Shooting Standards

I designed these drills as un-elitist and accessible as possible: easy to make targets and low round count. We know many folks don't have the means to afford a physical shot timer, so there are free phone apps like IPSC Shot Timer.

SAFETY is always paramount! Please do not attempt this drill from holster draw if you are not proficient and competent.

Also because holster draw isn't allowed at most public ranges, you can simply do this drill from compressed ready (gun in front of you with relaxed, bent elbows) or low ready (gun in front of you with extended arms with gun below your line of sight).

LAPS One Hole Challenge

SETUP: Any target or simply a dot on paper/cardboard target. Iron sights: 5 rounds at 5yds. Optic sight: 5 rounds at 7yds or strong hand only at 5yds.

DRILL: Shoot all rounds at your own pace, no time limit.

STANDARD: All holes must touch/connect, so a successful result will be one hole of any size on the target.

This drill really tests your fundamentals. Many first time shooters achieve this in our Pistol 101 to earn LAPS Color patch. Shoot this strong hand only for an extra challenge.

5 x 5 x 5 (Playing Card drill)

SETUP: Playing card at 5 yards, 5 rounds.

DRILL: Draw and shoot 5 rounds. They must all be inside the card and line hits count.

STANDARD:

5.0 sec or less: Intermediate

3.5 sec or less: Advanced

2.5 sec or less: Expert

1.5 sec or less: Master

This drill has been around since the Old West where taking 5 paces to shoot 5 shots at a poker card in 5 seconds was a quick assessment of one's pistol craft.

The drill is traditionally pass/fail at 5 seconds or better, but we also added more time standards to keep challenging ourselves to continually get better and not get complacent at just 5 seconds as the goal to beat.

Attend a class or quarterly range day to shoot this drill on our card to take home to remember your performance and earn LAPS Color patch if you shoot it in 5 sec or less.

LAPS 2R2 Challenge

SETUP: 3x5 vertical index card, and 3x5 horizontal index card 5" below the other at 7 yards. 2 magazines, 2 rounds each mag.

DRILL: Draw and shoot 2 at horizontal card to slide lock, reload, then shoot 2 with strong hand only at vertical card.

STANDARD: From holster, 6 seconds. From compressed high or low ready, add 0.5 second for total time.

This drill for experienced shooters tests many skills: holster draw, shooting doubles, reload, and strong hand shooting, to earn LAPS Black/White patch.

laps shooting standards

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LAPS One Hole Challenge

5 x 5 x 5 (Playing Card drill)

LAPS 2R2 Challenge

congrats to all these folks who took the challenge!