If you’ve owned a carry gun for some time and are finding marksmanship training a bit dull, it’s time to elevate your practice with a shot timer. While we’ve discussed shot timers in previous blogs, many gun owners may not fully understand what they are, how they function, and why they can significantly enhance your firearm training.
So let’s explore why a shot timer is essential and how it can drastically improve your shooting performance.
What is a Shot Timer?
Simply put, a shot timer is an electronic device that records the number of shots you fire and the time it takes to fire them.
Why is this important? A shot timer is the most effective way to gauge if your shooting speed is improving, along with your ability to shoot under pressure while maintaining accuracy. It also allows you to clearly assess your limits—the point where excessive speed leads to mistakes, affecting not only your accuracy but also your draw, grip, reloads, and target transitions.
Ultimately, the three pillars of pistol performance (whether for sport shooting or self-defence) are Speed, Power, and Accuracy. In short, we aim to shoot as quickly and accurately as possible. A shot timer helps you measure, track, and improve the speed component of that equation.
However, aside from measuring how fast you draw your firearm, perform reloads, or transition between targets, a shot timer also records your “splits”, or the time between each shot. Faster splits typically mean a better grip and recoil control. Two things that are very hard to accurately measure without the use of a shot timer.
The Importance of Pressure
Creating a sense of time pressure during your training is crucial. Without this added stress, it can be challenging to pinpoint your weaknesses in skills. For instance, under normal circumstances, your draw might seem flawless, requiring little to no improvement. However, when you apply the stress of trying to beat the timer or your previous best time, you may discover that your shirt often gets caught on your pistol as you attempt to clear it. This issue may only arise under the stress of time, indicating that you need to adjust how you clear your shirt for smoother draws in the future.
What Do Shot Timers Cost?
You can expect to pay between R2,000 and R4,500 for a good quality shot timer. However, the build quality can vary, and budget timers may not consistently and accurately record all your shots.
Shot Timer Apps
Several downloadable smartphone apps can transform your phone into a shot timer. But they often lack accuracy and have limited features. An inaccurate shot timer is not particularly useful on the range. However, these apps can be helpful for dry-fire practice at home.
Shot Timer for Dry Fire Practice
Shot timers can also be utilised for dry-fire practice at home. You can set the timer on a “par time” and attempt to complete drills within that period. For example, if you’re practising magazine changes, you might set the timer for 3 seconds. Start with the pistol unloaded and already pointed at a target. When the shot timer’s buzzer sounds, pull the pistol close, perform the magazine change, and realign the sights on the target. The buzzer will sound again after three seconds, by which point you should have completed the drill. Once you’re comfortable with three seconds, you can decrease the par time to 2.5 seconds and race against the clock again.
As previously mentioned, shot timer apps can also serve this purpose. Keep an eye out for new apps and updates, and choose one with the best reviews.
Give the False Bay Firearm Training Academy a call at (021) 300 1179, or message 064 286 0173 for more info on shot timers, product recommendations and up-to-date pricing.
