February will soon be upon us and people will soon be posting about their Valentine’s dinner dates or Galentine’s get-togethers. If you’re trying to think of something fun to do that will last all year long, I have a plan. Have you ever seen the book “Pistol Practice,” by John Kolis?
Sponsored by Springfield Armory
Rather than a typical date night or girls’ night out, why not head to the range? If you just said to yourself, “Aside from just shooting targets and throwing lead down range, how can we make it fun?” That’s where John’s book comes in.
First, here are the three reasons I like the book, at first glance:
1 At 6 inches by 9 inches, it’s the perfect size for a range bag. Not so big that it doesn’t fit, and not so small that it gets lost.
2 It’s spiral-bound, meaning it will lie flat when you open it to whatever page you are working on.
3 The font is a good size, well-spaced and nicely laid out. The pages are very clean, not cluttered.
When I first picked up “Pistol Practice,” I felt excited to see someone created a book that was so helpful for those spending time on the range. Each of the first 19 chapters offers a different drill to shoot, gradually getting more difficult as you get further into the book. The drills are well written and easy to understand Within each chapter, John explains these four things:
1 Background –The skill each drill reinforces.
“Aiming and Trigger Control are the two most important fundamentals of shooting …”
2 Purpose – How the drill reinforces that skill.
“The horizontal bar target forces us to focus on sight alignment and, of course, trigger press.”
3 Target – What target to use, why this target and how to make your own if necessary. These are also available for download once you purchase the book.
“You can easily make your own bar target by simply using one-inch blue painter’s tape.”
4 Course of Fire — The course of fire is first explained in paragraph form. Then, it’s followed by a table of the course of fire. What a perfect way to track your progress in the book or make copies.
“Hang the IDPA or similar target at fifty feet and load all magazines …
Each chapter ends with a quote that pertains to the drill, followed by an area of blank lines to write notes.
“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.”
Wyatt Earp
So, rather than heading to the range with your sweetie or gal friend and just burning through ammo, why not progressively work through “Pistol Practice?” You can work on a different chapter each time. That will give you 19 trips to the range. But wait! I forgot to mention chapter 20, “Variations.” In the final chapter, John shares variations for the drills, including which drills each variation works best with, like shooting in low light. Now you have potentially more than 19 trips to the range. Heck, you can even switch up which pistols you shoot on each trip. The variations are endless.
If you’re planning a Valentine’s Day trip to the range following are my suggestions.
1 Purchase a copy of “Pistol Practice” here.
2 Read through the first chapter, so you are familiar with the drill.
3 Gather your supplies: Some 9-inch paper plates (look for red or pink ones, maybe even some with hearts), two copies of the table (or one for each person shooting) and a few pens or pencils.
4 Your shooting gear, eye protection, hearing protection, etc.
5 Your cell phone. You know you’ll want to post photos.
6 Some chocolates or at least a box of conversation hearts to snack on when you’re done (and remember to wash your hands first).
Use the drills in “Pistol Practice” to create a little competition between each other. The book is a great tool to add a little fun into your range time while practicing and improving specific skills along the way.
Read more about John Kolis on his website, www.pistolpractice.com
Springfield Armory makes a great line of handguns for target shooting and self-defense. Check out all their handguns here.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
