“Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

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Paladin
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“Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

#1

Post by Paladin »

Statistics show that the “average” gunfight is at a distance of three yards, firing three rounds, over the course of three seconds.

Karl Rehn developed a shooting drill to replicate these "average" conditions: Three Seconds or Less download

Greg Ellifritz Shooting the drill

I think Karl is on to something here. How many have tried the drill? What did you think?
Last edited by Paladin on Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

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Post by longtooth »

Before I retired this was the last drill I taught in my beginner class. Intermediate class started here and the one step became full move to cover and added a 2nd assailant.
This is an excellent drill.
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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

#3

Post by oljames3 »

Paladin wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:36 am Statistics show that the “average” gunfight is at a distance of three yards, firing three rounds, over the course of three seconds.

Karl Rehn developed a shooting drill to replicate these "average" conditions: Three Seconds or Less download

Greg Ellifritz Shooting Drill the drill

I think Karl is on to something here. How many have tried the drill? What did you think?
Thanks for bring this up, Paladin. The USCCA link shows an outdated version of Karl Rehn's Three Seconds or Less. This is the link to KR Training's site where Karl describes the drill and provides the KR Training target. https://www.krtraining.com/IPSC/Informa ... OrLess.htm
Karl Rehn
This drill is roughly twice as hard as the Texas LTC shooting test, and requires shooting with about 50% of the speed and accuracy of an IPSC Grand Master. Anyone in "C" class in IPSC, or Sharpshooter in IDPA, should be able to shoot a 100% of the points on this drill. It's not intended to challenge advanced level shooters. It's intended to define a baseline minimum competency level every person that carries concealed should be able to achieve.
Karl Rehn and John Daub co-authored a book, Strategies and Standards for Defensive Handgun Training. It is available on Amazon or you can get signed copies from KR Training. I have both a signed copy and a Kindle copy.

Karl uses the Three Seconds or Less drill in several of his classes, including Defense Pistol Skill (DPS) 1, 2, and 3. It is part of KR's Defensive Pistol Skills Program. I've taken and passed this drill 9 times for score, in class. The DPS-3 level is 90% to pass. I've also completed KR's Defensive Pistol Skill Program.

This drill involves drawing from the holster, stepping, turning, loading, and firing while moving backwards. I expect that most ranges will take issue. However, it can be an excellent tool in dry firing practice.

KR Training's A-Zone range is north of Giddings in central Texas, about 1 hour east of Austin. Karl's classes are worth the time, cost, and drive.
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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

#4

Post by Paladin »

The drill does seem to be a great place to start for LTC's who have recently received their license and/or are looking to get reasonably realistic range training in.

I like the holster work from concealment, time standards, and movement. Ditto with the pair of head shots at both 3 and 7 yards.

Ran the drill in my backyard using airsoft over lunch. Airsoft isn't exactly the same as shooting a real gun, but it is inexpensive and extremely convenient.

Was funny how nervous I was starting out, trying to beat the standard,etc. My biggest issue was remembering what precisely to do, when (was that 2 or 3 shots?, start position?, etc). Working outside in the wind... with movement, my draw from under my shirt got flubbed every now and then, but I was still getting under the 3 sec time limit.

3 yards is the home of point shooting. I was generally under 2 seconds, with a 1.35 sec draw from concealment. Using my sights took at least .25 seconds longer. I'm sure less recoil on the airsoft helped the overall time.

Found that sights weren't really needed for 7 yards either, although I couldn't rush the headshots without loosing accuracy. Still kept times in the ~2 second range.

For the more advanced shooter I would use Mozambique drills instead of the 3 body shots. I ran 2 body + 2 head shots well under the 3 second time standard. Airsoft helped for sure on that! :anamatedbanana

All-and-all the drill is a good stepping stone towards Close Range Gunfighting, which involves a lot more movement.
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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

#5

Post by flechero »

oljames3 wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:48 am Karl's classes are worth the time, cost, and drive.
I agree wholeheartedly.

The drills are great, but for pure enjoyment I loved the "gunfight" on the falling dummies against classmates... :fire

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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

#6

Post by papabear »

longtooth wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:46 am Before I retired this was the last drill I taught in my beginner class. Intermediate class started here and the one step became full move to cover and added a 2nd assailant.
This is an excellent drill.
I remember this drill. I still do it.

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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

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Post by OneGun »

I would like to practice this drill. the problem is that the ranges I use do not allow drawing from holster.
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Re: “Three Seconds or Less” Shooting Drill

#8

Post by oljames3 »

OneGun wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 9:19 am I would like to practice this drill. the problem is that the ranges I use do not allow drawing from holster.
Ranges often have a procedure for gaining approval to draw from the holster. If yours does not, there is an alternative. In their book, Strategies and Standards for Defensive Handgun Training, Karl Rehn and John Daub discuss the creation of the test and target. They mention changing the par time to increase the difficulty of the drill. You could start at low ready with a par time of 2.5 seconds. Obviously, shooting will moving backwards may be problematic. ;-)
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