Start Shooting Better Episode 3: Bill Drill

Published on October 10, 2017
Duration: 4:59

This guide details the Bill Drill, a classic handgun training exercise popularized by Bill Wilson and demonstrated by Chris Baker of Lucky Gunner Ammo and John Johnston of Citizens Defense Research. It emphasizes drawing and firing six rounds at an IDPA/IPSC target from 7 yards, focusing on drawstroke efficiency, trigger control, sight tracking, and recoil management. The drill is valuable for assessing and improving fundamental shooting skills under pressure, with par times ranging from sub-2 seconds for elite shooters to under 4 seconds for beginners. The video highlights the importance of shooting "cold" for an honest performance assessment.

Quick Summary

The Bill Drill is a handgun training exercise requiring six shots at an IDPA/IPSC target from 7 yards. Developed by Bill Wilson, it assesses drawstroke, trigger control, sight tracking, and recoil management. A par time of 3.5 seconds or under is a benchmark, with elite shooters achieving sub-2 seconds. Shooting "cold" provides an honest performance assessment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Bill Drill
  2. 00:22Drill Specifications & Par Times
  3. 01:08John Johnston's Glock 34 Demo
  4. 01:57Chris Baker's Beretta PX4 Compact Demo
  5. 02:44Key Tips for Success
  6. 03:00The Value of Shooting Cold
  7. 03:54Performance Tracking & Skill Development

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bill Drill?

The Bill Drill is a classic handgun training exercise developed by Bill Wilson. It involves drawing a firearm and accurately firing six rounds at an IDPA or IPSC target from 7 yards, focusing on drawstroke, trigger control, sight tracking, and recoil management.

What is a good par time for the Bill Drill?

A good par time for the Bill Drill is 3.5 seconds or under. Beginners might aim for 4 seconds, while elite shooters can achieve times under 2 seconds from concealment.

Why is shooting the Bill Drill "cold" important?

Shooting the Bill Drill "cold" means performing it as the first shots of the day. This provides an honest assessment of your fundamental skill level without the influence of warm-up practice, revealing true performance under pressure.

What are key tips for successfully executing the Bill Drill?

Key tips include ensuring a full firing grip before the gun leaves the holster, not rushing the presentation, confirming a sufficient sight picture for the target size, and maintaining smooth trigger control and sight tracking for follow-up shots.

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