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Each issue of The Police Marksman will feature a “Course of Fire” that police offi cers can use for their own department’s training. Training courses can be shared and used “as is” or you may wish to modify them as needed. If you have a fi rearms course that has worked well with your own department’s range training, send it to us and we’ll pay you $50 if it’s chosen to be shared here. Try to keep the round count at a single box of 50 rounds for pistol courses as we know today’s ammo budgets are challenging. Courses with movement, cover, shields, low light, etc. are benefi cial to all police offi cers, so follow the standard instructional format like this issue’s course and e-mail it to us at steventracy@hendonpub.com.


Required Items and Materials: 1. Silhouette targets with 8 ½-inch x 14-inch centermass or similar 2. Pen and notebook 3. Chair to simulate squad car driver’s seat 4. Offi cers need three magazines and duty belt/holster 5. Total of 50 rounds


Instructional Goal: T e goal of this course is to perform real-world scenarios on the range for close-quarters duty pistol engagements.


Instructional Objectives: T is drill will affi rm an offi cer’s ability to draw and fi re their duty pistol one and two handed at close quarters distances common when speaking with a subject or needing to fi re from within a squad car.


Lesson Plan: 1. Introduction a. Introduce self B. State your qualifi cations C. Explain course of fi re as described in Body


2. Explain why close quarters shooting is important. a. Offi cers may have to shoot quickly from very close quarters. B. Extreme close distance (1 yard) may require offi cer to shove subject wth one hand while drawing with the strong hand (to knock away a weapon).


C. T e need to draw and fi re while engaged in common tasks (note taking) requires dropping items and moving off line left or right while drawing.


D. Firing from a seated position (in a squad car or possibly other situations) may require one hand fi ring. Care must be taken when fi ring across the body (right hand shooter fi ring to the left) to keep the non-dominant hand/arm/ shoulder out of the way.


E. Number of rounds fi red will be two to three at close quar- ters to immediately stop the threat (subject drawing a hand- gun). Command to fi re is, “GUN!” to simulate a sudden confrontation with an armed assailant (as oppossed to com- mands of, “Up” or “Go” or “Fire” or a beep/whistle.


Body: a. Course of Fire on the range 1. At 1 yard line, upon the command of, “GUN!” offi cer shoves target with support hand, takes one step left or right while drawing, and fi res 3 rounds center mass with strong hand only. Repeat three times for a total of 9 rounds fi red.


2. At 3 yard line, offi cer stands with pen/paper and takes notes given by Range Offi cer. Upon command of, “GUN!” offi - cer drops pen/paper, takes one step left or right while draw- ing, and fi res 3 rounds center mass from two-hand hold. Repeat four times for a total of 12 rounds fi red.


3. At 7 yard line, facing target, upon the command of, “GUN!” offi cer takes one step left or right while drawing and fi res 2 rounds center mass and 1 round to the head (drug/armor drill). Repeat three times for a total of 9 rounds fi red.


4. At 7 yard line, offi cer starts seated in chair facing left of target. Upon command of, “GUN!” offi cer draws and fi res 2 rounds strong hand only, pointing at target to the right (simulation of fi ring out passenger side car window for a right-handed offi cer). Repeat three times for a total of 6 rounds fi red.


5. At 7 yard line, offi cer starts seated in chair facing target. Upon command of, “GUN!” offi cer draws and fi res 2 rounds from a two-hand hold (simulation of fi ring through windshield). Repeat four times for a total of 8 rounds.


6. At 7 yard line, offi cer starts seated in chair facing right of target. Upon command of, “GUN!” offi cer draws and fi res 2 rounds strong hand only, pointing at target to the left (simulation of fi ring out driver side car window for a right-handed offi cer). Repeat three times for a total of 6 rounds fi red.


B. Scoring is Pass/Fail, percentage of hits in the center mass area (usually 70–75%)


Conclusion A. Questions B. T anks PM


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Course of Fire: One-Handed Handgun Shooting Drill








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