New Drill Boosts Quick Empty Gun Recognition
A new shooting drill has been gaining traction among firearms instructors and enthusiasts. This minimal-equipment routine, developed by unknown sources, aims to help students quickly recognize and react to an empty gun, a crucial skill that could save lives in critical situations.
The drill, requiring just 100-200 rounds and as many magazines as possible, involves firing two rounds, reaching slide-lock, and then reloading. Students are encouraged to notice the recoil pulse and tonal differences between the two shots. Initially, many students struggle with recognizing when their gun is in slide-lock, a skill vital for efficient reloading or switching to an alternate tool.
Instructors benefit from teaching the routine as it helps them revisit and solidify their own understanding of shooting fundamentals. Integrating the routine into other drills can improve overall shooting efficiency and quicken muscle memory for reloading. The author, who has used this routine to help hundreds of students, has also developed a second phase involving randomly loading magazines with 2-5 rounds to simulate real-life unpredictability. This phase tests the skill's practical application, making it valuable not just for self-defense, but also in competitive shooting, particularly in sports like IDPA that encourage or require shooting until the slide locks.
This rapid empty magazine recognition shooting course, despite its unknown originators, has proven effective in helping students quickly identify and react to an empty gun. By incorporating it into their training, shooters can enhance their skills and be better prepared for real-life situations.
