Dry Fire Drill Training
Ever felt the itch to hit the range, but life got in the way? Maybe you ran low on ammo, the range was closed, the weather turned sour, or you just couldn’t muster the energy to make the long drive. The good news? You’ve got a “range” right at home, and it’s called dry fire training.
Dry fire drills aren’t quite the same as the real thing—there’s no loud bang, no recoil, no smell of burnt powder—but they can still work wonders for honing your shooting fundamentals and boosting your speed. Plus, you get to practice as much as you want without burning through ammo or your wallet. Dry firing lets you get familiar with your gear, improve your sight acquisition, and build muscle memory, all from the comfort of your own living room.
The goal with dry fire is to train yourself to acquire your sight picture, aim, and pull the trigger as quickly and accurately as possible. You can pace yourself however you like—work on speed one day, slow things down and focus on form the next. It’s all about training in a way that translates to real-world shooting, whether that’s on the range or, heaven forbid, in a defensive scenario.
To get some expert insights, Firefield sat down with Sergeant Paul Sneck of the Finnish Defense Force. Paul’s got quite the resume: he’s a competitor in the Finnish Brutality shooting competition, served as a commander’s signalman during a UN deployment in Lebanon, and has experience in maritime security in the Caribbean. Here’s what he had to say about dry fire drills and how you can make the most of them.
Firefield: What’s one thing people usually overlook that would really help them improve their accuracy during dry fire?
Paul Sneck: Film your performance. Not only does this help you spot your shortcomings, but it also adds a bit of stress—because nobody wants to look sloppy on camera. Plus, when you review the footage, you’ll notice little details you might miss in the moment, like flinching or inconsistent trigger pulls.
F: What do you need for dry fire drills at home?
PS: Honestly, not much. A standard IPSC target hung on your wall is perfect, along with a red dot sight or laser on your firearm. A shot timer is also key (The author recommends using a free app like IPSC Shot Timer). You don’t need fancy gear; keep it simple, and just focus on building good habits.
F: How much space do you need for these drills?
PS: Not a lot. You can practice at home in a room with 5 to 10 yards of space. It’s even better if you have room to transition between standing, kneeling, or prone positions. Just make sure it’s a safe environment where you’re not going to trip over stuff.
F: Speaking of safety, what should people keep in mind?
PS: Safety is priority number one. First, make sure there’s absolutely no live ammo in the room where you’re training. After you unload your magazines, put them in a completely separate room. This way, there’s zero chance of accidentally grabbing a live mag—because even in dry fire, the habits you form are crucial.
F: How do you usually run these drills?
PS: I start with warm-up drills on a pistol. I set up my timer and then get into a natural resting position. When the timer beeps after the countdown, I draw my weapon, and “fire,” and when I do, I try to do two things: beat the clock and get an accurate shot. My timer is set up to beep twice: once for the signal to fire, the second time for when the drill “ends.” My objective is to get my laser on the center mass of my target within my par time, which is currently 0.5 seconds. Every time I shoot, I rack my gun before I put it back in my holster for the next repetition.
Alternatively, users can use an app like the IPSC Shot Timer which pauses when it “hears” the click of the dry-fired round, so it’s best to do this in a quiet environment. Remember, you don’t need to buy expensive laser gadgets; a red dot works just fine. As long as that dot’s centered on the target when you pull the trigger, you’re good to go.
The biggest benefit of using a red dot during dry fire drills is how it trains your eyes to acquire your sight picture quickly. Unlike iron sights, which require aligning the front and rear sights, a red dot provides a single point of focus. This simplicity allows shooters to get on target faster, helping you build speed and precision with each repetition. During dry fire, the red dot teaches you to keep your head and eyes up while drawing your weapon, ensuring your dot lands right where you want it.
F: Is there a specific time goal you aim for during your drills?
PS: For most people, a 2-second draw-to-fire time is a great starting point if you’re consistent with both your draw and accuracy. After each session, aim to shave off 0.1 seconds. The same concept applies if you’re practicing with a rifle from the low ready position. Once your par time reaches around 0.5 seconds, you’re pretty much hitting elite performance levels.
F: Do you incorporate any variations into your training?
PS: Absolutely. I switch it up by practicing with my dominant and weak hand to build accuracy in both. When I’m not focused on my draw time, I work on mag changes. Variety keeps the training engaging and prepares you for unexpected scenarios.
F: How does training with only one hand help in real-life situations?
PS: In Finnish Brutality and in real life, you might find yourself needing to use one hand while the other is busy carrying something important—or heavy—during a firefight. You can’t just drop everything to shoot, so training one-handed builds the skills you might need if things go sideways.
F: When transitioning between targets, how do you handle movement? Short steps or long strides?
PS: I usually jog to keep my speed controlled. If you go too fast, you’ll hit the brakes with your heels, which can mess up your balance and force you to reset your shooting stance. Moving at a steady pace helps maintain stability, which is key for keeping your shots on target, and it won’t cause you to have tunnel vision. You need to move at a pace that allows you to think clearly and maintain steady breath control.
Dry fire drills are an underrated but invaluable part of any serious shooter’s training routine. With just a little space, some basic equipment, and the right mindset, you can sharpen your skills and be ready for whatever your next shooting competition—or life—throws at you. So next time you’re stuck at home, don’t just sit around wishing you could hit the range; set up your own range and keep training!