Intermediate
Pistol
LV SWAT Pistol Qual — Stage 03
Used in: Police Qualification
Source: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police SWAT
5s
Par Time
5 yd
Distance
3
Rounds
2
Reps
6
Total Rounds
Stage 3 introduces the head shot. At 5 yards, you draw and place 2 rounds in the lower (body) scoring zone, then transition to the upper (head) zone for 1 round — all within 5 seconds. The string is repeated twice for 6 rounds total.
The head zone on an IPSC target is significantly smaller than the body zone. This forces a gear change mid-string: your first two shots can be fast and aggressive to the large body zone, but the third shot to the head demands a slower, more precise trigger press. Managing that transition is the core skill tested here.
The LV SWAT Qualification is a 50-round course using USPSA/IPSC targets. A/B zones = 5 pts, C = 4 pts, D = 3 pts. Max 250 points, passing at 90% (225 pts).
Equipment Required
- Duty or concealed-carry pistol in holster
- USPSA/IPSC target
- Minimum 6 rounds of ammunition
- Shot timer
Range Setup
Setup
Stand facing a USPSA/IPSC target at 5 yards. Pistol loaded and holstered. Shot timer set to 5-second par.
Scoring
IPSC scoring: A/B = 5 pts, C = 4, D = 3. Body and head zones scored equally by zone letter. Max per string: 15 pts. Stage total (2 strings): 30 pts.
Tips
Shift gears deliberately. After the second body shot, let the recoil settle, drive the sights to the head box, and press the trigger only when the front sight is centered. Do not chase the third shot with speed.
Progression
Practice the body-to-head transition separately. The head box is roughly 6×4 inches at the A-zone — much smaller than the body. Goal: clean the head shot every time, even if it takes an extra half second.