Do you train with a shot timer?

[Keith A]

I have debated the over-emphasis of shot timers in the training industry at both training classes, online and on the range and have been accused of being "afraid" of the shot timer. Yes, there's no doubt that being able to put multiple rounds on target with a reasonable degree of accuracy and speed is important, but how important is it to shoot hundreds or even thousands of rounds in the quest to shave what essentially amounts to micro seconds off of split times? What applicability does this have in the real world outside of competition?

Every year thousands of people are successful in armed encounters (whether police, armed citizens, or criminals). Very few of these people have little, if any training. They certainly aren't out the range every weekend trying to improve their time on the casino drill. How many people were unsuccessful because they couldn't shoot "fast enough"?

I'm not against the use of shot timers, not at all. Its just that I've noticed this almost cult-like following in the training industry over "chasing the timer" so to speak, but do those results translate to real world applicability?

[JoshIronshaft]

I use a timer the majority of the time I*m shooting a handgun outside of competition.

I like to set the beep to random start to initiate whatever I*m doing. Gives me an outside stimulation to react to.

I usually shoot a standard drill, like the FBI qual, where your strings of fire have par times. I think par times, personal or organizational, are important for evaluating performance and goal setting.

My goal is to always do gun things faster, but this in no way is meant to over ride the speed of my decision making ability, which is what I think you*re really driving at.

I*m sure plenty of people using timers don*t get that, but in general I think most people should have a timer in their range bag. Using one will provide you with more information about your shooting, and you can do with that info as you wish.

[Keith A]

I use a timer the majority of the time I*m shooting a handgun outside of competition.

I like to set the beep to random start to initiate whatever I*m doing. Gives me an outside stimulation to react to.

I usually shoot a standard drill, like the FBI qual, where your strings of fire have par times. I think par times, personal or organizational, are important for evaluating performance and goal setting.

My goal is to always do gun things faster, but this in no way is meant to over ride the speed of my decision making ability, which is what I think you*re really driving at.

I*m sure plenty of people using timers don*t get that, but in general I think most people should have a timer in their range bag. Using one will provide you with more information about your shooting, and you can do with that info as you wish.

That's what I was driving at, I should have been more clear on that. If shooting a qualification there should certainly be a par time and a way to keep track of it. My issue is with the people who think split times and par times are the be all end all. Like you shoot a par time of 2.5 seconds and mines 2.6 so I suck and have to shoot X number of practice rounds chasing that 2.5.

[Noah_Zark]

Nope. Never used a timer. I just toss them back, down in one gulp.

Noah

[NathanB]

Every time I’m out. How else do you track improvement. I also track hits according to uspsa scoring etc.

I also like the random start

[Orive 8]

Yes, some of the time.

[KCJones]

Nope.

Been shooting since I was about 7. The few times I was timed, I was right there with guys that use them all the time.

Basically, I'm as good as I'ma get with the level of effort I'm willing to put in.

[phill]

Used one a ton back when we were playing the gun games. Now just use it occasionally to see just how bad we have gotten with age and Arther. Figure that if we blunder into something there will not be any "Shooter Ready" command to get ready. The random beeper and its little bump lets us see if there is even any chance that we can still function. As far as training to get my draw and splits down those days are like water over the dam.

As my departed friend used to say "Getting old is not for the cowardly and faint of heart".

[northny]

I use one quite often training for Precision Rifle matches. For live fire at range I can time my two shot drills. Time for first shot is to establish stable position, second shot split is time for follow up shot. If practicing a full stage. I get all my shot breaks and total elapsed time to last shot to see if I made It under PAR

At home with dry fires practice I mainly use it for full stage (8-12 shots) practice. I have it set to go off at end of PAR time 90 seconds or 120 seconds. When I began I was rushing too much and it was ridiculous how much time I had left. Now I tend to take the time necessary for a good shot and if I run out of time so be it. It has paid off for me. I*ve learned to pace myself much better. The last match I shot I had a better hit % ( hits per shots fired) on stages where I ran out of time. My two worst stages I got all the shots off but hurried and hit poorly.

I will be using a shot timer the next few weeks to prep for an Appleseed shoot. Different game, you need a good shot quickly not a great shot. You will drop 5 points for each unused shot, but can pick up 3-4 points with less than perfect shots.

[EZ3]

When training for events where I will be timed, yes. Otherwise ("real world" drills) no. Spent some time this morning at the range with my daughter. I was training for a qualification course I will be taking in two weeks. Beep! When I had finished that I did some "draw & shoot" drills. No beep.