Intermediate
Pistol
5×5 Drill
Source: Gila Hayes / Claude Werner
5 yd
Distance
25
Rounds
1
Reps
25
Total Rounds
Designed by Gila Hayes and popularized by Claude Werner (The Tactical Professor), this drill is the ultimate reality check for concealed carriers. It strips away the fluff and tests your ability to deliver accurate fire under a par time.
Specs:
- Distance: 5 Yards.
- Target: 5-inch circle (a paper plate or a large Post-it note works perfectly).
- Total Rounds: 25 (5 strings of 5 shots).
- Par Time: 5 seconds per string.
Procedure:
Execute 5 identical strings:
Start with a loaded firearm, holstered (preferably concealed).
At the signal, draw and fire 5 rounds into the 5-inch circle within the 5-second par.
Repeat the process 5 times, then count every hit inside the circle. Claude Werner’s rule is that the test is passed only when all five strings are clean — one good run is luck, five is a skill.
What It Trains
Consistency under a tight par — keeping every hit inside a 5-inch circle across repeated five-second strings.
Range Setup
Setup
Single B-8 bullseye or 5-inch circle target at 5 yards. Start holstered, preferably concealed, with the pistol loaded. 25 rounds; no reload is required if your magazine holds five or more.
Scoring
Scored test: count hits inside the scoring ring. 25/25 = perfect. 23+ = excellent. 20-22 = passing. Below 20 = needs significant work.
Tips
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. At 5 yards, the difference between a clean hit and a miss is entirely trigger control.
Progression
Run it once per range session as a benchmark, cold, before any warm-up. Watch which of the five strings loses hits — the first one tells you about your draw, a late one about concentration.
Common Mistakes
- Chasing the 5-second par and letting hits spill outside the circle.
- Grip inconsistency between strings, so groups wander run to run.
- Resetting the trigger late and stacking time you don't have.
- Treating it as one run instead of five disciplined, repeatable strings.
Skill Standards
5 yd · 5-inch circle · 5 strings of 5 rounds, 5 seconds each · every hit counts
| Developing | 22–24 / 25 hits |
|---|---|
| Proficient | all 25 hits, some strings over par |
| Werner standard | all 25 hits, every string under 5 s |
Gila Hayes' 5x5, with Claude Werner's rule that the string must be repeated five times. Not Bill Wilson's 5x5 Handgun Skill Test, which is a different test at 10 yards on an IDPA target.
FAQ
What is the 5x5 drill?
Five shots into a 5-inch circle at 5 yards in 5 seconds, repeated five times — 25 rounds in total, scored by counting hits.
What's a good 5x5 score?
25 out of 25 with every string inside the 5-second par is the full standard. 23 or 24 shows the fundamentals are there; below 20 means the par time is beating you rather than the target.
What target does the 5x5 use?
A 5-inch circle at 5 yards — the black of a B-8 works, and so does a paper plate. A free printable version is available on DrillLane.
Who created the 5x5 drill?
Gila Hayes, as a minimum-competency check; Claude Werner (The Tactical Professor) added the rule that one clean run proves nothing, so you shoot the string five times. It is not Bill Wilson's 5x5 Handgun Skill Test, which is a separate test at 10 yards on an IDPA target, scored on time plus penalties.