This is Rangemaster’s “Drill of the Month” – a piece that has become a part of our feature rotation. It is part of that company’s monthly newsletter. As always, start slow before trying to progress. If you’re not familiar with use of the holster – especially from concealment – and, not familiar with the most dangerous thing you’ll do at the range, putting the gun into the holster – seek education first. You can shoot the whole thing from low ready, just to see how you do. Consider the aspect of moving with a gun in your hand. Your local range may have rules about that; needless to say, move with your finger OFF of the trigger and at high register on the gun, while keeping the muzzle directed into the backstop/target line. Don’t let the muzzle precede you as you move laterally across the range; the safe direction rule applies. Keep the muzzle directed into the backstop. And, as always, training is available: the  instructors for Rangemaster travel. Check the website for information.

From the Rangemaster newsletter: 

DRILL OF THE MONTH

Throughout 2026 we will be running a Drill of the Month in each edition of the newsletter. The goal is help motivate folks to get to the range and actually shoot their defensive weapons, and to have some fun in the process. Each month we’ll post a drill or a short course of fire. You are encouraged to go to the range, shoot the drill, and then post your thoughts and a photo of your target on the Rangemaster Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/rangemaster/.

 - And now to the drill of the month:

“Side Hustle”

Place one silhouette target at 6 yards. This can be an IDPA cardboard, an IALEFI-Q, a Rangemaster RFTS-Q or any silhouette with an 8” circle correctly located in the chest and a head ring. Any hits in the chest circle and the head ring count 10 points each. Everything else is zero points.

There will be a firing line 6 yards from the target. Two firing points will be marked on this line, 5 yards apart -- call them “A” and “B.” The shooter starts at position A, holstered and concealed. The shooter will be holding an empty 50-round 9mm cartridge box in both hands at sternum height until the signal to GO. On the signal, the shooter will drop the box, draw and engage the target with 4 rounds to the chest and 1 round to the head. Shooter will then sprint to B, stop and fire 4 more rounds to the chest and 1 round to the head. Record the time, and score the points on the target.

The total points on the target is divided by total time for your score. The par score is 10, so your goal is a score higher than 10.

(Hat tip to Dave Spaulding, whose 9X5 drill inspired this one.)

The drill is 6 yards distance, on 1 target, using 10 rounds and hit factor scoring for the result.

– Tom Givens, Chief Firearms Instructor, Rangemaster Firearms Training Services