Simple Draw

A quick and simple drill focused on drawing the gun from the holster.

What is the Simple Draw Drill?

Simply drawing the gun from the holster is the most common drill in dry fire. It’s simple, its easy, and it feels awesome to nail that fast draw.

However, it is often done in an ineffective manner and/or too common.

Yes, having a good draw stroke is very important – particularly for conceal carriers. However, it is important to not over do this drill and to fire at least two shots. A draw to a single shot isn’t that valuable of a drill and can create bad habits when done with repetition. Furthermore, a simple draw to a single target should be a small component of a training routine, not a cornerstone.

How to Setup

Drill Setup

  • 1 Target at 7 yards
  • Start position: Gun loaded and holstered, wrists below belt
  • 2 shots required
How to Dry Fire

Drill Steps

  1. At the beep, draw and engage the target with two shots
How to Mod

Drill Modifications

  • Rotate your body orientation to the target
  • Start with your hands in a variety of positions
  • Change the distance to the target
  • In live fire, use a snap cap for the second shot fired. This saves ammo and removes recoil for the second shot so you can see if you’re jerking the trigger.

Drill Tips

Always maintain a firm grip in dry fire as if this were live fire. Don’t let dry fire create bad habits – use dry fire to create good habits that carry over to live fire. Always build a firm grip as if the gun had live ammunition in it.


Members only content available.
Login Get FREE All Access Training

Drill Diagnostics

Examine your grip before holstering the handgun. Do you have an ideal grip? Is your grip high up in the beavertail of the gun? Are you gripping firmly? Are you getting your support hand high up on the gun?

Consistency is key with this drill. Being able to crank out a sub second draw means nothing if it takes you ten tries to get that one sub second draw.


Members only content available.
Login Get FREE All Access Training


Don't know what drills to run to meet your goals?

Try out a virtual training call to talk with Brian about shooting goals, training methods, and drills to best meet those goals.

Drill Environment

More Drill Modifications

Modifications to focus on: Conceal Carry

Modifications to focus on: General Modifications

Modifications to focus on: Movement

Modifications to focus on: Push Speed

  • Broaden what is considered “acceptable accuracy” - More info »
  • Decrease the distance laterally between targets - More info »
  • Increase the distance laterally between targets - More info »
  • Move targets closer - More info »
  • Put a black dot on the main point of aim on the target - More info »

Modifications to focus on: Tighten Accuracy

Modifications to focus on: Transitions

  • Decrease the distance laterally between targets - More info »
  • Don’t pull the trigger during transitions - More info »
  • Increase the distance laterally between targets - More info »
  • Transition from outside targets of an array and work inwards - More info »

Summer Practical Pistol Course

Join me for a three month virtual training program!

Learn More