The Three Target Test

Many readers have heard of Jim Cirrillo, the former NYPD Stake--Out Squad member with more gunfight experience than Wild Bill Hickock, Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp combined. Few would question Cirrillo's skill as an ace gunfighter. What both Rob Leatham and Cirrillo have in common is a great ability to master the basics of marksmanship.

Cirrillo was an accomplished PPC shooter in his day, and he stresses the ability to align the sights and control the trigger under stress. At the recent S&W Winter IDPA Nationals, Cirrillo joked about winning an award for the most procedural penalties, for he totaled up quite a number. "In all my gunfights I didn't have to worry about penalties, just winning. Sight alignment and trigger control were the keys to my success," says Cirillo.

I have a simple test I run when checking new trainees or operators. I place three NRA five-yard bullseye centers up at 10 yards. I ask the student to fire six rounds at the first target slow fire, about 2.5 minutes normally). Next I ask them to fire six rounds at the second bullseye in 10 seconds, and finally six rounds at the third in five seconds.

Each string starts with the handgun in hand, at the ready. This is done with both hands on the gun in whatever grip or stance the student prefers. If the student cannot shoot a good slow fire group on the first target, with plenty of time for using good sight alignment and precise trigger control-- guess what? The second and third targets are pretty sad.

My key point is that if you cannot fire an accurate group at 10 yards taking your time, you will be in big trouble if you ever expect to do anything well using marksmanship as a goal. Simply put, you had better learn the basics before you plan on being anything serious with a handgun.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group