Martial Marksman Drill #3: Pair of Queens

It’s been a bit since we’ve discussed another drill you can use at the range for yourself. I’m calling this one the “Pair of Queens.” It’s simple, but not necessarily easy. The inspiration comes from a long-running challenge over at 1911 Addicts forum called the Pair O’Kings.

That drill requires the shooter to place a USPA target (or at least the equivalent A-Zone) at 25 yards. From concealment, draw and land two hits in the A-Zone in under two seconds. This must be done twice, back to back. To date, I think only 11 members of the forum have successfully done it and earned a massive coin for their effort.

I like this challenge a lot, mainly because it requires both speed, accuracy, and good mechanics to complete. Also, there aren’t many pistol drills for 25 yards.

To make it “ours,” we’ll apply a few modifications and lay out some guidance for practice.

Shooting Martial Marksman Drill #3

For a target, we need something 8″ in diameter. An 8″ paper plate will do, but my preference is once again the NRA TQ-4 target, since its black zone is 8″ in diameter. A B-8 will also do, keeping in mind that the 8-ring is 8″ in diameter (but not in the black). You can also use an IDPA silhouette, keeping in mind that the center -0 zone is also 8″ in diameter.

So you’ve got plenty of options for targets, here.

Now, for shooting. Remember, the purpose of a test and a drill are different. The test is an arbitrary standard to see if you are capable of something. The drill is about building capabilities and practicing. You don’t practice the test by doing the test. That said, let’s lay out some end goals.

Pistol Shooting Standard and Practice

For pistols, the end goal is more or less the same as the inspiration for this drill. With your 8″ target at 25 yards, draw from a holster (not necessarily concealment), and place two hits within the 8″ circle in under two seconds. Do this twice, consecutively. No going to the range and running this test twenty times and picking the two best. You have to be able to do this back to back twice.

Now for practicing. My suggestion is to start with the target at 3 yards or 5 yards. Practice drawing and firing a controlled pair into the target zone. Introduce a timer into it when you feel like your mechanics are solid. Once you’re able to do this consistently in under two seconds, move the target back to 7 yards. Repeat until you can do it consistently in under two seconds. Move it to 10 yards, then 15, then 20, and so on until you can do it at 25 yards.

Long Guns and PCCs

For long guns and PCCs, the process is the same but the distance is double. Your goal is placing two hits within the 8″ circle in under two seconds at 50 yards. You will do this starting from the standing low ready, and using any position you desire (i.e. standing, kneeling, squatting, or even sitting if you can drop into it within the time limit). This isn’t too far off from the rifle standards I explored back in 2022 with a input from several subject matter experts.

Practicing this one works the same as for pistols. Start with the target close, say 7 yards, and work on it until you can meet the two second limit consistently. Then move it backwards, increasing distance each time you master it.

What’s the Purpose Here?

This drill fits perfectly in line with my marksmanship training zones. That 0-50 yard “Critical Zone’ is the space where we should have absolute capability to react quickly and make accurate enough hits on target. When it comes to self defense, there is no such thing as second place in a gun fight.

Mastering your handgun at 25 yards is already a challenge, and represents your ability to react quickly to “across the street” distances. The 8″ target size is fixed, not scaled by distance. This goes back to a concept discussed by John Simpson when it comes to rifle marksmanship: the target is the same size regardless, and your goal is to hit the target as quickly as possible, not waste time trying to be more precise than necessary.

For long guns, which are inherently more stable, we stretch to the edge of that critical zone- again, without changing the size of the target. Be fast, be accurate- but not too accurate.

So there you have it, give this one a go for a while- and post your results in the Community chat.