How to Own the Night | Green Berets favorite Night Shooting Drills | Tactical Rifleman

Published on January 17, 2020
Duration: 9:48

This video from Tactical Rifleman, featuring Jen's Carl, outlines five favorite night shooting drills for rifles and pistols when using Night Vision Devices (NVDs). The drills emphasize maintaining muscle memory from day shooting by keeping techniques consistent. Key drills include Up Drills, Double Taps, the Zipper Drill (driving shots from chest to head), the Box Drill (chest shots followed by headshots on multiple targets), and the Check Drill (simulating rifle malfunctions and transitioning to a pistol). The instructor highlights the importance of using an IR aiming device and positioning the rifle slightly lower when shooting with NVDs down.

Quick Summary

For effective night shooting with NVDs, position your rifle slightly lower in your shoulder pocket to align your aiming point with your line of sight through the goggles. Utilize an IR aiming laser like the D-BAL A3, as the IR setting on optics like EOTechs is generally ineffective when shooting through NVDs. Maintaining consistency with day shooting techniques is crucial for success.

Chapters

  1. 00:21Introduction & Location
  2. 00:42Top 5 Night Shooting Drills Overview
  3. 00:50Setting Up for Night Vision Shooting
  4. 01:41Shooting with NVDs vs. Day Optics
  5. 01:54Importance of IR Aiming Devices
  6. 02:19Rifle Positioning for NVD Shooting
  7. 03:15Favorite Drills: Consistency is Key
  8. 03:38Drill 1: Up Drills
  9. 04:18Drill 2: Double Taps
  10. 05:08Drill 3: Zipper Drill
  11. 06:25Drill 4: Box Drill
  12. 07:00Drill 5: Check Drill (Malfunction/Transition)
  13. 08:36Building on Day Shooting Muscle Memory
  14. 09:04Mastering Low-Light Manipulations
  15. 09:13Conclusion & Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I set up my rifle for shooting with night vision devices (NVDs)?

When using NVDs, it's recommended to position your rifle slightly lower in your shoulder pocket. This allows you to look just over the top of the rifle, keeping your aiming point through the NVDs as close as possible to your natural line of sight, maintaining consistency with day shooting.

What is the best aiming device for night shooting with NVDs?

For effective night shooting with NVDs, an IR aiming laser is essential. Devices like the D-BAL A3 provide both visible and infrared lasers, along with an IR illuminator, which is crucial for aiming when you're not looking through your primary optic.

What are the key night shooting drills recommended by Tactical Rifleman?

Tactical Rifleman recommends five drills: Up Drills for basic presentation, Double Taps for controlled rapid fire, the Zipper Drill for vertical target engagement, the Box Drill for multi-target engagement with chest and headshots, and the Check Drill for malfunction handling and pistol transitions.

Why is consistency important for night shooting with NVDs?

Consistency is vital because it allows you to leverage your existing muscle memory from day shooting. By keeping your techniques as similar as possible, you'll be more effective and less prone to errors when shooting in the dark with NVDs.

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