The first part of this feature 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. You can also seek training and the Rangemaster instructors travel. Check their website. The rest is my attempts with two different guns: one a 40 Auto I’ve not shot in years and the other a micro-9mm … with an optic.

The Super Test

The early edition slick-sided S&W M&P40, shot with Winchester 180gr. flat-point ball, created a better result than anticipated – but showed various lapses in the shooter’s skills.

“The Test” is a drill generally credited to Ken Hackathorn. Ken wanted a very quick and simple way to “test” a shooter for basic competency. His drill requires a B8-C or equivalent bullseye target (B-8, FBI-IP1, etc) at 10 yards. The shooter must fire 10 rounds, with a time limit of 10 seconds. Ken was looking for a score above 90% to indicate basic competency.

Master Trainers Wayne Dobbs and Darryl Bolke in Texas expanded on Ken’s original idea and came up with “The Super Test.” This involves different cadences at different distances, with an emphasis on accuracy and accountability. Again, a standard bullseye target is used (B-8, B8-C, FBI-IP1, etc). The Super Test involves a total of 30 rounds, fired in three 10-round strings, as follows. All strings begin gun in hand, at a true Low Ready:

5 yards 10 rounds in 5 seconds

10 yards 10 rounds in 10 seconds

15 yards 10 rounds in 15 seconds.

Deduct 10 points for any shot fired overtime.

This deceptively simple drill is a real test of shooting ability. It requires completely different trigger control techniques at the different distances, and a relentless focus on the principles of marksmanship. Give it a try.

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

I took my try on the June DOTM – the Super Test from Wayne Dobbs and Darryl Bolke – using a pair of guns that handicap me, beyond my normal inability to shoot.

The first was the Smith & Wesson M&P40, an early gun, from one of the last media trips I had with friend and mentor Walt Rauch. I’ve not shot this gun for many years – and haven’t shot 40 Auto since the Gen4 GLOCK 23 was here a while ago.

The M&P40 is slick compared to the plastic guns of today with their more aggressive texturing. Combine that with the brisk recoil of Winchester 180gr. FMJ ammo and I figured I’d be in for a real treat.

The other gun is vastly more recent, the Foundation version of the Shadow Systems CR920 micro-compact pistol. Consider the general form of a G43 (without the -X) with a 10-round magazine. While the texturing of the frame is vastly more hospital to fast shooting and the Holosun SCS-CARRY (Solar Charging Sight) optic makes aligning the muzzle a breeze, it’s as jumpy a 9mm as the M&P is a 40 … and there’s less to hold onto.

I also elected to start at fifteen yards and work up to five yards, scoring the time and points for each string of fire before shooting the next. I was, after all, trying to determine my relative lack of skill and see what needs work.

That would make for some interesting shooting.

The M&P40 was shot cold and I lost twenty points to a time penalty at fifteen yards, ending with 64/100. I shot the 10 yards-10 seconds string in 9.22 seconds and got an 89/100. The five round string was a blur at five yards in 4.12 seconds. My total score was 248/300, only 83%.

I’m not young anymore.

Tighter central cluster, but less consistency than the 40, the Shadow Systems CR920 with Holosun optic shot a higher score overall.

With the tiny CR920, I was still overtime at fifteen yards, losing 10 points, plus another ten for a catastrophic “el-snatcho” at the trigger. The ten-yard string surprised me at just under eight seconds for a 92/100. The five yard “rock and roll” came in at just under four seconds for a 94. The total for the CR920 was 265/300, 88%.

Neither is instructor level, but both were instructive.

Why not shoot a nice, sedate, full-size 9mm, perhaps with a metal frame? Where’s the fun in that? I was there to see how I could overcome adversity. I didn’t, but I learned some things.

This is a worthwhile periodic assessment. Shoot it once, cold, with the gun you carry for real. See where you are. Score each string for time and points. After you finish, see where you need the work and put it in.

That’s how you get better.

— Rich Grassi