Intermediate
Pistol
Casino Drill (Distance Variation)
Used in: Defensive
Source: Tom Givens / Rangemaster
21s
Par Time
7–25 yd
Distance
21
Rounds
2
Reps
42
Total Rounds
The Casino Drill is a comprehensive test that measures your accuracy and speed across four different distances. Named for its escalating round count, it’s one of the best all-around assessments of practical pistol skill.
Set up four targets at 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards. Fire 1 round at the 25-yard target, 2 rounds at 15 yards, 3 rounds at 10 yards, and 4 rounds at 7 yards. Then repeat the sequence in reverse: 4 at 7, 3 at 10, 2 at 15, 1 at 25. Total: 21 rounds.
The 21-second par time (one second per round) is a challenging benchmark. What makes this drill valuable is that it forces constant mental gear-shifting — you need precision at distance and speed up close, all in one continuous string. It’s an excellent diagnostic that reveals your weak spots across different engagement distances.
Range Setup
Setup
Four USPSA/IPSC targets at 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards. Start holstered at the 7-yard line. Move between distances or shoot from a single position if targets are stacked.
Scoring
All hits must be in the A-zone. Score: count your A-hits out of 21. Any miss outside the A-zone = -5 seconds added to time. Track total score and time.
Tips
Slow down on the 25-yard shots — they're worth the extra half-second. Speed up aggressively at 7 yards. Know your transitions.
Progression
Start without a par time and focus on 100% A-hits. Once clean, introduce the 21-second par and work from there. The 25-yard shot is the gatekeeper.