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Out-of-the-Ordinary Shooting Drill: 10-8 Performance Pistol Test

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The 10-8 Performance Pistol Test is one of the most unique and interesting pistol drills I have ever seen. It is long (12 stages) and requires a large ammo loadout (65 rounds). It you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, give this one a try. 

10-8 Performance Pistol Test

The 10-8 Performance Pistol Test was designed by Hilton Yam. Mr. Yam is a retired FBI agent, competitive shooter, and custom 1911 gunsmith. 10-8 Performance is also a manufacturer of high-quality aftermarket 1911 parts. Click HERE to watch Hilton shoot it. Before undertaking this drill, you really need to know one-handed manipulations.

This pistol test is something of an oddball. There is a lot of SHO/WHO shooting, slide-racking, and reloading. There is also a huge emphasis on head shots. It is shot on a IDPA silhouette. Rounds in the 8-inch circle count as hits. Rounds anywhere in the head box (for stages requiring head shots) count as hits.

All stages are fired from 7 yards (NOT 75, as I stated in the video!). You will need 65 rounds of ammo, and about half an hour to run this drill. The shooter chooses a par time for all drills (8.0 seconds/basic, 6.5 seconds/intermediate, 5.0 seconds/expert) and all drills should be fired within the chosen par. Hilton also says you can set your own par if 8 seconds is too tight for you.

The Course of Fire

Here is the COF, retrieved from Pistol-Training.com:

  • Stage 1: holstered, SHO, draw and fire 4 body, 1 head shot
  • Stage 2: 2-handed ready, on buzzer switch to WHO, fire 4 body, 1 head
  • Stage 3: High ready w/ empty chamber, on buzzer rack slide SHO, 4 head
  • Stage 4: High ready w/ empty chamber, on buzzer rack slide WHO, 4 body, 1 head
  • Stage 5: Pistol aimed at target, slide locked, on buzzer reload SHO, fire 1 body SHO
  • Stage 6: holstered, draw and fire 7 body, 1 head
  • Stage 7: holstered, draw and fire 7 body, slide lock reload, 1 head
  • Stage 8: holstered, draw and fire 8 head
  • Stage 9: high ready, 3 rounds in pistol, 2 body, 1 head, slide lock reload, 2 body, 1 head
  • Stage 10: holstered, 2 rounds in pistol, draw and fire 1 body, 1 head, slide lock reload, 1 body, 1 head
  • Stage 11: holstered, 4 rounds in pistol, draw and fire 4 body, slide lock reload, 4 head
  • Stage 12: holstered, 1 round in pistol, draw and fire 1 body, slide lock reload, 1 body, slide lock reload, 1 body

When you hit 58-60 on one par time, move on to the next one. This drill is complex. It isn’t for everyone. However, it makes a really fun range session. Try it out!


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