This material is excerpted from Mike Boyle’s upcoming book of shooting drills:
Objective: to assess the shooters ability to make decisive hits on a threat while operating in a low light environment
Targets: 3 steel (preferable) or cardboard silhouettes will be placed approximately 10 yards from the shooter. Spread between the targets is about 8-10 feet.
Begin: At the line, the shooter will draw the pistol and come to a ready position. The instructor will designate one of the 3 targets as a threat with a splash of white light or laser. Upon threat recognition, the shooter will fire a quick 2-3 shot burst and get off the X. Continue scanning for other threats. As other threats appear, shooter will continue to fire and move off line. Run for a minimum of 6 reps per shooter. Reload as necessary.
Variations:
- Subdued light, adverse light or totally dark
- Hand held light, weapon mounted light or ambient light only
- Handgun, rifle, shotgun or SMG
Instructor notes: This drill is most effective with reactive steel targets so students get the positive, audible feedback when they score a hit. Frangible ammunition is preferred when shooting steel. If paper targets are used, hits should be covered or marked after each shooter
“Bullets are cheap, life is expensive”
Mike Boyle is a retired law enforcement officer and has been active in use of force instruction for over 40 years. He has been a police academy assistant director, instructor, Rangemaster and is the author of 2 books, 3 training videos and hundreds of magazine articles on firearms, training and tactics. Mike served 21 years on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. Mr. Boyle can provide instruction on various firearms disciplines including handgun, shotgun and low light threat management. He can be reached at mboyle308@gmail.com.
