Basic
Pistol
Trigger Press
Source: Common dry-fire training standard
0.3s
Par Time
3 yd
Distance
20
Reps
Trigger Press is Trigger Control under time pressure. You set the timer for a random start, align the sights on a single target, and at the signal you press the trigger as fast as you can without disturbing the sights. A good benchmark is to be done pressing by the time the start beep ends — somewhere around 0.2 to 0.3 seconds.
This drill simulates match pace. At a real match, you do not have time for a slow, contemplative trigger press. You yank — or at least, that is how it feels. The point of this exercise is to learn that you can press the trigger quickly and still keep the gun honest. The key word is straight. Fast is fine. Crooked is not.
Do not prep the trigger before the beep. The entire press has to happen after the start signal. If you find yourself prepping, you are cheating yourself out of the actual learning. Alternate freestyle and one-handed. If you shoot DA/SA, work both trigger modes — the double-action press can be slightly less aggressive than the single-action one.
Range Setup
Setup
One target at 3 yards. Pistol confirmed unloaded. Shot timer set to random start. No magazine prep — do not touch the trigger before the beep.
Scoring
The trigger must break before the start signal ends (roughly 0.3 seconds). Sights must not move at the break. Late press or moving sights = failed rep.
Tips
Press straight back, hard. The instinct under time is to slap sideways. Fight it. Speed comes from not fighting the gun.
Progression
Get freestyle clean before adding strong-hand-only and weak-hand-only variants. The harder you press, the more honest the drill becomes — tension reveals technique problems.