Week 32: Dot Torture

[ToddG]

Please read the rules (http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?1837-Drill-of-the-Week) before participating in this thread.

Week 32: Dot Torture
http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/dot-torture-target.png (http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dot-torture-target.pdf)
results may be posted until 11:59pm EDT on Monday 12-June-2012.

origin unknown; popularized by David Blinder (personaldefensetraining.com (http://www.personaldefensetraining.com/))
Range: 3yd or greater
Target: ten 2" circles (download pdf here (http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dot-torture-target.pdf))
Start position: varies
Rounds fired: 50

Dot Torture is a comprehensive marksmanship test that is easy to set up on almost any firing range. There is absolutely no time limit. The only thing scored is the number of hits you make out of 50 shots fired. Any bullet that clearly touches the scoring line of the intended target circle is counted as a hit. Rounds that hit a different circle do not count as hits. There are no make-up shots allowed; you must fire exactly fifty total rounds in the specified order.

If you have never done this before, shoot the test at three yards. If you have successfully shot a perfect 50 at three yards in the past, you can shoot it at any distance that challenges you.


Dot 1 – Draw and fire one string of 5 rounds for best group. One hole if possible, total 5 rounds.
Dot 2 – Draw and fire 1 shot, holster and repeat X4, total 5 rounds.
Dots 3 & 4 – Draw and fire 1 shot on #3, then 1 shot on #4, holster and repeat X3, total 8 rounds.
Dot 5 – Draw and fire string of 5 rounds, strong hand only, total 5 rounds.
Dots 6 & 7 – Draw and fire 2 shots on #6, then 2 on #7, holster, repeat X4, total 16 rounds.
Dot 8 – From ready or retention, fire five shots, weak hand only, total 5 rounds.
Dots 9 & 10 – Draw and fire 1 shot on #9, reload, fire 1 shot on #10, holster and repeat X3, total 6 rounds.


Note: if you are using the Q-PT target, the strings work out slightly different:

Dot A – Draw and fire one string of 5 rounds for best group. One hole if possible, total 5 rounds.
Dot A (again) – Draw and fire 1 shot, holster and repeat X4, total 5 rounds.
Dots 1 & 2 – Draw and fire 1 shot on #1, then 1 shot on #2, holster and repeat X3, total 8 rounds.
Dot 3 – Draw and fire string of 5 rounds, strong hand only, total 5 rounds.
Dots 4 & 5 – Draw and fire 2 shots on #4, then 2 on #5, holster, repeat X4, total 16 rounds.
Dot 6 – From ready or retention, fire five shots, weak hand only, total 5 rounds.
Dot B – Draw and fire 1 shot, reload, fire 1 more shot, holster, and repeat X3, total 6 rounds.


Please report both your score and the distance to the target when you post your results in this thread.

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.

[EMC]

One item of note. If you print the target from a browser previewing the PDF, rather than directly downloading and printing from adobe acrobat (or reader) you may end up with smaller than 2 inch circles. You can verify with a ruler.

[jeffreywt]

I've been working this drill for about a month now. The SHO/WHO component is where I usually have troubles. That and trying to go too fast on dots 3+4 and 6+7. I've been recording my scores and the equipment I was using. There has been measurable improvement in my results in just a few weeks. The structured practice this drill provides is great. So far, it seems to be the most productive way for me to spend 50 rounds.

Today, I shot a 40/50 cold, at 5 yards. This was with a G17 drawing from a VM2. I've done better at 3 yards and much worse at 7 yards. :cool:

[ghettomedic]

In addition to the FAST, Dot Torture is on my list of drills for nearly every range session. Provides a great "refresher" for trigger control and sight alignment/sight picture prior to moving on to the more fast-paced drills. I've found that my scores on speed- and manipulation-intense drills are frequently higher when performed immediately after Dot Torture than if performed after the FAST.

Here's an example from my range log:

11 MAR 2012

FAST (Best of 3): 6.92 (c)
10-8 Standards, 6.5 sec PAR: 59/65
Hackathorn Standards: 259/300
Humbler: 569/700

13 MAR 2012

FAST (Best of 3): 7.37 (c)
Dot Torture, 5 yards: 48/50 (-1 on 2, -1 on 8)
10-8 Standards, 6.5 sec PAR: 63/65
Hackathorn Standards: 270/300 (New PR)
Humbler: 582/700 (New PR)

Scores for my last 5 Dot Tortures (all at 5 yards) have been 48, 49, 48, 47 and 49. It's the best mental preparation for the remainder of the practice session I've come across, as I'll frequently shoot clean until the bottom row, where I drop 1 or 2. It knocks the wind out of my sails, while at the same time providing me an opportunity to identify the source of my shortcoming(s), refocus on fundamentals and pull it together for the next drill.

[ToddG]

This thread is for reporting this week's drill results. If you want to discuss DotTor in general, please do so in a different thread per the instructions referenced at the top of the first post.

[JAD]

I ran and ran this drill with the high power today. I am fascinated by my ability to mash the trigger at least once in slow fire on target one, but make a ragged hole from the holster (or ready, on the indoor range) on both the second and third targets. I never beat a 39; I only landed 1 out of 25 tries WHO (and no, I'm not that bad with a 1911). If I wasn't so focused on getting the P35 through its 2000 rounds, I would have gone out to the car and brought the Kimber in.

[Corey]

5 Yards. Score 47. 1 miss each on 2, 3, and 8.
I need to be more patient on this drill. I start to hurry and pull shots low. Shot it with a M&P9 Pro.

[Serpico1985]

Dot Torture
5 yards
Gen 4 G17
Score: 50/50


http://i46.tinypic.com/2a6sbon.jpg

[DocGKR]

5 yds
G19 w/RDS
48/50 (stupidly mashed one low on #3 and needlessly rushed a shot on #10)

Did the three Defoor Drills cold, passed #2 & 3, but dropped a shot at 7 yds on #1; best clean FAST was 5.42 sec...

[tmoore912]

3 yards
49 out of 50
3rd Gen G17
Mashed a SHO shot on 5

818

[YVK]

P30/Shaggy/BMC, 7 yards, 46, misses - one SHO, two on the first transition part, went too fast here, and one during reload sequence.

[CCT125US]

HKP30V3
Modified Cane & Derby
8 yards
Heinie Straight Eight Qwiks
Federal 115 gr. FMJ
45/50

Dot 3 & 4 decided it would be a good idea to pull the trigger when my FS was above the target.
Dot 7 shot too fast on the transition
Dot 8 yanked the second shot while admiring the WHO DA press out hit that went through the bottom loop of the 8...
Dot 10 decided to yank one more


http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/CCT125US/Mobile%20Uploads/2012-06-05_201159.jpg

[John Hearne]

4 YDS - 49/50
Sig P220

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/ajp3jeh/IMAG0014.jpg

I've cleaned it at 3 yds so I've been stuck at 4 yds for some time. I had forgotten how much concentration was involved and how nerve wracking it was when you don't miss early.

[LGChris]

Beretta 92G (D-spring, factory night sights, short reach trigger)
3 yards
47/50

I just decided to shelve my Apex-equipped M&Ps for a while and switch to the Beretta for a few months to re-learn proper trigger control. I've done DT before, but not with a DA/SA, so I went back to 3 yards. The first two misses (#2 and #6) were sloppy DA shots, and I anticipated the break for a low miss on #7. When I nearly missed a DA shot on #8, it occurred to me that I have never put any practice time into shooting DA WHO. I guess the drill did its job...

Also, I forgot to do #5 as SHO, so I went back and did it again, hence the extra-large hole.

http://i.imgur.com/BAUAt.jpg (http://imgur.com/BAUAt)

Chris

[JSGlock34]

I've been breaking in a new GEN3 FDE G17 over the past few weeks. Though I'm still getting used to the Trijicon HD sights, I've turned in some of my best shooting with them. I find dot torture a great drill to adjust to a new pistol and new sights.

26 MAY 2012
5 yards
50/50

3 JUNE 2012
5 yards
49/50 (Dropped one shot on #9 - looking over the sights)

[Jared]

Beretta 92FS, D Mainspring
Distance- 3 yards
Score 48
Dropped one Single Action shot SHO (Dot 5), One Single Action shot WHO (Dot 8)

Last time I shot this at 3 yards, I only got a 43 (that was 9 days ago), so I'm really happy to see the improvement. My one miss on Dot 8 may have been scored a hit by a generous scorer, it was so close I couldn't decide, so I counted it a miss. I was also happy to note I hit all my freestyle shots, and every single one of my DA shots. I've been working on my DA stroke a lot lately.

[JConn]

Glock 17 shaggy

3 yards 48/50

[167]

5 Yards
45/50

I clean Dot T at 3yd all the time, so decided to step it back. Plus I am trying to get it at 7yd by mid July. But I think I was a little over ambitious because I was using a pistol I had just started shooting today. Most of my misses were in the first few dots, and then it cleaned up a little.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtxcKEFUfks/T9DWG_CyouI/AAAAAAAAAWo/8umRdd_IwoU/s1600/LC9.2.jpg

[MDS]

4yd
G19 Shaggy
45/50

I've cleaned this at 3yd, so I shot it at 4. I did two runs today - once under "time pressure" where I went at a speed that felt subjectively "quick," and once with no time limit. (I intended to shoot the first run with a timer and some par times, but my timer's battery died.)

Interestingly, I got almost the same score: 43 on the "fast" run and 45 on the "slow" run. 3 of the misses from the "slow" run were just me going too fast - I knew I had infinite time and just didn't take advantage of that during some of those shots. Maybe once I get my consistent sub-7s FAST, I'll work on cleaning DT out to 10yd. ;)

[Kimura]

5 yards
40/50
Sig Sauer P226

Shot it cold as soon as I got to the range. First time shooting it and didn't shoot it at three yards because I've been shooting the IHack. Every string or every draw was started with a DA shot. Just as I would in a real situation.

[Serpico1985]

6 yards
Gen 4 17
ALS
indoor range
Score: 49/50, so close. This will bother me until I shoot it clean. -1 on circle 5.


http://i47.tinypic.com/2ch3slu.jpg

[Matt O]

G17/Shaggy
4 yards

48/50

825

Both missed shots were classic examples of anticipation :mad:

[Lot2Learn]

46/50 10ft (range rules say no closer than 10)

-2 WHO
-1 Dot 2:mad:
-1 Dot 9

The WHO, I can understand. It is a very weak portion of my skill set. I have been working on it. The other 2 misses, there really is no excuse.

[MEH]

48/50 M&P 9FS Laser
4 yards (have cleaned it at 3y in the past with this gun)
-2 on Dot 7 (unusual for me to drop on the second target of a string)

47/50 Glock 17 G4 Hack front, operator pro rear.
3 yards
Dropped three near the end. Tired and just trying to hurry to get done.

[CCT125US]

Had my father run this for the first time. We actually made it to the range just to shoot for fun, instead of class time.

5yds
XD40Sc
Stock sights
47/50
I will try to get a pic up latter. But I believe he dropped one on D5 and two on D8. He said he may laminate it and hang it on the wall he was so proud.

[MDS]

4yd
50/50
G19+Shaggy+BMC

I gave this another run today at 4yards, same as the other day. Shot it twice again, once without any time pressure, and then again with some par times. I cleaned it with no time pressure. :cool: Time to graduate to 5yd on the Dot Torture! :D

On the timed run, I dropped two shots, and had six hits that were over par, for a total of 41/50. I'm pretty happy with it, especially since many of the over par times were close - this is a fair representation of what I'm capable of. A fumbled draw cost me at least one point SHO, but that's legitimate - I fumble my SHO draw at speed maybe 20% of the time. :eek: The run looked like:

#1: no par, clean
#2: 2.5s par, 2 misses, 1 over par @2.79s
#3/4: 3.25s par, 1 miss, 1 over par @3.40s
#5: 7s par, 2 over par (3.64,1.74,1.58,1.49,1.55)
#6/7: 5s par, 1 over par
#8: 14s par, clean
#9/10: 6s par, 1 over par @6.35s

I don't remember where I stole those par times from, but I doubt I made them up myself... Pix (that's a single 17x22 sheet of paper, so everything's the right size...)

827


Had my father run this for the first time. [...] He said he may laminate it and hang it on the wall he was so proud.

Awesome! I'm really sorry I didn't get into shooting "for real" until after my father died - he would have loved the skill-building involved.

[Chris_S]

3 yards
Glock 19 & Raven Phantom OWB

29/50 - Inexperience + rushing meant dropped shots on everything except dot one but hey, gotta start somewhere.

[LOKNLOD]

50/50
G17 w/ grip chop, Hack sights
Keeper holster
10 ft (as measured...turns out my legs aren't quite calibrated to 3 yd)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/LOKNLOD/Guns/Tracking/6c3f75c8.jpg

I haven't shot any since ECQC in March, so I had to shake a few cobwebs out, but was able to pull this off after I got warmed up.

[ToddG]

G17 gen4
Ameriglo CAP front, Pro Operator rear
Keeper aiwb
115gr CCI Blazer TMJ

range: 7yd
score: 50

The score is deceiving. First, I shot it ridiculously slowly. Second, two of my shots were so bad that I actually had a friend (joshs) verify that they counted as hits. Seven yards used to be easy for me. I find the Glock trigger exceptionally difficult when it comes to max accuracy.

[JeffJ]

Gen 3 Glock 34 with Idot pros - OWB, no concealment
3 yards
36/50

I'm really struggling with anything slow fire right now. I keep staging the trigger and am trouble correcting - there were several where I abandoned by trigger press half way through and started over. On a positive note, I'm calling my missed shots well.
1. 4
2. 4
3. 2
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. 0
9. 2
10. 2

[Jared]

Cousin let me try out a couple of his guns, a HK P30LSv3 and a P2000v3.

Shot a 48 with the P30 @ 3 yards, dropped the DA shot on Dot 5 and a SA shot on Dot 8.

Shot a 43 with the P2000 @ 3 yards, dropped most of those from just getting overconfident and rushing shots. When I was shooting Dot 6 and Dot 7, I was in such a zone with that gun I thought I couldn't miss. Then the missing started bad on the bottom row :(.

[YVK]

G17 gen4
Ameriglo CAP front, Pro Operator rear
Keeper aiwb
115gr CCI Blazer TMJ

range: 7yd
score: 50

The score is deceiving. First, I shot it ridiculously slowly. Second, two of my shots were so bad that I actually had a friend (joshs) verify that they counted as hits. Seven yards used to be easy for me. I find the Glock trigger exceptionally difficult when it comes to max accuracy.

Nice score nonetheless. At what score do you suggest to back off on distance and bring the target closer? Say, my score of 46/50 at 7 yards, you think that for the purposes of self improvement, not getting the best score, I should stay at 7? Or almost 10% miss rate tells you that I am stretching it for my abilities?

[bdcheung]

Distance: 3 yards
Firearm: M&P 9c with CrimsonTrace lasergrips (laser was off for this drill)
Sights: Ameriglo iDot Pro (Orange)
Holster: Keeper AIWB
Ammunition: Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115g
Score: 49/50 (-1 on dot 4 because I rushed it)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vnH1aWutNjg/T9Tsi3g2_dI/AAAAAAAAcMo/5Zks4dGZ-M8/s800/20120610_Dot-Torture.jpg

[GJM]

GJM 7 yards, G17 Warren sights 49/50 (dropped the fifth support hand shot after admiring my first four into a small cluster).

My wife, CAM, 7 yards, G17 Trijicon HD sights, 47/50, a surprise as she generally shoots more accurately than me (but she shot the drill a lot faster than me).

[senorlechero]

49/50
7 yds, I only have an indoor range available to me and they require you to shoot no closer than 7 yds.
comp-tac belt holster
G34 with Dawson Precision sights
PMC Bronze 115 gr

Target 2 has one that over layed into the ring, but I'm not giving it to myself because this isn't bulls eye shooting. This was my first time firing this drill, and I realized quickly how it got its name.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a355/lecherojr/c230c4de.jpg

[barnaby]

48 / 50 @ 3 yards.
P2000 9mm

Made it past WHO .. only to drop 1 each on Dot 9 and 10.. :(

[Sadmin]

46 / 50 @ 3 yards.

G34 w/ Defoor Ameriglos; Atomic Dog holster.

- 1 on 5, -3 on 8. My weak hand is absolutely worthless!

[Mr_White]

I AM A TRIGGER JERKING MACHINE!

40/50
7 yards

Gen3 G34, Ameriglo Operators
Keepers Concealment Keeper AIWB concealed under a t-shirt.

[GJM]

I AM A TRIGGER JERKING MACHINE!
.

If this continues, we will give you the hyphen you wanted for press-out, and rename you Origami-AK!

[joshs]

45/50 @ 7 yards
HK P30

I rushed the 2+2 string and dropped 3 shots. I dropped the other 2 WHO.

[ToddG]

Nice score nonetheless. At what score do you suggest to back off on distance and bring the target closer? Say, my score of 46/50 at 7 yards, you think that for the purposes of self improvement, not getting the best score, I should stay at 7? Or almost 10% miss rate tells you that I am stretching it for my abilities?

If we want to discuss this in detail it should go in the a different thread, but short answer: I suggest adding a yard only once you've successfully cleaned it four times in a row at a given distance. So if I shoot it every month, if four months in a row I shoot a 50 at 5yd I'll move to 6yd. If I reach a point where I'm consistently far from 50's (less than 45, say) then I may give myself another yard closer and start from there again trying to get my four in a row.