If you are concerned about not having access to steel targets or a pendulum device there are easy and fairly cheap alternatives. For a steel popper or knock-down replacement target you can use plywood as a base, and a 1×4 or 2×4 as a stand attached to the base with a simple door hinge. Cut the 1×4 or 2×4 at a slight angle where it meets the plywood so that it will lean just slightly forward on the hinge. Then use a simple dowel rod to keep the 2×4 from falling forward. You will probably need to create a backing for the dowel rod to provide counter force against the leaning 2×4. When the shot hits the target the 2×4 should fall down. Like steel targets it is not 100%, but it is better than nothing, and cheap too.

For a pendulum target, use some 4×4′s as pillars with plywood bases. Add some 2×4′s for cross angle support on the sides (not facing where the shooter will be firing), and across the top of the 4×4 pillars for stability. You can put the 2×4′s on top at the edges or simply have one across the middle that will have a dual function of supporting the structure and giving the pendulum a place to hang. Cut a thin piece of plywood to be your pendulum backer for your target – probably not more than 12-18 inches square. Use a small chain or even some 550 parachute cord as your pendulum support. Attach the chain or cord to the 2×4 overhead support and the plywood target backer using a hanging plant hook or even simply nailing the chain or cord in place. If you want to make things better you can use a spring mechanism attached to the 2×4 overhead support. This will keep the pendulum going longer. Once you have all this together you can simply use a 1×2 support with a long string attached to it to hold the pendulum in the up and ready position. Then the firearms instructor moving with the officer can grab the string when they get to the pendulum portion of the drill and pull the 1×2 support out allowing the pendulum target to start its motion.

This is one way, there are many and much better ways, but this one is cheap and quick to make and repair.

Why the pendulum target? Just like our officers are probably going to be moving in a firefight, the bad guys probably will be too. Better get used to hitting a moving target. Either hold on a specific point and wait for the pendulum to enter that point to fire, or follow the pendulum and give the proper lead to hit.

Targets that flip back and forth from visible targets to no target can and should be used – but many don’t have those expensive items. And a flip target does not require target tracking like a pendulum.

These drills are NOT all-inclusive, and instructors and officers should be creative and realistic when coming up with shooting drills and qualification courses. The point is to train like the real thing so when the real thing happens we perform as just as we trained.

HAPPY SHOOTING!

During this course the officer is required to ensure that his/her firearm has an acceptable load of ammunition before exiting cover to go on the move – makes sense doesn’t it? And the officer must shoot while moving – no moving, stopping to shoot and then moving again. Another requirement is that the officer ensure their hits are hits that would effectively down a threat, and they are not allowed to twist their body passed 90 degrees to shoot a target behind them. Basically the officer must engage the targets while the targets are towards their front, and not beyond their immediate (90 degree from center) left or right, depending on how the course is set up.

Again, effective shooting on the move is a critical shooting skill for real-life shooting engagements (and one that many agencies refuse to train on for fear of “wild” shots or accidental discharges). As I’ve said before, when the bullets start flying do you really think your officers are going to stand in one place? God I hope not! And since they are going to be moving shouldn’t we be training them to put effective fire on the bad guys instead of simply running and praying?

Once the shooter gets to the ground barricade they are required to perform a tactical (hopefully) reload from the prone position. This ensures that the officer knows their duty rig and the benefits and limitations of how we place our magazines, whether on the belt or from one of the areas we’ve chosen to store a partial magazine. It is not comfortable, but again, a real-life necessity that we should train for.

ARE YOU TRAINING TO DRILL OR TRAINING FOR REAL?