Did you get an AR-15 for Christmas? Or maybe you started off the new year with a resolution of training with a carbine? Better yet, perhaps you’ve heard about USCCA’s new AR-15 Fundamentals course? No matter the reason, an AR-15 is a great gun for hunting, sport and self-defense. And this month, we’re going to jump into a simple but effective dry-fire exercise to get you — and your carbine — going in the right direction … literally.
The “Kinesthetic Alignment Drill” is a type of dry-fire practice set up at about 5 yards from a target. The goal is to help you develop proper and effective positioning of your firearm by consistently bringing the gun up to the target into the correct shooting position. You will also get practice on the proper use of the safety selector, which needs to be turned off when you’re in a shooting position and on when you’re in a ready position.
To set up for this dry-fire drill, you’ll need to draw a vertical line on target. Alternatively, you can utilize something in your home, such as the side of a picture frame, fireplace or door jam. Just make sure you have determined the safest direction possible for this activity before you begin and check to be certain your gun is unloaded and clear, with no ammunition around.
How to Run the AR-15 Drill
The starting position is low ready, which comprises a proper “fighting” stance (squared off to the target, with your feet pointed toward the target, your dominant leg back slightly for balance and control, and your knees slightly bent). You will also need to utilize a proper grip. Remember to hold the gun like an extension of your body, all in a straight line back into the shoulder, with the stock in the “hinge” to absorb recoil. Your support hand should be on the handguard, extended out comfortably so you can ensure stability and control.
When you bring the gun up into a shooting position, you will include a cheek weld, so be mindful of all four points of contact: shoulder, cheek, firing hand and support hand.
When those shooting fundamentals are all in place, bring the rifle up to your shoulder (safety comes off). The sights (iron or optic) should be on the target. Once you’re in a good position, go to low ready (safety goes back on) and come up to your shoulder about 20 to 30 times, getting good repetitions in with activating and deactivating the safety and ensuring proper alignment. Note that your head should not be moving down to the gun; the gun should be moving up into your line of sight.
While you go through these motions, pay attention to the sight, optic and dot moving as you come up on target. It should be close to following that line and, most importantly, it should end up on the target. If not, you may need to adjust your body or your feet. Your hips and toes should be pointed toward the target. You may also need to adjust your “length of pull” or the distance from the end of the buttstock to the middle of the trigger. This is crucial to ensuring your comfort and accuracy while shooting.
When everything is “just right,” try this same movement with your eyes closed. So, close your eyes, bring the rifle up to the target (safety comes off), and open your eyes. You should still have the sights on the line and target area. If not, make adjustments. And focus: The goal is for you to be able to smoothly and consistently move your AR-15 from a ready position into a proper shooting position and be on target every time. While this activity may not seem very glamorous or social-media flashy, it will establish the foundation you need to get on target quickly and accurately. So practice kinesthetic alignment regularly … and you’ll be ready to take on the next steps in your AR-15 training.