Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Do you train with a shot timer?

    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?
    Last edited by Keith A; December 30th, 2021 at 04:14 AM. Reason: punctuation

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    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.
    In America arms are free merchandise such that anyone who has the capital may make their houses into armories and their gardens into parks of artillery. - Ira Allen, 1796

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Moscow, Pennsylvania
    (Lackawanna County)
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    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

  4. #4
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    Aug 2006
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    Collier Twp, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    Yes, some of the time.
    Tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice.

  5. #5
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    York, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    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.
    DGAF

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    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".
    Courage is being scared to death--but saddling up any way. John Wayne

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    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.

  8. #8
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    Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    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.
    Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will...

  9. #9
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    Feb 2008
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    Milford, Pennsylvania
    (Pike County)
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    Yes, pretty much always.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Do you train with a shot timer?

    I don't think the use of a shot timer in training is a bad thing. Everyone needs to find a balance between speed and precision. Like him or hate him, Rob Pincus emphasized "combat accurate" hits. A combat accurate hit isn't necessarily inside of a 3 inch circle at a given distance, or in the A zone of an IDPA target. It's a hit on an adversary that may temporarily or permanently stop their action. If in training a particular scenario, five of your six fired rounds land off of a silhouette at seven yards, then you need to take more time to fire those rounds. If all six shots end up in a fist sized group center mass, then you may be able to increase your speed. A shot timer will tell you EXACTLY how long it took you to make those hits. As you train and become more proficient, it will provide you with a measure of your increased speed while maintaining acceptable combat accuracy. It can certainly be done without a timer too. I most like using a timer to measure draw and fire time. I am able to practice wearing different garments, using different concealment holsters, or holster positions and see what is the fastest. Fractions of a second count in a critical incident .

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