Green Beret's Favorite Night Shooting Drills | Tactical Rifleman

Published on July 18, 2025
Duration: 9:52

This guide details five essential night shooting drills for tactical rifle and pistol engagements, as demonstrated by former Green Beret Karl Erickson. It emphasizes mastering night vision devices (NVDs) and IR aiming lasers through specific drills like the 'Up Drill,' 'Zipper Drill,' and 'Check Drill.' The instruction highlights proper rifle positioning and the importance of muscle memory for effective low-light operations.

Quick Summary

Former Green Beret Karl Erickson details essential night shooting drills for tactical proficiency under NVGs. Key drills include the 'Up Drill,' 'Zipper Drill,' and 'Check Drill,' emphasizing proper rifle positioning and mastering equipment manipulations in low light.

Chapters

  1. 00:31Introduction to Night Shooting Drills
  2. 01:08NVG Setups: Monocular vs. Dual-Tube
  3. 02:00IR Aiming Devices & Rifle Positioning
  4. 03:46Drill #1: Up Drill
  5. 04:24Drill #2: Double-Taps
  6. 05:14Drill #3: Zipper Drill
  7. 06:29Drill #4: Box Drill
  8. 07:03Drill #5: Check Drill (Malfunction)
  9. 08:05Pistol Variations for Night Drills

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key night shooting drills taught by Karl Erickson?

The video covers five core drills: the 'Up Drill' (single shot from ready), 'Double-Taps' (two rapid shots), 'Zipper Drill' (center mass to head transition), 'Box Drill' (multiple targets), and the 'Check Drill' (simulating malfunctions and pistol transition).

How should a rifle be positioned when shooting with night vision devices (NVDs)?

When using NVDs, the rifle should be held slightly lower in the shoulder. This adjustment ensures the night vision goggles clear the top of the rifle's rail, allowing for a natural sight picture and maintaining muscle memory.

What IR aiming devices are discussed for night shooting?

The discussion includes popular IR aiming devices such as the Steiner DBAL-A3, AN/PEQ-2, and AN/PEQ-15. These devices project infrared lasers for aiming when using night vision equipment.

Can white light damage modern night vision devices (NVDs)?

According to the instructor, modern NVDs are generally not harmed by brief exposure to white light. This allows for the tactical use of white light for target identification when necessary during night operations.

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