Dry-fire training does not often provide instant feedback. It’s not like shooting at steel plates or other reactionary targets. As shooters, we love that satisfying “ping” we get when hitting a reactionary target. Instant feedback tells us we are succeeding. Now you can get that with dry-fire training too.

The Personal Electronic Target (PET) from Laser Ammo, combined with SureStrike laser cartridges, provides instant feedback while helping you improve your trigger control.

Using the PET, you can time yourself to see how quickly you can hit a 2- by 2-inch target. The only way you will be able to do this is to complete a smooth trigger press. Smooth is fast, but, more importantly, smooth is accurate.

For this drill, I chose a Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver and fired it double-action. I did this just to prove that, once mastered, the long and heavy pull of a DA trigger is not a detriment to accuracy. All you need to do is smoothly pull the trigger all the way through the arc of hammer travel. Do this repeatedly to build the muscles you need to control the trigger.

The drill is simple: From the high compressed ready position, wait for the beep. Come to full extension, acquire the sight picture and fire. Work to be smooth. The speed will come. Go only as fast as you can regularly hit the target. Repeat often.

What About Recoil?

Now, for those of you who say that this drill does nothing to address recoil, I say you are only partially correct. Recoil is what happens to the gun after the bullet leaves the muzzle. All of the other elements — sight alignment, muzzle management and trigger-finger discipline — are what create accuracy. Master those elements first and the bullet will hit the target. Yes, you will experience recoil, but the bullet will hit the target. Once you have firmly engrained the elements of marksmanship, then you can work on recoil control.

Sources

Laser Ammo: Laser-Ammo.com

About Kevin Michalowski

Kevin Michalowski is executive editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and a fully certified law enforcement officer working part time in rural Wisconsin. He is a USCCA and NRA Certified Trainer. Kevin has attended training across the U.S. as both a student and an instructor in multiple disciplines. These specialties include pistol, rifle, shotgun, empty-hand defense and rapid response to the active shooter.