Harv’s Drill, as suggested by Harv24, is an exercise in practical marksmanship. Using IDPA type silhouette targets (with an 8” circle in the center of the thoracic area) placed at 18 yards, the course of fire is as follows.


> Fire 6 rounds on target from the standing position.

> Change position to a kneeling position and fire another 6 rounds on target.

> Perform a speed reload.

> Change position to the prone position and fire another 6 rounds on target.


The objective of the exercise is to keep all 18 shots inside the 8” circle while performing the entire drill in under 18 seconds.


I decided to give Harv’s Drill a try while I was breaking in my new Colt 6450 9mm carbine with EoTech 551 sight. A Pact Club Timer was used to record the timing of the shots. I had to make a few concessions due to the restrictions/limitations of the facility where I was shooting.

First, firing from prone was not allowed at this facility. In order to simulate firing from the prone position, I stood up from the previous kneeling position, leaned over and rested my elbows on the bench. This was not as stable a position as prone, but it was as close as I could get within the restrictions of the facility.

Second, I was not able to use a standard kneeling position (with the support elbow resting on the knee) as this would have positioned me to fire directly into the shooting bench. The bench was approximately 40” high. Instead, I fired from a high kneeling position (without any elbow support) as if firing over a barricade (cover.) While not as steady as a standard kneeling position, I thought the benefit of practicing as if shooting over cover was worthwhile.

Thirdly, instead of the speed reload, I performed a reload with magazine retention. (I just didn’t care to be dumping my $65.00 original Colt magazines on the deck.)

My first run of Harv’s drill came in at 14.1 seconds with all 18 shots in the 8 inch (minus-zero) circle. The second run was completed in 15.5 seconds with all 18 shots in the “minus-zero” circle and my third run timed in at 15.0 seconds with all 18 shots in the minus-zero circle. The targets are pictured below.



















The average group size of all three runs was about 5”, with an average mean radius of 1.43”. Most of the “outlying” shots were fired from the kneeling position.

My average split-times between shots were running around 0.5 seconds, with slightly longer splits in the kneeling position and slightly faster splits in the simulated prone position.

My split-times when going from the standing position to kneeling position were running around 2 seconds. My splits for performing the reload with magazine retention coupled with changing from the kneeling position to the simulated prone position were averaging about 4 seconds.

Give Harv’s Drill a try and post you results!

Great post and idea as far as drills are concerned. I find that drils also keep you in shape mentally and physically. Will give Harv's drill a run once it warms up. Stickman, do you have link to you old post? thanks Molon.

iso

Thanks for the Credit... But alas.. I cannot take it as I did not invent this drill. I actually learned if from Greg 'Sully" Sullivan from the Defensive edge....

Anyone who knows me,knows I'm not smart enough to invent my own drill.....

But it is a good drill... one of my main ones I like to do...

Learned that drill in the early 90s while in the Marines.

We did it from both - 25 meters / 50 meters (iron sights)
-However we had to speed reload at each change of position.
"of course at 50 w/ irons we just had to keep it in a specific area in torso - larger than the circle but similar in size to the next larer section"

It is a pretty good drill to gauge how you react to pressure, change of position, and having to speed reload.

---
Only thing - I would never use $65 mags from COLT - WOW

Originally Posted By GETSUM: Learned that drill in the early 90s while in the Marines. We did it from both - 25 meters / 50 meters (iron sights) -However we had to speed reload at each change of position. "of course at 50 w/ irons we just had to keep it in a specific area in torso - larger than the circle but similar in size to the next larer section" It is a pretty good drill to gauge how you react to pressure, change of position, and having to speed reload. --- Only thing - I would never use $65 mags from COLT - WOW

I can't wait until C-Products releases their stainless steel 9mm AR-15 magazines so I can do the drill with a speed reload. The C-Products mags will supposedly retail for less than half the price of the Colt mags.

i'm going shootin next week at a range where the owner rocks and it's never busy when i'm there so he leaves me on my own free to do just about whatever as long as it's downrange and i don't shoot myself. gonna try it but where do i get the targets?

Molon thanks for the link....gettin right on it!

This seems like something I might have to try. Very informative post, thanks


Oh, and gj BA BYE!

Originally Posted By luckypunk: Que es bennie fliper?

la madre de GJ

Originally Posted By Stickman: Drills are an outstanding way to gauge progress, and to see where you stand. Big points to anyone who actually trains, instead of just blasting away when they hit the range. Nicely done, now work dry fire and see how much you shave those times down. ETA- More drills in the training section would probably get it more attention. I started a list of drills and skills that was tacked for people to add to, and it was later removed... I've got no idea why, but I wouldn't mind an IM from whoever did it so at least I can understand the reason. It would have been nice to see that section as a resource. Lastly, I need to get out and shoot Harvs drill!

Do you still have a list of those drills? I also think a tack in the arms and tactics forum would be a great idea. make some use of range time instead of wasting ammo

.

Here are some more links for targets.


IDPA paper targets


IDPA cardboard targets


IALEFI-Q target