December — Pew Pew Crew Drills
December — Month 12
Pick pistol, rifle, shotgun, or all three — whatever fits the session.
Pistol — Full Skills Test
Setup: 2–3 targets. This month combines everything practiced over the year into one graded run.
Beginner
Run a simple 5-string test (draw, 2 rounds, reload, 2 rounds) once with no time pressure to check technique, then run it again timed to get a baseline number for future reference. 4 rounds per run, 2 runs = 8 rounds.
Intermediate
Run a longer multi-part stage (draw, transitions between targets, a reload) that's scored on both time and accuracy, similar to a competition stage. ~20 rounds total.
Advanced
Run a single stage that stacks a draw, a target transition, a reload, and a malfunction clearance all in one string, with movement required, under one overall par time. ~18 rounds total.
Checklist
- Eye protection (one per shooter)
- Ear protection (one per shooter)
- 2–3 targets (cardboard or rated AR500 steel)
- Tape to mark center-mass/head boxes
- Target stands
- Barricade or cover prop (reused from Month 11)
- Shot timer
- Standard holsters
- Spare magazines
- Snap caps / dummy rounds (Advanced)
- First aid kit
- Scoresheet or notepad to record final times for the year
- Ammo: 8 / ~20 / ~18 rounds per shooter (Beg / Int / Adv)
Rifle (AR-15) — Full Skills Test (Sling Manipulation + Everything)
Setup: 2–3 targets, barricade prop reused from Month 9, open ground for positional work.
Beginner
Practice slinging and unslinging the rifle smoothly a few times, then run a simple 5-string standards test (ready-up, 2 rounds, reload, 2 rounds), once untimed to check technique, then once timed for a baseline. 4 rounds per run, 2 runs = 8 rounds.
Intermediate
Run a longer stage combining a sling transition, a positional shot, and a reload, scored on time and accuracy. ~20 rounds total.
Advanced
Run a single stage stacking ready-up, target transition, reload, malfunction clearance, movement, and a sling transition, all in one string under one par time. ~20 rounds total.
Checklist
- Eye protection (one per shooter)
- Ear protection (one per shooter)
- 2–3 targets (cardboard or rated AR500 steel)
- Tape to mark center-mass/head boxes
- Target stands
- Barricade or cover prop (reused from Month 9)
- Shot timer
- Sling
- Spare rifle magazines
- Snap caps / dummy rounds (Advanced)
- First aid kit
- Scoresheet or notepad to record final times for the year
- Ammo: 8 / ~20 / ~20 rounds per shooter (Beg / Int / Adv)
Shotgun — Full Skills Test (Speed Loading + Everything)
Setup: 2–3 targets, barricade prop reused from Month 9.
Beginner
Practice a quick 4-shell load-up from the shell carrier, then run a simple 5-string standards test (mount, 2 rounds, load 2, 2 rounds), once untimed to check technique, then once timed for a baseline. 4 rounds per run, 2 runs = 8 rounds.
Intermediate
Run a stage combining a load-2, a positional shot, and a target transition, scored on time and accuracy. ~15 rounds total.
Advanced
Run a single stage stacking mount, target transition, reload, malfunction clearance, movement, and a slug transition, all in one string under one par time. ~15 rounds total.
Checklist
- Eye protection (one per shooter)
- Ear protection (one per shooter)
- 2–3 cardboard targets (buckshot stays on cardboard/paper; slug rounds may use rated AR500 steel at safe distance)
- Tape to mark center-mass/head boxes
- Target stands
- Barricade or cover prop (reused from Month 9)
- Shot timer
- Shell carrier loaded with spares
- Dummy/dud shells (Advanced)
- Slug rounds (Advanced)
- First aid kit
- Scoresheet or notepad to record final times for the year
- Ammo: 8 / ~15 / ~15 rounds per shooter (Beg / Int / Adv)
Bonus — Full Skills Test in Low Light (Pistol, Rifle, or Shotgun)
The capstone drill — run one more time under a light source instead of open daylight, to genuinely test whether the year's skills hold up when it's harder to see.
Setup: Same stage as this month's core Full Skills Test for whichever platform, run at dusk or with a controlled low-light setup if the range allows it.
Beginner
Run the same 5-string standards test from the core drill, light on throughout, once untimed then once timed.
Intermediate
Run the same multi-part stage from the core drill, managing a light source through each element, scored on time and accuracy.
Advanced
Run the full stress stage from the core drill exactly as written, with light discipline (light off between shots, on only to identify and engage) layered on top.
Checklist
- Eye protection (one per shooter)
- Ear protection (one per shooter)
- Same targets/props as this month's core Full Skills Test
- Weapon-mounted light or handheld flashlight
- Shot timer
- First aid kit
- Scoresheet or notepad to compare against the daylight run
- Ammo: same as this month's core Full Skills Test for the platform used