Have You Ever Done The Wall Drill? Check Out This Video And Your Reflexes

In this video, an instructor demonstrates the wall drill. For those unfamiliar, you start off with an unloaded firearm, facing a wall, about a full arm’s distance away. Drawing your firearm, find your front sight alignment. When you pull the trigger, you will be able to notice any slight deviation or movement. This can help inform you on how to better compensate for slight movements that can result in a round going off target.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before attempting this, please manually inspect your concealed carry handgun to ensure it is unloaded. This exercise does require you to pull the trigger. Safety is always a concealed carrier’s number one priority.

This was actually a new practice technique I just learned about the other day and since incorporating it into my routine drills, I’ve found my trigger control has improved remarkably. The US Concealed Carry Association, in addition to doing concealed carry insurance, actually hosts a number of fantastic videos on their YouTube channel where they discuss techniques and things concealed carriers should consider.

In the video, the instructors recommend doing the exercise in repetitions of ten. Their point in setting an upper limit was so that your attention remains focused on the task at hand and you don’t fall into complacency.

This is a great ‘daily drill’ or other activity that doesn’t require a round to leave the chamber but still hones the skills every concealed carrier needs to be successful in a defensive gun use situation.

One thing I was surprised to discover was just how much my energy level affected both my draw and the precision of my trigger pull. I used an unloaded Glock 19 Gen 4 for my practice sessions and even with the 5.5 lb. trigger pull, I still noticed the occasional drag to the left or right as I needed to correct the placement of my index finger onto the trigger.

Once I made that light correction, I noticed there was still some slight deviations but they were all far less than before.

Combining this into our daily drills gives us something to work with when we hit the range next. There is no substitute for range time but the more we practice in and out of the range, the more refined our proficiency in our firearms will be.

Considerations For Choosing A Wall For The Wall Drill

Because this is a drill that’s done with an unloaded firearm, we have to always check to ensure that concealed carry handgun is unloaded. Never take for granted whether or not a firearm is unloaded. In fact, it’s one of the paramount safety rules in firearm safety. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

Also, it may help to find a section of your home or apartment where you won’t be disturbed. This is an exercise that’s not meant to be done under stress. You can add in those competitive elements later if you so choose, but starting off, it’s better to work unobserved and uninterrupted.

You don’t have to do these drills twenty or thirty times. A wall drill can be a quick set of 5 or 10 repetitions or even 2 to 3 reps before you get ready to leave in the morning. These exercises are all meant to help you observe you better. The more you know about your own reflexes and habits, the more informed you will be when you practice next time.

Stay safe out there. Carry everyday. And consider some fun quick drills that will sharpen your concealed carry readiness.