, fire five rounds on dot 5, strong-hand-only.

Dots 6 and 7: From low ready, fire two rounds on dot 6 and two rounds on dot 7, then return to low ready and repeat for a total of 16 rounds.

Dot 8: From low ready, fire five rounds on dot 8 with support hand only.

Dots 9 and 10: From low ready, fire one round on dot 9. Perform a tactical reload, and fire one round on dot 10, then return to low ready. Repeat for a total of six rounds.

A passing score is all clean hits inside the circle. This is a pass/,fail drill. Yes it is torture, but torture you will learn to love. Pros score this drill with all hits inside the circle. If you are just starting out and some of your hits touch the outer edge of the circle, count it is a clean hit and try better next time.

Drill #3: Baer Solutions Standards Drill

This drill was developed by Baer Solutions and is easily drawn or printed on 8.5”x11” paper. The target consists of two 6”x3.5” rectangles on either side of a 2” circle. Set the target at five yards, and load 10 rounds in one magazine, three rounds in a second magazine, and 10 in a third magazine. If you don’t have three magazines, don’t sweat it. Just use two.

A Springfield Echelon handgun rests on a shooting bench beside a completed Baer Solutions training target, set in a public shooting range. The target is a standard 8.5”x11” sheet with two rectangular zones and a small center circle, each displaying bullet holes from a structured shooting drill. The pistol is unloaded and positioned safely, with its action open or magazine removed, following range safety protocols. Visible range elements like shooting stalls, target lines, and safety signage create a clear public range context. This image demonstrates the use of the Baer Solutions Standards Drill to balance speed and accuracy with a modern handgun. The clean, straightforward setup is typical for shooters working on measurable skill development. The photo fits articles about pistol training, public range best practices, and using professional drills for improvement. — A Springfield Echelon and a marked Baer Solutions target sit on the bench at a public range. Pairing capable pistols with proven drills helps shooters focus on practical skills and consistent results.

From low ready, quickly engage the left rectangle with five rounds, then transition to the right rectangle with another five rounds. Perform a reload and shoot the circle with three rounds. This drill balances speed and accuracy while shooting for speed on the rectangles and slowing it down for surgical accuracy on the circle.

A passing score is all clean hits under 9 seconds. You won’t have a timer at a public range to clock your time, but that is okay. The drill forces you to concentrate on the basics. As you perform this drill, your speed will increase. Remember, it is accuracy before speed.

Train to Be Prepared

Punching holes in paper can be turned into genuine training, even within the constraints of a public range. Practice with purpose and, as you get more proficient, push yourself and place the targets at farther distances. Don’t be complacent; push the envelope on your skills.

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