Week 201: Finding Your Level

[Mr_White]

Week 201: Finding Your Level

Results may be posted until February 27th, 2017.

Designed by CCT125US
Range: 5yd
Target: Shape Target V4 MOD (attached)
Start position: varies
Rounds fired: 10

This drill is designed to improve shooter accuracy and speed. Shapes can be shot in any order. You will need a shot timer for levels 2-4. When you can shoot a level clean, twice in a row, it is time to increase difficulty. When a shooter cleans level 4 twice, increase rd per shape by 1.

Please see the target for a further description of the various Levels.

Please report the following when you post your results in this thread:

Pistol and holster used (if applicable)
Level attempted
Hits for each shape

Please feel free to report multiple runs/advancing in levels.

Training with firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Be sure to follow all safety protocols when using firearms or practicing these drills. These drills are provided for information purposes only. Use at your own risk.

[Duelist]

Well, that should be fun. I can probably at least make a level 1, anyway.

[jeep45238]

Made level 1, couldn't get past it. Way too slow, and my accuracy isn't there for the par time yet.

Sig P226, 9mm
JMCK George holster

Shot clean twice in a row - pic is of second run. Forgot I shot the 1" square to start, and shot it again. Ran Da/Sa for every shape.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170127/0be8ed7cf00a668282d8d582b63d52aa.jpg


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[JHC]

Ooh cool idea for the shoot off. I'm desiring to really work with 1911s this year to regain my feel with them as I fondly remember having in the 80's. But I've got this Gabe White school scheduled in April. So I'll pit my 9mm Operator agin my glorious RTF2 G19 on this, plus some Gabe pin tests to decide if I shift now or later.

[zml342]

This is a great drill/test!

Gun: Gen4 G19

Level 1: passed
Level 2: failed

I (embarrassingly) took too long on the third stage (3 shots to a 3" circle), but passed stages 1,2, and 4. Unfortunately I didn't have enough ammo left to try again.

I'll definitely be keeping this one in circulation.

[jeep45238]

This is a great drill/test!

Gun: Gen4 G19

Level 1: passed
Level 2: failed

I (embarrassingly) took too long on the third stage (3 shots to a 3" circle), but passed stages 1,2, and 4. Unfortunately I didn't have enough ammo left to try again.

I'll definitely be keeping this one in circulation.

My understanding of the drill was progression - pass a level twice before moving on, and the only way to get to 4 was doing 1-3 cleanly in the par. Each level consisted of all targets, broken to 4 strings.

If you look at the box with the level description, all shapes are shot at each level.


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[Francis]

Mr. Jones's giveaway incentives are working.

Fairly new here and new at focused training. I started out at Level 1 and 3 yds this morning. Moved to 4 where I stayed for several strings and will have to continue.


Pistol and holster used (if applicable) : Glock 19 Gen 4
Level attempted : 1
Hits for each shape : 1" 0/3, 2" 4/6, 3" 7 or 8/9, 4" 10 or 11/12

What's the standard criteria for a hit? Completely in the line, touching the line, etc?

I learned I need to score after each string. For example, I don't know where the missing 3rd round of the 1" square went. In the 4" circle or off the paper?


13492

[zml342]

My understanding of the drill was progression - pass a level twice before moving on, and the only way to get to 4 was doing 1-3 cleanly in the par. Each level consisted of all targets, broken to 4 strings.

If you look at the box with the level description, all shapes are shot at each level.


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I understood the drill. I passed level 1 twice, so I moved on to level two. I failed level 2:

1" square: 1/1
2" circle: 2/2
3" square: 3/3 (over time)
4" circle: 4/4

Therefore I failed level two. I didn't proceed to level 3 as I hadn't passed level 2 and didn't have enough ammo to try again. I hope this clarifies. I should have broken down my hits as Mr White had instructed.

[jeep45238]

I understood the drill. I passed level 1 twice, so I moved on to level two. I failed level 2:

1" square: 1/1
2" circle: 2/2
3" square: 3/3 (over time)
4" circle: 4/4

Therefore I failed level two. I didn't proceed to level 3 as I hadn't passed level 2 and didn't have enough ammo to try again. I hope this clarifies. I should have broken down my hits as Mr White had instructed.

Just re-read, for some reason I saw level instead of stage in your post, my fault entirely.


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[Mr_White]

Mr. Jones's giveaway incentives are working.

Fairly new here and new at focused training. I started out at Level 1 and 3 yds this morning. Moved to 4 where I stayed for several strings and will have to continue.


Pistol and holster used (if applicable) : Glock 19 Gen 4
Level attempted : 1
Hits for each shape : 1" 0/3, 2" 4/6, 3" 7 or 8/9, 4" 10 or 11/12

What's the standard criteria for a hit? Completely in the line, touching the line, etc?

I learned I need to score after each string. For example, I don't know where the missing 3rd round of the 1" square went. In the 4" circle or off the paper?


13492

The most common way is that if the grease ring touches the line, it's a hit.

[Duelist]

Yep, I'm a level 1. At least today. I can clean it, with no par time, but not twice in a row.

Pistol and holster used (if applicable): SIG SP2022 9mm, no holster, and S&W 3913, no holster.
Level attempted: 1
Hits for each shape: Attempt 1 - 1,2,3,4. Smooth, easy, small and centered groups.

Then, it got ugly. Attempt 2 - missed the small square, 2 on small circle, 3 on large square, and 3 on the large circle.
Attempt 3 - missed the little square again.
Attempt 4 - missed the little square. Again. Put 5 more rounds in the gun. Got a beautiful little group. One ragged hole. Right above the darn square. One grease ring finally nicked it.
Attempt 5 - hit the little square! Barely, but still. And got only one round on the small circle. Ripped through the 3 hits on the large square, and did it again on the large circle - and pulled two low and left on that circle, so only 2 hits.

Sigh.

Ran it again three times with my older 3913. Aced the first run, missed the little square on the second and third, and the third run had a miss on the small circle, too.

I should not be too frustrated. Though I feel a bit that way. I haven't cleaned a dot torture with 2" circles at 5 yards, so it should not be a surprise that I struggle to consistently hit a 1" square at 5 yards.

[MVS]

Glock 17MOS w/Vortex Viper, Blade Tech OWB holster, heavy coat concealment.

Level 1 passed
Level 2 passed
Level 3 shot clean but about .25 over time on every stage. Failed.

[BehindBlueI's]

Level 1 passed. Threw one shot in attempt 2, so shot it 4 times.

Level 2, I can shoot it clean but can't make the time on #4. About .3 over using the .40 P226.

13568

[Matt O]

Skipped Level 1, passed Level 2 and missed Level 3 twice due to a pre-ignition push issue where I dropped one shot low for each run (once on 1" square and once on 2" circle). All shots within par.

[miller_man]

Here is how to NOT shoot this one. Failed level 1 misserably twice. Have shot this not too long ago, with the same results as today and probably had the mindset that I wouldn't get my hits on the 1" sqaure, when that happened I think I mentally just pissed the 2nd try away - should have done better.

G34
S+B 115
level 1 fail 2x


https://youtu.be/fXTs3F2cZRM

[MVS]

Here is how to NOT shoot this one. Failed level 1 misserably twice. Have shot this not too long ago, with the same results as today and probably had the mindset that I wouldn't get my hits on the 1" sqaure, when that happened I think I mentally just pissed the 2nd try away - should have done better.

G34
S+B 115
level 1 fail 2x

.]

The one inch square is not a gimme.

[JCS]

I shot this today. I missed the 1" square on the 1st shot. Started over and completed level 1 twice in a row. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170205/b6b2c7e42e64a05c209285840721c24b.jpg

I tried level 2 and failed epically. My mind went into freak out mode when I added time pressure. I did get the 1" square in 2.49 seconds on the 3rd attempt but that was the only highlight. I was over time on all the other. I'm not even close to beating level 2 https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170205/df921e536abac58225e3c1b1f484f1f0.jpg


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[Doc_Glock]

Glock 19

Finding your level. Passed first round, second time through I dropped the final shot to fail. Level one. Did it a third time and dropped the first shot. I figure I am good for a level 1 pass.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170206/8e8def760a5353c459c791324e1359ec.jpg

Put on the timer and immediately started to choke. Missed the small both times, overtime on the third string, and fourth string. Missed on the 2 and 3 targets completely (not overtime;)) second run.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170206/8f090d79c74475ef643f4fa09f4664e2.jpg

I then drilled FYL a lot trying to get myself down to that par time. I did it live for a mag then dry for a bunch of times. I just listened to Robert Vogel on the Primary and Secondary podcast and he emphasized doing multiple dry trigger pulls. This is something I have not done before. He also recommended doing multiple drys after a drill involving some fast shooting to visualize your flinch. Link to podcast below.

I was never able to consistently hit the par times for level 2 at and acceptable level of accuracy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy1L5fWJ7JU

[Francis]

Got Level 1!

While probably not a big deal for most shooters here, getting that 1 in. square was an accomplishment. I ran it successfully once then failed (or at least wasn't satisfied) with the first shot on the 2nd run so I marked it and started over. This target is the missed shot of run 2, then successful runs 3 & 4.

13849

I like this drill. Looking forward to Level 2.

[FOG]

Cleared level one twice in a row with both VP9 and PPS M2, however, once the timer was introduced for level two, misery ensued.

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[That Guy]

I hate this drill! :p It always kicks my ass.

I last tried this sometime last summer(ish) with my Walther P99. Back then I failed to clear level 2, usually either because I missed the small 1" square, or I messed up a shot on the 4" circle (the time limit seemed kind of tight back then). But today I tried it again, this time with my Beretta PX4 full size. Now, since I am working with a severe lack of ammunition (long, sad story, but the end result is that during January I had *one* range trip lasting a grand total of 66 rounds, and today was my second range trip with a handgun this year), and I *know* that without any time pressure hitting that 1" square is no problem at all, I skipped straight into level 2. Which is where I stayed. For four attempts. God damn it. I still hate this drill... :p

During my first attempt, every other string seemed very easy, I just threw that one shot to the 1" circle. This time I had *no* problem making time on that 4" circle, in fact I had quite a bit of time to spare, so that was nice at least. As I tried consecutive attempts, things just got worse. One of my problems being that while I know that my gun shoots to the top of the front sight at that range and ammo, once the timer beeped I kept driving the dot. Kept missing high on that 1" square. So probably a good thing the timer died on me and I had to call it quits.

I'm going to try this drill sometime later again. And I *will* clear that level 2! Although when I do, the weather will probably be warmer and my fingers not so frozen...

[scw2]

1/27

Shot level 1 cold with my 642 with my first shots ever on the gun.

Overall, I failed, and shot a 7/9 (forgot one shot on 4th string, feel like 8/10 would have been relatively do-able).

Took me the first two string before I realized POA was the top of the blade and also very easy to push the sight high, as a result mised my shot on the 1" target, and both shots on the 2" target were high. 3" and 4" targets felt ok, though I only shot 3 rounds on the 4" target. I shot the 1" target again and went 2/2 with the adjusted POA, and used the same target to test the 4" target at 10 and 15 yds as well, both hits.

13919

Overall happy I was able to hit the 1" square after I fixed POA, but so easy to hit high especially since I think with poor trigger control I tend to 'heel' the snubbie. The short sight radius really accentuates any issues with the trigger press, sight alignment, or grip.

[BehindBlueI's]

13958

I tried this in low light. I passed level 1 with no trouble but that's where it stopped. Tracking the front sight was a little tougher than in good light and I shot too fast, pushing low/left several times, and did not clear level 2. In day light, I am cleaning everything but the 4 shot circle. In low light, I wasn't even consistently clearing the 2 shot circle. Lining up on the little circle again with dim lighting took me longer and I jerked the gun off target trying to snap the shot before the timer would beep. 3 shot was a bit more consistent, and 4 shot started icky but came together...but never quite under the time. 2.68 was the closest I came, and it was generally more like 2.8X.

[JAD]

Pistol and holster used: G17, wing claw

The reporting style seems a little complex for this drill. I'll just say this: I flubbed L1 with a miss to the 1"; then I cleaned it twice; then I flubbed L2 twice with misses to the 1 and 2 respectively; then I cleaned L2; then I flubbed L2 with a miss to the 2". All else were hits.

Next time I might staple up like ten of these targets and try to drive my way through it properly; I feel like L3 is in reach.

[CCT125US]

HK P2000
JRC AIWB II
Level 4
Cleaned it first run, then went over time on the 1" and 4", dropped a round on the 2" and 3". For a 24/28, so close.

Thoughts: The 2" should be the easiest, but I think I take it for granted and mess it up. The 1" requires patience and respect, I rarely go over par at the cost of accuracy, but managed to screw that up too. The 3" showed a tendency to drive the gun low, and the 4" just sucks. If I can break the first round at about 1.2 on the 4", I can make the par, but need to manage recoil without error.


14085

[ssb]

Shot this this afternoon. G17, 10-8 rear/Dawson tritium front, stock internals, JRC Watson Special.

Level 1 was clean and felt easy enough after the first run so I moved past it. However, comma, my .125" FS and drive-the-dot sight picture do not play well with that 1" square.

Level 2 was clean 2/3x on hits. Dropped the first round on the 1" square on my first run despite having plenty of time left over, proceeded to get a bit excited on the 3" circle and let one go a bit too early (round was in the middle of the "designed by..." text). Went ahead and attempted level 3 after dry firing it.

Level 3 was a hit on the first round but the time was out of par (2.54s), as I wasted too much time on getting a good sight picture. I've noticed myself subconsciously slowing my drawstroke down on a low-percentage shot like this, habit needs to be broken in dry fire. Both 2" rounds were done in 2.07s, felt just like dot torture. The 3" I don't have a time written down for, just a -1 low left. I went over par for the 4" (2.61) but got all my hits. Draw was in the 1.4s, splits in the .3s.

Needed the rest of my rounds for other drills so that's as far as I went.

[scw2]

Shot this Feb 13

Pistol and holster used (if applicable): S&W 642
Level attempted: 1
Hits for each shape: cleaned all but the 1" target.

What I noticed - I tend to hit high/left due to combination of needing to aim with top of blade, and poor trigger control and sloppy grip. In fact, I tried the 1" square 3 more times and barely missed all 4 shots. Pretty frustrating. the 2" dot takes some concentration, but the 3" and 4" targets felt pretty comfortable and I wasn't as focused as I probably should have been to shoot a tighter group.

14137

[scw2]

Pistol and holster used (if applicable): CZ 75
Level attempted: 2
Hits for each shape: overall 5 / 10 (both times)

Well, this was a cluster and pretty disappointed in myself. Never got consistent good results trying to push time. The good news is I made the time. The bad news is I was inconsistent, with a pretty bad flinch pulling shots low/left. A better grip could help here. Pretty poor results with tons of misses low/left... Will continue to run this on level 2 since the time pressure is what I need to test my grip and trigger control more.

1413814139

Tons of misses low/left. I'm glad I was able to at least get the 1" square once though. The 4" circle was pretty terrible and probably deserves some dedicated work.

[TAZ]

Date: February 22
Gun: G19MOS + RMR06
Holster: Raven Phantom (didn't get far enough to need it)

Passed level 1 after realizing my optic shifted zero after a battery change. Even then I went 2/3 by pulling the 1" box a bit.

Tried level 2, but the addition of the timer turned me into spastic-man. Got away with it on all but the 1" square. Absolutely need more work with the timer. And more training period.

[scw2]

Shot on Feb 17 at NRA range

Pistol and holster used: CZ 75 SP01 with a CCC Gestalt and polo
Level attempted: 3
Hits for each shape:

1" - 0/1
2" - 1/2
3" - 2/3
4" - 1 or 2 / 4

14292

Total 4-5 hits, fail. I really struggled shooting the 1" dot too quickly and missing. I also strugled with recoil control on the longer strings. Pretty disappointing - need to focus on vision and grip.

[scw2]

Shot on Feb 25

Pistol and holster used: CZ 75 SP01 and CCC Gestalt
Level attempted: 3
Hits for each shape: Hit all shapes, was over time by 0.04 sec on the 4" target.

Overall 9/10 - fail.

14296

Much better than last week. The grip work helped a lot. Biggest takeaway is I was better able to take use of time on the first two strings, and controlled recoil well enough to not miss on the last 2. Still got work to do since this is too inconsistent and not my on demand performance. I think this will be a good drill to do to mix in with dots when those get stale.