May — Pew Pew Crew Drills

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May — Month 5

Pick pistol, rifle, shotgun, or all three — whatever fits the session.


Pistol — Transitions

Setup: Multiple targets spaced a few feet apart at 7 yards. "Transitions" just means moving the gun from one target to the next.

Beginner

2 targets, fire 2 rounds at the first, then 2 at the second. No par time — focus on smoothly picking up the next target with your eyes before the gun follows. 4 rounds per rep, 5 reps = 20 rounds.

Intermediate

3 targets, 2 rounds each, within a par time. 6 rounds per rep, 5 reps = 30 rounds.

Advanced

This is the full "El Presidente" drill: start facing away from the targets, turn around, draw, fire 2 rounds at each of 3 targets, reload, then fire 2 more rounds at each of the same 3 targets again. 12 rounds per rep, 5 reps = 60 rounds.

Checklist

  • Eye protection (one per shooter)
  • Ear protection (one per shooter)
  • 3 targets (cardboard or rated AR500 steel)
  • Tape to mark center-mass/head boxes on each target
  • 3+ target stands, spaced apart
  • Shot timer
  • Standard holsters
  • Spare magazine (Advanced reload)
  • First aid kit
  • Ammo: 20 / 30 / 60 rounds per shooter (Beg / Int / Adv)

Rifle (AR-15) — Malfunction Clearance

Setup: One target at 15–25 yards. You'll need dummy/snap-cap rounds mixed into live ammo to force a jam on purpose.

Beginner

Instructor loads one dummy round into the magazine at a known spot ahead of time. When it doesn't fire, practice Tap-Rack-Bang: tap the magazine, rack the charging handle to clear the dud, and fire again. 3 live rounds per rep (plus 1 dummy), 5 reps = 15 live rounds.

Intermediate

Same idea, but the dummy round is randomized into the mag so the shooter doesn't know when it's coming. 5 live rounds per rep (plus 1 dummy), 5 reps = 25 live rounds.

Advanced

Clear a double-feed style malfunction: lock the bolt back, strip the magazine, rack the charging handle a few times to clear it, reload, and fire — all under a par time. 5 live rounds per rep (plus dummies as needed), 5 reps = 25 live rounds.

Checklist

  • Eye protection (one per shooter)
  • Ear protection (one per shooter)
  • 1 target (cardboard or rated AR500 steel)
  • Tape to mark center-mass/head boxes
  • Target stand
  • Shot timer
  • Snap caps / dummy rounds, 5.56/rifle-caliber (6–10)
  • Sling
  • First aid kit
  • Ammo: 15 / 25 / 25 live rounds per shooter (Beg / Int / Adv)

Shotgun — Malfunction Clearance

Setup: One target at 7–15 yards. You'll need dummy/dud shells mixed into live ammo to force a jam on purpose.

Beginner

Instructor stages one dud shell at a known point. When it doesn't fire, cycle the action (pump or semi-auto) to eject the dud and chamber a fresh round. 3 live rounds per rep (plus 1 dummy), 5 reps = 15 live rounds.

Intermediate

Same idea, but the dud shell is randomized so the shooter doesn't know when it's coming. 5 live rounds per rep (plus 1 dummy), 5 reps = 25 live rounds.

Advanced

Clear a stuck-shell malfunction: open the action, manually clear the obstruction, reload, and fire — all under a par time. 5 live rounds per rep (plus dummies as needed), 5 reps = 25 live rounds.

Checklist

  • Eye protection (one per shooter)
  • Ear protection (one per shooter)
  • 1 cardboard target
  • Tape to mark center-mass/head boxes
  • Target stand
  • Shot timer
  • Dummy/dud shells (6–10)
  • First aid kit
  • Ammo: 15 / 25 / 25 live rounds per shooter (Beg / Int / Adv)

Bonus — One-Handed Malfunction Clearance (Rifle)

Fills a real gap: pistol gets a one-handed month, rifle doesn't elsewhere in this program.

Setup: One target at 15–25 yards. Dummy/snap-cap rounds staged to force a jam, same as this month's core rifle drill.

Beginner

Using only the strong hand, with the rifle braced against the body or a support if needed, clear a pre-staged dummy round. No par time — this is deliberately awkward, take the time to work out the mechanics safely.

Intermediate

Same one-handed clearance, dummy round randomized into the mag.

Advanced

One-handed double-feed clearance under a par time, simulating a genuinely injured support arm.

Checklist

  • Eye protection (one per shooter)
  • Ear protection (one per shooter)
  • 1 target (cardboard or rated AR500 steel, pistol/rifle only)
  • Target stand
  • Shot timer
  • Snap caps / dummy rounds, rifle-caliber
  • Sling
  • First aid kit
  • Ammo: 10–15 live rounds per shooter

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