Could You Pass the FBI Pistol Qualification Drill?
We unholster the FBI Pistol Qualification Drill like a handgun on a dance floor.
Finding new drills that are not only challenging but designed to make you a better shooter can be tricky... and time-consuming.. and kind of a pain, which is why a lot of people end up repeating the basics. But even proficient shooters should shake up their range day routine to stay sharp!
Since I'd heard of others using the FBI Pistol Qualification Drill to train, I wondered if not only I could do it (minus the backflips) but if it would help make me a more proficient carrier. So I decided to put it to the test before sharing the details with y'all.
While you do need a range that will allow shooters to draw from concealment, I found the stages easy to set up and the sequences applicable to real-world scenarios.
The FBI Pistol Qualification Drill: General Requirements
The objective is simple: fire 60 total rounds on 8 stages with various courses of fire and distances ranging from 3-25 yards.
- All Shots Must be Made Drawing From Concealment so Cover Garment is Required
- Each Stage Instructs Shooters to use Strong Hand, Weak Hand, or Both Hands
- Use QIT-99 Targets
- All Hits Must Be Within the Bottle Target Outline
- Hits Within the Bottle Target Outline Are One Point Each
- Hits Outside the Bottle Target Outline Count as Misses
To pass, you must make 48 out of 60 (80%) Total Possible Points.
For Instructor Qualification, you must make 90% of your shots (54/60).
Armed with a Smith&Wesson M&P9 Shield (my EDC) in a Hybrid MT2 Holster, three boxes of Hornady Ammunition, a QIT-99 from Action Target, and the Pact Club Timer my good friends at Brownells sent for the drill, I was good to go!
FBI Pistol Qualification Course of Fire
Stage 1
Distance: 3 yards
Rounds Needed: 6
Sequence:
- Draw & fire 3 shots strong-hand only in 3 seconds
- Repeat: Draw & fire 3 shots strong-hand only in 3 seconds
Total Stage Time Limit: 6 Seconds
Stage 2
Distance: 3 yards
Rounds Needed: 6
Sequence:
- Draw & Fire 3 shots strong-hand only
- Transition to support-hand only & fire 3 shots
Total Stage Time Limit: 8 Seconds
Stage 3
Distance: 5 yards
Rounds Needed: 12
Sequence:
- Draw & fire 3 shots using both hands in 3 seconds
- Repeat 3 more times (4 Times Total)
Total Stage Time Limit: 12 Seconds
Stage 4
Distance: 7 Yards
Rounds Needed: 8
Sequence:
- Draw & fire 4 shots using both hands in 4 seconds
- Repeat: Draw & fire 4 shots using both hands in 4 seconds
Total Stage Time Limit: 8 Seconds
Stage 5
Distance: 7 Yards
Rounds Needed: 8
Sequence:
- Draw & Fire 4 Shots Using Both Hands
- Perform Emergency Reload (Mag Falls to Ground)
- Fire 4 More Shots Using Both Hands
Total Stage Time Limit: 8 Seconds
Stage 6
Distance: 15 Yards
Rounds Needed: 6
Sequence:
- Draw & Fire 3 Shots Using Both Hands;
- Repeat: Draw & Fire 3 Shots Using Both Hands
Total Stage Time Limit: 12 Seconds
Stage 7
Distance: 15 Yards
Rounds Needed: 4
Sequence:
- Draw & Fire 4 Shots Using Both Hands
Total Stage Time Limit: 8 Seconds
Stage 8
Distance: 25 Yards
Rounds Needed: 10
Sequence:
- Step Forward to 25 Yard Line
- Draw & Fire 2 Shots Standing Behind Cover Using Both Hands;
- Transition to Kneeling Behind Cover and Using Both Hands Fire 3 More Rounds;
- Repeat Stage for 2 Total Times
Total Stage Time Limit: 15 Seconds for 5 Shots (x2)
Putting it into Action
While the stages seem pretty straightforward, sometimes it helps to see it in action before running through them yourself.
Watch Chris, John and Melody run through it in this episode of Lucky Gunner's Start Shooting Better series:
Worth It?
On my first run, I made 54 out of 60 shots, earning me a passing score of 90%. However, I felt my movements were definitely not as fluid as they should have been. Maybe it was the long winter open carrying under sweatshirts and coats or the fact that I hadn't been out to the range since October (I know, I know!!!) but I could absolutely tell that my time spent slinging lead downrange had been well spent.
BONUS: I was actually excited to get back out again to see if I could achieve a higher score!
The second time I ran this drill, I was able to achieve Instructor Qualification with a score of 57/60 with fluid moves but what's more, I gained a great deal of confidence in my proficiency! Additionally, I like the idea of being able to say I passed the qualification drill our own government uses should I need to defend myself civilly after successfully defending myself physically.
What do you think?
Is the FBI Pistol Qualification Drill something you'd like to try the next time you go to the range? How do you think you will score?
If you'd like a copy of it, click on this LINK and print the instructions to take with you, then let us know how you did and what you think of it!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jenn Jacques is a fierce defender of the Second Amendment, concealed carry advocate, fishing enthusiast, avid hiker, hunter, and an all-around great gal with a gun. As a former Private Detective, Jenn put those skills to good use, fighting for gun rights in her home state of Wisconsin before becoming the first female editor of a 2A/Gun News site and moving on to become a publication writer, popular multi-media guest, and respected news expert.
Jacques has hundreds of hours of firearms training under her gun belt including USCCA's Street Encounters and Low Light/No Light Training, she is a graduate of the Gunsite Academy, and was named a S.A.F.E. Summer Local Champion of Firearm Safety by the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Project ChildSafe. A staple in the firearms industry since 2009, Jenn is proud to be raising her three children with her husband John who is also an avid hunter, 2A supporter, and an amazing father.
You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or shooting at any number of gun ranges across this great country.
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