Skills Tip: The Coin Drill
We’ve all heard the term “sight picture” and we probably know it’s a good thing to have… it’s essential for achieving accurate and precise shots. But what is it? And how do we build it?
In this article we’re going to discuss how to use The Coin Drill to improve your accuracy through your Tigger control.
First, a good sight picture:
Here’s what you’re looking for (using iron sights as an example):
The front and rear sights should be level and at an equal height.
The top of the front sight should align perfectly with the top of the rear sight.
The front sight should be centered within the notch of the rear sight.
How does it work?
Again, considering iron sights, imagine the alignment as if you were trying to place the front sight directly on the bullseye of the target. Your primary focus should be the front sight. The front sight should appear sharp and clear, while the rear sight and the target may appear slightly blurry.
The alignment of the sights should also be in line with the target. This means that when you look through the sights, the center of the front sight post should be in line with the target you intend to shoot (this can vary depending on your particular firearm, consult your manual).
One of the most common ways to ruin this sight picture is through an incorrect trigger press. An inconsistent or improper press of your trigger will move your firearm which will cause your sight to move out of alignment and even off the target.
The Coin Drill
The "Coin Drill" is an excellent dry fire exercise aimed at honing sight picture and sight alignment – two critical aspects of firearm accuracy by teaching you to establish a consistent trigger press
Dry fire practice is an indispensable component of firearm training, offering an economical and highly effective means of skill improvement. It involves practicing all the fundamentals of shooting without live ammunition. This is especially beneficial for those striving to enhance and refine their technique without the distractions of recoil or noise.
Steps To The Coin Drill
To effectively execute this drill, it is paramount to follow these steps:
Ensure your firearm is unloaded and completely cleared of live ammunition before commencing dry fire practice. Safety should be your top priority throughout the exercise.
Position a coin or a spent casing on the slide (or the barrel) behind the front sight and balance it carefully. This will serve as your indicator. It should not move throughout the drill.
Establish a secure grip and a stable shooting stance. These fundamental elements are vital to maintaining control over your firearm and ensuring consistent accuracy.
Carefully lift your firearm's sights onto a target, focusing intently on your front sight. Deliberately press the trigger all the way past the break (the stiffest point in a trigger pull).
The goal here is to press the trigger without disturbing the coin's position. If the coin moves, it indicates issues with your grip, stance, or trigger pull are causing unwanted movement in the muzzle.
Repeat and Refine. Continuously practice this drill, making subtle adjustments to your aim and technique as needed. The objective is to consistently prevent any movement of the front sight and coin.
How does this exercise help?
The integration of the Coin Drill into your dry fire practice is pivotal to skill improvement. Once you have practiced dry firing with the coin repeatedly and have achieved a level of consistency where the coin remains unmoved, it's time to transition back to live fire practice at the range.
Applying the lessons learned from dry fire practice to live shooting sessions is where the magic happens. You'll notice a remarkable improvement in your shooting accuracy as you refine your technique through the repetition and muscle memory developed during dry fire exercises.
The Coin Drill serves as an effective bridge between dry fire and live fire training, solidifying your firearm skills. Dry fire practice, particularly through drills like the Coin Drill, is a cost-effective and efficient way to enhance your shooting skills.
By simulating shooting motions without live ammunition, you can focus on refining your aim, trigger control, and sight alignment with a clear and undistracted mind. The Coin Drill's ability to reinforce proper technique and build muscle memory is invaluable, leading to (with time and practice) consistently accurate shots.
Give it a shot (well, technically if it’s dry fire there isn’t going to be a “shot”!) and let us know how it goes!
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