Suggested Marksmanship Goals

In the shooting world there are many different ideas when it comes to “marksmanship”. Here is a start as well as a basic standard of marksmanship.

The Baseline

There needs to be an understanding the basic standard is testing to evaluate knowledge and application of marksmanship fundamentals This is a baseline of sorts and ensures a known beginning. Take a moment to review the marksmanship fundamentals. This is the very minimum knowledge and application necessary to be successful. Without knowing and applying the five elements of marksmanship fundamentals, the shooter does not meet the minimum basic standard. Here is a list of marksmanship fundamentals in the proper sequence.

1. Position
2. Grip
3. Aiming
4. Trigger control
5. Follow through

Knowing Is Not Enough

Knowing the fundamentals is the first step and honestly the easiest. The hard part is applying them consistently. As we apply these elements they must be performed to a minimum standard for success. For position, the stance should be athletic and action biased. Have good balance and muscular tension throughout the body with a forward leaning posture. Grip places both hands optimally on the firearm to allow constant and firm tension, but does not interfere with trigger control. Aiming is made up of sight alignment and sight picture. Sight alignment is achieved when the front sight post is at the same height as the rear sight notch. Then equal spacing of the front sight post between the rear sight notch. Sight picture is superimposing sight alignment on the intended target and holding through the firing sequence. Trigger control starts with proper placement of the index finger so it contacts only the face of the trigger. When properly placed this allows the index finger to move the trigger straight to the rear with minimal disruption to aiming. Follow through is the active recovery of the firearm back on target with muscular tension. It begins the moment the projectile leaves the muzzle by returning the muzzle back to the target, then re-aiming the sights and finishes with resetting the trigger to allow trigger control to begin again if required. Knowing is not enough, consistently apply each of these five elements.

Basic Pistol Test

Use this drill to test the knowledge and application of the marksmanship fundamentals. It should be performed in the very beginning of a range session with no warm up. The goal is to score a 70% or higher, five times in a row to truly meet the minimum standard. Take a picture of the target and keep it as a reference for future range sessions. Print and use the TRICON B8 target to make it easier and the scoring consistent. The test is performed from the 10 yard line, requires 10 rounds and a timer. Use the timer on any mobile device, but set it for 7 seconds to allow time to safely hit start. If using a shot timer, set the par time for 5 seconds. There are four stages to this test, the last stage is the only stage performed from the holster, if allowed. If drawing from the holster is not allowed or lacking the knowledge, start from a tabled position. We define the ready position as both hands properly gripping the firearm with the trigger finger straight on the home position and the muzzle pointing downward at a 45 degree angle.

1. Aimed in on target, fire 1 round within 5 seconds
2. From ready position, fire 4 rounds within 5 seconds
3. From ready position, fire 3 rounds one handed within 5 seconds
4. From holster position, fire 2 rounds within 5 seconds

After completed the drill, score the target. Each round is 10 points for a maximum score of 100. If a round cuts the line, count it as the lower score. To score 70% means no more than missing a total of 30 points. Good luck.